The Islamic Mode of Worship — Page 7
7 for the acquisition of knowledge; again anyone who is ignorant of the effects of poison will not fear it. Therefore, to establish a true relationship with Allah the Exalted and to eschew vice, it is imperative to have a complete understanding of His being. In the Islamic prayer the worshipper is enjoined to recite such passages [of the Holy Qur’an] which manifest the grandeur of Allah the Exalted and reveal Him to be worthy of their love. The effect of this is that they are compelled to fall prostrate in His presence and their hearts are filled with love and awe. When, at one time, all the favours of Allah the Exalted are presented before an individual; when they are made aware of the consequences of disobedience and estrangement from Him, they are overcome by a longing to separate [themselves from everything besides God] and draw inexorably towards Him. [It will become clear further on] to the reader through the translation of [the prayers and invocations that make up the] nam a z , the extent to which these objectives have been kept in mind and how nam a z instils recognition of God Almighty’s pure and faultless being and how it fills the heart of the worshipper with divine love and helps them avoid sin. Such an example cannot be found in any other religion. The mode of worship prescribed by Islam is so perfect and in accordance with the needs of humanity that it is