"Verily we are God's and to Him we shall return".
This as well as some other verses support the Islamic belief in the re-union of a man's soul with God. As I have mentioned in my previous Note, Islam conceives that there is but one Universal Soul. Small parts—infinitesimal fractions—of the Universal Soul are confined in men's bodies and break free at death to re-join the Whole[66]. This belief is in entire accord with Sir Oliver Lodge's theory (or "speculation", as he calls it) put forward in his book, Faith allied to Science. Without stopping to enquire how far the belief indicated by Qur'anic verses, or the theory advanced by a man of science, is supported by scientific facts, I would only point out that it gives a clear and intelligible meaning to the word "worship" عبادت. It is the communion of the fractional soul, which is somehow confined in a man's living body, with the Whole Soul, the Soul of the Universe, to which it—the fractional soul—shall return some day freed from the trammels of the flesh. This "communion" عبادت includes Adoration تسبيح و تهليل and Prayer دعا.
I cannot do better than quote Sir Oliver Lodge's admirable description of the meaning and object of Prayer:—
"In prayer we come into close communion with a Higher than we know, and seek to contemplate Divine perfection. Its climax and consummation is attained when we realize the universal Permeance, the entire Goodness and the Fatherly Love of the Divine Being."
[الحد لله رب العالمن الرحمن مالك يم الدين
Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds, compassionate and merciful, King of the day of Reckoning.]
"Through prayer we admit our dependance on a Higher Power, for existence and health and everything we possess; we are encouraged to ask for whatever we need as children ask parents; [ادعونى استجب لكم Call upon me—I will hearken unto you] and we inevitably cry for mercy and comfort in times of tribulation and anguish."
"The spirit of simple supplication may desire chiefly:—
"1. Insight and receptiveness to truth and knowledge.