The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 303
The Pillars of Islām 303 [Brāhīn-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Rūḥānī Khazā'in, vol. 21, pp. 212-216] Şalāt Should be Offered in the Most Befitting Manner. It is folly to be satisfied with the outward performance of. Salāt. Most people observe the Salāt only formally and get through it quickly as if it were a burdensome tax which should be got rid of speedily. Then there are those who get through the Ṣalāt quickly and thereafter occupy themselves with long drawn out prayers which take twice or three times as much time as the Ṣalāt, whereas the. Salāt itself is nothing but prayer. He who does not observe it in that spirit and does not occupy himself with supplication in the course of it fails to observe the Ṣalāt. . You should seek to make your Ṣalāt delicious like food and cold water, lest it should bring woe upon you rather than blessing. Șalāt is an obligation due to God. It should be carried out in an excellent manner. [Malfūzāt, vol. VI, p. 370]. Supplication during Şalāt Şalāt is the effective criterion of the piety of a worshipper. He who weeps throughout his Șalāt is bestowed security. As a child weeps loudly in its mother's lap and is comforted by the love and compassion of its mother, in the same way he who supplicates God with humility and a melting heart in his Ṣalāt places himself in the lap of the compassion of Gracious Lord. He who finds no delight in the Salāt has not yet truly tasted the pleasure of believing. Șalāt does not merely mean physical postures and movements. . Some people get through the Ṣalāt quickly like the nibbling of a hen and then start long supplications, that is to say perform the Ṣalāt quickly as if it were a formal ceremony, whereas that is the time for supplicating God