Twenty-First Word

For example, the way a magnificent palace is reflected in a mirror depends on the colour and condition of that mirror. If the mirror is black, the palace appears black; if it is red, the palace appears red. If the mirror is smooth, the palace is reflected beautifully; if it is uneven, the reflection becomes distorted. Just as a mirror can make even the most elegant objects appear crude, so too can you shape your personal world through your heart, intellect, deeds, and intentions. You can make it testify either for you or against you.

If you perform the prayer and, through it, turn yourself toward Sāni-i Dhu’l-JalālAllah, Who creates with perfect artistry and Whose greatness and majesty are boundless., your personal world will suddenly be illuminated. Your prayer will be like an electric lamp, and your intention to pray will be like pressing its switch. The darkness of your personal world will be dispelled, and you will see that the changes and movements occurring within the apparent chaos of this world are in reality purposeful and orderly, and are meaningful inscriptions of His power. A light from the luminous verse

اَللّٰهُ نُورُ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَالْاَرْضِAllah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. — The Qur’an, 24:35

will shine into your heart. Through the reflection of that light, your personal world for that day will be illuminated and will testify in your favour.

Do not condemn yourself by saying: “What is my prayer compared to the true prayer you are describing?” For just as a date seed contains the programme of a date palm, the only difference being that the programme within the seed has not yet unfolded while in the tree it has fully manifested, so too the prayer of an ordinary person such as you or me—even if we are unaware of it—contains a share of this light, just as the prayer of an awliyā(sing. walī) Those who seek the pleasure of Allah and attain elevated spiritual ranks through worship, obedience, and sincerity. contains it. It contains a secret of this reality, even if one is not conscious of it. However, the degree of unfolding and illumination differs according to one's spiritual rank. Indeed, just as there are many stages in the development from a date seed to a mature date palm, there are even more levels within prayer. Yet the essence of this luminous reality is present at every level.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ عَلٰى مَنْ قَالَ «اَلصَّلَاةُ عِمَادُ الدّٖينِ» وَعَلٰى اٰلِهٖ وَصَحْبِهٖ اَجْمَعٖينَO Allah! Bestow blessings and peace upon the one who said, ‘Prayer is the pillar of religion,’ and upon all his family and companions.