Salaah is a pillar of Islam

Abdullah Ibn Umer (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying Islam is founded on five pillars: bearing witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and Mohammed (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is His slave and Rasul; establishment of Salaah; paying of Zakah; performance of Hajj and fasting in Ramadhan.

Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) has compared Islam to a tent resting on five supports. The Kalimah is the central support and the other four pillars of Islam are, so to say, the remaining four supports, one at each corner of the tent. Without the central support, the tent cannot possibly stand, and if any one of the corner support is missing, a collapse will take place in the defective corner. Now, let us judge for ourselves how far we have kept up the tent of Islam. Is there really any pillar that is being kept in its proper place?

The five pillars of Islam described in this Hadith signify the most essential duties of a Muslim. Although a Muslim cannot do without any one of them. yet Salaah in Islam occupies a position next only to Iman. Abdullah Ibn Masood (Radiallaho Anho) says, The five pillars of Islam described in this Hadith signify the most essential duties of a Muslim. Although a Muslim cannot do without any one of them. yet Salaah in Islam occupies a position next only to Iman. Abdullah Ibn Masood (Radiallaho Anho) says Once, I inquired of the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), which act (of man) was the dearest to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) replied Salaah I then inquired which act came next ( in order of merit) and Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) replied Kindness to parents I again asked what was next and he answered Jihad. Jihad.

Mullah Ali Qari (Rehmatullah Alaihi) has quoted this Hadith in support of the belief that Salaah is the most important religious duty after Iman. This is confirmed by many Ahadith, especially the one in which the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said, The best of your deeds is Salaah which has been narrated by five different Sahabah.
regards..........
To be continued...........

Salaah Wipes out Sins

Abu Zarr (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) came out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling from the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked, "O Abu Zarr! When a Muslim offers his Salaah to please Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) his sins fall away from him just as these leaves are falling off this tree."

In autumn, usually, the leaves of the trees fall in large number, so much so that on some trees not a single leaf is left behind. The same is the effect of Salaah performed with sincerity and devotion. All the sins of the person offering Salaah are wiped off. It should, however, be remembered that according to scholars of Islamic law, only the smaller sins are forgiven by the performance of Salaah and such other practices. The major sins are not forgiven without repentance. We should, therefore, in addition to saying Salaah, be Particular about repenting and asking for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala)'s forgiveness. Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) may, however, pardon, by His bountiful Grace, even the major sins of any person, because of his Salaah.
regards.......

Salaah Causes Forgiveness of Sins

Abu Uthman (Rehmatullah Alaihi) says, "I was once sitting under a tree with Salmaan (Radiallaho Anho) He caught hold of a dry branch of the tree and shook it till all its leaves fell off. He then said to me, '0 Abu Uthman, Will you not ask me why I am doing this?' 'Do tell me,' I replied. He said, ' Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) had done exactly like this before me, while I was with him under a tree. He caught a dry branch and shook it, till all its leaves fell off. At this he said: '0 Salmaan! Will you not ask me why I am doing this?' I replied:' Do tell me Why you are doing this?' He remarked: 'When a Muslim performs Wudu' properly and then performs his Salaah five times a day, his sins fall off just as these leaves have fallen off. He then recited the following ayah of the Quran: 'Establish Salaah at the two ends of the day, and at the approaches of the night. Verily, good deeds annul ill deeds. This is a reminder for the mindful (al'israa' 78):"

The behavior of Salmaan (Radiallaho Anho) in the above Hadith displays the great love which the Sahabah had for Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam). They would often recall the sweet memories of the time when Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) living among them. They would, while quoting him, enact exactly what they had seen him doing at a particular moment.

