by Zainib Ahmad

Created on: May 23, 2008

"Relationship" is a pet word in today's society. People seem to be falling in and out of relationships and there are dozens of advice columns telling us how to manage our various relationships. But how much attention is given to the greatest relationship we can ever have,
a relationship with One who is closer to us than our life-vein? I have spent many hours and entire days fretting over my relationships with other people; what they said, what I thought they meant, how I should have responded, how they might think about me..... and so on. The reality is that even though we have close relations and relationships with so many people, we fail to recognize that contact for what it is: an opportunity to build a better and closer relationship with Allah.

"Oh Allah, I beseech You for your love and the love of those who love you, and actions that help me gain your love. Please make your love more precious to me than my life, my wealth and cold water." This is one of my favorite prayers, selected from the prayers of our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It captures the essence of what I would like my relationship with Allah to be like. It is a lofty goal, but not impossible. It simplifies my entire faith and worship.

The Quran guides and encourages us to have a personal relationship with Allah. We are blessed by following the religion of Islam that we need no intermediaries as we approach our Lord. Our prayers go directly to Allah and through the five daily ritual prayers we are blessed with an opportunity to meet with out Creator.

My faith ebbs and flows like crazy. On my bad days, my prayers go by in a blur while my mind is preoccupied and stressed out by a million unimportant things. On my good days, prayer is a soothing break for me. I can connect with Allah and give Him a report of my day so far. I have an opportunity to check bad attitudes and choices before they get out of hand. As I slow down enough to feel my heart beat, I know that I am connected to someone bigger. He sees my ups and downs and knows that I am trying. Every little thing I do is watched and recorded and I may be rewarded for it. I have a feeling of great purpose, even if all I do is change diapers and wipe noses. The pots and pans can be my mosque if I am centered.

Over time Muslims have lost their connection with Allah through those who were supposed to help them make a connection. Sadly our religious leaders have taken over the role of "soul police". Instead of giving good advice and urging us to

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