Understanding Salat — Page 187
Qa‘dah 187 It is a natural expression of submission to Allah Almighty that if we find that Allah loves someone more than He loves us, then we also love that person more than we love ourselves. The purpose of worship is to lose ourselves in the Being of Allah Almighty and become a reflection of Him. This is why the Holy Prophet sas said, None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind. ( S a hīh Bukh ā r ī , Book 2, Chapter 8) Since Allah Almighty loved the Holy Prophet sas most in all mankind, we also do the same. Since Allah Almighty sends blessings on the Holy Prophet sas , we also do the same. Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! you also should invoke blessings on him and salute him with the salutation of peace. (33:57) The meaning of Islam is submission, and S al ā t is an exercise in submission. When we develop the quality of submission to Allah Almighty, then preferring the Holy Prophet sas over ourselves comes naturally. To act against this urge is to act against submission to Allah. That is why prayers are only truly accepted when they carry an expression of submission by being accompanied by Dur ū d.