Seventeen times a day, submitters make the following proclamation to God when they recite the Fãtehah during their Salat.
[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
iyyāka naʿbudu wa-iyyāka nastaʿīn
The word “nastaʿīn” ( نَسْتَعِين ) translates to “we ask for help” and comes from the root “Ayn-Waw-Nun” ( ع و ن ) and only occurs eleven times in ten verses of the entire Quran in the following ways:
- Middle-aged: 2:68
- Cooperation: 5:2 (x2), 18:95, 25:4
- Seek help: 1:5, 2:45, 2:153, 7:128, 12:18, 21:112
4 CATEGORIES OF SEEKING HELP FROM GOD ALONE
If we look at only occurrences where the word “to seek help” is used, we can split this into four subgroups.
- You alone we ask for help: 1:5
- Seek help through steadfastness and Salat: 2:45 & 2:153
- Seek GOD’s help, and be steadfast in the face of adversity: 7:128
- The One sought help against false claims: 12:18 & 21:112
#1 YOU ALONE WE ASK FOR HELP
[1:5] You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
Exclusive devotion and reliance on God are central to seeking His help. This is the foundation of Submission, where God is the sole source of support and strength. Worship and seeking help are intertwined, emphasizing that true reliance should be directed solely towards God.
#2 SEEK HELP THROUGH STEADFASTNESS AND SALAT
[2:45] Seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent,
وَٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِنَّهَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلْخَـٰشِعِينَ
[2:153] O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱلصَّبْرِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
These verses inform us that if we want to obtain God’s help we do this by being steadfast and observing the Contact Prayer (Salat). This highlights the need for perseverance and consistent worship practices as a means to gain divine assistance. The following verse provides us insight into how God provides help through the Contact Prayer (Salat).
[29:45] You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.
ٱتْلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيْكَ مِنَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبِ وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
#3 SEEK GOD’s HELP & BE STEADFAST In FACE of ADVERSITY
[7:127] The leaders among Pharaoh’s people said, “Will you allow Moses and his people to corrupt the earth, and forsake you and your gods?” He said, “We will kill their sons, and spare their daughters. We are much more powerful than they are.”
[7:128] Moses said to his people, “Seek GOD’s help, and steadfastly persevere. The earth belongs to GOD, and He grants it to whomever He chooses from among His servants. The ultimate victory belongs to the righteous.”قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِقَوْمِهِ ٱسْتَعِينُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱصْبِرُوٓا۟ إِنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ لِلَّهِ يُورِثُهَا مَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلْعَـٰقِبَةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
When Pharoah threatened to kill the sons and spare the daughters of the Children of Isreal, this is when the supplications of of the believer’s words were put to the test. This represents the inevitable test that all believers must go through to see if we truly believe or are just offering lip service when we proclaim to God, “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.”
[29:2] Do the people think that they will be left to say, “We believe,” without being put to the test?
[29:3] We have tested those before them, for GOD must distinguish those who are truthful, and He must expose the liars.أَحَسِبَ ٱلنَّاسُ أَن يُتْرَكُوٓا۟ أَن يَقُولُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا وَهُمْ لَا يُفْتَنُونَ
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ صَدَقُوا۟ وَلَيَعْلَمَنَّ ٱلْكَـٰذِبِينَ
This reflects the importance of maintaining steadfastness and patience in the face of challenges and adversity to prove our true conviction and devotion to God alone.
[2:214] Do you expect to enter Paradise without being tested like those before you? They were tested with hardship and adversity, and were shaken up, until the messenger and those who believed with him said, “Where is GOD’s victory?” GOD’s victory is near.
أَمْ حَسِبْتُمْ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَمَّا يَأْتِكُم مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ خَلَوْا۟ مِن قَبْلِكُم مَّسَّتْهُمُ ٱلْبَأْسَآءُ وَٱلضَّرَّآءُ وَزُلْزِلُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ يَقُولَ ٱلرَّسُولُ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ مَتَىٰ نَصْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَلَآ إِنَّ نَصْرَ ٱللَّهِ قَرِيبٌ
It suggests that seeking God’s help is not just for when things are comfortable but must be shown by stepping up when called upon and enduring difficulties when we have to.