It is really very difficult to cover all the Ahadith of our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) which deal with the importance of Salaah and which declare forgiveness for those who are careful of it. As has been said before, the theologians restrict this declaration of forgiveness to saghaa'ir only. but in the text of the Hadith there is no such restriction. My learned father gave me two reasons for this. Firstly, it does not really befit a Muslim to commit any of the kabaa'ir. If by chance any such sins are committed by him, he cannot rest in peace (due to inherent fear of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) in him) until he washes them with his tears of repentance in crying before Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). Secondly, the person who performs his Salaah with sincerity and thoroughness is very likely to ask for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) forgiveness quite a number of times daily. Look, for instance, in Dua of tashahhud at the closing of salaah itself:

"Oh My Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) I have wronged my soul a great wrong, and none forgiveth sins save Thou alone. Then forgive me and have mercy on me. Verily, Thou art the Forgiving, the Merciful. "

The above Hadith speaks of Wudu' being done properly. We should, therefore, be sure of the regulations about wudoo and try to observe all of these. For example, take the case of Mishwak. It is a Sunnah of Wudu but is very often neglected. It is said in a Hadith that the salaah offered after doing Mishwak is seventy times better than the salaah without Mishwak. In another Hadith, the use of Mishwak has been enjoined very strongly, and the following benefits are attributed to it:

(1) It cleanses and sweetens the mouth and checks its bad smell.

(2) It is a cause of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) pleasure and a blow to the Devil.

(3) Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and His Malaikah love the person doing Mishwak.

(4) It strengthens the gums and improves eye-sight.

(5) It is a cure for bile and phlegm.

(6) To crown all, it is a Sunnah i.e. the practice of our beloved Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam).

As many as seventy virtues of Mishwak have been counted by the theologians. It is said that a person in the habit of Mishwak dies with the Kalimah on his lips. As a contrast, khamr (intoxicants) has seventy harms, one of them being forgetting of the Kalimah at the time of death.

The rewards of making Wudu? properly are very many. It is stated in Hadith that parts of the body washed in Wudu shall glitter on the day of Qiyamah and, by this (distinction), Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) will at once recognize his followers.
regards......

Salaah Washes Away Sins

Abu Hurairah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) asked his Sahabah, "Do you believe that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a stream running in front of his door?" "No," replied the Sahabah, "no dirt can remain on his body." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) remarked: "So, exactly similar is the effect of salaah offered five times a day. With the Grace of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) it washes away all the sins."

Jabir (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "The likeness of five times daily salaah is of a deep stream running in front of the door of a person who bathes therein five times a day."

Running water is generally free from dirt, and the deeper it runs the cleaner and purer it is. A bath in such water surely removes dirt from the body and makes it clean. Salaah offered with due regard for its essentials similarly cleanses the soul of all sins. There are several Ahadith of the same meaning, though with slight variations in expression, narrated by different Sahabah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) .

Abu Saeed Khudree (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "Each of the five Salaah covers up the sins committed since the salaah preceding it. To explain, let us take the case of a person working in a factory. His job is such that his body gets covered with dust. But there are five streams of running water in between the factory and his house and, on his return from the job, he takes a bath in each stream. The effect of five times daily salaah is quite similar. Any sins of omission and commission between two Salaah are forgiven on account of asking for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) forgiveness and repentance in each salaah."

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) through such examples aims at impressing that salaah has the wonderful power of removing the sins. If we fail to avail of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) Rahmah, surely we ourselves are the losers.

To err is human. We are likely to commit innumerable acts displeasing Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and deserve thereby His wrath and punishment. But look how merciful our dear Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is! He has most graciously shown us the way to earn His mercy and forgiveness. It is a great pity if we do not avail of this great favor. Our Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is always eager to show us His mercy on very small matters. It is said in a Hadith that if a person goes to bed with the intention of getting up for Tahajjud and ,by chance, does not wake up, he receives the full reward for Tahajjud, although he has been enjoying his sleep at the time of Tahajjud. How boundless is the grace of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and what a tremendous loss and deprivation if we do not receive blessings from such a Giver.
To be continued..........
regards....

