The Essence of Islam – Volume II — Page 313
The Pillars of Islām 313. Both fasting and Șalāt are forms of worship. The fast affects powerfully the body and Ṣalāt affects powerfully the soul. Ṣalāt generates a condition of burning and melting of the heart, and is, therefore, a higher form of worship than fasting. The latter fosters the capacity for visions. [Malfūzāt, vol. VII, p. 379] Şalāt Purifies the Spirit and Fast Illuminates the Heart 112 شهرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أَنْزِلَ فِيهِ القُرانُ 12. This verse indicates the greatness of the month of Ramaḍān. The Ṣūfis have recorded that this is a good month for the illumination of the heart. One who observes the fast has frequent experience of visions in this month. The. Salāt purifies the spirit and the fast illumines the heart. . The purification of the spirit means that one may be delivered from the passions of the self that incites to evil; and the illumination of the heart means that the gates of vision may be opened so that one may be able to behold. God. [Malfūzāt, vol. IV, pp. 256-257]. On one occasion I began to reflect on the purpose of the prescribed expiation of missing a fast and I conceived that the expiation is prescribed so that one may be bestowed the capacity and the strength to observe the fast. God Almighty alone can bestow such strength and everything should be sought from God Almighty. He is the All-Powerful; if He so wills He can bestow the strength for observing the fast on one who is afflicted 112 The month of Ramaḍān is that in which the Qur'an was sent down. Al-Baqarah, 2:186 [Publisher]