An Islamic Treasury of Virtues
3. Worship
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written instructions to Musab ibn Umair concerning
congregational acts of worship. One of the clauses
ran as follows: “When, on Fridays, the midday sun
begins to decline, seek proximity to God by praying
two rakahs.”
(AL-DARAQUTNI)
SELF-SEEKING PLACES ONE FAR FROM GOD
Self-seeking religious scholars are the subject of one
tradition in which the Prophet records these words
of God: “The least I will do to them is extinguish the
joy of prayer in their hearts.”
(JAMI‘ BAYAN AL ‘ILM)
A SHOW OF PIETY IS NOT REVERENCE
One day Aishah noticed a man walking along in a
manner that very obviously suggested he was
bowed down in submission to God. “Why is he
walking in that feeble manner?” she enquired. She
was told that he read extensively from the Qur’an
and was constantly worshipping and imparting
knowledge. On hearing this, Aishah said: “Umar
used to read the Qur’an more than anyone, but he