Asslamualaikum,
Salaah Helps in Adversities

Huzaifah (Radiallaho Anho ) says that whenever Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) happened to face any difficulty, he would at once resort to salaah.

Salaah is a great mercy of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). To resort to salaah at the time of worry is to hasten towards His mercy and, when Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's mercy comes to the rescue, there can remain no trace of any worry. There are many Ahadith concerning this practice of our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) Similar was the practice of his Sahabah who followed him in the minutest detail. Abu al-Dardaa' (Radiallaho Anho) says: "Whenever a strong wind blew, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) would immediately rush to the Masjid and would not leave until the wind had subsided.

Similarly, at the time of solar or lunar eclipse, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) would at once start offering salaah. Suhayb (Radiallaho Anho) was informed by Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) that all the previous Ambiyaa of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) (peace be upon them) also used to resort to salaah in all difficulties.

Ibn Abbas (Radiallaho Anho) was once on a journey. On his way he got the news of the death of his son. He got down from his camel and offered two Rakaats of salaah. making Dua in tashahhud for a long time. He then recited Innaa lil-laahi wa innaa ilayhi rajeoon and said, "I have done what Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has ordered us to do and recited the Quranic ayah:

'Seek Allah's help with patience and salaah.' (al-baqarah 45)

Another similar story is narrated about him. He was on a journey when he received the news about the death of his brother Quthum. He descended from his camel by the roadside, and performed two Rakaats of salaah and kept making Dua in tashahhud for a long time. After finishing his salaah, he rode his camel reciting the following ayah of the Quran:

"Seek Allah's help with patience and salaah, and truly it is indeed hard except to the humble minded." (al-baqarah 45).

There is yet another story about him. On hearing of the death of a wife of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), he fell down in sajdah. When somebody asked him the reason he said, "Our dear Nabi Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) had enjoined on us to do sajdah in salaah whenever a calamity befell us. What calamity can be as bad as the passing away of an umm al-mumineen? '

When Ubaadah (Radiallaho Anho) was about to breathe his last, he said to the people around him, "I prohibit one and all from crying over me. When my soul departs, I ask everyone to perform Wudu observing all its essentials, and to go to the Masjid and make Dua for my forgiveness, because our Gracious Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has enjoined on us to 'Seek help with patience and Salaah After that, lay me down in the pit of my grave."

Nadir (Rehmatullah Alaihi) narrates, "Once it became very dark during the day in Madinah. I hurriedly went to Anas (Radiallaho Anho) to ask if he had ever experienced similar conditions during the life-time of our Nabi Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) He said to me. 'MaazAllaah! ("Allah protect us!") During those blessed days whenever the wind blew strong, we would hurry to the Masjid lest it should be the approach of the Qiyamah."

Abdullah Ibn Salaam (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that whenever the members of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) 's family were hard pressed in any way, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) would enjoin upon them to say salaah and would recite the following Aayah of the Quran:

“And enjoin salaah upon thy family and be thyself constant therein. We ask not of thee to provide sustenance. We provide it for thee. And the Hereafter is for the righteous." (taahaa 132 )

It is said in a Hadith that when somebody is faced with a need, whether relating to this life or the Akhirah or whether it concerns Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) or a human being, he should perform a perfect Wudu?, offer salaah of two Rakaats, glorify Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) then ask blessing for Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), and then make Dua as under:

Laa ilaaha illallaahul halee-mulkareem subhaa-nal-laahi rabbil arshil azeem al-ham-du lillaahi rabbil aalameen as aluka moojibaati rahma-tika wa zaa'ima maghfira-tik walghaneemata min kulli birrin wassalaamata min kulli ithmin laa tadaee zanban il-laa ghafartah wa laa hamman illaa farrajtah wa laa haajatan hiya laka ridan illaa qadayta-haa yaa arhamar raahimeen .

