You love spring! When spring finally arrives, you throw yourself out to enjoy days getting longer, flowers blooming, and the weather warming. You wanted to do the same this year, too, and went out for a walk in the park. But something strange happened: Your eyes began to water, your throat itched, and a sneeze burst out with alarming force. Moments later, another sneeze followed, then another. When you went to the doctor, you were diagnosed with seasonal allergies. From now on, you have to be careful and take them into account wherever you go.

This story is familiar to many people. Allergic disease is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the world. Hay fever affects 400 million individuals globally, with asthma affecting 300 million, food allergies between 200 and 250 million, and drug allergies affecting around 10 percent of the world’s population. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 2013 data show that about 28 million children in the United States have allergies. As many as 50 million adults may experience reactions to allergens. The World Allergy Organization warns that “the prevalence of allergic diseases worldwide is rising dramatically in both developed and developing countries.”

Allergens, or molecules with the potential to cause allergy, are everywhere in our environment. They can take the form of tree pollen, food, mold, dust mites, snake or insect venom, and animals, such as cats, dogs, and even cockroaches. Allergic reactions begin in the immune system. When a harmless substance such as dust, mold, or pollen is encountered by a person who is allergic to it, the immune system may overreact by producing antibodies that “attack” the allergen. This can cause wheezing, itching, runny nose, watery or itchy eyes, and other symptoms. People with a family history of allergies have an increased risk of developing allergic disease. If one parent is allergic, there is a 30-50% chance of their offspring developing allergies. This jumps to 60-80% if both parents are allergic.

Allergies can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status. Generally, allergies are more common in children. However, a first-time occurrence can happen at any age, or recur after many years of remission. Hormones, stress, smoke, perfume, or environmental irritants may also play a role in the development or severity of allergies. Hay fever (allergic rhinitis), eczema, hives, asthma, and food allergy are some types of allergic diseases. Allergy symptoms can range from mild to a serious, life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Spiritual allergies

Humans are not only biological beings. Many things that happen in the human body usually have corresponding phenomena happening in our spiritual world. What would be the spiritual allergens? Just as allergens trigger reactions in the body, what would reveal the weaknesses of the soul? Are our sins comparable to allergens?

We turn to our religious traditions to inquire about the nature of spiritual allergens and what to do about them. For instance, in John 8:7, Jesus reminded his followers not to judge others harshly, since no one is free from faults. In Sahih Muslim, Prophet Muhammad taught that Satan recognized this human nature from the very beginning—that people would struggle with desires they could not always control. The Prophet also emphasized that sin is part of the human condition, but God’s mercy is always available to those who seek forgiveness.

Together, these teachings highlight the parallel: just as we live with allergies by managing and protecting ourselves, we live with our spiritual vulnerabilities by turning to God with humility, compassion, and a constant need for forgiveness.

Allergens can be inhaled, ingested, or enter through the skin. Common allergic reactions—such as hay fever, certain types of asthma, and hives—are linked to an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). For example, a person may react to one type of pollen but not another. When a susceptible person is exposed, the body produces large amounts of IgE antibodies, so that the next encounter with the same allergen can trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms vary depending on the type and amount of allergen, as well as how the immune system responds. The most effective way to avoid allergies is to stay away from the allergens themselves.

In a similar way, we are exposed to different kinds of sins, and each person may be more vulnerable to some than to others. The Qur’an cautions, “Do not come near indecencies, openly or secretly.” Just as allergens require avoidance, moral weaknesses call for vigilance. People may have tendencies toward certain sins due to their nature, but refining and correcting these inclinations requires willpower. Our task is to recognize our vulnerabilities and take steps to guard against them—just as we protect ourselves from allergens.

