The mere preservation of the outward forms of the legislated acts of worship—conveyed upon the tongues of the Speakers (al-Nuṭaqā’) among the Messengers, peace be upon them—will not be accepted without diving into their meanings and contemplating the Divine Secrets deposited within them.

Whoever gazes with the eye of his insight into the specification of the times of worship (which may not be performed before their entry) and the arrangement of their structures (which may not be contravened), will realize that they possess meanings beyond mere obedience.

For if the intent were obedience alone, it would be permissible for the one praying to pray at the start of the day [instead of the set time], to make the obligatory prayer ten cycles (rak‘ahs), to fast a month preceding the coming month of Ramadan as an advance, or to disconnect the validity of the Pilgrimage from the night of ‘Arafa.

Indeed, hastening obedience before its time would be an "increase" in obedience, yet it does not fulfill the religious duty according to the generality of Muslims.