"There is no god save Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), the Clement, the Bountiful. Glorified be Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) , the Lord of the tremendous throne. Praise be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) , the Lord of the worlds. I ask Thee all that leadeth to Thy Mercy and deserveth Thy forgiveness. I ask Thee abundance in all that is good and refuge from all that is evil. Leave me no sin but Thou pardonest it, and no distress but Thou removes it, and no need but Thou fulfills it. O most Merciful of those who show mercy!"

Wahb Ibn Munabbah writes. "Have your needs fulfilled by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) through salaah. In the good old days. if a calamity befell the people, they would hurry towards salaah."

It is said that in Koofah there was a porter who was well known for his honesty. People trusted him with their valuables and money, which he carried from one place to another. Once he was on his usual trip when a person met him on the way and asked him about his destination. When the porter gave him the required information, he said, "I am also bound for the same destination. If I could walk, I would have accompanied you on foot. Will you kindly give me a lift on your mule for one gold coin?" The porter agreed and allowed him to share the mule with him.

They came to a crossing on the way. The person said, ''Now, which road will you take?" "The main road, of course," replied the porter. The person said, "No, brother. We should go by the other road which is a shortcut and there is plenty of grass enroute to feed the animal." The porter said, ''I have never been on this path." The person remarked, "But I have traveled by this route quite often." The porter believed him and put the animal on that path.

After some distance, the path ended in a terrifying forest where a large number of dead bodies were lying about. All of a sudden, the person jumped down from the mule and took out his knife with the intention of killing the porter. "Hold your hand," cried the porter, "Take the animal and its load, but do not kill me." The person refused to listen to his request and swore that he would first kill the porter and then take possession of the animal and the goods.

Seeing that his appeal fell on deaf ears and that his cruel heart would not melt, the porter said to him, "All right if you must kill me, then permit me to say only two Rakaats salaah." The person agreed and remarked, "You can please yourself. All the dead you see over here made the same request, but their salaah was of no avail to them." The porter started the salaah, but could not recollect any soorah to connect with soorah al-fatihah, in spite of his best efforts. Meanwhile the person grew impatient and pressed him hard to hurry up with the salaah.

All of a sudden, the following Aayah came to his mind: 'Is it not He Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him, and removeth the evil?' (al-nami 62).

The porter was reciting this Aayah and tears came up in his eyes, when a horseman suddenly appeared on the scene. He was wearing a shining helmet and held a spear in his hand. He pierced the body of the pitiless rogue with his spear and killed him then and there. A flame of fire rose from the spot where the dead body fell.

The porter fell down in sajdah and thanked Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). After finishing his salaah. he ran towards the horseman and requested him to disclose his identity. He replied, "I am a slave to the Aayah "Is it not He who answereth the wronged one" (al-nami 62). You are now safe and can go wherever you like." Saying this, the horseman rode away and disappeared.

Indeed, salaah is a great asset. Besides pleasing Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), it often saves us from the calamities of this life and provides us with peace of mind. Ibn Seereen writes: "If I be allowed to choose between Jannah and salaah of two Rakaats, I would prefer salaah. The reason is quite clear: Jannah is for my own pleasure, while salaah is for the pleasure of my dear Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala)."

The Nabi Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) has said: "Enviable is the lot of that Muslim who is with least burden, whose main fortune is salaah, who remains content with humble provisions throughout his life, who worships his Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) in a dutiful manner, who lives unknown and who dies an early death, leaving very little legacy and very few to mourn him." In another Hadith, our Nabi Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said: 'Offer your salaah at your homes quite frequently, so that these may be blessed with Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's Grace and mercy."
regards.....

Salaah is a Means of Forgiveness for Sins

Abu Muslim narrates: "I went to see Abu Umaamah (Radiallaho Anho) while he was in the Masjid. I asked him if he had really heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying , 'When a person performs Wudu with right performance and then says his obligatory Salaah , Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) forgives him all the sins committed that day by his feet in going towards evil , by his ears in listening to evil , by his eyes in looking at evil and by his heart in thinking of evil.' He replied , 'By Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) , I have heard these words from our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) again and again.'