There is a common saying: “No one is innocent of a sin they have never been tested with.” In his book Julius Ceasar, Shakespeare says that “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves,” suggesting that people make mistakes not because of their fate, but due to their own choices and weaknesses. Allergies can stem from a person’s genetic background, but we cannot know if we are allergic to something without being exposed to it. Unlike allergens, however, the tendency toward sin is not determined by fate but is a matter of willful choice. Resisting sin, therefore, requires exercising willpower. The Qur’an reminds us: “Whatever good happens to you is from God; and whatever misfortune befalls you is because of your own actions.”

Adult-onset allergies are allergy symptoms that appear later in life. This can happen anytime from young adulthood, such as in one’s 20s, to the senior years, even into the 70s or 80s. Typically, if someone passes through their 20s and 30s without developing new allergies, the chances of experiencing adult-onset allergies decrease The strangest part, however, is that you can suddenly react to an allergen that never bothered you before. You may have lived with it daily for years without a problem, and then one day it triggers a runny nose, itchy eyes, and uncontrollable sneezing. Similarly, susceptibility to sin may emerge later in life. Saying, “I have no weakness in this regard,” is never fully accurate. A person must always remain vigilant against their own desires and as noted earlier, take care to block the paths to sin from the very beginning.

The first exposure to an allergen that triggers a Type 2 immune response is called allergic sensitization. Once the body has been sensitized, it retains a lasting memory of that substance. On the next encounter, IgE molecules are primed to unleash a cascade of inflammatory agents—such as histamine—causing the unpleasant and sometimes even life-threatening symptoms of allergy. As a counterpart to this in the spiritual realm, Said Nursi says that “Sin, penetrating to the heart, will blacken and darken it until it extinguishes the light of belief. Within each sin is a path leading to unbelief. Unless that sin is swiftly obliterated by seeking God’s pardon, it will grow from a worm into a snake that gnaws on the heart.”

The recent rise in allergic diseases suggests that changing environmental factors play a major role in sensitization. Exposures during the first months of life can shape the risk of developing allergies later in childhood. In a similar way, access to sin has become easier in today’s world. The environment in which a child grows up directly influences character. With technology now permeating every aspect of life, personal privacy has weakened, making it far easier—especially for children—to encounter sin. For this reason, adults must remain vigilant not only for themselves but also for the young. Just as parents try to limit their children’s exposure to harmful allergens, they must also take measures to shield them from harmful moral influences and protect their well-being.

Recent studies show that initial sensitization to airborne allergens often occurs in early childhood. However, only a subset of those affected later progress to persistent atopic asthma, which may not appear for several years. Similarly, if developing tendencies toward sin are not appropriately addressed early on, they can lead to much greater sins in later in life, which may become impossible to prevent or resist.

Migrants often show a higher prevalence of asthma and food allergies in their adopted countries compared to their countries of origin, reminding us how deeply the environment shapes our well-being. Allergens such as pollen are not the only spring triggers—air pollution and temperature changes can also worsen symptoms. Still, this does not mean we should lock ourselves indoors.

In a similar way, our social environment also influences our character and values. Changing environments can sometimes lead people to lose touch with their traditions, highlighting the importance of staying grounded in community. As a Turkish proverb says, “Tell me who your friend is, and I will tell you who you are.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also taught that believers who live among others with patience and perseverance are rewarded more than those who isolate themselves.

Just as we cannot remove every allergen from the air we breathe, we cannot isolate ourselves completely from society. The task is not withdrawal but learning how to live within community while nurturing what is good, so that together we can raise the moral and spiritual level of society.

Humankind has been created with a tendency toward sin and has been given the ability to choose between good and evil. This demonstrates that this world is a place of trial and that there is an eternal afterlife. The highest level a person can attain in this world is to know themselves, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, organize their life accordingly, and fully exercise their willpower.

