For God's sake! Just think. Is this a presence before Allah, or a haste to finish some chore? The heart aches to see that the prayer (Namaz) which was called the "Ascension (Me'raj) of the believer" is wrapped up in a few moments. Neither peace in standing (Qiyam), nor stillness in bowing (Ruku), nor weeping in prostration (Sajdah), and as for the Quran, the words are just rushed through and the prayer is done! Will this same disrespect work in the court of Allah? Reading the Holy Quran at such a speed that letters are swallowed, Tajweed is violated, and the meanings are disregarded—this is not worship, this is an injustice to the Quran. If Tarawih feels like a burden, it is better to leave such Tarawih than to strangle the worship. Allah does not want our speed, but rather our humbled heart. Bowing and prostration should not just be of the body, but of the heart as well. Otherwise, there is a fear that we might think the prayer has been offered, while in reality, nothing was offered at all. For God's sake! Do not turn Ramadan into a ritual. Do not turn prayer into a competition. Do not turn the Quran into a race. Standing before Allah is a privilege. Offer it with seriousness, respect, and the fear of Allah. Lest in our haste, we destroy our Hereafter instead of worshipping. May Allah grant us the appreciation of prayer, respect for the Quran, and the consciousness of worship. Ameen, O Lord of the Worlds!
