A comprehensive supplication

The Beloved Messenger, Peace and Blessings be upon him taught us a supplication that is brief yet comprehensive in scope.

It is reported that he (Sas) told Muadh ibn Jabal (ra) to recite after every prayer:

"Allahumma Ainnee ala dhikrika wa shukrika wa husni ibaadatik"

“O Allah enable me to remember you, thank you and worship you in the best possible way.”

The supplication covers three of the most important and fundamental aspects of our spiritual life.

1. Remembrance of Allah:

An acute awareness of the Presence of Allah in every moment of our life.
A heart that is fully cognizant of the Might and Mercy of Allah, and responds with every heartbeat
A tongue that moist with expressions of His Remebrance, "standing, sitting and reclining"
Limbs that are obedient to His commands and refrain from His prohibitions
A soul that is completely content with what it has earned, and looks forward for the meeting with its Lord."Verily in the remebrance of Allah do hearts find rest" and "The remebrance of Allah is the greatest thing" (wa la dhikrullahi akbar"


2. Thanking Allah
Being thankful to Allah for His favours is a sign of true contentment and acceptance of Allah's decree.
Thankfulness at every opportunity that presents itself - and at every mercy and blessing that we receive day in and day out.
Waking from a restful sleep after a long night; eating a meal; inhaling the fresh air; the ability to use one's faculties; the natural wonders around us; the small miracles that happen every day - these are all reaons to thank Allah. Of course the greatest reasons are for Life itself, and being guided upon the straight path. Thenaking Allah engenders in the believer the natural quality to express thanks to human beings who have assisted them in even small ways. It fosters grace and civilized conduct.

3. Worhip Allah in the best of manner (with Ihsaan)Worship is the external manifestation of the Love that we have for Allah in our hearts. "Those who believe are overflowing in their love for Allah".
Therefore worship, based on this foundation, will always be subject to a pursuit of excellence. In the hadith of Jibreel (As), the prophet explained Ihsaan as worshippng Allaha s if you see Him, and although you do not see Him, you know that He sees you. Perfection of worship therefore begins with the mandatory acts of worship, and extends beyond to encompass every little action that we do - from the mundane matters of bodily cleanliness to social relationships and highly spiritual endeavours.