References

• https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/allergies-and-the-immunesystem#:~:text=A%20person%20becomes%20allergic%20when,races%2C%20genders%20and%20socioeconomic%20statuses.
• https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-blog/2023/march/adult-onset-allergies-how-they-happen-and-how-to-manage-them
• https://www.carolinaasthma.com/blog/what-causes-a-person-to-develop-allergies/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321159#4-Prepare-an-emergency-action-plan
• https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/prevention-of-allergies-and-asthma-in-children
• Reynolds, L. A., & Finlay, B. B. (2017). Early life factors that affect allergy development. Nature Reviews Immunology, 17(8), 518-528. https://doi.org/10.1038/nri.2017.39
• Holt, P. G., Macaubas, C., Stumbles, P. A., & Sly, P. D. (1999). The role of allergy in the development of asthma. Nature, 402(6760), 12-17. https://doi.org/10.1038/35037009
• https://www.bbc.com/news/health-46302780
• Muslim, Birr 111; Ahmed b. Hanbal, Musnad, III, 240.
• Surah Al-An’am, 151.
• Surah An-Nisa, 79.
• The Flashes, The Second Flash. Bediuzzaman Said Nursi.

Recently, The Prayer of Jabez became a best seller. Some ministries and Bible study groups are studying it enthusiastically, and many people give it as gifts. Despite its unusual popularity, some accuse it of being at variance with Biblical teachings.

The Prayer of Jabez

The author, Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson, focuses on a short prayer made by Jabez, a largely unknown Old Testament figure: And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying: Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil that I may not cause pain. So God granted him what he requested (1 Chronicles 4:9-10 [NKJV].)

Jabez, which means pain in Hebrew, was named by his mother after the pain he caused during childbirth”not a good start to life. Wilkinson says: Things started badly for a person no one had ever heard of, he prayed an unusual one-sentence prayer, and things ended extraordinarily well.

He suggests that there is something special about this prayer, for he claims to have seen extraordinary blessings over the years he has practiced it. In short, his analysis is as follows:

– Oh, that you would bless me: God’s nature is to bless. He gives countless blessings every day, some of which we do not receive because we do not ask for them. God wants to give us His blessings, but for some reason people do not ask for them. In short: God’s bounty is limited only by us, not by His resources, power or willingness to give.

– and enlarge my territory: Jabez asks for this so he can touch more lives in God’s service. Most people working in God’s service are trapped in the simple arithmetic that sums up their abilities, experiences, and other personal characteristics and then equate that with their territory. But Wilkinson states that if people make God’s Will their highest priority, God will help them with extraordinary blessings. Those who want to expand God’s kingdom will be washed in God’s blessings, which far exceed their own abilities.

Wilkinson writes: The most exhilarating miracles in my life have always started with a bold request to expand God’s kingdom, a lot. When you take little steps, you don’t need God. It’s when you thrust yourself in the mainstream of God’s plans for this world”which are beyond our ability to accomplish”and plead with Him”Lord, use me”give me more ministry for You! ”that you release miracles. At that moment, heaven sends angels, resources, strength and the people you need. I’ve seen it happen hundreds of times.

– that Your hand would be with me: When faced with actually beginning a huge task, many people fall into despair. Wilkinson says this is good, for depending upon God and praying sincerely to Him ensures success. When a much-younger Wilkinson felt this way and went to a trusted old man for advice, he was told: Actually, the second you are not feeling dependent (on God) you’ve backed away from truly living by faith.

He also relates a task undertaken by him and his students that turned out to be a huge success. He ties the success of such seemingly impossible undertakings to the participants’ recognition that they are weak and can succeed only if God steps in.

– that You would keep me from evil: Ordinary believers tend to seek God’s protection during their fight with evil. Wilkinson thinks Jabez found a shortcut: God’s protection from evil. In short, we will not sin if we do not feel tempted. Thus, Jabez asks God to protect him from temptation rather than to help him fight evil. As those who move closer to God face more temptation, and thus gain self-confidence and stop depending upon God, Wilkinson thinks that Jabez wanted God’s protection.

