Malfuzat - Volume VIII — Page 222
222 MALFŪZĀT - ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF URDU VOLUME 8 experienced when in a state of extreme hunger he may come by a delicious meal of the highest quality, eating which he finds the greatest delight. This same condition then occurs in Prayer, and that Prayer becomes a kind of addiction for him, without which he feels severe anguish and restlessness. But by performing the Prayer, he feels a particular delight and comfort in his heart, which not everyone can experience, nor can this pleasure be described in words. By continuing to progress, a person attains such a state that he develops a personal love for Allah the Exalted. There remains no need for him to keep his Prayer 'standing' because that Prayer is already standing for him, and it remains standing firm at every moment. A natural condition develops in him, and such a person's will comes in accord with God Almighty's will. Such a condi- tion comes upon a person that his love for Allah the Exalted takes on the hue of personal love. There is no artificiality or contrivance to it. The way animals and other human beings take pleasure in their food, drinks, and other lusts, a believer derives far greater pleasure in Prayer. Therefore, offer Prayer with the utmost care. Prayer is the root and the ladder of all progress; that is why it has been said that Prayer is the miʻrāj [the means of ascension] of a believer. There have been hundreds of thousands of Auliyā'ullāh, right- eous, Abdāl, and Qutb¹ in this Faith. How did they attain these lofty degrees and ranks? Through the means of this very Prayer. The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, himself says: وَ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِنَ فِي الصَّوةِ that is,the delight of my 1. Wali (Friend), Ghauth (Saint), Qutb (pl. Aqtāb-Guiding Star), and Abdāl (Substitutes, i. e. vicegerents appointed for carrying out the will of God Almighty) are various designations used for Auliyāʼullāh. [Publisher] 2. Sunan an-Nasā'ī, Kitābu Ashrati al-Nisā', Bābu Hubbi al-Nisā', Hadith 3391 [Publisher]