Many of the Sahabah have narrated this Hadith with slight variations. In a narration by Uthman (Radiallaho Anho) , the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have warned against being wrong headed in committing sins, in the hope of getting them for given through Salaah. We have, really, no ground to behave as such on this account. After all , what is the quality of Salaah that we offer? If Allah (Subhanahu Wa Taala) merely accepts our Salaah , it is His very special favor and grace. Again it is the height of ingratitude to disobey Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) just because He is clement , merciful and forgiving.
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Salaah is a Redeemer

Ibn Masood radiyal-laahu anhu narrates that he heard Rasoolullah salallaahu alayhi wasallam saying: "At the approach of the hour of salaah, an Angel is deputed to proclaim, ‘Arise, O Children of Aadam! And extinguish the fire that you have (by committing sins) kindled to burn yourselves’. So the people rise up, perform wudoo and offer their zuhr salaah. This causes forgiveness of their sins committed since daybreak. The same is repeated at ASR, Maghrib, and ishaa. After ishaa people go to bed, but there are some who busy themselves in good, while some others engage in evil deeds."

Salmaan radiyal-laahu anhu says, "After ishaa the people get divided into three groups. There are some for whom the night is a source of mercy and gain. They are those who spend it in the worship of Allah taala, while other people are asleep.For them the night brings great reward from their Allah (Subhanahu Taala).There are others who turn their night into a burden and a curse for themselves, for they indulge in various dark deeds (sins) in the dead of night. To them the night brings curses and misery. There is the third group of people who go to bed immediately after Ishaa; they neither gain nor lose
regards.....

Salaah Causes Early Entry into Jannah:

Abu Hurairah ( Radiallaho Anho) narrates, "Two persons of one clan came to Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) and embraced Islam at once and the same time. One of these was martyred in a battle and the other died a year later. Talhah Ibn Ubaydah says that he saw in his dream that the person who had died later was admitted into Jannah before the martyr. This surprised him, I do not recollect whether it was he or somebody else who narrated this dream; Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) there upon remarked: 'Has not the person dying later fasted for one additional month of Ramadhan and has he not offered six thousand or odd Rakaats of Salaah more during the year he lived after the martyr?'

There are several other incidents of this type, Really, we do not realize how valuable Salaah is! The Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) was often heard saying, "The comfort of my eyes is in Salaah," This is an expression of his deep love for Salaah. As such, what else can be more valuable than Salaah?.

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Allah's Agreement with Persons Particular about Salaah

Abu Qataadah Ibn Ribee (Radiallaho Anho) says that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, "Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has said, '0 Muhammad! I have ordained five times daily Salaah for thy followers. I have made a pledge with Myself that whosoever is regular in performing his Salaah at its fixed hour, he shall be admitted into Jannah. Those of thy followers who do not safeguard their Salaah are not included in this agreement.'"

In another Hadith, it is said that Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has enjoined five times Salaah and whosoever is mindful of his Salaah by doing wudoo properly and by performing Salaah at fixed hours with sincerity and devotion, is assured by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) of his entry into Jannah; and whosoever does not safeguard his Salaah there is no such guarantee for him; he may or may not be forgiven. Salaah has indeed a tremendous value. It affords us an opportunity to receive Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) s guarantee for Jannah. When an honorable person of some financial standing or having executive power gives us a guarantee or stands surety for meeting any of our requirements of this world, we feel quite satisfied and happy and we consider it our duty to remain obliged and devoted to him. Here Allah (Taala) the Absolute Sovereign of both the worlds is giving us a guarantee and is standing surety for the real success after death, in return for five times daily Salaah, which does not involve much effort on our part. If even then we do not avail of the opportunity, we shall have none to blame but ourselves for the dreadful fate that awaits us.

