The Fruits of Salat (Prayer)

All praise is to Allah, the One, the Only, the Unique and the Self-Sufficient, who “He neither begets nor is born, (3) Nor is there to Him any equivalent."” [Al-‘Ikhlas 112:3-4]


Transliteration: Lam yalid walam yooladu (3) Walam yakun lahu kufuwan ahadun

There is no doubt that the status of Salat is very great, it is the most primary obligation and the first thing to be raised from the Quran, and it is the first thing a servant is held accountable for on the day of resurrection. And because of its high status Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Allah and said: “My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants.” [Ibrahim 14:40]


Transliteration: Rabbi ijAAalnee muqeema alssalati wamin thurriyyatee

Prayer has tremendous values and benefits, and it possesses countless secrets, obedience and wisdoms. And since some Muslims have started nowadays to neglect it, either because of ignoring its value or distracted from its reward, therefore, we find some of them postponing it from its due time, or being late because they are occupied by futile conversations or a fruitless activity. There are even some who have prayed for years without seeing any fruits for their Salat and their connection with Allah, not asking themselves, not even one day while being among the praying ones: why has his prayer not achieved him any success in spite of the abundance of these connections, or why his prayer has not ordered him to do good or made him avoid evil, and maybe it even has not changed his attitudes after a decade or longer. Huthayfa said: “Verily a man would have his hair and beard grayed in Islam (being a Muslim all his life) without one single prayer being accepted from him, either because he ignores the rules of ablution and prays in an impure state, or he does not complete his Salat by not perfecting his Ruku’ (inclination) and Sujud (prostration), and therefore his Salat is not valid, and he is like the one who builds on water.”

The greatest reward is for those who perfect their Salat including its ablution, and who follow the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), because Salat and Du’a (supplication) are sufficient to straighten the human being, with the permission of Allah. Scholars of Islam used to say to whoever complained to them from a disease to revise his prayer, and if somebody complains from sadness, a spouse or his sins they would say to him to revise his prayers. That is why Allah has glorified it with value and importance, in order for people to understand the secrets and wisdom it contains, and establish it in the most perfect manner.

And here are some of the fruits and benefits of Salat:

1. Among the fruits of Salat is the fact that it is the best act of worship, and there is no other act that brings us closer to Allah more preferable than it. Allah says in the Qudsi Hadeeth “My servant has not performed an act to bring him closer to Me which is more beloved to Me than what I have ordered him to do” [Narrated Al Bukhari]


And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best rank is Salat, so let those who can perform it abundantly do so”. [Decalred Hasan (good) by Al-Albani]


Therefore Salat brings us closer to Allah, add to that the fact that the closest position of a servant to his Lord is while he is prostrating. Allah says: “But prostrate and draw near [to Allah].” [Al-‘Alaq: 19]


Transliteration: waosjud waiqtarib

So the more a servant mentions Allah the closer he is to Him and the more negligent he is the farther he is from Him.

2. Among the fruits of Salat is that it makes us avoid sins. Allah (SWT) says: “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing,” [Al-‘Ankabut 29:45]


Transliteration: inna alssalata tanha AAani alfahshai waalmunkari

And vice versa, all “Fahsha’” and “Munkar” prevents us from mentioning Allah and performing prayer.

3. Among the fruits of Salat is that it erases evil deeds, and Allah has not mentioned any other action in particular that erases sins as it is the case of Salat. Allah (SWT) says: “And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.” [Hûd 11:114]


Transliteration: Waaqimi alssalata tarafayi alnnahari wazulafan mina allayli inna alhasanati yuthhibna alssayyiati thalika thikra lilththakireena

And scholars say: “Consecutive information suggests that they are the five prayers, and that they erase evil deeds.”

4. Among the fruits of Salat is that it keeps physical diseases away. We have known so many ill people which medical drugs have failed to cure them, and when they dedicated themselves to Salat their diseases were cured and Allah healed their ailments, especially Salat Al-Layl (the night prayer).

Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on his soul, said: “The healing of Salat remains in the movements of standing, prostrating and inclination, for Salat is one of the greatest remedies through dissolving substances and fortifying the body.”

5. Among the fruits of Salat is that it is one of the greatest reasons behind the elevation of ranks. The Messenger of Allah (SWT) said: “You do not prostrate a single time before Allah, except He raises you a rank.” [Narrated Muslim]


Backing this saying is what He stated when Rabi’ah asked Him to be His companion in paradise, to which He replied: “Help me against your own self with the abundance of prostration” [Narrated An-Nesa’e and edited by Al-Albani]


6. Among the fruits of Salat is that mercies descend on the servant and he is surrounded by angels as long as he is in prayer until he leaves it.

