SALAH

THE IMPORTANCE OF SALAH

Salah is obligatory on every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty. According to the Shari'ah, "bulugh" or puberty begins at 9 years for a girl and 12 years for a boy, provided the pubertal signs have manifested. The pubertal sign for a girl is the appearance of menstruation, and for a boy, it is the emission of sperm. Therefore, as soon as these signs manifest, a person is considered "baaligh" (pubescent). However, if the pubertal sign has not manifested, the boy or girl is considered pubescent (baligh) once they reach the age of 15. Once a person reaches the age of puberty and is of sound mind, Salah remains obligatory until their death. Of course, a girl or woman is exempt from Salah during the period of "haiz" (menstruation) or "nifaas" (post-childbirth bleeding).

Salah is of such importance that Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said in a Hadith of Abu Dawud:

"Command Salah to your children from the age of seven and be sterner with them if they neglect it when they are ten years old."

This is to familiarize the Muslim with the practice of this great Ibaadah‎ that is Salah from childhood. Unfortunately, today, the majority of Muslims are negligent with regard to Salah. If the parents themselves are negligent, they will certainly not make the effort to encourage their children to practice Salah. Materialism has invaded a very large number of Muslim hearts. We can see how much effort and sacrifice Muslim parents are ready to make for the worldly education of their children (Primary school certificates mandatory!). We want, at all costs, for our children to succeed in exams of this fleeting world. However, it seems we have forgotten the exam that will decide our eternal future. We are ready to make all kinds of sacrifices for the comfort and luxury of this temporary world, but for the Aakhirah, which is eternal, there is only indifference. What a contradiction! This is why the mosques are empty or nearly so. However, Salah is the most important duty after Imaan. We must not forget that Salah is the second pillar of Islam. According to a Hadith of Muslim reported by Hadhrat Jabir Bin Abdullah (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Between man and Kufr (infidelity), there is Salah."

We understand this Hadith better in the light of another Hadith from Abu Dawud and Tirmizi, where Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"He who abandons Salah is like one who commits Kufr."

In light of similar Ahaadith, we see that abandoning Salah is akin to committing Kufr. According to the 'Ulama, these Ahaadith do not have a direct or literal meaning. The 'Ulama are of the opinion that abandoning Salah is similar to a deed that a Kaafir would do, but it does not necessarily make the person abandoning Salah a Kaafir.

However, abandoning Salah is very serious. According to a Hadith of Musnad Ahmad reported by Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Umar (Radiyallahu anhu), the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"There will be no light (Nur), no defense, no najaat (salvation) for the one who has not performed Salah. On the Day of Judgement, he will be in the company of Qarun, Pharaoh, Haamaan, and Ubay bin Khalaf."

And according to a Hadith of Tirmizi, reported by Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Salah is the first action for which a servant will have to give an account. If the Salah is in order, then he will have complete success and achievement. If this is not the case, then he will have loss and he will have failed…"

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TIMES OF SALAH

It is essential to observe the times of Salah, as each Salah has a prescribed beginning and an end. Indeed, in a Hadith of Tirmizi, reported by Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radiyallahu anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Certainly, Salah has a beginning and an end…"

It is the duty of every Muslim to perform Salah within the prescribed times. Salah performed before its time is null and void, while Salah performed after its time has expired is considered Qaza. Deliberately performing Qaza Salah without a valid reason is a major sin (Kabeerah). It should be known that just as Allah Ta'ala has made Salah obligatory, He has also ordered that it be performed within its prescribed times. In the Qur'an-e-Karim, Allah Ta'ala says:

"Indeed Salah has been made obligatory for the Mu'mineen at fixed hours." (4:103)

Furthermore, from the interpretation of verse 59 of Surah 19 by the eminent Sahaabi, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma), we understand that performing Salah after the prescribed times (i.e.,Qaza) is one of the reasons behind the destruction of certain peoples in the past. Now imagine the position of those who hardly observe Salah!

