sustaining its acts is obligatory, then that is precisely repose; for this indicates that the bowing, prostration, and other acts must be sustained. If anything less than the aforementioned lowering sufficed—namely, pecking like a crow—that would not constitute sustained performance, nor would one be obliged to remain in bowing and prostration, though these are the two fundamental acts of prayer.

It is thus known that just as prayer is obligatory, so too is maintaining it in a manner that entails repose and calmness throughout its acts.

Moreover, Allah Most High said: “Seek help through patience and prayer. It is indeed burdensome except for the humbly submissive.” [al-Baqarah: 45] [al-Baqarah].

This entails censuring those who lack humble submission, just as in His words Most High: “We made the direction of prayer that you formerly faced only to distinguish those who follow the Messenger from those who turn back on their heels. It was indeed burdensome except for those whom Allah guided.” [al-Baqarah: 143] [al-Baqarah: 143] And in His words Most High: “What you call them to is burdensome to the polytheists.” [al-Shūrā: 13] [al-Shūrā: 13].

The Book of Allah, Glorious and Exalted, thus indicates that whoever finds burdensome what Allah loves [is] thereby blameworthy in religion, and Allah is displeased with him for it. Such censure or displeasure can arise only from omitting an obligation or committing something prohibited. Since those who lack humble submission are blameworthy, this indicates that humble submission is obligatory.

It is well known that the humble submission mentioned in the words of Allah Most High, “It is indeed burdensome except for the humbly submissive” [al-Baqarah: 45], must include humble submission within prayer. If what was intended were humble submission outside prayer, the meaning would be untenable. For if it were said, “Prayer is indeed burdensome except for someone who is humbly submissive outside it but not within it,” that would