Salaat on time? Are we managing to fulfill our obligations?

admin · Salaat on time? Are we managing to fulfill our obligations?

Assalaamu 'alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh,

As we all know Salat is one of the most important obligations that a Muslim who is baligh (has reached the age of puberty) must do. However, do we perform our 5 daily prayers on time? Do we manage to pray at uni or at work? Does our surrounding environment influence us in delaying the Salat? There are many similar questions that we could ask ourselves, but one thing is for sure, praying to Allah subhaanahu wa ta'ala 5 times a day reflects our love for Him.

So take the poll above - don't worry, we can't check how many times you pray a day - but rather it's a good indicator for us to see how we can encourage and help one another be more stable in our daily obligations - of which Salat is the most important (along with the treatment of parents in the best of ways etc).

O the turner of hearts, keep our hearts firmly palced upon Your Deen, al Islam, and make us from amongst the righteous folk in this Dunya, and among the companions of the right side in the next, Ameen ajma'een

Fi Amanillah

crystalclear

Assalamualaikum

Ameen.

Punctuality and correct performance of Salaat

After Imaan, Salaat is the most important principle of Islam.It is thus quite understandable why the Shariat has so greatly emphasized the importance of its correct performance, punctuality with regard to it etc. It must be clearly understood that Salaat will only be accepted if it is performed in accordance with the Sunnah. Even a slight deviation from this negates the value of Salaat. Furthermore the foundation for the success of the believers has been placed on Salaat. Those believers who are neglectful or do not perform their Salaat correctly have been warned of annihilation and destruction.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Quraan:
Safeguard your Salaat and (especially) the middle Salaat (i.e. Asr Salaat) and stand before Allah with humility. (Surah A’l Imraan Aayat 238)

The word “Safeguard” in the above Aayat refers to among other things, performing the Salaat on its prescribed time and to be steadfast in the performance of Salaat to the extent that not a single Salaat is missed. (Tafseer Baidawi)

Hafiz Ibn Kathir (R.A) explains “Safeguard” as:
“The laws and performance of Salaat should be safeguarded.”

From some narrations it has been observed that some people had been neglectful and indolent in the performance of Salaat with Jamaat (congregation).It is regarding them that this Aayat was revealed. Upon the revelation of this Aayat, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) admonished the Sahaba (R.A) and said: “People should refrain from staying away from the Masjid (and perform their Salaat at home) or else I will burn their homes.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer)

The Asr Salaat has been particularly stressed upon as this is the time when people are generally occupied in worldly activities. As a result, they procrastinate in its performance or they simply discard it altogether.

Let alone missing the Asr Salaat completely, strong warnings have been given with regard to the person who delays the Salaat till just before sunset. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said; “That is the Salaat of the hypocrite. He sits waiting for the sun until it is between the horns of the Shaytaan (i.e. just before it sets). Thereafter, he goes and strikes his head four times on the ground (a reference to the extreme haste with which he performs his Salaat). He (also) does not remember Allah Ta'ala therein, but a little.” (Sahih Muslim Vol.1 Pg.225)

However, with regard to those people who miss their Asr Salaat completely, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said: “The person who neglects his Asr Salaat (i.e. he reads it after the specified time), it is as if he has lost his wife, children and his entire wealth. (i.e. the gravity of this can be likened to his losing his near and dear ones.) (Sahih Bukhari Vol.1 Pg.7

In another Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) is reported to have said: “The example of the person who misses a single Salaat is that of a person who loses his entire family and belongings.” (Fathul Bari Vol.2 Pg.30)

This means that if a person loses his wife, children and his entire wealth, the amount of grief and sorrow he will feel, should also be felt at the loss of one Salaat. He should also consider a great loss in the hereafter.

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said: “The person who is punctual in the performance of his Salaat, (his) Salaat will be a saviour, a source of celestial light (noor) and proof for him on the day of judgement. The person who disregards it, it would not be a saviour, nor a source of celestial light (noor) or proof for him on the day of judgement. This person will be in the company of Qaroon, Firoun, Hamaan and Ubay bin Khalaf.” (Mishkaat Pg.59) May Allah protect the entire Ummah.

In another Hadith it is mentioned that a person who totally disregards or omits his Asr Salaat, all his actions are worthless. (Mishkaat Pg.60)

Today, the sheer number of businessmen who, due their involvement in their businesses, read their Asr Salaat during sunset or they make qadha of it afterwards is absolutely shocking. The above Ahaadith should be remembered at such a time. It is due to this negligence that the Quraan has specifically emphasized the importance of the Asr Salaat.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Quraan: “Verily Salaat has been made compulsory on the Muslims on its prescribed time.” (Surah Nisa Aayat 103)

Therefore, to read a Salaat on any time other than the prescribed time, without a valid Shari’ excuse makes a person liable for severe punishment.

In another Aayat it is mentioned: “Destruction awaits those who are neglectful of their Salaat (and do not perform it).” (Surah Ma’oon Aayat 3&4)

These verses refer specifically to the Hypocrites. However it is disappointing to note that these examples are found in abundance amongst the Muslims.

Regarding the successful Believers, Allah Ta’ala says in the Quraan: “They are those who are punctual in the performance of their Salaat.” (Surah Mu’miniin Aayat 9)

by Shaykhul Hadith Mawlana Fadhlur Rahmaan Azmi