Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah - Naib Amir USA & Chairman Markazi Al Islam Team
October 1, 2025
The phrase "fake it till you make it" highlights the idea that sometimes we must begin an action outwardly, even if our heart and emotions have not yet fully caught up. This applies directly to practicing faith and especially to Salat (prayers). In Salat we may not always feel deep devotion at first, but by continuing the practice outwardly, sincerity and inner transformation gradually develop.
The Islamic concept of "ittiqa" represents one of the most profound yet challenging aspects of spiritual development, fundamentally meaning "forced effort" in the pursuit of righteousness. This term captures the essential struggle that defines the human spiritual journey, where conscious exertion becomes necessary to overcome natural inclinations toward self-interest and material attachment.
Human nature does not always align instantly with higher goals. Emotions such as laziness, distraction, or lack of concentration often resist discipline.
By "forcing" ourselves initially, we create habits that train the soul to follow. Much like a reluctant runner who forces himself out of bed at dawn only to later crave the morning jog. In Salat as well eventually the heart begins to resonate with beauty and meaning through repetition.
Outward practice functions as a vessel that slowly fills with inner spirit. The Promised Messiah (as) explained this principle in the context of Salat. The Promised Messiah (as) says in his extensive writings: Even if one does not initially find natural devotion in Salat, one must not give it up or wait for spiritual feelings before offering it… persevering in physical observance is itself a means of attaining inner sincerity. If a person abandons Salat until they feel inclined, they may lose prayer altogether…. the heart ultimately follows where the body is trained to go. If you bend your body in submission daily, your heart will eventually develop matching humility and awe.
The Promised Messiah (as) said that if a man continues regular prayer even without feeling, in time God grants him sweetness and delight in it—but the condition is to never tire of this effort.
In the Holy Quran Allah reassures by saying: "And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And verily Allah is with those who do good." (29:70)
Applying this to our daily life one finds at first, we may feel like we are "faking it," saying words without deep attention. But with perseverance, God gradually blesses the effort with 'khushu' (humility and focus), and the person reaches a stage where missing Salat feels unbearable.
Thus, the act of "forcing yourself" is not hypocrisy—it is discipline, a bridge from weakness to genuine devotion.
These insights affirm that Ittiqa is a spiritually necessary "forced effort" to guard oneself against evil, a concept that affirms "faking it" is actually a legitimate form of spiritual striving, bound to become authentic as one persists. This forced effort, while initially requiring conscious struggle against one's natural inclinations, matures over time and with divine help into genuine, heartfelt piety. However, this process is distinct from mere external ritual or hypocrisy; the effort must be sincere, persistent, and aimed at real transformation rather than social appearance, ultimately evolving from deliberate discipline into spontaneous devotion.
