Some people ask how to develop fervour in worship of God. They say they try but cannot generate the requisite condition. It should be remembered that man should consistently try in this regard, firm in the faith that whatever is granted is from God alone. This will instil the condition which will lead man to be close to God and enhances fervour in worship.
Someone asked the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) how to inculcate fervour in worship of God. He replied: fervour in good works and worship of God cannot be instilled by itself or through one's own efforts. It comes with the grace and enablement of God. Therefore it is important not to feel perturbed and to continue to pray to God for His grace and enablement and not tire in praying for this. When a person consistently follows this, God, through His grace, ultimately creates the state for which man is eager and keen, that is, passion, fervency and pleasure is generated in worship of God. This does not come to pass if a person does not spiritually strive and endeavour for it and imagines that he would attain this state with the simple blowing of someone's mouth! This is not the principle and the way of God. This attitude is tantamount to trifling with God and anyone who follows this is ultimately ruined. It should be well remembered that one's heart is in God's hand and without His grace, one could turn Christian or become irreligious any time. This is why prayers should be made all the time and God's help sought to remain on the right path. One who disregard God becomes satanic. This is why it is important for man to continually engage in istaghfar (seeking forgiveness of God) so that the toxin that ruins a person is not created. The prerequisite is for man to be consistent and remain firm in the faith that there is no one to turn to except God. When one shuts all other avenues and turns to God alone, the condition is developed which takes one close to God. And for this constant Divine help should be sought. When man engages in istaghfar he will turn Satan away and as a result will pray with passion to come into Divine refuge and also for greater Divine nearness. God's grace befalls when this condition is attained.
May God enable us to be His true servants and to do good and also be steadfast!
أَشْھَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہٗ لَا شَرِیکَ لَہٗ وَأَشْھَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہٗ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ
أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ- بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ۔ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ۔ مٰلِکِ یَوْمِ الدِّیْنِ۔ اِیَّا کَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْنُ۔
اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ۔ صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ غَیْرِالْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلَاالضَّآلِّیْنَ۔
Some people ask how passion for worship is developed. Even when we strive, this state does not emerge. So one should remember that the duty of a servant is to continue striving with steadfastness. One must remain firm on the belief that whatever is to be obtained can only come from Allah the Almighty, and only then can that state develop which brings one closer to Allah the Almighty and subsequently increases the passion for worship.
Once, someone also asked Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, how passion for worship is developed. He responded:
"Passion and enthusiasm for righteous deeds and worship cannot come from within oneself. A person cannot say that it should develop within me or that I can produce it through my own effort—this is not possible. It is obtained through the grace and enablement of Allah the Almighty. For this, it is necessary that a person should not lose heart and should continue to supplicate to Allah the Almighty for His enablement and grace." Do not grow weary but continue supplicating constantly. "And do not tire of these supplications." When a person persists steadfastly in this manner, then ultimately Allah the Almighty, by His grace, produces that state for which there is a longing and restlessness in his heart. That is, a passion and sweetness for worship begins to develop." A sweetness of worship, as it is called, begins to be attained, a taste starts to come. He said, "But if a person does not strive and endeavor, and thinks that someone can make him a worshipper by merely blowing—" that someone can bring him closer to Allah the Almighty, or that passion for worship will be created, or that he will be brought close to someone through mere effort, then that person will never become a worshipper through such means. He said, "This is not the way and practice of Allah the Almighty." He said, "Whoever tests Allah in this manner makes a mockery of Allah the Almighty and is beaten." What then is the final outcome? He is beaten, he becomes distant from Allah the Almighty. He said, "Remember well that the heart is in the hands of Allah the Almighty alone. If His grace is not there, the very next day you could become a Christian." turn away from Islam, "or become afflicted with some other form of irreligion." stray far from the faith. "Therefore, always continue to supplicate for His grace and seek His help." Ask Him for assistance, "so that He may keep you firm on the straight path. Whoever becomes independent of Allah the Almighty becomes Satan himself." When one becomes independent of Allah the Almighty, abandons Allah the Almighty, forgets Allah the Almighty, that is when Satan attacks and one becomes satanic. He said, "For this, it is necessary that a person should continue to seek forgiveness so that the poison and venom do not develop that would destroy a person. Seeking forgiveness is the cure—seek forgiveness so that you may be protected from that poison which brings one close to Satan and destroys the person." (Malfuzat, Volume 8, Pages 154-155, 1985 Edition, published in England)
Thus, steadfastness is a condition, and this belief that none exists besides Allah the Almighty. Only when a person closes all other paths and turns towards Allah the Almighty does that state develop which brings passion for worship as well. One must constantly turn towards Allah the Almighty. One must constantly seek His help. Since Satan is always ready to attack, therefore Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said that seeking forgiveness is also necessary to develop this passion and enthusiasm. Seeking forgiveness is very necessary to protect oneself from Satan's attacks. When a person seeks forgiveness and thereby drives Satan away from himself, then he will also supplicate with yearning to seek Allah the Almighty's shelter. Both the seeking of forgiveness will be done with yearning, and supplication will also be made to find the path to His proximity for further progress. When a person reaches such a state, when this condition is established, then Allah the Almighty bestows His grace.
May Allah the Almighty grant us the ability to become true servants and to fulfill good deeds, and may He grant us the steadfastness to remain firm upon it.
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