The Best Generations in Swalah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

Shaykh ‘Utsman Nuri Tufbas wrote, in “Islam, Spirit, & Form”, Sayyidina Hasan ibn ‘Ali (r.a.) used to read a prayer while entering the mosque as follows: “O my Lord!  Here is your servant at your door.  O the most Merciful Lord!  Your sinful servant is before You.  You Ordered Your righteous servants to forgive the evil acts of sinful people because You are the Most-Generous and the Most-Forgiving.  Please Forgive my sins and Show Mercy to me by Your Generosity and Compassion!” 

Imam Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Husayn Zayn al-‘Abidin (q.s.) used to turn pale whenever he rose to make ablution and his legs used to shake when he was about to pray.  And he used to answer those who asked him “what happens to you” as follows: “– Do not you ever know Whose Presence I am about to enter?” 

Once, his house caught fire while he was in prayer, but he did not notice it.  On completion of his prayer he was told about it, and he was asked, “What made you have no notice for what had happened?” 

He answered, “The fire in the Hereafter prevented me from feeling this worldly fire.” 

Shaykh Muslim ibn Yasar (r.a.) used to have the same kind of feeling during prayer.  Once, while he was praying in a mosque in Baswra, the mosque collapsed, but he did not notice what had happened and went on praying.  On completion of his prayer he was asked, “Did you realise the mosque collapsed” 

“Did it really collapse?” he asked them in astonishment. 

Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Sufyan ibn Sa’id ats-Tsawri (r.a.) was once in a great spiritual ecstasy.  He secluded himself for seven days.  He ate and drank nothing.  His spiritual master was told about what he was doing, and asked, “Is he conscious of the times of prayer?” 

And he was told, “Of course, he is conscious, and he performs the prayer properly.” 

Upon hearing this, he said, “Thanks be to Allah (s.w.t.) Who did not let Satan attack him.” 

A lover of Allah (s.w.t.) narrated, “I prayed a late-noon prayer which Dzu an-Nun Abu al-Miswri led.  When he, a saint-like servant of Allah (s.w.t.), said, ‘Allah is Great!’ the word ‘Allah’ was so powerfully said, I thought his soul left his body.  And when he said, ‘Great’, my heart was torn into pieces.” 

Shaykh ‘Amir ibn ‘Abdullah at-Tamimi (q.s.) used to cut all his connection with the outside world, and he used to say, “I would prefer an arrow to pierce my body rather than being aware of the talks and acts of people around me while I am praying.”  When it comes to those who are deprived of this position, Allah (s.w.t.) Says, about them, in the Qur’an: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

… وَإِنَّہَا لَكَبِيرَةٌ إِلَّا عَلَى ٱلۡخَـٰشِعِينَ (٤٥) 

… it is indeed hard, except to those who are humble. (Surah al-Baqarah:45) 

It must be stated here that though it may be difficult to reach the level that the Beloved of Allah (s.w.t.) do, we must try earnestly as much as our hearts and souls can manage.  Satan deludes us not to pray because we cannot do it in pious reverence.  This is a trap.  This may lead one to go astray.  It is better to pray, though it may not be done in complete pious reverence, than not praying.  The difference between the two is great.  Those who do not pray always incur losses.  Yet, those who pray, though not perfectly, may one day be Endowed with Divine Bounty that guides them to perform prayers acceptable before Allah (s.w.t.).  If we can do even just one prayer of this kind we may enter the Presence of Allah (s.w.t.).