Assalamu Alayikum Muslim Brothers and Sisters, THE IMPORTANCE OF SALAAH (PRAYER) TURN TO ALLAH (SWT) BEFORE YOU RETURN TO HIM The Prayer is the second pillar of Islam that the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of Allah (SWT) be upon him, mentioned after mentioning the Testimony of Faith, by which one becomes a Muslim. It was made obligatory upon all the prophets and for all peoples. Allah (SWT) has declared its obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when Allah (SWT) spoke directly to Moses (PBUH), He said, “AND I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, SO LISTEN TO WHAT IS REVEALED [TO YOU]. INDEED, I AM GOD. THERE IS NO DEITY EXCEPT ME, SO WORSHIP ME AND ESTABLISH PRAYER FOR MY REMEMBRANCE.” (Holy Quran 20:13-14) Similarly, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during his ascension to heaven. Furthermore, when Allah (SWT) praises the believers, such as in the beginning of the chapter entitled ‘Al-Muminoon’ (the Believers): “CERTAINLY WILL THE BELIEVERS HAVE SUCCEEDED: THEY WHO ARE DURING THEIR PRAYER HUMBLY SUBMISSIVE.” (Holy Quran 23:1-2) But sadly, many Muslims do not pray or fulfill the conditions of the prayer, despite its importance. The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet (PBUH) statements. For example, once a man asked the Prophet (PBUH) about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet (PBUH) stated that the most virtuous deed is the prayer. The man asked again and again and for the first three times, the Prophet (PBUH) answered, “THE PRAYER” then on the fourth occasion he stated, “Jihad in the way of God.” (Ahmad and ibn Hibban) IT’S IMPORTANT DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH ALLAH (SWT) “The closest a person is to His Lord is when he is in prostration”. Prayer connects you with Allah (SWT). The Arabic word for prayer (As-Salaah) is actually derived from the Arabic word meaning “Connection”. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said “When anyone of you stands to pray, he is communicating with his Lord. So let him pay attention to how he speak to him”. Don’t sever this relationship with your creator. The importance of the prayers lies in the fact that no matter what actions one performs in his life, the most important aspect is one’s relationship to Allah (SWT), that is, one’s faith (IMAAN), God-consciousness (TAQWA), sincerity (IKHLAS) and worship of Allah (SWT) (IBAADAH). This relationship with Allah (SWT) is both demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the prayer. Therefore, if the prayers are sound and proper, the rest of the deeds will be sound and proper; and if the prayers are not sound and proper, then the rest of the deeds will not be sound and proper, as the Prophet himself stated. A PILLAR OF ISLAM Prayer is second and most important pillar of Islam, it the most regular and compulsory in a Muslim’s life. Prayer is an act that must be fulfilled daily, regardless of circumstance. In fact, Allah (SWT) did not even exempt the Muslims from during battle, Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 2:238-239, “MAINTAIN WITH CARE THE [OBLIGATORY] PRAYERS AND [IN PARTICULAR] THE MIDDLE [I.E., ‘ASR] PRAYER AND STAND BEFORE GOD, DEVOUTLY OBEDIENT. AND IF YOU FEAR [AN ENEMY, THEN PRAY] ON FOOT OR RIDING. BUT WHEN YOU ARE SECURE, THEN REMEMBER GOD [IN PRAYER], AS HE HAS TAUGHT YOU THAT WHICH YOU DID NOT [PREVIOUSLY] KNOW”. SUCCESS LIES IN THE PRAYER The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is incomplete, then the rest of his deeds will be incomplete.” (Al- Tabarani) ITS BENEFITS SHIELDS AGAINST EVIL Without seeking Allah (SWT) help, it is impossible to refrain from evil. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 29:45, “RECITE, [O MUHAMMAD], WHAT HAS BEEN REVEALED TO YOU OF THE BOOK AND ESTABLISH PRAYER. INDEED, PRAYER PROHIBITS IMMORALITY AND WRONGDOING, AND THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD IS GREATER. AND GOD KNOWS THAT WHICH YOU DO”. ENRICHES YOUR SOUL Prayer satisfies your spiritual need to be in contact with your creator. This gives your soul peace and contentment. Especially with your busy lifestyle. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 13:28, “THOSE WHO HAVE BELIEVED AND WHOSE HEARTS ARE ASSURED BY THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD. UNQUESTIONABLY, BY THE REMEMBRANCE OF GOD HEARTS ARE ASSURED.” MAKES YOU HUMBLE Pride and arrogance is rid by realizing Allah (SWT) greatness and your dependence on Him. In the prayer, Muslim puts highest part of his body and source of intellect, and his head, on to the ground and says “How Perfect is My Lord, The Most High”. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran, “CERTAINLY WILL THE BELIEVERS HAVE SUCCEEDED: THEY WHO ARE DURING THEIR PRAYER HUMBLY SUBMISSIVE”. Of course, this can only be achieved when you understand what is recited and concentrate with humility. WASHES AWAY SINS Everyone commits sins, however, Allah (SWT) has provided through prayer, a way to wipe to those sins. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 11:114 “AND ESTABLISH PRAYER AT THE TWO ENDS OF THE DAY AND AT THE APPROACH OF THE NIGHT. INDEED, GOOD DEEDS DO AWAY WITH MISDEEDS. THAT IS A REMINDER FOR THOSE WHO REMEMBER”. The Messenger (PBUH) gave a beautiful example when He (PBUH) said to his companions, “Consider if one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They said “No”. Then the Prophet (PBUH) replied, “Likewise, Allah (SWT) wipes away sins with five daily prayers”. SOLVES YOUR PROBLEMS If you strengthen your relationships with Allah (SWT), Allah (SWT) will strengthen your relationship with the rest of creation. Through prayer, He, who is All-Powerful, will rectify all of your problems. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 2:153 “O YOU WHO HAVE BELIEVED, SEEK HELP THROUGH PATIENCE AND PRAYER. INDEED, GOD IS WITH THE PATIENT”. UNITES THE MUSLIMS Congregational prayer cultivate brotherhood, equality and humility between Muslims. The worshipers stand in row and as one body, shoulder to shoulder without any distinction of race, color, nationality, wealth, family or status. This act of unity helps demolish all barriers which stand between people. ABANDONING PRAYER Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 82:6 “O mankind, what has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Generous”. YOU ARE DISOBEYING YOUR CREATOR The whole purpose of your existence to worship Allah (SWT), yet daily, you are disobeying your creator. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 19:59-60 “BUT THERE CAME AFTER THEM SUCCESSORS [I.E., LATER GENERATIONS] WHO NEGLECTED PRAYER AND PURSUED DESIRES; SO THEY ARE GOING TO MEET EVIL. EXCEPT THOSE WHO REPENT, BELIEVE AND DO RIGHTEOUSNESS; FOR THOSE WILL ENTER PARADISE AND WILL NOT BE WRONGED AT ALL”. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 74:42-43 “[AND ASKING THEM], “WHAT PUT YOU INTO HELL?” THEY WILL SAY, “WE WERE NOT OF THOSE WHO PRAYED”. YOU ARE BEING UNGRATEFUL Refusing your creator invitation to establish this close relationship with Him is the ultimate ingratitude. Allah (SWT) created you and gave everything. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 67:23 “SAY, “IT IS HE WHO HAS PRODUCED YOU AND MADE FOR YOU HEARING AND VISION AND HEARTS [I.E., INTELLECT]; LITTLE ARE YOU GRATEFUL.” The Prophet (PBUH) feet would swell because he would stand in prayer lengthy periods. When asked about this, He (PBUH) replied, “Should I not be a grateful servant of my Lord”. YOU ARE BEING LAZY What excuse will you give your Creator, the Creator of heaven and earth, on the Judgment Day? The one who blessed you with 24 hour in day, at only commanded that you pray five times of day – a command that takes approximately 30 minutes to fulfill. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “The son of Adam (PBUH) will not be dismissed from before his Lord on the Day of Resurrection until he has been questioned with five things: his life and how he spend it, his youth and how he used it, his wealth and how he earned it and how he disposed it, and how he acted upon what he acquired of knowledge. YOU WILL BE MISERABLE Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 20:124-126 “AND WHOEVER TURNS AWAY FROM MY REMEMBRANCE, INDEED, HE WILL HAVE A DEPRESSED [I.E., DIFFICULT] LIFE, AND WE WILL GATHER [I.E., RAISE] HIM ON THE DAY OF RESURRECTION BLIND.” HE WILL SAY, “MY LORD, WHY HAVE YOU RAISED ME BLIND WHILE I WAS [ONCE] SEEING?” “[GOD] WILL SAY, “THUS DID OUR SIGNS COME TO YOU, AND YOU FORGOT [I.E., DISREGARDED] THEM; AND THUS WILL YOU THIS DAY BE FORGOTTEN.” YOU ARE ONLY HARMING YOURSELF Allah (SWT) doesn’t needed your prayer or anything from anyone – Glory to Him! It is you that stands in need of His mercy. Allah (SWT) says in Holy Quran 31:12 “AND WE HAD CERTAINLY GIVEN LUQMAN WISDOM [AND SAID], “BE GRATEFUL TO GOD.” AND WHOEVER IS GRATEFUL IS GRATEFUL FOR [THE BENEFIT OF] HIMSELF. AND WHOEVER DENIES [HIS FAVOR] - THEN INDEED, GOD IS FREE OF NEED AND PRAISEWORTHY”. YOU ARE FLIRTING WITH DISBELIEF Many scholars of Islam hold the opinion that if you do not pray, you are disbeliever, quoting following hadith “The covenant which distinguishes between us and them (i.e, between believer and disbeliever) is the prayer. And whoever neglects it has disbelieved”. Additionally, the Prophet (PBUH) companions (may Allah (SWT) be pleased with them) did not consider the abandonment of any act as disbelief, except for prayer. COMMON EXCUSES NO TIME (WORK, STUDY, BUSY, ETC.) Pure and simple deception. You haven’t given prayers priority. Allah (SWT) bless your time and make you more effective, efficient and successful. MY HEART IS CLEAN Allah (SWT) judges who has clean hearts, and He wants you to pray! Actions will reflect what is in your heart. No one has a cleaner heart than beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who used to pray regularly. MY ALARM It’s hard for your alarm to go off, if you don’t SET it!! Purify your intention and sleep to according to Sunnah. MY FAMILY/SPOUSES/PARENTS/FRIENDS PREVENT ME Prophet (PBUH) said “There is no obedience to anyone in disobedience to Allah (SWT)” you will be judged alone. I ‘M SINNING TOO MUCH In the time, your prayers will be prevent you from committing these sins – just pray! You are sinning, because you are not praying. Contemplate over this Hadith “If they knew the merits of the ‘Isha and fajr prayers, they would come them (In the Mosque) even if they had to crawl!” What excuses to abandoning prayer do you honestly have you face your Lord on that difficult Day?
Posted on: Sun, 28 Dec 2014 13:39:22 +0000
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