Salman Spiritual :: Towards the Inner Vision of the Truth :: An Ismaili Perspective

"Prophet Muhammad used to say, after making the profession of faith:
 
"O Lord, I supplicate Thee for firmness in faith, and inclination towards the straight path, and for Thine aid in being grateful to Thee, and in adoring Thee in every good way; and I supplicate Thee for an innocent heart which shall not incline to wickedness; and I supplicate Thee for a true tongue, and for that virtue which Thou knowest to be so, and do defend me from that vice which Thou knowest to be so; and for forgiveness of those faults which Thou knowest."
 

(Source: Sayings of Prophet Muhammad, No. 150, p.42)

Thus the Ummat-e-Wasat' are only the Holy Imams—and their position among the Muslims—is that of the 'Ka'ba' to the Muslims world, towards which Muslims necessarily turn. In the absence of the Holy Prophet, the Imams of his Ahlul-Bait are the spiritual centers to which every true believer in God has to resort to for correct guidance and the necessary inspiration of goodness and virtue. The closer anyone is attached to these spiritual magnets, the more he will be conditioned with their divine attributes and get qualified for the praise from God and to receive the honour of being associated with the real 'Ummat-e Wasat' like Salman, who for his faithfulness and the closest attachment to the Holy Prophet, was bestowed with the unique honour of being called 'Minna Ahlul-Bait, the honour and privilege which was given to none else outside the family of the Holy Prophet.
 

(Source: S. V. Mir Ahmed Ali's translation of the Holy Qu'ran, pp.162-164)

"Vr. 4:125. (608) The best religion is the submission to God—i.e., Islam.

'Hanif', i.e., wholly devoted to one object—attached exclusively to the Right Path—always avoiding the wrong one.

'Wajh', literally face. In Qur'an mostly used signifying the distinctive aspects of a being by which the being is recognized—man is distinguished by his cognitive self—God is distinguished by His Absolute Universal Excellence which is manifest throughout [as described] in 2:115 [And God's is the East and the West, therefore whithersoever ye turn ye find the face of God; Verily God is All-Pervading, and All-Knowing].

'Millat-e-Ibrahim' repeatedly used in the Qur'an indicating the universality of his mission."
 

(Source: S. V. Mir Ahmed Ali's translation of the Holy Qu'ran, p.424)