importance of prayer

4:59:20

2018-04-28

2003

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.

Every sin we commit inevitably leaves a black stain on our hearts, and as these dots or stains increase, our ability to say and do what is right somehow vanishes. This will consequently further deviate us towards other sins and foul deeds. On the contrary worship erases these stains which in return will erase the effects of these sins. This means that worship, prayer and remembrance of Allah (SWT), efface the mal-effects of sins and replace these with fondness for virtue and goodness.

In the Nahj al-Balaghah there is a sermon which deals with Salat, Zakat and delivering of trust; after emphasizing the importance of Salat, Amir al-Muminin (as) further says:

Certainly, prayer removes sins like autumn strips leaves off from trees, and it liberates you from the rope (of sins) tied around your neck. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) likened it to a refreshing stream at one's door in which one takes a purifying bath five times in a day and night. Will after so much cleansing any dirt remain on him?

Also a heart filled with the remembrance of Allah (SWT) is a heart that finds peace and tranquility. Allah (SWT) says in Noble Qur'an: "Those who believe and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction." (Surah al-Rad 13:28)

Salat is the most important act of worship in Islam, and if Allah (SWT) accepts the Salat all other acts of worship will be accepted, but if the Salat is not accepted, all the other actions will also not be accepted.

Traditions have greatly emphasized on punctuality with regard to prayer times and performing it on time. One should not delay prayer without a valid excuse. Our guides did not ever miss the best time of prayers even in the most difficult circumstances.

This was embodied on the day of Ashura, It is reported that on the day of Ashura at the time of Zawaal, Abu Thamama Saidawi came to the Chief of Martyrs, Imam Hussain (as) and said, "O my Master! We shall all be killed without any doubt and the time for noon prayer (Zuhr) has arrived. So you please lead us in Prayer. This shall be our last Prayer and we hope that on this great occasion we meet the Lord in the condition of having performed one of the religious obligations. Chief of Martyrs, Imam Hussain (as) lifted his head towards the sky and said, "You have remembered Prayer, may Allah (SWT) include you among the praying ones. Yes, it is the time for Prayer." Then he said, "Recite Adhaan (the call for Prayer)."

Here even in the most difficult circumstance Imam Hussain (AS) Performed Salat. Individuals who consider their Salat to be unimportant or trivial are just like those who have not performed their Salat at all.

With this we hope that may Allah give us the strength to perform our prayers in a punctual and proper manner.