The Hidden World

Salat is the name of the prayer in which God's Glory, Majesty, Providence and Rule are acknowledged. It has always been mandatory to all prophets and their followers (ummah). By estab­lishing salat, the person becomes closer to God. It prevents vulgarity and excesses. Salat, through mental concentration, takes you towards God. Mental concentration is gained through it.

When Abraham sent his son to live near Mecca, he reasoned his decision with God in these words. “O” our Lord! So that they will estab­lish Salat (communication with You).

He also prayed for his descendants,

“O” Lord! Make my progeny and me the maker of Salat (link). "Ishmael always ordered his family to establish Salat."

[Qur'an (Koran), Chapter- Maryam: 55]

The Qur'an (Koran) has mentioned Lot, Isaac, Jacob, and their progeny in these words,

"We revealed to them to do good deeds and to establish the Salat. " [Chapter-Prophets: 73]

Luqman Advised his son in the following way:

"O” my son, establish Salat."

[Qur'an (Koran), Chapter-Luqman: 17]

God said to Moses,

"For My remembrance, establish Salat, connect with Me with mental focus."

[Quran (Koran), Chapter-Taha: 14]

God ordered Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites to establish the Salat.

"And Al-Lah ordered the Salat."

[Qur'an (Koran), Chapter Mary: 31]

It is mentioned in the last scripture Qur'an (Koran) that Jews and Christians of Arabia were familiar with Salat.

"Among the People of the Book, there are those who at night recite God's Word while standing and prostrat­ing." [Qur'an (Koran), Chapter Family of Imran: 113]

"And those people who obey the scriptures (Divine Laws) and establish the salat, We do not dispose the reward of those who do good deeds."

[Qur'an (Koran), Chapter Aeraaf: 120]

When you connect with God then a door is opened in your mind that takes you to the hidden unseen world to explore it.

By pondering the deeper meaning of Salat and the different aspects of prayer, we are able to realize that Salat restores mental concentration.

With improved concentration, you will be able to move out of the conscious state and moves into the subconscious one. That is what the purpose of Muraqaba is all about, to let you get familiar with the subcon­scious realm, the so called unseen world, with the help of higher concen­tration. When you are able to connect with God through the Salat or prayer then, the whole prayer becomes Muraqaba.

To improve concentration during the prayer and to create a link with God, the following Muraqaba is usually taught.

After performing wudu, sit in a comfortable position facing the Ka'aba, recite three times Da rood Sharif, three times Kalima Shahada and then close your eyes. For one minute to three imagine that God is present at the Divine Throne (arsh) and the Divine Lights (tadjalli) are shining on and you are beneath the Throne. After that, form your prayer.

When you are able to perform the prayer (Salat) the way you do Muraqaba then is called Muraqaba of forming Salat (Qayam ul Salat).

The Qur'an (Koran) is the Word of God and is the account of the realities and mysteries that God revealed on the sacred heart of Prophet Muhammad through Archangel Gabriel. Every word of the Qur'an (Koran) is the repository of lights and illuminations. Outwardly, the words are in Arabic language, inwardly however, there exists a vast world of illuminating symbols and meanings. In spirituality and tasawwaf (Sufism) students receive training to witness through the eyes of the soul the illuminating symbols of the words, so that the Qur'an (Koran) could he understood in its entirety and depth. The Qur'an (Koran) also states this truth and it encourages the person to grasp it.

Whenever you recite the Qur'an (Koran) whether in prayers or dur­ing the regular recitation, imagine that through the words of the Qur'an (Koran), God is conversing with you and you are listening to the recita­tion through the angels of the Divine Throne. Imagine that Divine Mercy (rahma) is revealing the illuminating symbols of the words to you.

When you recite the Qur'an (Koran) with full mental concentration, you link with the source that revealed the Qur'an (Koran). Because of it, your heart becomes enlightened with the higher angels of the Divine Throne. This enables your heart to get spiritually clean. The cleaner your heart gets, the more the illuminating world of true meaning of the Word is revealed to you.