Value of Two Rakat Salaah

Ibn Salmaan says that he heard one of the Sahabah of our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) narrating, " When we had won the battle of Khyber, we began to buy and sell among ourselves the booty that had fallen to our lot. One of us came and said 'O Rasulullah Sallallaho (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), no one else has earned so much profit as i have obtained in today's trade.' How much did you earn?' asked Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam). He replied, ' I kept selling and buying till i earned a net profit of three hundred ooqiya of silver.' Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said, ' Shall I inform you of something better than that?' He exclaimed, ' Do tell me, O Rasool of Allah.' Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) remarked, 'Two Rakaats Nafl after obligatory Salaah.' "

Three hundred ooqiya of silver come to about thirty six and a half Kgs. According to Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), the perishable gain of this world stands no comparison with the everlasting gain of the Akhirah. Our life will be pleasant and worth living if we develop our Imaan to an extent where two Rakaats of Salaah, in our sight, are more valuable than all the riches of this world. Salaah is really a great treasure and that is why the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) has called it "the comfort of his eyes "and has enjoined its observance right up to his last breath. Ummae Salamah Radi Allaho Anha narrates that the last words of Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), which he could hardly utter, were about taking care of the Salaah and kindness towards the slaves.
regards...

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Forty Short Ahadith on the Virtues of Salaah

There are so many sayings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) enjoining Salaat and explaining its virtues that it is very difficult to cover all . A few quotations are, however, reproduced below as a benediction :

1. Salaat was the first and the foremost thing by Allah, and it shall be the first and the foremost thing to be reckoned for on the Day of judgment.

2. Fear Allah in the matter of Salaat ! Fear Allah in the matter of Salaat !! Fear Allah in the matter of Salaat !!!.

3. Salaat intervenes between man and Shirk.

4. Salaat is the mark of Islam. A person who says his Salaat at the fixed hours with sincerity and devotion, observing all its regulations including the Mustahabbat is surely a Mumin.

5. Of all things that have been ordained by Allah, Imaan and 'Salaat' are the most valued. If there were any other thing better than Salaat, then Allah would have ordained it for His Angels , some of whom are always in Ruku and others in Sajdah.

6. Salaat is the pillar of Islam.

7. Salaat abases the Devil.

8. Salaat is the light of a MUmin.

9. Salaat is the best Jihad.

10. Allah keeps relenting towards a person so long as he is engaged in Salaat.

11. When a calamity befalls us from the heaven, people frequenting the Masjid are spared and saved.

12. If some major sins of a Muslim land him in Hell, the fire would not burn those parts of his body which have touched the ground while he was in Sajdah during his Salaat.

13. Fire has been forbidden to touch those parts of the body which touch the ground while performing the Sajdah.

14. Of all the practices, Salaat made at fixed hours is most loved by Allah.

15. Allah likes most the posture of a person when he is in Sajdah, pressing his forehead on the ground in humility.

16. A person in Sajdah is nearest unto Allah.

17. Salaat is a key to Paradise.

18. When a person stands in Salaat the gates of Paradise are let open and all the veils between him and Allah are lifted (Provided that he spoils not his Salaat by coughing etc).

19. A person in Salaat (so to say ) knocks at the door of the sovereign Lord, and the door is always opened for him who knocks.

20. The position of Salaat in Islam is as the position of the head in a body.

21. Salaat is the light of heart. Let those who wish, enlighten their hearts (through Salaat).

22. If a person wishes to have his sins forgiven by Allah, he should perform the Wudhu properly, offer with devotion two or four Rakaats of 'Fardh' or 'Nafl' and then pray to Allah. Allah will forgive him.

23. Any strip of earth, on which Allah is remembered in Salaat, takes pride over the rest of the Earth.

24. Allah accepts the prayer of a person who prays to Him after performing two 'Rakaats' of Salaat . Allah grants him what he prays for, sometimes immediately and sometimes (in his own interest) later.

