Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 176
176 to, and communion with, the Maker of all. The preparation for the service by way of ablutions has its own cleansing and refreshing effect, which attunes a person in advance to participation in the solemn worship of the Divine. Each Call to Prayer arrests the further progress of the thoughts and pursuits in which the worshipper is engaged immediately before the service. Participation in the service lifts his whole being to a higher plane, from which he returns to his normal pursuits and duties refreshed and invigorated. Each service provides a sanctuary for the soul, wherein it may stand in the presence of its Maker, in communion with Him. Thus the spiritual frame and structure of a worshipper’s being is strengthened and reinforced several times a day. The Prophet said: “When you are engaged in the Salat you should realise that you are in the very Presence of God; at the very least you should be conscious that God is looking at you. ” Throughout the Salat the worshipper’s mind, indeed his whole being, must be centred on God. If his thoughts wander, he should rally them and shepherd them back into the Divine Presence. The principal part of the service is the recitation of the opening chapter of the Quran, called the Fatiha. The Fatiha is recited aloud by the Imam during the sunset, late evening, and morning services, in which he is followed by the congregation, who recite it