Understanding Salat — Page 109
Ruku’ 109 God that we saw in S ū ratul F ā ti h ah. We have come very close to Him, so close that we have bowed down to Him and have accepted obedience of Him. A dis- tant God is not enough to inspire obedience. True obedience of God can only happen when His ‘A z mat is felt, and ‘A z mat requires nearness. Thus, Ruk ū ‘ has completed this subject. Ruk ū ‘ is a state of obedience. ( Dhauqe ‘Ib ā dat aur Aadab-e-Dua , pp. 491-492) Our purpose in reflecting on Allah in our minds is to feel the awe of His presence in our hearts. The mind is not our destination; it is a necessary step in our journey towards our heart. ‘Believers are only those whose hearts are smitten with awe when Allah’s name is mentioned’ (8:3). The remem- brance of Allah achieves its purpose if it reaches our hearts. When it reaches our hearts, then it moves us to action. The Holy Prophet sas said, ‘Remembrance of Allah has a great reward. ’ A Companion asked, ‘O Prophet of Allah, is it higher in reward than striving in the cause of Allah?’ He said, ‘Yes, because it is the remembrance of Allah which encour- ages you to undertake the striving. ’ ( Remembrance of Allah, pp. 5) True remembrance of Allah moves us to act. Moving to the posture of Ruk ū ‘ is a symbol of our heart moving us to action. The awe of Allah Almighty makes us want to sponta- neously go into the posture of Ruk ū ‘. The purpose of Qiy ā m is to create the desire for Ruk ū ‘. If by the end of Qiy ā m , the Greatness inspires action