Understanding Salat — Page 123
Qaumah 123 ( نَا َّ رَب ), repeating it again and again. ( Darsul Quran, Feb 28, 1995, @34:50) The prayers we recite are only words that convey the senti- ment of prayer behind them. It is the sentiment that is of real value, not the words. A prayer can be a prayer even if it is not a prayer in its words. Some prayers are only an expression of a sentiment. For example, the Holy Quran teaches us the prayer, Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; and if You forgive us not and have not mercy on us, we will surely be of the lost. (7:24) This prayer, which we observe often, is not a prayer at all in its wording. There is nothing that we ask for in its words. However, we cannot say that it is not a prayer because its sentiment conveys a powerful prayer. We express the reality of our condition and the vulnerability of our position. That expression itself is a prayer. Whether we ask for the mercy and forgiveness of Allah with our words or not is irrelevant. With the sentiment behind these words, the prayer is con- veyed clearly without any words of prayer. Similarly, there are times when we do not even say any words; our circumstances and the state of our heart becomes the most powerful prayer in and of itself. For example, the Promised Messiah as said,