The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 284
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 284 accordance to that particular state composed of Du‘ā , 1 Taḥmīd , 2 and Tasbīḥ , 3 etc. , have been prescribed. However, in addition to the already prescribed words, permission has also been given that during the Ṣalāt , a worshipper may offer Du‘ā , Taḥmīd , and Tasbīḥ , etc. , in one’s native tongue as deemed appropriate. 4 With the intent of maintaining unity in its form, the restriction has also been set that regardless of where a Muslim may be, the Ṣalāt be offered in the direction of the Ka‘bah. 5 Moreover, with the exception of an uncontrollable constraint, it is also necessary that all the Muslims in one town, village, or city, gather in a mosque at the appointed times. If there is no mosque, they should gather at another place and offer their Ṣalāt in the following of one leader, so that the bonding of their collective lives, grows stronger day by day instead of scattering. In order to develop a state of pleasure in Ṣalāt , and to be presented in the court of Allāh whilst in a state of purity, it has also been ordered that Muslims perform ablution, that is, wash the face, hands, and feet, prior to arriving for the Ṣalāt. 6 In Islāmic methodology, this deed is referred to as Wuḍū , 7 which for the purpose of Ṣalāt is equivalent to taking a bath. Therefore, with the Mi‘rāj , the greatest pillar in Islāmic worship was established and the systematic observance of the five daily prayers came into existence. It is mentioned in Ḥadīth that the Ṣalāt is a believer’s Mi‘rāj , where one is presented before God and speaks to Him. What doubt is there in the fact that if the Ṣalāt is observed with all of its conditions, along with heart- felt concentration, then it contains the best means in which to acquire the nearness of God the Almighty. The human body and spirit naturally possess such connection and harmony, that even the minutest alteration in any one of them impresses a deep impact on the other. For example, if the body sustains pain, the spirit immediately becomes restless. Moreover, if the spirit sustains grief, it immediately affects the body, and such conditions begin to develop in the body, as are expressed in the form of bodily pain. If the spirit is content, signs of delight and smiling, etc. , are expressed by the body, and if the spirit is grieved, the body immediately begins to exhibit signs of displeasure. 1 Prayer or Invocations (Publishers) 2 Expressing thanks to Allāh (Publishers) 3 Glorification of Allāh (Publishers) 4 Kashti-e-Nūḥ, By Ḥaḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad as (The Promised Messiah & Mahdi), Rūḥānī Khazā’in, Volume 19, p. 69 5 Al-Baqarah (2:145) 6 Al- Mā’idah (5:7) 7 Ablution (Publishers)