Lesson 6 of 6 · When the dryness is something else
If one thing stays with you
Let it be this.
The slackening is inside the pattern the reports describe, not outside it. A Companion made exactly the diagnosis you are making of yourself, about himself, and was told he was wrong.
The feeling drained. That is what feelings do to repeated acts, and it says nothing about the worth of the act. What matters is whether there is still a floor under you.
Set it low. Keep it. And if the flatness is in everything and not only in the prayer, put this course down and go and see a doctor.
Qur’an and Sunnah
For everything there is a zeal, and for every zeal there is a slackening. The slackening is inside the pattern this report describes rather than outside it, which is the first of the two things to end on.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w) said:"Indeed for everything there is a zeal, and for every zeal there is a slackening. So if its practitioner behaves properly,and is moderate, then hope for him (for his success). But if the fingers are pointed to him, then do not count him (among the worthy)." It has been related from Anas bin Malik that the Prophet SAW said: "It is sufficient evil for a man that fingers be raised against him, regarding religion or worldly matters, except for one whom Allah has protected
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2453graded sound, albanithe Arabic and its grading
And the second. A Companion made exactly the diagnosis you are making of yourself, about himself, and was told he was wrong.
Abu 'Uthman narrated from Hanzalah Al-Usaidi – and he was one of the scribes of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w)- that he passed by Abu Bakr while he was crying, so he(Abu Bakr) said to him:“What is wrong with you, O Hanzalah?” He replied: “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite O Abu Bakr! When we are with the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) we remember the Fire and Paradise as if we are looking at them with the naked eye. But when we return we busy ourselves with our wives and livelihood and we forget so much.” He(Abu Bakr) said: “By Allah! The same thing happens to me. Let us go to the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w).” (Hanzalah said:) “So he went." When the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) saw him, he said: “What is wrong with you O Hanzalah?” He said: “Hanzalah has become a hypocrite O Messenger of Allah! When we are with you we remember the Fire and Paradise as if we can see them with the naked eye. But when we return we are busy with our wives and livelihood, and we forget so much.” He said: “So the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: 'If you were to abide in the state that you are in when you are with me, then the Angels would shake hands with you in your gatherings, and upon your bedding, and in your paths. But O Hanzalah! There is a time for this and a time for that.'” (Sahih)
Jami' at-Tirmidhi 2514graded sound, albanithe Arabic and its grading