When a husband and wife are talking and his phone starts ringing, she is bound to complain and ask him to switch the phone off and concentrate on her.

Mawlana Tariq Jameel Sahib says so similarly regarding Salaah there is a request of Allah ta’ala and that is,

“When you perform Salaat, let it be just Me and you and no one else”.
In the Qur’an, Allah ta’ala says,

“Fa ithaa farghta fansab, wa ilaa Rabbika farghab”
Surah Al Inshirah Verse 7-8

At this point Mawlana Tariq Jameel Sahib asks for a glass which has a few drops of water remaining. He then tips it upside down and asks if the drops of water remain. The reply is “No”. He explains: “This is what is called ‘Farghab’ in Arabic: To empty something such that nothing remains inside it.

So my Lord is saying, ‘When you come to Me, empty out your heart in this same manner’. And who is He saying this to? Allah ta’ala is saying this to His beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam. The Scholars write regarding this that what was in the heart of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam which Allah ta’ala was referring to which needed to be emptied out? There was no worldly desires in his heart. Besides Allah ta’ala there was nothing so what was he asked to empty his heart of? Scholars write that in the heart of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasllam was one sorrow and that was the sorrow for the guidance of creation upon which he cried and grieved!

So it is as though Allah ta’ala is saying, “O my beloved Prophet! Be concerned and grieve for the guidance of mankind as much as you want but when you come to Me, empty your heart. Let there be just you and Me and no one else.”

There are many who do not even pray Salaat while those who do pray have no desire to perfect it. A woman desires that her home be decorated such and the man desires for such a car or such a job. My Lord says (Mawalana says and we’ll add a Hadith here too), “O son of Adam, look how you beautify yourself for other people, beautify yourself for Me as well”.

Every leaf recites the Tasbeeh (praises) of my Lord. The seven Heavens are filled with Angels who are prostrating to Him. Allah ta’ala leaves all of them and says to us, “O Mankind, prostrate to Me as your prostration is the most beloved to Me. When you lay your head on the ground and say ‘Subhaana Rabbiyal a’alaa’, I become pleased.”

What is being asked of every man and woman? [Mawlana once again picks up the glass and turns it upside down to demonstrate its emptiness.] Perform such a Salaat that your heart is void of all worldly thoughts.