Prayer by the Water: The Representation of the Void Flowing in the Quran💧
✒️💧 Prayer at the Water’s Edge: The Symbolism of a Wasted Call in the Qur’an (Ra’d 13:14) 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 ...