AL-MALJA - The Refuge

… and also toward the three who were left behind, so that when the land became narrow for them, for all its great breadth, and their own selves became constricted for them and they realized that there was no refuge from Allah except in Him , He turned to them so that they might turn to Him. Allah is the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful. (Surat at-Tawba, 9:118)

All people are in need of prayer. A person who prays simply refers the situation to Allah, the Creator and Lord of the universe, and takes refuge in Him. Being aware that the solution lies only with Allah, the Almighty, taking Him as a friend and taking refuge in Him are great sources of security for His servants.

This taking refuge displays our weakness, for each of us has only limited power and will live only for a while. Therefore, we are obliged to seek His help. Allah, Who created us from a drop of water and the entire universe from nothing, can easily meet our needs and remove any problems. Other than Him, there is no being or thing in which to take refuge. Whoever is in the heavens or on Earth seeks His help. Those things or people from which people seek help and guidance cannot even help themselves. As Allah reveals:

O mankind! An example has been given, so listen carefully. Those whom you call upon besides Allah cannot even create a single fly, even if they were to join together to do it. And if a fly steals something from them, they cannot get it back. How feeble are both the seeker and the sought! (Surat al-Hajj, 22:73)

In the face of a threat or danger, all people understand that there is no one in whom to take refuge except for Allah. This is stated in the Qur'an, as follows:

Say: “Who rescues you from the darkness of the land and sea? You call on Him humbly and secretly: “If you rescue us from this, we will truly be among the thankful.'” (Surat al-An‘am, 6:63)

That people think only of Allah in times of hardship indicates that we innately know that Allah is our only true refuge. This being the case, we should take refuge in Allah before it is too late:

Respond to your Lord before a Day comes from Allah that cannot be turned back. On that Day, you will have no hiding place and no means of denial. (Surat ash-Shura, 42:47)