The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 313
The Pillars of Islam 313 Both fasting and Şalāt are forms of worship. The fast affects powerfully the body and Şalāt affects powerfully the soul. Şalāt generates a condition of burning and melting of the heart, and is, therefore, a higher form of worship than fasting. The latter fosters the capacity for visions. [Malfūzāt, vol. VII, p. 379] Şalāt Purifies the Spirit and Fast Illuminates the Heart شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ 112 This verse indicates the greatness of the month of Rama- dān. The Sufis have recorded that this is a good month for the illumination of the heart. One who observes the fast has frequent experience of visions in this month. The Şalāt purifies the spirit and the fast illumines the heart. The purification of the spirit means that one may be delivered from the passions of the self that incites to evil; and the illumination of the heart means that the gates of vision may be opened so that one may be able to behold God. [Malfūzāt, vol. IV, pp. 256-257] On one occasion I began to reflect on the purpose of the prescribed expiation of missing a fast and I conceived that the expiation is prescribed so that one may be bestowed the capacity and the strength to observe the fast. God Almighty alone can bestow such strength and everything should be sought from God Almighty. He is the All-Powerful; if He so wills He can bestow the strength for observing the fast on one who is afflicted 112 The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur'an was sent down. ' Al-Baqarah, 2:186 [Publisher]