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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Prayer, page : 30
The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said: “A man gets credit only for
that part of his prayer of, which he is conscious.” This is confirmed by the
Tradition: “When performing the prayer, one is conversing intimately with one‟s
Lord.” Speaking in a state of heedlessness is certainly not what is meant by
intimate conversation with Allah, the Almighty.
To clarify matters further, let us consider the contrast between ritual prayer, on
the one hand, and Zakat (obligatory charity), fasting and pilgrimage on the other.
A man may pay his Alms without being consciously attentive, yet the very act of
parting with money runs counter to greed and is hard on the lower self. The case
of fasting is similar; since it subdues the natural forces and breaks hold of the
passions, which are the tools of satan, the enemy of Allah, its purpose may well
be achieved in spite of heedlessness. As for Pilgrimage, it presents physical
hardship and difficulty and involves painful struggle, whether or not its actions are
performed in full awareness.
In contrast to these other religious duties, ritual prayer consists only in
remembrance, recitation, bowing, prostration, standing erect and sitting down. As
that part of his prayer of, which he is conscious.” This is confirmed by the
Tradition: “When performing the prayer, one is conversing intimately with one‟s
Lord.” Speaking in a state of heedlessness is certainly not what is meant by
intimate conversation with Allah, the Almighty.
To clarify matters further, let us consider the contrast between ritual prayer, on
the one hand, and Zakat (obligatory charity), fasting and pilgrimage on the other.
A man may pay his Alms without being consciously attentive, yet the very act of
parting with money runs counter to greed and is hard on the lower self. The case
of fasting is similar; since it subdues the natural forces and breaks hold of the
passions, which are the tools of satan, the enemy of Allah, its purpose may well
be achieved in spite of heedlessness. As for Pilgrimage, it presents physical
hardship and difficulty and involves painful struggle, whether or not its actions are
performed in full awareness.
In contrast to these other religious duties, ritual prayer consists only in
remembrance, recitation, bowing, prostration, standing erect and sitting down. As