Importance of Prayer – Part II

Introduction | Definition | Importance of Prayer I | Importance of Prayer II

11) Leaving it is Disbelief

Prayer is the only act that all of the companions of the prophet (pbuh) agreed that leaving it would be disbelief. The reason for this is the hadith below:

In a hadith narrated by Muslim, Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Between a man and disbelief and paganism is the abandonment of Salat (prayer)”

This hadith points out the importance of prayer and the significant role it plays in the life of the Muslim. It’s as though a person that leaves Prayer is demolishing the wall that separates Islam from Kufr.  I’m not here to get into it with you about what ruling applies to the person who doesn’t pray, but just FYI, some `Ulama’ are of the opinion that this injunction is for the one who believes leaving Prayer is permissible, whereas the one who leaves it because they’re slacking off is not Kafir, and Allah knows best.

12) Adhan Would Prevent War

Before the Muslims engaged in battle with the residents of a city they would wait in the morning to hear if they called to Prayer (athaan). If they heard it, they wouldn’t attack and if they didn’t they went on with their military operation. The lesson here is that they were cautions as not to hurt or harm other Muslims. Just on the basis of their call to prayer they are regarded as believers and that protects their blood and wealth. This is a gorgeous point, because around the world today, so much injustice is being done to Muslims by other Muslims and a simple tradition like this point would clearly show how wrong what they’re doing is.

13) Divides Between Islam and Disbelief

This point refers to the same hadith mentioned in point #11 and it goes to say that prayer is like a physical barrier between Islam and disbelief (kufr). It’s as though the last thing a man would abandon from his religion is his prayers. The instructor commented on this hadith, saying  that the term (Shirk), meaning paganism, is preceded by the article (Al-) which indicates that this is the greater shirk, which is unforgivable in the sight of Allah.

14) Protects us from Evil Deeds

Prayer protects us from evil, immoral and unethical deeds (Fahishah and Munkar). This is discussed in the verse from surat Al-Ankabut:

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 Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

(Al-Ankabut 29:45)

The important point behind this verse is that Prayer is almost a reflection of our current state. If we’re falling into excessive haraam or making loads of mistakes then we should look at the state of our Prayers.

15) The Closest to Allah

The closest we can get to Allah (swt) is in Prayer. Once again, it’s as though we’re having a direct conversation with Him.

16) Final Advice

When the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was in the final moments of his life he warned those around him about the Prayer, by saying, “The Prayer, The Prayer!” This shows yet again, the prominence of prayer and its importance. If the Messenger of Allah was passing away and he thought to mention something in his last moments to benefit his followers and he chose to mention Prayer, then what does that tell you?

17) Those Who Don’t Pray Will be Blind

The ones who don’t pray are promised a difficult life in this world and will be resurrected blind on the Day of Judgment. Being blind indicates that they will be forbidden from seeing Allah (swt) for eternity. These people will ask why they are blind in the hereafter when they had their sight in the past, and they will be told that it is because they turned away from the signs of Allah (swt) and they will be forgotten today just as they forgot before. The proof for these points is in surat Ta-Ha:

And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. – He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” – [Allah] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.”

Ta-Ha (20: 124 – 126)

Is that something you’re willing to gamble on? Getting to the Day of Judgment where no one has any helper or intercessor or friend or family, getting to a day where no one cares to listen to or worry about anyone but themselves, and all you have is Allah (swt) knowing that you’ve angered Him. That’s the worst possible situation to put yourself into.

18) Fire Will Not Touch

The parts of your body that touch the ground during Sujood or prostration will never be touched by the fire.

19) Recognition

Allah’s messenger and the angels will recognize a person on the Day of Judgment by the signs of their Wudu (ablution or preparatory wash for Prayer). Just imagine when the Angels come and line up in rows, and they are ordered to come take the disbelievers and chain them up to be thrown into Hell fire (Jahannam) as described in surat Al-Fajr and Al-Haqqah,

And your Lord has come and the angels, rank upon rank, – And brought [within view], that Day, is Hell – that Day, man will remember, but what good to him will be the remembrance? – He will say, “Oh, I wish I had sent ahead [some good] for my life.” -So on that Day, none will punish [as severely] as His punishment

(Al-Fajr 89:22 – 25)

[Allah will say], “Seize him and shackle him. – Then into Hellfire drive him. – Then into a chain whose length is seventy cubits insert him.” – Indeed, he did not used to believe in Allah, the Most Great,

(Al-Haqqah 69:30 – 33)

20) Forgiveness

If you pray attentively after perfecting your wudu Allah (swt) will forgive all your sins. It would be as though the sins fall off with Prayer. The catch here is that we can’t ever guarantee Allah’s acceptance of our Prayers or any good things we do, so it’s our job to continually try to improve as Muslims and do better.

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