The Islamic Mode of Worship — Page 4
Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad 4 REQUISITES OF WORSHIP Once it has been determined that the true purpose of prayer is to establish a relationship with Allah the Exalted, express gratitude to Him and the reformation of the self, then whatever mode of worship achieves these two ends is correct, and the religion which prescribes it ought to be considered the true religion. The mode of worship decreed by Islam for its followers and the means prescribed to attain these objectives is such that it cannot be found in any other faith. If people reflected on this, they would conclude that the means adopted by the Islamic form of worship are the only ones that sufficiently fulfil the [ultimate] aim of devotion. They are as follows: The body and soul are so closely linked that each impacts the other. For instance, when a person receives bad news, the sadness it causes is also manifested on the body. Similarly, physical pain also afflicts the soul. The same is true of feelings of pleasure. One method by which to attach the heart to God Almighty during worship is to enter into a posture which might induce humility, so that this affects the soul and brings sorrow and meekness to the heart and allows people to focus on God Almighty with full fervour.