Prayer by the Water: The Representation of the Void Flowing in the Quran💧
Introduction
In the Qur’an, duʿāʾ (prayer) is presented not merely as a ritual of piety but as an ontological orientation and the essence of servitude. In this context, Ra’d 13:14 delivers a striking metaphor for the futility of prayers directed to anyone other than God:
“Like one who stretches out his hands towards water so that it may reach his mouth, but it never reaches it.”
This article will explore the layers of meaning within this metaphor, analyzing prayer, orientation, shirk (associating partners with God), and the Qur’an’s metaphorical language of truth.
1. Prayer: A Search for Connection
In the Qur’an, duʿāʾ is more than a verbal request; it is the human act of turning toward God, of calling upon Him, of seeking an existential bond.
“To Him alone is the true call (daʿwat al-ḥaqq)” (13:14)
This phrase sets the direction of prayer: only prayers directed to God are worthy of a response, for He alone hears, sees, and never leaves a call unanswered (cf. Mulk 67:14).
2. Stretching Hands Towards Water: The Chasm Between Prayer and Shirk
The second part of the verse is deeply evocative:
“Like one who stretches out his hands towards water so that it may reach his mouth, but it never reaches it.”
This metaphor depicts the state of those who pray to others besides God:
-
There is action, but no result.
-
There is longing, but the direction is wrong.
-
There is thirst, yet the water remains out of reach.
This is not merely a religious metaphor but a representation of human helplessness and the existential crisis of misdirected longing.
3. Water: A Symbol of Existence and Truth
In the Qur’an, water is the source of life:
“We made every living thing from water” (Anbiya 21:30).
Here, failing to reach water symbolizes:
-
Failing to attain truth.
-
Failing to achieve the life-giving orientation that nourishes the soul.
Praying to anyone other than God is like standing beside water but never bringing it to your lips, even while parched—self-deception at its most tragic.
4. Shirk in Prayer: Wasted Energy
In Qur’anic terms, shirk is not just idol worship; it is any act of relying on or calling out to anyone other than God (cf. Zumar 39:3, Yunus 10:106).
Ra’d 13:14 describes this state:
“The prayer of the disbelievers is nothing but a wandering in vain.”
It is a call echoing in the void, unanswered—a self-soothing gesture rather than true connection.
5. The Inner Message: Right Direction Matters as Much as Intention
The central message of this verse is clear:
It is not enough to have the intention; the orientation must also be correct.
Hands must be raised to the right direction; the call must be aimed at the true recipient.
Otherwise, all effort is like writing on water—ephemeral and futile.
Conclusion
Ra’d 13:14 portrays the plight of one who prays without turning to God as the tragedy of a thirsty person stretching out to water yet never quenching their thirst. This metaphor powerfully exposes the futility of empty orientations.
The Qur’an underscores that turning solely to God is both a moral and existential necessity. For if a prayer is not truly a call, it will return only as an echo. And if the direction is wrong, even a lifetime of effort becomes a prayer wasted.
Yorumlar
Yorum Gönder