7. Among the fruits of Salat is the fact that whoever enters hellfire from amongst the believers, it will not touch the spots of prayer especially those from praying people. This is not found in the rest of actions. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) justifies this by saying: “Allah has made it unlawful for hellfire to consume the spots on which the son of Adam prostrate”, [this is found in Sahih Al-Bukhari under the chapter of “The virtue of Sujud”]


And as narrated by Muslim: “Verily, there are people who will arise and will be burnt expect the forehead and nose in their faces”.


And here we must contemplate and see how obedient hellfire is to its Lord, despite the intensity of its combustion, it does not trespass the limits He defined for it. And, on the other hand, look how insignificant servants are, but still they commit transgressions, so their Lord purifies them with hellfire.

8. Among the fruits of Salat is that it is the reason for inducing sujud on the day of resurrection when believers are distinguished from hypocrites. Since those who prostrate to Allah in this worldly Salat, applied themselves to it and performed it both yearning and fearing, will prostrate to Allah on the day of resurrection, and those who did not do it here will not do it there. This is pointed at when Allah (SWT) says: “The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but the disbelievers will not be able,” [Al-Qalam 68:42]


Transliteration: Yawma yukshafu AAan saqin wayudAAawna ila alssujoodi fala yastateeAAoona

And He justifies their inability to perform sujud despite their ability to do so, by saying: “Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.” [Al-Qalam 68:43]


Transliteration: KhashiAAatan absaruhum tarhaquhum thillatun waqad kanoo yudAAawna ila alssujoodi wahum salimoona

Since they have forsaken Salat in this world, and refused to perform it, even though they were healthy and safe, they are punished on the day of resurrection by making them unable to prostrate. Moreover, whoever prostrates to Allah out of hypocrisy, vanity or seeking influence, his back will be turned into a single piece, and shall fall down on the scruff of his neck every time he tries to prostrate. This was mentioned by Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on his soul, and you can revert to the (Tafseer (interpretation) of Surah Al-Qalam by Ibn Katheer).

9. And among the fruit of Salat is that it refreshes body and soul, for it is the greatest source of daily vitality. It could not be otherwise, since it is the link between the Creator and the created, five times every day and night. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Salat has been made the delight of my eyes” [Narrated by An-Nisa’i and edited by Al-Albani]


And He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “O Bilal, call for prayer, give us some relief through it” [Authenticated by Al-Albani]


10. Among the fruits of Salat is that it is sustenance for hearts and spirits, since they are in such a dire need for the descent of mercies. Just as a body needs its nourishment the soul also needs its own. And naturally, once both of them have digested their food, they always will need a renewal of their fuel. Thus Allah has made the five prayers nourishment for the souls portioned throughout day and night.

11. And among the fruits of Salat is that it brings livelihoods, in the sense that if a servant observes it and applies himself to it, Allah will provide him from where he least expects it. Allah (SWT) says: “And enjoin prayer upon your family [and people] and be steadfast therein. We ask you not for provision; We provide for you, and the [best] outcome is for [those of] righteousness.” [Taa-Haa 20:132]


Transliteration: Wamur ahlaka bialssalati waistabir AAalayha la nasaluka rizqan nahnu narzuquka waalAAaqibatu lilttaqwa

Thus Salat is the key that sets the gates of livelihoods wide open.

12. And among the fruits and the praiseworthy consequences of Salat is that it is light for the believers both in this life and the hereafter. As for this life, it is the light for hearts and faces, and once Allah enlightens a heart, no adversity shall harm it whatsoever. Allah (SWT) says: “Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration.” [Al-Fath :29]


Transliteration: seemahum fee wujoohihim min athari alssujoodi

And in the hereafter, it is a light for the believers in their graves and on Al-Sirat (the hair-narrow bridge) on the day of resurrection. Abou Ad-Darda’ may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Pray a couple of Rak’as in the darkness of the night in preparation for the darkness of the grave.” The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps it, will have it as light, proof and salvation on the day of resurrection”. [Authenticated by Ibn Baz]


And He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Convey glad tidings, to those who walk to the mosques in the darkness, of perfect light on the day of resurrection” [Narrated by Abu Dawud, and Ibn Majjah, and authenticated by Al-Albani]