It is therefore absolutely necessary for every Muslim to do his best to perform the five daily Salah during their prescribed times, in order to avoid, on one hand, rendering Salah null and void, and on the other, falling into Qaza—which is very serious in the eyes of Allah Ta'ala.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE TIMES OF FAJR SALAH AND SALATUL 'ASR

In a Hadith of Muslim, it is said:

"He who performed Salah before sunrise (Fajr) and before the sun sets ('Asr) will never enter the fire (of Hell)."

In the Arabic text of the Hadith, the word "lan" is used, which categorically denies something in the future. Thus, in this Hadith, the entry into Hell of one who performs the Salahs of Fajr and 'Asr is categorically denied. Although the word "regularly" does not appear in the text, we must understand it in light of other Ahaadith that strongly warn against missing the Salah of 'Asr. Indeed, one Hadith states that the one who misses Salat-ul-'Asr is analogous to a person who has lost his entire family and property.

Furthermore, in a Hadith of Bukhari, Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"He who abandons the Salat-ul-'Asr is absolutely like someone whose righteous actions are nullified."

We therefore understand that the Hadith which promises that the one who performs the Salahs of Fajr and 'Asr will never enter the fire applies to those who perform these two Salahs regularly.

Let us examine why these two Salahs are specifically mentioned. First, these two prayers are performed during times that are generally considered challenging. Salat-ul-Fajr is performed when most people are in deep sleep, and Salat-ul-'Asr is offered while trade and business are in full swing. It is essential for a person to truly love his Creator, Allah Rabbul Aalameen, so that he is willing to sacrifice his sleep or business to prostrate before his Rabb. When one develops such a spirit of sacrifice, he will be able to perform these two Salah punctually and, consequently, be regular in the other, relatively less difficult Salahs.

Thus, a person willing to make sacrifices to perform these two challenging Salahs will undoubtedly be more inclined to perform the other Salahs as well.

It is also true that some people find pleasure in fulfilling the rights of Allah Ta'ala and do not see any difficulty in performing Ibaadaat (worship). Of course, spiritual levels vary from one person to another. Nevertheless, it is quite normal that, as the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) stated, a person who is regular in his five daily Salah will never enter Hell.

VIRTUES OF SALAH

Hadhrat Buraidah (Radiyallahu anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Give glad tidings to those who go to the mosques very often in darkness, for they will have perfect light on the Day of Qiyamah." (Abu Dawud/Tirmizi)

This "perfect light" promised in this Hadiith, most likely refers to the light needed to cross the Bridge of Siraat (Pool Siraat), as announced in verses 12 and 13 of Surah Al-Hadeed and in verse 8 of Surah At-Tahreem.

According to a Hadith reported by Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (Radiyallahu anhuma), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"On the Bridge of Siraat, some people will have a flashing 'Nur' (light) as big as a mountain; for others, it will be like a date palm or even as small as their thumbs."

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said:

"Salah will be, for the one who performs it, a light on the Day of Judgement, an argument in his favour, and a means of obtaining his salvation. However, there will be no light, no defense, and no deliverance from damnation for the one who does not perform Salah; he will suffer the same fate as Pharaoh, Haamaan, and Ubai bin Khalaf."

Thus, we see that good deeds will serve as a light to help us cross the Bridge of Siraat—everyone will have a light corresponding to his good deeds.

In light of Hadhrat Buraidah's (Radiyallahu anhu) narration, we understand that a person who endures the inconveniences of dark nights to go to the masaajid will have that virtuous deed transformed into a perfect light (Nur-e-taam) by Allah Ta'ala. This unfailing light will enable him to cross the Pool Siraat with ease.

One of the ways to facilitate the crossing of the Pool Siraat is to be punctual and regular in performing Salah with Jama'ah in the masaajid, despite all difficulties that may arise.

May Allah grant us the Taufiq to understand the importance and value of Salah and to practice it regularly. Ameen!

[English version of "La Salah" – Al Haadi – Vol. 3 No. 2]