3 – Seeking nearness to Allah by affirming His oneness, just as Jonah called out: “He cried out from within the darknesses, ‘There is no deity except You; exalted are You!’” (21:87).

4 – Seeking nearness to Allah by laying bare one’s weakness, need, and utter dependence on Him, as Job said: “Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the Most Merciful of those who show mercy” (21:83).

5 – Seeking nearness to Allah through the supplication of living righteous people. In times of drought the Companions would ask the Prophet ﷺ to pray for rain; after his death they requested his uncle al-‘Abbas to supplicate for them (1).

6 – Seeking nearness to Allah by confessing one’s sin, as Moses said: “My Lord, I have indeed wronged myself, so forgive me” (28:16).