Ahmadiyyat or The True Islam — Page 74
74 demonstration of the different kinds of feelings, which are perpetuated generation after generation by such demonstration. If, therefore, no outward signs are prescribed for the expression of man’s love for his Creator, and if His Majesty is not constantly and repeatedly proclaimed through external acts, the unborn generations who must receive their first impressions from the conduct of their parents, will not conceive those feelings of love and sincerity for God, which are engendered by constant observation of external symbols of love and respect. We observe that atheism and indifference towards God are on the increase among people who have grown indiffer- ent to outward worship. Again, in physical worship all those parts of man’s body which are loaded with God’s favours and bounties can join in rendering thanks for such favours and bounties. God’s favours encompass the body as well as the soul, and perfect worship is that in which both body and soul join, for without such combination even spiritual worship cannot be preserved. It is true that the worship and adoration of the heart are the substance and the essence, but the worship and adora- tion of the body are the shell, and the substance cannot be preserved without the shell. If the shell is destroyed, the substance also is bound to be damaged. Having drawn attention to the principle that physical acts of worship are indispensable for our spiritual progress, I now turn to the specific acts of worship prescribed by Islam for its followers. The first