Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 169
169 11 Prayer PRAYER AND THE REMEMBRANCE OF God, that is, contemplation of His attributes, are the principal means of establishing communion with God. In its highest expression, prayer itself constitutes an experience of communion with the Divine. The Islamic concept of prayer is a direct pouring forth of soul by the suppliant before the Divine Majesty. There is no need for, nor does Islam tolerate the notion of, any intermediary between God and man. It is true that Prayer in congregation is led by one of the congregation, but the leader, called the Imam, does not in any sense act as an intermediary. The reaching out of the soul toward its Creator ⎯ particularly when it is in travail and seeks to pour forth its anguish to the Almighty, Who possesses the knowledge and the power to come to its aid, to bestow solace and comfort, to grant relief, to raise it up from its lowly estate ⎯ is a natural urge that will not be denied. That urge is in itself an affirmation and proof of both the existence of God and of the need and