72 — Lawful Ways of Seeking Nearness to Allah

One of the great etiquettes of supplication is to seek nearness to Allah—Exalted is He—before supplicating by means of what He has prescribed, loves, and approves for His servants as a way of drawing them near to Him. Allah Most High says, “O you who believe, fear Allah and seek the means of drawing near to Him.” 1 That is, seek nearness to Him.

It is well known that seeking nearness to Allah, drawing close to Him, and seeking His pleasure can only be achieved through what He has prescribed and loves—not through whims and religious innovations. This is an exceedingly important subject to which a Muslim must pay careful attention and in which he must beware of falling into error. Some people commit numerous violations and various forms of deviation in this regard while believing that their actions draw them close to Allah and bring them nearer to Him. Yet seeking nearness to Allah and drawing close to Him will neither benefit the servant nor be accepted by Allah unless it is lawful and its legitimacy is established by the Book of Allah and the sunnah of His Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him. Upon reflecting on the relevant texts, we find that they identify specific ways by which servants may lawfully seek nearness to Allah. They are as follows:

First: Seeking nearness to Allah through His Most Beautiful Names mentioned in His Book and in the sunnah of His Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him. Allah Most High says, “To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names, so call upon Him by them, and leave those who deviate concerning His Names. They will be recompensed for what they used to do.” 2 He also says, “Say: Call upon Allah or call upon the Most Merciful. Whichever you call upon, to Him belong the Most Beautiful Names.” 3.