Into Presence

An hour's meditation is better than sixty years of worship. What is meant by this "meditation" is the presence of the sincere dervish - an act of worship in which there is no false show whatsoever. Certainly that is better than outward worship without presence. The salat can be made up for, but there is no making up for (lack of) presence.
Muhammadan fakirs strive in this: There is no salat without presence. It is not that they abandon its forms so that the soul may be happy. In the outward Law, There si no salat without the Fatihah.
If Gabriel comes during presence, he will be given a slap. The Prophet had not yet reached presence when he said to Gabriel. "Come on!" Gabriel replied, "No, if I approach another inch, I will be burnt to cinders."

Shams
"Me & Rumi" William C. Chittick - Following Muhammad - 75