Chapter IV: Secrets of Prayer
thoughts. The Prophet said : The prayer of a man is not written except its one third, half, one-fourth, one fifth, one sixth or one tenth.Hesaid:Whatissaidinprayerwithunderstandingisonly written for him, Hazrat Omar once said from his pulpit : The headoftwosidesofamanbecomesgrey,yethedoesnotobserve prayer for pleasure of God. He was asked : How does it occur ?
He said : HisGod-f ear, modesty and his self- surrender for God do no t become perfect. Abid Ahiya was onceasked : What is the meaning of heedlessness in prayer ? He said : One commits mistakes in his prayer and does not know how many rak'ats he has prayed. The sage Hasan Basari said in its explanation : He forgets the time of prayer. Jesus Christ said : God says : My servant gets salvation by observing compulsory duties, but he gains My nearness by doing optional duties. The Prophet said :
God says : My servant will not get salvation till he fulfills the compulsoryJuties.
SECTION 4
IMAMATE
There are six duties of Imam before prayer. (1) He shallnot be an Imam of people unless they give consent to it. If they differ, an Imam would be elected by a majority. If the minority are' religious and good, their opinion should be followed. There is in Had is : The prayer of three persons will not go up beyond their heads (1) a fugitive slave, (2) a woman whose husband is displeased with her, and (3) an Imam with whom his people are dis-satisfied. The Imam is a guarantee for his followers, (2) When a man is given option between Azan and Imamate, he should prefer Imamate as the office of an Imam ii better than that of a Muazzem. Some say that Azan is better as there are many merits of Azan. The Prophet said : An Imam is a surety for his followers and Muazzen is an object of trust. He said : The Imam is an object of trust. When he bends down, the followers bend down and when he prostrates, they prostrate. He said : When he fulfills the prayer, it is for him and for them also. If there is defect in it, it goes against him and against them also. For this reason, the Prophet said : O God, show the straight path to the Imams and forgive the Muazzens.
The Prophet said: Paradise becomes sure for one without account who is Imam for seven years. He who proclaims Azan for
150 THE BOOK OF WORSHIP Vol-I