Understanding Salat — Page 91
Ruku’ 91 signification on “bringing a thing to a state of com- pletion by degrees. ” ( Dictionary of the Holy Quran, pp. 306) The meaning of Rabb is especially relevant because many failures related to S al ā t are because of our own impatience and going to extremes. Satan puts it in our mind that either we advance quickly or it’s not worth it at all. Misguided spiritual ambition is the cause of many failures. The anti- dote to falling in these extremes is an appreciation of Allah as Rabb. Allah causes us to progress gradually, and satan does the opposite. We should examine our hearts to see if our ambition for spiritual progress is according to the way of Allah or according to the way of satan. Hadrat Mu s le h Mau‘ ū d ra explained a difference between how angels inspire us to do something good and how satan inspires us to do something good. When an angel inspires us, there is an order in it and it advances stage by stage. For example, a mother first carries her child, then holds his hand and helps him walk, and then the child slowly learns to walk. …Or, an example of the difference between an angelic and satanic motivation is like a teacher who wishes well for his student. First, he teaches him the basics, and slowly he has the student advance. However, if the teacher is the student’s enemy, then he will initially