Rather, by appealing to the person’s very self and to the honor his Lord has bestowed upon him, the supplicant has not invoked a cause that would necessitate the granting of the request.

Seeking Access to Allah through Righteous Deeds

At this point it may be said: As for seeking nearness and turning to Allah—petitioning Him through the righteous deeds He has commanded, such as the plea of the three men who took refuge in the cave and called upon Him by virtue of their good works, or through the prayers and intercession of the prophets and the righteous—there is no disagreement whatsoever. Indeed, this is part of the “means” (wasīlah) Allah has enjoined when He said,

“O you who believe, be mindful of Allah and seek a means of approach to Him.” (al-Māʾidah 5:35)

and when He, the Exalted, said,

“Those they invoke are themselves seeking a means of approach to their Lord—who of them is nearer—hoping for His mercy and fearing His punishment.” (al-Isrāʾ 17:57)

To seek a means to Him is to look for someone—or something—through which one may draw near and approach Him, whether that is by way of worship, obedience, and fulfilling His command, or by way of supplication and seeking refuge in Him, hoping thereby to obtain benefits and repel harms.

The word duʿāʾ in the Qur’an covers both senses: prayer as worship and prayer as request, even though each necessarily implies the other. Yet when distress befalls a servant, his immediate aim may be to satisfy his need and lift his hardship. He therefore pursues that aim with earnest pleading and humility—an act that is itself worship and obedience. At first his intention is simply to secure what he desires—provision, victory, or general well-being—but the very act of supplication opens for him doors to faith in Allah, exalted is He, knowledge of Him, love for Him, and spiritual delight.