Malfuzat – Volume X — Page 526
Malfuzat - English translation of Urdu Volume 10 526 Performing Salat as a Ritual and Routine is of no Benefit Nothing can be achieved by deeds performed simply as ritual and routine. No one should conclude from this that I am derid- ing Salat. The Salat that is mentioned in the Holy Quran and is the mi’raj [the ladder upon which man ascends to God]—someone should ask these people performing Salat whether they even understand the meaning of S u rah al- F a ti h ah [the first chapter of the Holy Quran]. You will find people who have been strict in performing Salat for over fifty years, but most are still unaware of the meaning and essence of Salat , even though the knowledge of all the sciences of the world is worthless when compared to this knowledge. They strive hard to acquire the knowledge of worldly sciences but are so indifferent towards these matters that they perform it like some incantation of a magician. I even go so far as to say that you should not stop from supplicating in your own language during Salat —in Urdu, Punjabi, English, or whatever language one speaks—he should supplicate using that language. But of course, it is essential to recite the words of God Almighty verbatim, and not to add anything to them. You should recite them as they are, but try to understand them. Similarly, recite the traditional supplications in their original language. After the Quran and traditional sup- plications, pray to God for whatsoever you desire and pray to Him in any language you wish. He knows all languages—He hears and He accepts. If you wish to make your Salat delightful and pleasurable, it is essential that you should make some of your supplications in your own language. However, what is mostly observed is that people finish the Salat hurriedly and then they start sup- plicating after it. Salat [to them] is like unfair taxation. If you