Chapter undefined: PART 3, CHAPTER 1 — AAYAAT FROM THE QUR-AAN SHAREEF

There are many people who read their five daily Salaah. Many are particular about Jamaat as well, but they read it so incorrectly, that instead of them getting sawaab (reward), Allah Ta’ala rejects their Salaah. This is not as bad as neglecting Salaah altogether, which as we have already learnt, is very serious. Although we are deprived of the rewards by performing our Salaah incorrectly, which is not accepted, yet we are saved from the sin of neglecting and disobeying the commandments of Allah Ta’ala altogether. However, when we spend our time, leave our work and undergo inconvenience, then why should we not see that we get the best return for our time and effort by performing our Salaah as best as we can?

This third part is divided into three chapters. In the first chapter, a few Aayaat are given from the Qur-aan Shareef about the people who were reprimanded for not performing their Salaah correctly and those who were praised for performing their Salaah correctly. In the second Chapter, stories are given about the Salaah of those few people who had extreme love for Allah Ta’ala. The third chapter consists of the sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ on this subject.

Translation: “Their flesh and their blood will never reach Allah Ta’ala, but it is your Taqwa that will reach Him.” (Surah Hajj - Aayah 37)

Although this particular aayah refers to the sacrificing of an animal, it also applies to all other ibaadah. It is the sincerity and devotion in our ibaadah by which it is accepted and would be judged by Allah Ta’ala. Hadhrat Mu’aaz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “When Rasulullah ﷺ sent me to Yemen, I requested him to give me some parting advice. He replied, “Be sincere in all your duties, as sincerity will increase the value of an action, however small it may be.”

Hadhrat Saubaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Blessed are the sincere ones, for they are the lamps of guidance. They cause the worst evils to be driven off through their sincerity.”

It is said in another Hadith, “It is through the presence of the weak and due to their Salaah and their sincerity that the help of Allah Ta’ala comes to all the people.”

Translation: “Destruction be for those performers of salaah who are heedless of their Salaah, those who show off (when performing salaah).” (Surah Maa’oon – Aayaat 4-6)

“To be heedless,” has been given the following different interpretations:

1. To be so careless that you miss the correct time of Salaah.

2. To be inattentive, (i.e. your mind wandering everywhere) in Salaah.

3. To forget the number of rakaats.

Translation: “And when they (the hypocrites) stand up for Salaah, they stand up lazily (reluctantly) and want to be seen by people and they remember Allah Ta’ala only a little.” (Surah Nisaa’ – Aayah 142)

Translation: “They (these Ambiyaa ر عَلَيْهِم السَّلَامُ ) were followed by such evil successors who destroyed salaah and pursued (followed) their passions (did as they pleased). Soon they shall meet devastation (in the Aakhirah).” (Surah Maryam – Aayah 59)

In the dictionary, ‘Ghayy’ is explained as dishonesty, which points towards the dreadful punishment and destruction in the Aakhirah.

According to many commentators, ‘Ghayy’ is a pit in Jahannam full of blood and pus. The people who had destroyed their Salaah shall be thrown into this pit.

Translation: “The only thing that prevents their spending (acts of charity) from being accepted is that they disbelieve in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ and they perform their salaah lazily and only spend reluctantly in charity” (Surah Taubah – Aayah 54)

The Aayaat one to five above relate to those who destroy their Salaah. On the other hand, the following Aayaat speak of those whom Allah Ta’ala praises for performing a good Salaah.

Translation: “Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their Salaah, who turn away from futility (talk and actions that have no benefit), who fulfil the act of paying Zakaat and those who safeguard their private organs, except when it comes to their spouses and the slave women whom they own, then they will surely not be blamed (about cohabiting with them). Whoever seeks more than this (by fulfilling their desires in a manner the shari’ah forbids), then such persons are indeed transgressors (sinners). (The successful believers are also) Those who give due regard to (fulfil) their trust and their pledges, and are particular about their Salaah. These are the heirs who will inherit Firdaus (the highest level of Jannah) where they will live forever.”

Translation: (Surah Mu’minoon – Aayaat 1-11)

Rasulullah ﷺ says, “Firdaus is the highest and the best portion of Jannah, from where all its rivers originate. The Arsh of Allah Ta’ala will be placed there. When you make dua for Jannah, always ask for Jannatul Firdaus.”

Translation: “And truly it (Salaah) is difficult except for the humble ones; who are convinced (of the fact) that they will meet their Rabb, and that to Him they will return.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayaat 45-46)

Translation: “In the houses (Masaajid) which Allah Ta’ala has commanded that they be exalted (honoured and respected), and His name be taken in them, they (men whom Allah Ta’ala guided) glorify Him morning and evening. (These rightly guided men are)

Translation: Men whom neither their trade nor commerce distracts them from the zikr (remembrance) of Allah Ta’ala, establishment of Salaah and paying of Zakaat. They fear that Day when their hearts and eyes will be overturned. So that Allah Ta’ala may reward them with the best of rewards for their (good) actions and grant them an increase from His bounty. Allah provides for whoever He wills without any measure.” (Surah Noor – Aayaat 36-38)

Poetic Translation: You are that Master, Who always keeps His doors of mercy open for our sake.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “Establishment of Salaah means performance of Ruku and Sajdah properly and continuous concentration in Salaah with complete humility and submission.”

