The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume I — Page 285
VIII - Expansion of Preaching 285 Therefore, the body and spirit possess a natural relationship and harmony, due to which, both of them deeply accept the influence of the other. In the Islāmic law, with remarkable wisdom, a physical form of worship has been suggested such as contains the natural quality of developing a state of devotion and humility in the human spirit. Therefore, it is for this very purpose that the positions of standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting have been employed, so that the human spirit also develops spiritual states that are in appropriation to their corresponding physical states. Moreover, the words of Du‘ā , Taḥmīd , and Tasbīḥ which have been prescribed for each position have also been enjoined as per its corresponding spiritual state, the purpose of which is to develop that state within the soul. For example, in a state of prostration an individual places his forehead on the ground. Since this is an extreme state of devotion and humility, the words to be uttered during the prostration, ٰ سُبْحَان َ رَبِّی الْاَعْلی (My Lord, who is the greatest and most high, is pure of all defects, and pure of all weaknesses) are most appropriate to express the greatness and superiority of God the Almighty. This way, the human soul is made to feel that the One before Whom I am prostrating is so great and magnificent, that before Him, my position is that I remain fallen in extreme devotion and humility. As soon as this realization is spurred, the human soul begins to rise in its nearness to God. It is impossible that the heart of an individual feel no spiritual alteration, in a concentrated state of prostration. However, as for those who offer their prayers as a mere custom, and the concentration of their heart is non-existent, undoubtedly, even after performing the actions of Ṣalāt , their spirits emerge empty. For there is no life in their action, and a lifeless action cannot bring about any alteration whatsoever. Therefore, there is no doubt in the fact that the true Mi‘rāj of a believer is the Ṣalāt , and the more the Muslims take pride in this blessed worship, the less it is. Indeed, no worship of any other religion can stand before the Muslim Ṣalāt , because therein even the minutest states of the body and spirit have been taken into account, which are necessary for devotion, and cannot be found anywhere else. Furthermore, the order in which the different positions of Ṣalāt have been sequenced are also in complete accord with human nature. The first position is that of Qiyām 1 , in which a believer enters the royal court of God the Almighty, hands tied upon his breast. After this comes the Rukū‘ 2. This 1 Standing (Publishers) 2 Bowing (Publishers)