Malfuzat – Volume II — Page 131
131 and the nature of the soul is disturbed, the spiritual faculties begin to fall weak, to the extent that one is unable to experience the pleasure of worship. In this state, the disposition is agitated and apprehensive. However, when the foul ele- ments, which were produced by a life of sin, begin to be expelled from the body by means of sincere repentance, this agitation and apprehension of the soul starts to subside, until finally one attains a comfort and satisfaction. Prior to this state, one felt a pleasure in submitting to sin and experienced a delight in committing that act, as a result of carnal desire. But now, the same person feels a pain and grief in turning to evil. The soul begins to tremble even at the thought of this previous life of darkness, and then a pleasure, enjoyment, fervour and passion for worship is aroused. The spiritual faculties of that individual, which were once dying due to a life adulterated with sin, begin to develop and grow again, and moral powers manifest themselves. Man has been commanded to attain these four ranks on earth, and prayer is the most potent means to attain this end. We have been given an opportunity five times daily to implore that we are granted these ranks. Etiquettes of the Acceptance of Prayer There is another point to note in this context. Allah the Exalted states: 1 ْ اُدْعُوْنِيْٓ اَسْتَجِبْ لَكُم Pray unto Me; I will answer your prayer. Furthermore, He also states: 2 ِ دَعَان َ الدَّاعِ اِذَا ة َ ْبُ دَعْو ي ِ اُج I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me. Moreover, a reflection on the Holy Quran will reveal that Allah the Exalted does in fact listen to prayers and He is very near. However, if an individual supplicates without proper consideration of the attributes and names of God Almighty, prayer has no effect whatsoever. It is due to the fact that people are unaware of this secret, or rather, have never endeavoured to learn about this secret, that the world is being ruined. I have heard many people say that they prayed profusely, but there was no outcome. In turn, these people become atheists. The fact of the 1 al-Mu’min, 40:61 2 al-Baqarah, 2:187