Prayer is a symbol of the religion; it distinguishes a Muslim from a non-Muslim. It is performed five times a day. If it were less than five, it would be said it is light but it is not light. This is why prayer is the last pillar, even when people show laxity towards other symbols and pillars of the religion, prayer will become the last strong pillar that protects the religion and distinguishes its followers from others.
The timing of prayers has far-reaching wisdom: “Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” (An-Nisa’: 103)
There is a sense of continuous connection with Allah in that and also the feeling that they cleanse the body and the soul. They also make the soul tend towards the goal of the Shari’ah of the religion and preparation for the body to have rest. A possessor of a resting soul will be saved from toiling over means of livelihood and how to meet his needs.
The prayer makes the identification of the hypocrites easy. The hypocrites stand for prayer with all laziness. Allah (SWT) said: “And when they stand up for salah (prayer), they stand with laziness.”
The hypocrites are careless about the prayer; they show no sign of humility in it. They only observe the prayer as the custom demands, not that they are really convinced of it. They make the prayer a means to attain the acceptance and pleasure of the people.
We hereby say: Stand up for prayer whenever you hear the adhan. The One who calls to it is the Lord of Majesty. Allah has outlined the time for each of the prayers so that you will get acquainted with them. You will take time off your work, perform the ablution for it, say its required words of remembrance, and show humility in it, while you are very sure that there is a lot of blessing in preferring the prayer to other deeds; so also to other worldly profits and merchandise. Allah will never bless any activity that takes people away from prayer. Allah indeed rebuked some people – in the era of the Prophet (SAW) who got preoccupied with merchandise and trading, such that all of them went towards the trade and left the Messenger of Allah (SAW) alone. Never be like them because what is with Allah is better and lasting.
Allah (SWT) said: “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the prayer on the day of Friday, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business, that is better for you if you did but know.” (Al-Jumu’ah: 9)
Among those whom Allah will grant shade on the Day where there will be no shade except His, is the person whose heart is connected with the mosque just like the mosque dove. That is the person who will wait for prayers repeatedly. This kind of person has surpassed others in goodness and has attained the highest of what people desire.
There is in the congregational prayer – especially striving to be on the first row – the sense of one totally submitting one’s face to Allah and an act of obedience that is unequalled. There is also in following the Imam – starting and ending the prayer with him – the acceptance of the Muslim community and the pillar that strengthens the row.
There is mercy in aligning the rows in prayers and it is a means of swelling the Muslim ranks. Whoever takes many steps to the mosque, all hearts soon stand by, seeking permission to gain access.
by Aamir Shammaakh