Also He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Salat is light (on the day of resurrection).” [Narrated by Al-Albani in his “Saheeh At-Targheeb”]


13. And among the fruits of prayer is that it gets rid of ill-heartedness as Allah has saved nobody from being affected by these diseases, which are awing at times of calamities and stinginess at times of prosperity, except the ones who pray, since Allah (SWT) said: “Indeed, mankind was created anxious: (19) When evil touches him, impatient, (20) And when good touches him, withholding [of it], (21) Except the observers of prayer -” [Al-Ma’arij: 19-22]


Transliteration: Inna alinsana khuliqa halooAAan (19) Itha massahu alshsharru jazooAAan (20) Waitha massahu alkhayru manooAAan (21) Illa almusalleena

And thus these diseases remove the afflictions of the heart.

14. Among the fruits of prayer is the fact that Allah has ordered His servants to haste to it and seek support in it with their mundane matters, not specifying any other source of support except it, since it is the greatest helper in the achievement of the benefits of both this world and the hereafter, and it keeps both their harms at bay. Allah (SWT) says: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” [Al-Baqarah 2:153]


Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo istaAAeenoo bialssabri waalssalati inna Allaha maAAa alssabireena

And in Musnad Ahmed (collection of Prophet’s Hadith collected by the Sunni scholar Ahmed Ibn Hanbal), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to hasten to Salat every time He would be faced by a difficult matter, and so did He when catastrophes and calamities took places, and in eclipses.

15. Among the fruits of prayer, especially Fajr (dawn) prayer, is being secured by Allah, whoever prays it in a gathering will be under Allah’s security, covenant and care. Therefore, no calamity can harm him, because Salat averts from filth and immorality. Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever prays Fajr prayer will be under Allah’s protection, so that Allah shall not ask him for any of His covenants” [Narrated by Muslim]


In this sense, whoever forsakes it will be liable to fulfil his covenants and promises he owes before Allah.

16. And among the fruits of Salat is that it perpetuates the mention of Allah (SWT). He (SWT) says: “and establish prayer for My remembrance.” [Taahaa 20:14]


Transliteration: waaqimi alssalata lithikree

And He also says: “and the remembrance of Allah is greater.” [Al-Ankaboot 29:45]


Transliteration: walathikru Allahi akbaru

Would not a servant of Allah love what is mentioned about him in front of Allah? The Salat would be the sufficient virtue for the servant to be mentioned about him due to its virtue, honor and benefice. Allah (SWT) says in the Qudsi Hadeeth: “If he mentions Me in himself, I will mention him in Myself.” [Narrated Muslim]


17. And among the fruits of Salat is the fact that Allah magnifies its reward, and has ordered us and those before us to establish it. They are five obligatory prayers, equivalent to fifty in terms of reward, Allah (SWT) said in the hadeeth of Isra’ (the night journey): “It is five, being fifty, and my command shall not be changed”. [Narrated Muslim]


* And so, these are some of the fruits of prayer, and if we scrutinise further then our speech will be lengthy. However these are some indications, or else its virtues and fruits are by the hundreds. So, “For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.” [As-Saffat :61]

Transliteration: Limithli hatha falyaAAmali alAAamiloona

Conclusion:

Knowing this, the greatest in reward amongst people is the one who takes care of its purification, its timings, and keeps its pillars and conditions, and observes the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding it, as the Prophet’s Hadeeth mentioned: “Pray as you have seen Me pray”. [Narrated Al Bukhari]


So it is necessary to observe the Prophet’s guidance regarding it, not taking away from it nor adding to it, since any alteration is evil.

Taking all this into account, if we see an individual who prays without gaining from his prayer any of these precious fruits, we must know, beyond doubt, that his prayer is not the one Allah has ordained his servants to establish, and that he is amongst those who if they go to prayer, they do not do it unless they are lazy, and among those who do not remember Allah but a little.

In order for our Salat not to be a mere custom, we have to respect the conditions which make it a worship not a custom. These are adherence to the conditions of Iman, the right intention and keeping in mind the Salat’s virtues with an incentive of certainty and yearning. Some of the Salaf (early generation) said: “Whoever does not know the reward of actions will find them difficult under any circumstance.” It is worth to mention that we have wrote (a book titled) “A hundred etiquettes for the intimate discourse with the Lord of Creation”

And our closing prayer is our thanks to Allah the Lord of mankind.



Translated by Wathakker.info website
(with modification)