Criticisms

While easy-to-read and bearing a powerful message, many religious figures and other people knowledgeable of the Bible consider it misleading. For example:

– The intent of The prayer of Jabez is unclear to us. The Prayer of Jabez is translated differently in several translations and only a few translations are compatible with the author’s interpretation. There is not enough biblical support for author’s claims. For all we know, the prayer of Jabez looks like a completely selfish one. For starters, Jabez never says that he wants to be in the service of God.

– The author does not give enough emphasis on other prayers in the Bible, especially prayers of Jesus. It is almost like the author claims to have the magical prayer that God answers all the time. Although the author warns against using the prayer as a magic key, the rest of the book is at odds with that assertion. People may put faith in the prayer, not in God. Praying Jabez’s prayer as a ritual is propagated throughout the book.

– To be delivered from evil is biblical, but lacking. No matter how much you pray, you are bound to face evil and temptation. Praying for help in fighting against temptation should also be emphasized. Also, many of Christians had a problem with the statement Without temptation, we would not sin. Since, according to Christian faith, man is born sinful, he does not have to do anything to be in a state of sin.

– The prayer is self-centered, but some Christians think that prayer should be God-centered. Most Christians do not think that there is anything inherently wrong in praying for one’s own needs. However, the fact that Jesus started and finished his prayer by praising God should be stressed. Here is an example: Pray, then, in this way: Our Father Who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen (Matthew 6:9-13, NASB).

Clearly, praise of God is not very apparent in The Prayer of Jabez.

The Islamic viewpoint

Some ideas expressed in this book are found in Islam. While researching this article, I interviewed Christians from different denominations on their views of prayer. When I asked if God would answer a non-Christian’s prayer, most said: Yes, for God is everyone’s God and may choose to answer His servants’ prayers any time He wills. However, one person replied that God only answers a righteous person’s prayer. If God appears to answer a non-righteous person’s prayer, it is because that person does the necessary things or because God makes it happen, as it falls under His Will regardless of their prayer.

Muslims do not rule out such conditions, and Islam does not teach that God listens only to Muslims. For example: Or, Who answers the distressed one when he calls upon Him and removes the evil, and He will make you successors in the earth. Is there a god with Allah? Little is it that you mind! (27:62) and And when My servants ask you concerning Me, then surely I am very near; I answer the prayer of the suppliant when he calls on Me, so they should answer My call and believe in Me that they may walk in the right way (2:187)

Does God favor certain prayers and grant them more frequently then others?

Yes, as the stories of the Prophets and righteous people show. For example:

– And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House: Our Lord, accept from us, for You are the Hearing, the Knowing. Our Lord, make us submissive to You, (raise) from our offspring a nation submitting to You, show us our ways of devotion, and turn to us (mercifully), for You are the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful. Our Lord, raise up one of their own as a Messenger who shall recite Your communications to them, teach them the Book and the wisdom, and purify them, for You are the Mighty, the Wise. (2:127-29)

– Our Lord, don’t cause our hearts to deviate after You have guided us aright, and grant us from Your Mercy, for You are the most generous Giver. (3:8)

– God does not burden a soul with something greater than it can bear. It receives every good that it earns, and suffers every ill that it earns. (Pray:) Our Lord, don’t condemn us if we forget or fall into error. Our Lord, don’t place upon us a burden like the one You placed upon those before us. Our Lord, don’t place upon us a burden that we can’t bear. Expunge our sins and forgive us. Have mercy upon us. You are our Protector, [so] help us against those who oppose faith. (2:286)

The Prophet also left behind many prayers related sleep, eating, seeking protection from evil or an enemy, seeking forgiveness, asking for paradise, seeking refuge from poverty, certain diseases, and others related to all facets of life. Islam does not present any prayers as as magic formulas for acceptance, but merely some sample prayers that God likes believers to perform. While the wording is important, what really counts is sincerity: (Jesus said:) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words (Matthew 6:7) and (Muhammad said:) God does not accept the supplication of a person whose heart is busy with other things (Tirmidhi, Daawat, 66).

