Salah (Prayer)
Allah the Almighty says:
And be steadfast in prayer (Salat ); practice regular charity (Zakat ); and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship) .
- (The Heifer (Al-Baqarah) 2:43)
For such payers are enjoined on Believers at stated times.
- (Women (Al-Nisa) 4:101)
Guard strictly your (habit) of prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; And stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind).
- (The Heifer (A l-Baqarah) 2:218)
Establish regular prayers - at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony.
- (The Night Journey (Al-Isra') 17:78)
.... for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds
-(The Spider (AI - 'Ankabut) 29:45)
Our Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has said:
1. On the Day of Judgement (Qiyamah) the first thing that will be reckoned concerning man will be Prayer. His performance of Prayer will be seen. If it is sound then he will prosper. If it is faulty then he will be at a loss.
- (Anas رضي الله عنه Al-Tarhib, vol 1, p246, No.32)
2. Salat is the key to Heaven and wudu' (ablution) is the key to Salat.
- (Jabir bin 'Abdullah رضي الله عنه Mishkat vol 1, p106, No. 270)
3. Allah the Almighty has made the five times daily prayer compulsory for every Muslim, male and female, who are sane in mind ('Aqil) an d of valid age (Baligh).
- ('A'ishah رضي الله عنها : Kan Al-Ummal, vol 4, p62 , No. 1199)
4. Salat is the most important pillar of Islam. Whoever establishes it has in fact established Deen. Whoever neglects it, it is as if he has destroyed the whole structure of Deen.
- ('Umar رضي الله عنه Munyat Al-Musalli (Arabic Version) p4)
It is clear from these Holy Verses and blessed Ahadith. that Salat (Prayer) is the most important pillar of Deen. The fact that the Holy Qur'an constantly repeats Verses concerning Prayer is strong evidence for its importance . Otherwise saying it once would have been enough. Allah the Almighty has repeated this injunction so that it is never neglected. What greater proof of its importance is there? The Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has said that when your children reach the age of seven teach them to pray. When they reach the age of ten (and are still not praying) beat them if you have to and separate their beds.
- ( 'Umar bin Shu'ayb رضي الله عنه : Mishkat, vol 1, p138, No. 521)
Do you realise that no day has passed in which all the Muslims in the world have performed at least one set prayer without fail. Yet it is incumbent upon every Muslim to pray five times a day. It seems that these days people think of Salat as a Fard Kifayah (that which suffices for performing an obligatory duty). Such that it is sometimes thought that what is being fulfilled by one person in the house is done on behalf of all. Never mind the house! It is now thought that if a single person in the community has fulfilled this duty it is as if the whole community is exempt from it.
The most important task for you is to pray five times daily. Then teach your family to pray likewise. Stress this point to them and go as far as you can to make them perform Prayers. Do not let your efforts end there. Keep encouraging people who live in your vicinity and then the wider section of society towards Prayer. Although guidance comes only from Allah the Almighty you should still continue with your efforts as wisely as possible.
Keep at them like a police inspector chasing a fugitive until they adopt Prayer.
Ya-Hayyu, ya- Qayyum!
- Quoted from "Ta'līm Al-Dīn (Teachings of Islām)" by Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali Ludhianvi قَدَّسَ اللّهُ سِرَّه الْعَزِيز, pages 31-34.