Among the people of the early Islamic era, those who have been praised - at least, in our culture and according to our belief system - owe their popularity more to their socio-political positions and selfless efforts than to their worship and prayers.
For example, we rarely praise Abu Zar, Ammar, Meqdad, Maytham al-Tammar, or Malek al-Ashtar for their religious devotion.
They are known in history for the historic positions they adopted, which determined the path of their communities and helped promote the Islamic movement.
This is true of those who have been criticized as well.
The criticisms that have been leveled against many of the Islamic luminaries are not because they used to drink alcohol or failed to say their prayers.
They have been criticized because they failed to be present when they should have.
This is what has been recorded in history.Therefore, spiritual and divine work is not limited to praying.
Of course one must not underestimate the importance of praying.
In fact, all spiritual work is backed by praying.
Reciting the Holy Quran, reflecting on the meaning of the verses, supplication before Allah the Exalted, and repeating the narrated duas - such as the Al-Sahifa al-Sajjadiyya, Imam Hussein's prayer, and Dua Kumeil - can all help us in this regard.
They can all facilitate your spiritual journey.
If you form a close relationship with God, it will be easier to engage in spiritual work.
You will be more enthusiastic to engage in spiritual work.
Therefore, those who are determined to do divine things will be assisted by Allah the Exalted.
The same is true of those who are determined to achieve material goals.
Even those who are striving towards such things as worldly gains, wealth, social positions, and indulgence in alcohol and carnal pleasure will be assisted by God.
Allah the Exalted will help even those who set themselves such material goals and make serious efforts to achieve them.
And you know many such people in the world.
Divine assistance consists of providing them with the necessary means to achieve their goals.
They make serious efforts with the sole purpose of achieving their material goals, and God helps them to finally achieve what they want.
Of course they ignore and miss the spiritual and divine aspects, but they continue moving towards their goals.