25. A person who performs two 'Rakaats' of Salaat in seclusion, where no-body except Allah and His Angels see him, receives a writ of deliverance from the fire of hell.

26. Grant of one prayer (wish) becomes due to person from Allah after each Fardh Salaat performed by him.

27. Fire of Hell is forbidden and the Paradise becomes due to a person who performs his 'Wudhu' properly and says his Salaat conscientiously, according to its regulations,

28. Devil remains scared of a Muslim so long as he is particular about his Salaat, but no sooner does he neglect it than the Devil gets a hold upon him and aspires for success in seducing him.

29. Salaat at its early hours is the most excellent practice.

30. Salaat is the offering of the pious.

31. Salaat at its early hours is a practice most liked by Allah.

32. At dawn, some people go to the Masjid and some to the market. Those going to the Masjid are the flag bearers of Imaan and those leaving for the market are the flag-bearers of the Devil.

33. The four 'Rakaats' before Zuhr have the same reward as the four Rakaats of Tahajjud.

34. The four 'Rakaats' before Zuhr are counted equal (in reward) to the four Rakaats of Tahajjud.

35. Mercy of Allah turns towards a person standing in 'Salaat'.

36. Salaat at dead of night is most valued, but there are very few who do it.

37. Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) came to me and said , O, Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) ! However long thou livest thou shalt die one day, and whoever, thou may live thou shalt receive the recompense of whatever (good or evil) thou dost. No doubt the dignity of a Mumin is in Tahajjud and his honor is in contentment and restraint.

38. Two Rakaats in late hours of the night are more valuable than all the riches of this world. But for fear of hardship to my followers, I would have made these obligatory.

39. Keep offering 'Tahajjud' for it is the path of the righteous and the means of approach to Allah. Tahajjud keeps one away from sins, causes forgiveness of sins and improves the health of the body.

40. Allah says, 'O, son of Aadam ! Do not be weak in offering four 'Rakaats' in early part of the day, for I Shall suffice thee in thy jobs in the rest of it.

Books of Hadith are full of discourses on the virtues of Salaat, enjoining its observance on all Muslim. The forty short Hadiths given above can be memorized and thus the reward of knowing Hadiths in that number can be earned. In fact, Salaat is really a big boon, but this is realized only by those who have enjoyed its taste. That is why the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) used to call it the comfort of his eyes and used to spend the major part of the night standing before Allah. For the very same reason, our dear Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) even in death-bed charged us and enjoined on us to be particular about Salaat. It has been reported in many Ahadith that the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) would often say, 'Fear Allah concerning Salaat'. Abdullah bin Masood, (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard the Prophet (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, 'Of all the practices, Salaat is the dearest to me.' One of the Sahabah narrates, “One night I happened to go to the Masjid of the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) I found Rasulullah in Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) Salaah. I felt the desire to join him. I made my intention and stood behind him; he was reciting soorah al-baqarah at that time. I thought that he would finish reciting the Quran and go for rukoo at the end of the hundredth ayah but he did not do so. Then I thought he would perhaps go to rukoo after finishing two hundred aayaat, but he did not stop even there. I was sure that he would finish his recitation of the Quran and go into rukoo with the end of the soorah. When the soorah ended he recited, allaahumma lakal hamd (“O Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) ! Yours is all glory”) a number of times and then started aal imraan. On finishing that soorah he again recited allaahumma lakal hamd three times and started al-maa’idah. He went to rukoo only after finishing that soorah. In rukoo and sajda he recited SubhaanAllaah and some other Dua which I could not catch. In the second rakah he started soorah al-anaam after soorah al-faatihah. I could not continue with him any longer and broke away helplessly.”

What Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) recited in one rakah comes to about one sixth of the whole Quran. Besides, Rasulullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) must be reciting slowly pronouncing every word correctly; we can well imagine how long the rakah would have been. It was on this account that his feet would often get swollen. But no amount of strain and inconvenience in Salaah holds back one whose heart is filled with its sweetness.

