The Essence of Islam – Volume IV — Page 175
Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama'at, and Instructions 175. True Worship. Man claims to worship God, but worship does not consist of a lot of prostrations and bowing and standing, or rotating the beads of a rosary countless times. . Worship means to be so drawn to God, out of love for. Him, that one's ego should disappear altogether. First, there should be firm faith in the existence of God and a full appreciation of His Beauty and Beneficence. . Then there should be such love of God that the heart should ever feel its flame and this condition should be manifest all the time from one's countenance. God's greatness should so inspire the heart that the whole world should appear dead in comparison. His being should be the source of all fear. Pain endured for Him should be all joy, His company should be a source of delight, and the heart should find no comfort with anyone other than Him. To reach such a condition is termed 'worship'; but it is not reached without the special help of God Almighty. That is why He has taught us the prayer: إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِيْنُ ". That is, we do worship Thee, but how can we do justice to Thy worship until we receive Thy special help?. To worship God, having made Him one's True Beloved, is the essence of sainthood, which is the height of spiritual progress, but this cannot be achieved without His help. The indication of having achieved it 92 Al-Fatihah, 1:5 [Publisher]