Understanding Salat — Page 166
Understanding S al A t 166 These stages of reformation do not just apply to removing sins, but to progressing in goodness as well. For example, many people enlist in the Marines because they want to develop a military-like discipline in their lives. Technically, they could achieve the same standard of discipline at home that is enforced in boot camp. But they know that no amount of medicine can create in them the willpower needed to achieve that. What they need is a cast that will hold them in place for weeks until they form the habits they want. They put themselves into boot camp where a standard of discipline is forced on them for a period of time. Their drill instructors do not deprive them of their free will because they volun- tarily chose to have their choices taken away. One meaning of Jabara is, ‘He compelled him, against his will, to do the thing…inducing, another to restore a thing to a sound, right, or good, state’ ( Lane’s Lexicon, Root: جبر , Entry: جبر ). When we say ‘make good for me my shortcomings’ ( ْ اجْبُرْنِي ), we beg Allah Almighty to force those reforms onto us that we so badly desire, but we haven’t been able to find the willpower needed. We beg Allah Almighty to cure our illnesses by whatever treatments are necessary. No matter which level we find ourselves in, we can all benefit from being pushed to higher levels of excellence. The Promised Messiah as said, My nature is so inclined that it desires hardships