The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 311
The Pillars of Islām 311 delight in their relationship, the relationship is likely to be disrupted. In the same way if there is no delight in. Salāt the relationship between the servant and the Master is disrupted. Supplicate behind closed doors that that relationship may be continued and may become a source of delight. The relationship between man's servitude and. God's Providence is very deep and is full of light, the reality of which cannot be expressed in words. Until that delight is experienced man continues in a state which resembles animals. Even if that delight is felt only two or three times the worshipper experiences a taste of it, but he who has not even that much experience continues blind: 111 من كان في هذة أَعْمَى فَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ أَعْمَى [Malfūzāt, vol. VI, p. 371]. Istighfar means that the light has been obtained from God. Almighty may be safeguarded and may be fostered. The Şalāt is prescribed for this purpose so that five times daily this light may be repeatedly sough from God. He who possesses insight knows that the Șalāt is a spiritual exaltation and that the only way of deliverance from spiritual ills is repeated supplication in Ṣalāt which is charged with earnestness and melting of the heart. [Malfūzāt, vol. VII, pp. 124-125]. If a worshipper finds that he has lost the eagerness and delight that he used to experience in the Ṣalāt he should not become weary, nor be discouraged. He should seek to recover with great eagerness that which has been lost; the appropriate means for which are repentance, Istighfar and 111 Whoso is blind in this world will be blind in the hereafter. 'Bani Isrā'il, 17:73 [Publisher]