[4:77] Have you noted those who were told, “You do not have to fight; all you need to do is observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat),” then, when fighting was decreed for them, they feared the people as much as they feared GOD, or even more? They said, “Our Lord, why did You force this fighting on us? If only You respite us for awhile!” Say, “The materials of this world are nil, while the Hereafter is far better for the righteous, and you never suffer the slightest injustice.”
أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ قِيلَ لَهُمْ كُفُّوٓا۟ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقِتَالُ إِذَا فَرِيقٌ مِّنْهُمْ يَخْشَوْنَ ٱلنَّاسَ كَخَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْ أَشَدَّ خَشْيَةً وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لِمَ كَتَبْتَ عَلَيْنَا ٱلْقِتَالَ لَوْلَآ أَخَّرْتَنَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ قُلْ مَتَـٰعُ ٱلدُّنْيَا قَلِيلٌ وَٱلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لِّمَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ وَلَا تُظْلَمُونَ فَتِيلًا
This shows that obtaining God’s help is not passive; it involves stepping out of our comfort zone to foster the growth and development of the soul, drawing ever closer to God. This requires trusting God’s will under all circumstances and avoiding despondency or objection.
#4 God: The One sought help against False claims
[12:18] They produced his shirt with fake blood on it. He said, “Indeed, you have conspired with each other to commit a certain scheme. All I can do is resort to a quiet patience. By GOD, the One sought for help against what you claim.“
وَجَآءُو عَلَىٰ قَمِيصِهِۦ بِدَمٍ كَذِبٍ قَالَ بَلْ سَوَّلَتْ لَكُمْ أَنفُسُكُمْ أَمْرًا فَصَبْرٌ جَمِيلٌ وَٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
[21:106] This is a proclamation for people who are worshipers.
[21:107] We have sent you out of mercy from us towards the whole world.
[21:108] Proclaim, “I have been given divine inspiration that your god is one god. Will you then submit?”
[21:109] If they turn away, then say, “I have warned you sufficiently, and I have no idea how soon or late (the retribution) will come to you.
[21:110] “He is fully aware of your public utterances, and He is fully aware of everything you conceal.
[21:111] “For all that I know, this world is a test for you, and a temporary enjoyment.”
[21:112] Say, “My Lord, Your judgment is the absolute justice. Our Lord is the Most Gracious; the One sought for help against what you claim.“قَـٰلَ رَبِّ ٱحْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَرَبُّنَا ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
These verses emphasize trusting in God’s justice and mercy despite what others may claim. Seeking help from God includes relying on His judgment and grace in the face of false accusations or acts of deception. We see this as Jacob’s response to his sons’ conspiracy against Joesph and what believers are to say in the face of false claims against the truth. This emphasizes that seeking God’s help is what believers must do when human justice fails, reaffirming our faith in His ultimate wisdom and that He is in control over all things.
SEEKING GOD’S HELP 4-STEP CYCLE
The process of seeking help from God can be understood as a continuous four-step cycle, with each step reinforcing the previous step and leading to the next step until it returns back to the first step. Here’s how the four categories form an interconnected cycle:
Step #1: Worship God Alone
- The foundation of our relationship with God is exclusive devotion. We worship God alone, acknowledging Him as the only source of support and strength. This singular devotion naturally leads us to seek His help in all matters.
Step #2: Obtain His Help Through Salat & Steadfastness
- Worshipping God involves regular acts of devotion, particularly the Contact Prayer (Salat), and maintaining steadfastness. These practices cultivate our reliance on God and draw His assistance in our lives.
Step #3: Steadfastness Through Adversity: A Test of Faith
- A critical aspect of seeking God’s help is exhibiting patience and steadfastness during trials and adversities. This steadfastness is not passive but involves an active effort to trust God’s plan when things become treacherous. If we are truthful, this will prove that our belief in God was not just mere lip service.
Step #4: Trust in God’s Ultimate Justice
- When faced with false claims that lead to severe injustice, we reaffirm our trust in God’s ultimate wisdom and justice as the One whose help is sought. We confirm this by reinforcing our commitment to worshipping Him alone and seeking only His help, completing the cycle.
This cyclical process ensures that our reliance on God is continuously reinforced and our spiritual growth is sustained through worship, Salat, patience, and trust.
