The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 303
The Pillars of Islām 303 [Brāhīn-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Rūķānī Khazā'in, vol. 21, pp. 212-216] Şalāt Should be Offered in the Most Befitting Manner It is folly to be satisfied with the outward performance of Şalāt. Most people observe the Şalāt only formally and get through it quickly as if it were a burdensome tax which should be got rid of speedily. Then there are those who get through the Şalāt quickly and thereafter occupy themselves with long drawn out prayers which take twice or three times as much time as the Şalāt, whereas the Şalāt itself is nothing but prayer. He who does not observe it in that spirit and does not occupy himself with supplication in the course of it fails to observe the Şalāt. You should seek to make your Şalāt delicious like food and cold water, lest it should bring woe upon you rather than blessing. Şalāt is an obligation due to God. It should be carried out in an excellent manner. [Malfūzāt, vol. VI, p. 370] Supplication during Şalāt Şalāt is the effective criterion of the piety of a worshipper. He who weeps throughout his Şalāt is bestowed security. As a child weeps loudly in its mother's lap and is comforted by the love and compassion of its mother, in the same way he who supplicates God with humility and a melting heart in his Şalāt places himself in the lap of the compas- sion of Gracious Lord. He who finds no delight in the Şalāt has not yet truly tasted the pleasure of believing. Şalāt does not merely mean physical postures and movements. Some people get through the Şalāt quickly like the nibbling of a hen and then start long supplications, that is to say perform the Şalāt quickly as if it were a formal ceremony, whereas that is the time for supplicating God