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AlGhazalisIhya-Book_of_Prayer, page : 33
distinguishing between unbelief and Islam. It takes precedence over Pilgrimage
and other forms of worship. It is unique in having capital punishment as the
penalty for its abandonment. I do not believe that ritual prayer enjoys all this
special dignity by virtue of its external motions, unless these are linked to the
purpose of intimate communion with Allah. That is what has priority over Fasting,
Zakat, Pilgrimage and so on; indeed, over sacrifices and offerings, which entail
self-denial through financial outlay. As Allah High Exalted says:
“Their flesh and blood does not reach Allah rather it is piety from you that
reaches Him. …” (Koran Ch. 22 verse 37)
What is meant here by „devotion‟ is a quality that gains control over the heart,
disposing it to comply with the commands it is required to obey.
What, then, of the ritual prayer, if its actions are without purpose?
You may say that I am going against the consensus of the jurists, if I make the
validity of prayer dependent on conscious awareness, since they stipulate such
and other forms of worship. It is unique in having capital punishment as the
penalty for its abandonment. I do not believe that ritual prayer enjoys all this
special dignity by virtue of its external motions, unless these are linked to the
purpose of intimate communion with Allah. That is what has priority over Fasting,
Zakat, Pilgrimage and so on; indeed, over sacrifices and offerings, which entail
self-denial through financial outlay. As Allah High Exalted says:
“Their flesh and blood does not reach Allah rather it is piety from you that
reaches Him. …” (Koran Ch. 22 verse 37)
What is meant here by „devotion‟ is a quality that gains control over the heart,
disposing it to comply with the commands it is required to obey.
What, then, of the ritual prayer, if its actions are without purpose?
You may say that I am going against the consensus of the jurists, if I make the
validity of prayer dependent on conscious awareness, since they stipulate such