ok so we often here this at the friday khutbas and ijtimai duas that may allah make everyone live peacefully and be rid of sectarian violence, terrorism, and what not. what exactly is the point? i mean arent these the signs of qayamat? why pray for a U-turn when we know things arent going to get any better?
Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
Peace Sami
Perhaps something inside of you is telling you that either one thing is true, or the other is...
If the world is destined to be a sess-pool and things are going to play out in a series of events, then why pray?
If prayer (or in my opinion, the correct approach is corrective action and not just prayer) is a viable element, then perhaps what is "foretold" in tradition is just an adaptation of "prophecies" from other religions: As more and more people adopted Islam, they also incorporated elements of their own respective religions in the system...
In the spirit of disclosure, I must add however that my views are considered heritical here.
Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
nobody really knows what will happen, when and to whom, right?
belief in a faith is but a belief.
for spiritual existence, to go hand in hand with the physical, beyond one's human power to create a change, what is left to be used by those who have nothing to do with violence and destruction of life?
it is Dua.
Dua with good intention and real hope for a peaceful and no violent life around oneself is not forbidden.
therefore, those who make dua with all their purity, who knows, their dua may actually help make the world become a better place for Allah swt listened to them.
it is in the human nature to be sensitive about life and its protection from harm and violence, but unfortunately evil in people has overtook them. Dua or prayer is not unique to Muslims.
people from other faiths also pray.
best,
Dushwari
Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
yes but given the fact that there are soo many muslims who actually do just that...u tell me has it gotten any better?
Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
need to have some personal communication with HIM - relieves tensions, feel good afterwards, just need to keep in touch. Doesn't matter if you ask for wellbeing or your health or just cry your heart out bowing before him. HE will do whatever is best for you, or maybe HE is just trying you out.
Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
sectarian violence, terrorism, and what not. what exactly is the point? i mean arent these the signs of qayamat?
The coming of the Last Prophet Muhammad 
is also a sign of qurb-e-qyammah but did Prophet or his Companions stopped praying for wellbeing? Ofcourse not.
Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
what do you mean, has it got any better?
people do bad things and unfortunately good people have to bear that.
it does not mean Allah swt is not merciful.
Allah swt is merciful at his own time, not his creatures'.
there is no instant justice in this world, but justice there is.
i know it does sound and feel unfair, but know that you cannot make your faith become weak.
best,
Dushwari
quote='[sami rahman];5619263']yes but given the fact that there are soo many muslims who actually do just that...u tell me has it gotten any better?
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Re: why do muslims pray for wellbeing?
really interesting question.
i find it hard to come to grips with the fatalism most of us believe in about the upcoming recent future. most of us think things are trending towards qayamat, but we continue with our lives, we get an education, invest in property etc etc.. clearly long term planning that isnt really counting on the world ending next Tuesday.
Yet I know one or two people who were genuinely happy at the prospect of US war with Iran, since they felt that would mean the Mahdi is coming round the corner (when he comes). While that was the logical belief within that belief system it somehow seemed.. inhumane. ofcourse it helped that they werent actually in Iran :)