Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship

Tell your people: ‘You present your bodies before Me and you offer Me your tongues, but you keep your hearts from Me. What you are doing is futile.’”‘66

o not accept the Prayers of everyone who prays. I accept the Prayers of none but those who are humble before My Majesty, who are not arrogant towards My servants, and who feed the poor and hungry for My sake.’

He said: ‘I considered appointing someone else to lead the Prayer, while I went to show my disapproval of those absentees by burning down their houses.’26

‘Is he not afraid – he who turns his face around in the Prayer – that God may turn his face into that of a donkey?’23

The Prophet, on him be peace, said: ‘The prescribed Prayer is like a pair of scales: whoever gives full measure will also receive in full.’19

Bakr, may God be pleased with him, used to say: ‘When it is time for Prayer, get up and extinguish the Hellfire you have kindled for yourselves.’

f a man performs the five Prayers, in a proper state of purity and at the times prescribed, they will be a light and a proof for him on the Day of Resurrection. But he who misses them will be resurrected along with Pharaoh and Hāmān.’12

Prayer is the pillar of religion; to neglect it is to prepare the downfall of religion.’10

a man meets God when he has been negligent of the Prayer, God will pay no attention to his other virtues.’9

Said the Prophet, on him be peace: ‘The five set Prayers may be compared to a stream of fresh water, flowing in front of your house, into which you plunge five times each day. Do you think that would leave any dirt on your body?’ When they replied: ‘None at all!’ The Prophet, on him be peace, said: ‘Indeed, the five Prayers remove sins, just as water removes dirt.’6