Salaah – A Combination of the Various Forms of Worship of the Angels

Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) mentioned in Fazaa’il-e-A’maal:

There are many verses of the Qur’aan Majeed and many Ahaadith which mention that the Malaa’ikah (angels) remain perpetually engaged in ibaadah (the worship of Allah Ta‘ala). The Ahaadith mention that there is a group of angels who are such that they perpetually remain in ruku, and they will remain in ruku until Qiyaamah. Then, there is another group who perpetually remain in sajdah, and there is another group who perpetually remain in qiyaam.

Allah Ta‘ala has honoured the believer in this way that He has combined all these postures in two rakaats of salaah, so that we may get a share from each form of worship of the angels. Reciting the Qur’aan Majeed in salaah is an extra act of worship, over and above their type of ibaadah.

When salaah is the combination of all the various forms of worship of the angels, then the beauty of the salaah will be easily acquired by the one who adopts the qualities of the angels.

It is for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Keep your back and stomach light for salaah.” The meaning of “keeping the back light” is that a person leaves all disputes behind him, and it is clear that the meaning of “keeping the stomach light” is that one should not overeat, as this creates lethargy and laziness.

(Fazaa’il-e-A’maal [Urdu] pg. 375)