Does God answer all prayers?

Muslims believe that certain conditions have to be met for the prayer to be answered: It is addressed to the One True God, does not join another deity with God, and does not ask for what God has prohibited.

However, God answers prayers as He wills. Similar to what Christians believe, He may grant it as it is, grant something better, or may not grant it since the outcome will be bad: But it is possible that you dislike a thing that is good for you, and that you love a thing that is bad for you. God knows, and you do not (2:216).

Also, God may choose not to interfere or change the flow of events. We see this when the various Prophets and their followers were persecuted. When one Muslim asked the Prophet to pray for deliverance, the Prophet replied, that this is the fate of all sincere believers and that they must be steadfast and patient in God’s path. Thus God allows apparently bad things to happen and delays the prayer’s acceptance. The Prophet said: Each person’s prayer is granted if he or she does not grow impatient and say: I prayed, but it was not granted’ (Muslim, Dhikr 6593).

Praising God vs. Asking God

Christian and Islamic traditions consider it most appropriate to start a prayer by glorifying God. For Muslims, this is reflected in the first surah, which has to be recited throughout the five daily prescribed prayers: In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. All praise is due to God, Lord of the Worlds. The Compassionate, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. We serve You and implore You for help. Keep us on the right path. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favors. Not (the path) of those who have earned Your Wrath or of those who go astray (1:1-7)

The first four verses praise, thank, and glorify God. The fifth one is either a statement or prayer to reach a certain quality. The last two are supplications. The Prophet told his Companions to start their prayers by praising God, and his own prayers were intertwined with glorifications of God. Many prayers reported in the Qur’an also start with praise of and thanks to God.

In the Islamic tradition, one can ask for earthly things: The Messenger of Allah said, Each of you should ask for his or her needs from Allah, even if your shoelace breaks, because if Allah does not facilitate it, it will never be possible (Tirmidhi, Da awat, 149). However, the Qur’an criticizes prayers that focus on earthly things alone: Some say: Our Lord, give us (Your bounties) in this world, but they will have no portion in the Hereafter. Others say: Our Lord, give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and defend us from the Fire’s torment. To them will be given what they have earned. God is quick in account (2:200-02) and No soul dies except by God’s leave, the term being fixed as by writing. If someone wants a reward in this life, We shall give it. If someone wants a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give it. And swiftly shall We reward those who (serve Us with) gratitude (3:145).

Thus, Muslims do not take Paradise for granted. Rather, they hope to enter it through gaining God’s good pleasure, good deeds, and avoiding evil. Even the Prophet said he could enter Paradise only by God’s Mercy. Prayers focusing on the Hereafter are not common in the Christian tradition; however, they are central in the Islamic tradition. The Islamic belief in individual accountability is a driving force in a practicing Muslim’s daily life.

Conclusion

Prayer is a basic human need and a powerful way to establish a connection with God. It is also a signature, for how one prays gives important clues about one’s relationship with God. For example, the reported prayers of righteous people and Prophets show a far deeper understanding about how God acts. Prayer also unifies people of different faith communities, as seen in during the interfaith services held after the September 11 tragedy.

The Prayer of Jabez, despite its shortcomings from both Christian and Islamic perspectives, is an important book. People should read it and contemplate its message. All of us need to acquire a more accurate understanding of the different faiths that drive our neighbors and other people. Viewing all Muslims as terrorists due to the actions of a few or raising our children to hate or fear members of other faith communities damage all of us. Maybe one day the media will realize this.

References

• http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible (the Bible, New King James Version).
• http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/ (The Qur’an, Yusuf Ali and Shakir translations)
• Wilkinson, Bruce. The Prayer of Jabez (Multnomah Publishers: 2000).
• www.al- sunnah.com/books/ConciseLegacy.htm (al-Tirmidhi).
• www.muhaddis.org (al-Tirmidhi).
• www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/ (Sahih Muslim).