In Letter 32 of The Hundred Letters of Sharafuddin Maneri, the master tells us how Allah “has combined in prayer, according to His own good pleasure, all the pillars of the Law.” I will try to add clarifications where necessary.

“In prayer one finds the meaning of fasting, and something more. Fasting is a kind of abstention done for a purpose. In prayer also, restraint is practice for a purpose. Moreover, it is fitting that you rest there and then go and do other things.” Thus as you restrain yourself from doing certain things in fasting, you must also abstain from doing what you want in the time of prayer and go to the mosque and pray, and then you may resume your affairs.

“In prayer there is purity of intention…” and testimony to the unity of Allah and to the prophethood of sayyidna Muhammad (pbuh). “…and in prayer there is the meaning of the religious tax, because five silver pieces must be given to the poor before one can recite the final prayer. At last let him recite: “O God, pardon me and other believers, that all may be at peace!” The formula for the Zakaat charity, which purifies your money, is five silver coins out of every 200 of your excess wealth. Likewise, the five prayers purify you and your time.

“In prayer too, one also finds the meaning of pilgrimage. During the pilgrimag, one enters the sacred precincts of Mecca and alights and sojourns there, while in prayer one sanctifies oneself and praises God.” Thus as you sanctify yourself by entering the Holy Sanctuary, you likewise sanctify yourself in prayer by standing before Allah.

“In prayer a person can also discover the meaning of holy war. Ablutions can be compared to donning armor. The prayer leader is like the general, while the people resemble the army. The leader stands in the front line in the sanctuary, where the battle will be joined. The people are drawn up in ranks behind him. United, they come to his aid. When they are victorious in their holy war, they share the booty among themselves. When the leader gives the final blessing of peace, he distributes the grace of the Lord of Glory.

Even though he may not be able to travel to Mecca, a believer who has prayed as also gone on pilgrimage. Though he has no property, he has also paid the charity tax. Though he may not have had the power to fast, he finds that he has, in effect, fasted. Devoid of the requisite strength, he has nonetheless fought a holy war.”