The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 286
Seal of the Prophets - Volume I 286 represents a middle-state of devotion and humility, between the Qiyām and Sajdah 1. Subsequent to this is the Sajdah , in which the human spirit helplessly falls to the ground before its Creator and Master, with a realization of his magnificent and perfect attributes. In the very end is the Qa‘dah , 2 which is a state of tranquility after the Sajdah , in which, after passing through the stages of devotion and humiliation, an individual enters the content servants of God the Almighty. After this, the worshipper faces right, then left, and giving greetings of peace completes the Ṣalāt , which is an indication that now he should spread the message of peace, which he has acquired from his Lord to the rest of the people. In addition to this, there is no idle position in the Ṣalāt. An appropriate Du‘ā , Taḥmīd , or Tasbīḥ , etc. , has been prescribed for every position, so that along with the physical states of the body and inner concentration of the heart, these blessed phrases may produce a true illustration of devotion, humility and begging. For in comparison to this perfect and complete worship, what value does the singing and dancing of other religions, or the uttering of empty words whilst standing or sitting in an unnatural position hold? Then, in order to give the Islāmic worship a unified form, it has established one very important condition, that all the Muslims of one area should offer their Ṣalāt behind one Imām in orderly rows, facing towards the Ka‘bah. Moreover, in a secondary manner, this daily gathering five times a day has also opened the door to other benefits of unity as well. Therefore, from the Wuḍū to its conclusion, the Ṣalāt is an extraordinarily blessed worship, in comparison to which no other worship can be fathomed for the acquisition of the nearness of God and for purity of the heart. Furthermore, the obligation of the five daily prayers during the night and day, also possesses an exceptional means for the protection of one’s spirituality and spiritual invigoration, which indeed, cannot be found in any other religion. Does Islāmic Worship Overly Stress Upon Apparent Figure and Form? Some people object that Islām has excessively stressed apparent form (figure and outwardly appearance) in its various kinds of worship, and without it, has believed them to be incomplete. Moreover, that significant importance has not been given to the actual issue, i. e. , the state of one’s heart, which is 1 Prostration (Publishers) 2 Sitting (Publishers)