Abu Ishaaq al-Subaye Rehmatullah Alaihi was a famous Hadith scholar, who passed away as a centenarian. He would often exclaim in his old age, “Alas! This infirmity and old age have deprived me of the delight of long Salaah. I am now only able to recite baqarah and aal Imraan in my Salaah of two Rakaats. These two soorahs comprise about one eighth of the whole Quran.

Muhammad Ibn Simaak, the famous pious person writes, “My neighbor at Koofah had a son. The boy fasted during the day and kept busy in Salaah and praising Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) during the night. This constant strain weakened him so much that his body was reduced to a skeleton. His father requested me to stop him. Once I was sitting at my door when the boy passed by. He greeted me with salaam and sat down. I had hardly said anything when he interrupted, saying, ‘Dear Uncle! May be that you intend to ask me to reduce my efforts. Listen to my story first. I had a few friends in this locality. We decided among ourselves to compete with one another in worship and praise of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) They all applied themselves so hard that they were soon sent for by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) They embraced death delightedly and peacefully. Now I am the only one left behind. What will they think of me when they know of my lagging behind? Dear Uncle! My friends really tried very hard and achieved their goal.’ He then began to relate the pursuits and accomplishments of his departed friends, which astonished all the listeners. After this he left me. I heard a few days later that the boy too had died (May Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) shower blessings on him).”

Even in these days, there are persons who remain engaged in Salaah for the major portion of the night and devote the whole day to Tabligh, teaching Deen and other services in the path of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) Maulana Abdul Waahid al-Laahoree Rehmatullah Alaihi was a famous saint who lived about two centuries ago. He sighed and wept when he learnt that there was no Salaah in Jannah, being the place for reward and not of labor. He remarked, “How shall we enjoy the Jannah without Salaah” Such people are really the best on this earth. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) give us their strength of Iman and love for His worship! Aameen.

Before I finish this chapter, let me reproduce the following lovely Hadith from al-Munabbihaat by Ibn Hajar, “Once when Rasulullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) was sitting among his Sahabah he remarked, ‘Three things of this world are very dear to me: Perfume, women and Salaah the comfort of my eyes.’ ‘Quite true’ rejoined Abu Bakr (Radiallaho Anho) ‘And I cherish three things: a look at your face, spending of my wealth on you and that my daughter is your wife, 0 Nabi of Allah!’ ‘Quite true,’ said Amar (Radiallaho Anho) ‘And the three I love most are; enforcing that which is right, forbidding evil and wearing old clothes.’ ‘Quite true,’ said Umer (Radiallaho Anho), ‘And the three I love most are: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and reciting the Quran.’ ‘Quite true,’ said Ali (Radiallaho Anho), ‘And I love these three things most: serving a guest, fasting on a very hot day and fighting the enemy with my sword.’ At this, the angel Jibraeel Alaihi-salaam appeared on the scene and said to Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) ‘Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has sent me to tell you what I would love if I be one of the mortals.' 'Yes, do tell us, Jibraeel,’ said Rasulullah. (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) Jibraeel then replied, ‘If I had been like you, I would have loved three things: guiding the people gone astray, loving those who worship in poverty and helping the poor family men. And as for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), He loves three characteristics of His slaves: striving in His Path, crying at the time of repentance, and steadfastness in need and hunger.”

Al-Hafiz Ibn Qayyim writes: “Salaah ensures daily bread, promotes health, drives out diseases, strengthens the heart, makes the face bright and beautiful, pleases the soul, refreshes the body, cures laziness, relieves the mind, feeds the soul, illumines the heart and guarantees Allah's (Subhanahu wa Taala) favor. It grants protection against Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) wrath. It keeps Shaitan away and brings us nearer to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). In short, Salaah is a guarantee for all that is desirable and a protection against all that is undesirable for both body and soul, equally in this world and in the Akhirah.