Hadhrat Qataadah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “Wherever the words ‘Establishment of Salaah’ occurs in Qur-aan Shareef, it means to guard its correct time, to perform wudhu correctly and to make Ruku and Sajdah properly.”

Translation: “The (faithful) slaves of Ar-Rahmaan (the Beneficent) are those who walk upon the earth with humility and when the ignorant talk to them, they (excuse themselves) saying “salaam” (leave us in peace) and spend the night in prostrating and standing before their Rabb.” (Surah Furqaan – Aayaat 63-64)

After describing a few more qualities of His faithful slaves, Allah Ta’ala says in the same context:

Translation: “These people, because of their steadfastness (Imaan and Islam), shall be rewarded with balconies (in Jannah) where they will be met (by the Malaaikah) with greetings (of welcome) and salaam. They will live there (in Jannah) forever. It is surely a beautiful residence and abode.” (Surah Furqaan – Aayaat 75-76)

Translation: “And the Malaaikah shall come to them from every door (proclaiming) ‘Salaam (peace) be on you for the sabr that you exercised. How blissful is the outcome of the Aakhirah.” (Surah Ra’d – Aayaat 23-24)

Translation: “(The ones who believe in our revelations are) Those who forsake their beds / their sides (bodies) part from their beds, making dua to their Rabb in fear (for His punishment) and hope (in His mercy) and they spend (in charity) from what We provided for them. No soul knows what pleasures are hidden for him (in Jannah) as a reward for the deed they used to carry out.” (Surah Sajdah – Aayaat 16-17)

Translation: “Verily those with Taqwa shall be (enjoying themselves) in Jannah with springs, receiving whatever their Rabb gives them, for indeed these people use to carry out good deeds before (in this world). They used to sleep but little at night. During the closing portions of the night they would be seeking forgiveness.” (Surah Zaariyaat - Aayaat 15-18)

Translation: “(is this kaafir better) or the person who is engrossed (engaged) in ibaadah (of Allah Ta’ala) throughout the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Aakhirah and hoping for the mercy of his Rabb? (to be counted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (to them, O Muhammad ﷺ ): ‘Can those who have knowledge be equal with those who do not have knowledge? But only men of understanding will pay heed. Only those with (spiritual) intelligence (wisdom) will take heed.’” (Surah Zumar – Aayah 9)

Translation: “Verily man was created very impatient. When difficulty afflicts him, he panics. And when he experiences any good, he becomes miserly. (this is the condition of all people) Except those (believers) who perform salaah, those who are constant (regular) in their Salaah.” (Surah Ma’aarij – Aayaat 19-23)

After giving some more qualities of these blessed people, Allah Ta’ala says in the same context;

Translation: “And those who guard their Salaah (the time, condition and method of performing it). These people shall be honoured in the gardens of Jannah.” (Surah Ma’aarij – Aayaat 34-35)

Besides the quotations given above, there are many Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef commanding Salaah and praising those who perform their Salaah properly. Salaah is indeed a great favour. That is why Rasulullah ﷺ has called it, ‘the comfort of my eyes’, and Ibraaheem عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ made dua to Allah Ta’ala,

Translation: “O my Rabb! Make me one who establishes Salaah and my progeny as well. O our Rabb! Accept my dua.” (Surah Ibraaheem - Aayah 40)

Here, the famous Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, whom Allah Ta’ala has called ‘Khaleel’, is asking Allah Ta’ala to allow him to perform his Salaah properly and regularly. Allah Ta’ala Himself is ordering His beloved Nabi ﷺ thus:

Translation: “And instruct (encourage) your family to perform Salaah and you yourself remain steadfast on it. We do not ask provision (sustenance) from you but We provide for you. And the best result is for (adopting) taqwa.” (Surah Taaha – Aayah 132)

It is said in a Hadith that whenever the people of the house of Rasulullah ﷺ experienced any difficulty, he instructed them to perform Salaah and used to recite this Aayah. All the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ of Allah Ta’ala are reported to have turned to Salaah whenever they faced any difficulty. Unfortunately, we are so unmindful and indifferent about Salaah that in spite of all that we speak about Islam and Islamic practices, we pay no attention to it. But on the other hand, if anybody stands up to invite us and to draw our attention towards Salaah, we make jokes and mock him and oppose him, thereby harming no one but ourselves.

Even those who perform their Salaah, often perform it in such a way that it will not be wrong to call it a mockery of Salaah, because all its requirements are not observed and it also lacks concentration and devotion. The practical example of Rasullulah ﷺ and his Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ should be the guiding factor in our lives. I have collected the stories about the Salaah of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ in a separate book, named “Stories of Sahaabah,” and I need not repeat them here. However, I am giving a few stories from the lives of some pious people in the following pages. The practices and sayings of Rasullulah ﷺ about this subject would appear in Chapter three.