Who will perform such a prayer now?
It is narrated that Isaam bin Yusuf came to the gathering of Hazrat Hatim Asam (may Allah have mercy on him) with the intention to object to him. So, Isaam said to Hatim: "O Abu Abdur Rahman!" (This is Hatim's kunya, or honorific appellation) "How do you perform your prayer?" Hatim (may Allah have mercy on him) turned towards him and replied: "When the time for prayer comes, I stand up and first perform the outer ablution (wudu al-zahiri), then the inner ablution (wudu al-batini)." Isaam asked: "What is the nature of these two ablutions?" Hatim (may Allah have mercy on him) explained: "The outer ablution means I wash the limbs used for wudu with water, and the inner ablution means I purify my inner self with seven things: I forsake worldly attachments, remove the desire for people's praise, hypocrisy (riya), malice (kina), and envy (hasad) from my heart." "Then I stand for prayer, compose my limbs, with the Kaaba before my eyes. I stand in a state of both hope and fear, firm in my conviction that Allah Almighty is watching me. Paradise (Jannah) is to my right and Hell (Jahannam) to my left; the Angel of Death (Malak al-Maut) is behind me. I imagine as if I am placing my foot on the Bridge of Sirat (Pul-e-Siraat), and I believe this is the last prayer of my life." "Then I make my intention (niyyah), say the Takbir (Allahu Akbar) with deep humility and submission, recite the Holy Quran pondering its meanings and reflecting deeply, bow (ruku') with utter humility and meekness, and prostrate (sujud) with crying and lamentation. I recite the Tashahhud hoping for Allah Almighty's mercy, and I conclude with the Taslim (salutations) with sincerity. For forty years, my prayer has been like this." Upon hearing this, Isaam began to weep profusely and said: "This is something no one else besides you can achieve." (Narrated — Selection: Islamic Tube Pro App)
- Anas Memon Palanpuri
