Throughout history, the divine messengers have called on God and invited the people toward Him. The holy Qur'an says on Prophet Noah, "He said, 'My Lord! Indeed, I have summoned my people night and day."

The Seal of the divine messengers, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) also invited toward God, as it is manifested in ayah 10 of surah Yusuf, "Say, 'This is my way. I summon to Allah with insight."

Invitation toward God is distinguished from other invitations in that it is based on wisdom and good advice as it is emphasized in ayah 125 of surah Nahl, "Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good advice and dispute with them in a manner that is best. Indeed, your Lord knows best who stray from His way and he knows best those who are guided."

The Prophet of Islam, after three years of secret invitation, made his mission public by going atop the hill of Safa and addressing the people in loud voice, "Qulu La Ilaha Illallah Tuflihu" meaning, "Say, there is no god but Allah to be successful."

What is success and how can it be achieved?

 Success if defined as reaching one's ultimate goal and wish. He who wants to reach success should make preparations and set the ground for it. The individual will come across hardships as there are dangers and ups and downs in the course of attaining success and salvation. The factors of success act as the steps which pave the way one after the other and lead to the ultimate goal.

The way toward success resonated in the alleys of Mecca with the sincere call of the Prophet who cherished the natures of mankind. Success and salvation has some factors and conditions. One of them is faith as it has been stressed in the first ayah of surah Mu'minun. According to ayah 9 of surah Shams, another factor is purification of the self: "Indeed, the one who purified it is successful."

Purification of the self means expurgation of it from vices and immoralities through stepping in the path of virtues.

According to the noble Qur'an, the human self is a tabula rasa at birth. Thus, it is capable of both purification and attaining of virtues, and getting polluted via indulging in vices and immoral acts. The orientation of daily activities in a way that they comply with the divine satisfaction will lead to success and salvation. The outcome of self-purification and self-building will be servitude of God. Servitude is the expression of conscious humbleness to the source of absolute Power. If human beings are called on daily obligatory prayer, fasting and the like as the means of attaining salvation, it is due to the fact that they direct other acts of the individual, as well.

Servitude is achieved via remembrance of God as it is said in ayah 10 of surah Jumu'a, "… and remember God very much so that you may be successful."

Those who are accustomed to the remembrance of God, are happy with remembering Him at every moment. Remembrance of God illuminates and enlightens the heart. Imam Ali (AS) said to Imam Hassan (AS), "Dear son! I recommend you to observe piety and commitment to the command of God, developing of the heart and spirit with remembrance of God and clinging to the Divine rope."

 Ayah 28 of surah Ra'd reads, "Look! The hearts find rest only in Allah's remembrance!"

The great exegete of the noble Qur'an, Allameh Seyyed Mohammad Hussein Tabatabai explains this ayah, saying, "Since human being has no goal in life except salvation and does not fear misery and mishap, the only factor who has salvation and misery at his hand is God the Glorified. And as everything returns to Him, and He is above the creatures, can do whatever He wishes, is the Friend of the faithful; so His remembrance is the source of calm for the self which is mired in mishaps and seeks a firm bastion to guarantee his salvation."

The blessed month of Ramazan is a suitable chance for answering God's invitation and remembering His bounties. Ayah 69 of surah A'araf reads in this regard, "So remember Allah's bounties so that you may be successful."

The blessed month of Ramazan is the manifestation of God's remembrance. It is the month of self-building, servitude and attending the divine banquet. This banquet helps the individual to reach God's proximity. It helps improve relationships, with one's self, the Creator and His creatures. The Messenger of Mercy said that this month is engulfed in grandeur, dignity and superiority. May God help us attend His banquet with pure hearts and souls that are devoid of worldly blemishes. Amen.

RM/SS