Standing before Allah
What ṣalāh really is, beneath the movements.
About 30 minutes of listening
Book 4: The Book of Prayer
Imam al-Ghazali · Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din
The fourth book of the Ihya explores the inner dimensions of Salah — the conditions, pillars, and spiritual realities of Islamic prayer, guiding the believer toward presence of heart and sincerity before Allah.
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From The Book of Prayer.
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"and seeks forgiveness for himself and his parents a hundred times, and sends blessings upon the Prophet, peace be upon him, a hundred times, and disavows his own strength and power and seeks refuge with Allah, then says: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Adam is the chosen of Allah, and His primordial creation, and Ibrahim is the friend of Allah, and Musa is the speaker with Allah, and Isa is the spirit of Allah, and Muhammad is the beloved of Allah," he will receive rewards equal to the number of those who claim God has a child and those who do not."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer
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"The intended meaning of "name" here is the named. If all things are by Allah, then naturally all praise is due to Allah, meaning gratitude is to Allah since bounties are from Him. If someone perceives a blessing from other than Allah or intends to thank other than Allah, not considering that they are instruments directed by Allah, then his naming and praising will be deficient to the extent he turns to other than Allah."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer
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"Allah Almighty said, "The mosques of Allah are only to be maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last Day. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, "Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, even as small as a bird's nest, Allah will build for him a palace in Paradise. He also said, "Whoever becomes accustomed to the mosque, Allah will become fond of him."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer