For the prostration in prayer, sincerity is required; otherwise, wasting time is utterly useless.

This profound couplet by Mir Taqi Mir is a timeless lesson on spiritual sincerity. It reminds us that mere ritualistic performance, no matter how elaborate, is worthless if it is not backed by genuine devotion from the heart. The true value lies in 'Ikhlas'—the pure, heartfelt intention. Mir advises that if our actions are devoid of inner truth, then all the time spent on them is ultimately a waste.