There are times of acute helplessness in the life of a person or a people when one turns for succour to the Unseen. What are the conditions of a successful invocation of Allah’s succour in such dire situations? Let us consider some Quranic pronouncements on the subject. First of all the Quran makes it clear, again and again, that without Allah’s help it is not possible to come to terms with extreme situations:
 If Allah helps you, then no one can dominate and overpower you but if he chooses to abandon you, then who is there besides Him who can help you out; in Allah then let the believers repose their (entire) trust. (3:160)
 The Quran also tells us that banking on Allah’s help is the key which opens up all avenues, seen or unseen:
 Whoever fears Allah, Allah opens a way out for him and provides for him from sources which he can never deem of: and whoever puts his trust in Allah, Allah suffices him. (65:2-3)
 However to qualify for Allah’s succour one has to merit entry into the category of people whom the Quran calls ansar Allah (Allah’s helpers). The believers are urged to aspire for entry into this category:
 O you who believe, be Allah’s helpers even as Jesus, the son of Mary, said to his disciples, “who shall be my helpers for Allah?” The disciples said, “we are Allah’s helpers.” (61”14)
 One may wonder how Allah, the Almighty who has power over everything whatsoever, requires the help of man. The Quranic answer to this question is that Allah has arranged this terrestrial scheme of life in a way that unlike other creatures of the Universe, man has been granted limited freedom of choice in a certain sphere. He can choose to follow a path dictated to him by his own desires or submit to Allah and opt for the way revealed by Him through his messengers. This way of unconditional surrender to Allah and His Obedience is designated by the Quran as Islam (submission and obedience). All objects of the Universe including the huge galaxies in the ever-expanding universe, obey the Divine law and are muslims in the Quranic terminology:
 And to Him submits whoever is in the heavens and on the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and to Him they are to be returned. (3:83)
 Allah wants man also to fall in line with the rest of the universe. This is the only way of true human fulfillment as living in water is the only guarantee for the life of fish. Those who adopt this course realize their spiritual potential and attain to the station of nearness to Allah. They not only follow this path themselves but also persuade others to do so and wherever they can, generate an atmosphere of piety in which submission to Allah becomes easier and easier. Since these people choose a path which has Allah’s approval, Allah, the Bountiful Lord, is pleased to call them His helpers and issues a solemn proclamation:
 And certainly Allah shall help those who help Him, He is the Almighty, the supremely Dominant. These (helpers of Allah) are those who, if We give them power, establish regular prayer, institutionalize (the system of) zakat, and enjoin good and forbid evil; and to Allah belongs the sequel of all things. (22:40-41)
 When we, in individual capacity or as a people, implore Allah’s help in difficult situations, we ought to examine ourselves whether or not we fall in the category of ansar Allah and therefore deserve Allah’s succour.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST