The Solid Pillar
Since 2012-11-29
Prayer is the backbone of religion and the solid pillar of Islam. It is the first act of worship ordered by Allah Almighty and the first thing a slave of Allah is to be asked about on the Day of Resurrection.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists), and peace and blessings of Allah be upon the most honorable of Prophets and Messengers.
Prayer is the backbone of religion and the solid pillar of Islam. It is the first act of worship ordered by Allah Almighty and the first thing a slave of Allah is to be asked about on the Day of Resurrection. If it is right, all the deeds are right and if it is spoiled, all the deeds are spoiled. It was the last recommendation by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, for his nation upon his death. He said: “Prayer and that what your right hands possess (your slaves).” [Reported by Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«الصلاة وما ملكت أيمانكم» رواه ابن ماجه وصححه الألباني
Unfortunately, despite the great status and importance of prayers in Islam, some in this age belittle, mock at and joke over it. Many neglect it. Others forget and delay it. Some do not perform it in congregation. O, there is no power and no strength except in Allah.
The religious ruling of the quitter of prayers
Leaving and belittling praying is a totally fatal mistake and disgracing deed. It is a greater disbelief that takes a Muslim out of the pale of Islam. A non-prayer needs to be called again to Islam just as others who are out of its limits and frame. However severe such a ruling is, it is an unquestionable truth. Allah and His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, are those who ruled the disbelief of a prayer-quitter. Allah Glorified and Exalted has said: {But if they repent, perform As-Salât, (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât, then they are your brethren in religion} [Surat At-Tawbah 9:11].
{فَإِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ} التوبة: 11
Transliteration: Fain taboo waaqamoo alssalata waatawoo alzzakata faikhwanukum fee alddeeni
The concept of the verse is clear and direct; i.e. if they do not pray, they are then not brethren, i.e. they are apostates: out of the pale of Islam and its people.
Our Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has declared it clearly that it does not need further explanation. He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said “the pledge between us and them is prayer; whosoever leaves it has rejected faith.” [Reported by At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasâ’i and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«العهد الذي بيننا وبينهم الصلاة، فمن تركها فقد كفر» رواه الترمذي والنسائي وصححه الألباني
He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has also said: “Between a man and polytheism and disbelief is quitting prayers.” [Reported by Muslim]
«بين الرجل وبين الشرك والكفر تركُ الصلاة» رواه مسلم
So, quitting performing prayers is disbelief, apostasy, foolishness and craziness!
In the two authentic books, it is reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: “I was ordered to fight people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah, they establish prayers and pay the zakat (almsgiving). If they do so, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally and their reckoning will be with Allah.”
«أمرت أن أقاتل الناس، وفي رواية: أمرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يقولوا: لا إله إلا الله. فإذا قالوا : لا إله إلا الله عصموا منى دماءهم وأموالهم إلا بحقها. وحسابهم على الله» رواه البخاري ومسلم
Allah Almighty has ordered him to fight people until they bow and prostrate before Allah (perform prayers). Once a person neglects, leaves or shuns out prayers, such a person has not then any holiness or inviolability. His blood is cheap. His blood is to be shed by decapitating the head by sword as a prescribed punishment or for disbelief, which is the right ruling.
For those who do not know disbelief and its meaning: it is an unstoppable hell and an endless torture. Disbelief is misery, hardship, blood and torn-off limbs. Disbelief is deep sighs, moans and tears.
Allah Almighty has said: {then as for those who disbelieved, garments of fire will be cut out for them, boiling water will be poured down over their heads. (19) With it will melt (or vanish away) what is within their bellies, as well as (their) skins. (20) And for them are hooked rods of iron (to punish them). (21) Every time they seek to get away therefrom, from anguish, they will be driven back therein, and (it will be) said to them: “Taste the torment of burning!”} [Surat Al-Hajj 22:19-22].
{هَـٰذَانِ خَصْمَانِ اخْتَصَمُوا فِي رَبِّهِمْ ۖ فَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا قُطِّعَتْ لَهُمْ ثِيَابٌ مِّن نَّارٍ يُصَبُّ مِن فَوْقِ رُءُوسِهِمُ الْحَمِيمُ ﴿١٩﴾ يُصْهَرُ بِهِ مَا فِي بُطُونِهِمْ وَالْجُلُودُ ﴿٢٠﴾ وَلَهُم مَّقَامِعُ مِنْ حَدِيدٍ ﴿٢١﴾ كُلَّمَا أَرَادُوا أَن يَخْرُجُوا مِنْهَا مِنْ غَمٍّ أُعِيدُوا فِيهَا وَذُوقُوا عَذَابَ الْحَرِيقِ} الحج: 19-22
Transliteration: Hathani khasmani ikhtasamoo fee rabbihim faallatheena kafaroo quttiAAat lahum thiyabun min narin yusabbu min fawqi ruoosihimu alhameemu (19) Yusharu bihi ma fee butoonihim waaljuloodu (20) Walahum maqamiAAu min hadeedin (21) Kullama aradoo an yakhrujoo minha min ghammin oAAeedoo feehawathooqoo AAathaba alhareeqi
He has also said: {But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), for them will be the Fire of Hell. Neither will it have a complete killing effect on them so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever!} [Surat Fâtir 35:36].
{وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَهُمْ نَارُ جَهَنَّمَ لَا يُقْضَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ فَيَمُوتُوا وَلَا يُخَفَّفُ عَنْهُم مِّنْ عَذَابِهَا ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي كُلَّ كَفُورٍ} فاطر: 36
Transliteration: Waallatheena kafaroo lahum naru jahannama la yuqda AAalayhim fayamootoo walayukhaffafu AAanhum min AAathabiha kathalika najzee kulla kafoorin
And: {Surely! Those who disbelieved in Our Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allâh is Ever Most Powerful, All-Wise} [Surat An-Nisâ’ 4:56].
{إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِآيَاتِنَا سَوْفَ نُصْلِيهِمْ نَارًا كُلَّمَا نَضِجَتْ جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلْنَاهُمْ جُلُودًا غَيْرَهَا لِيَذُوقُوا الْعَذَابَ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ كَانَ عَزِيزًا حَكِيمًا} النساء: 56
Transliteration: Inna allatheena kafaroo biayatina sawfa nusleehim naran kullama nadijat julooduhum baddalnahum juloodan ghayraha liyathooqoo alAAathaba inna Allaha kana AAazeezan hakeeman
Fear Allah, O you who quit performing prayers. Know that this is your destiny if you insist on leaving and neglecting performing it.
Delaying payer out of its due time
Some people do not quit performing prayers, but they delay them out of their due time without a legitimate excuse. It is just laziness and the love of resting. They pray only according to their moods and conditions. If they are asleep, they pray it after waking up. If they are busy, they pray at their leisure. They do not know that they are those who are meant by the words of Allah Almighty: {So woe unto those performers of Salât (prayers) (hypocrites), (4) Those who delay their Salât (prayer from their stated fixed times)} [Surat Al-Mâ’ûn 107:4-5].
{فَوَيْلٌ لِّلْمُصَلِّينَ ﴿٤﴾ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ} الماعون: 4-5
Transliteration: Fawaylun lilmusalleena (4)Allatheena hum AAan salatihim sahoona
Masrouq said, “They do not perform prayer in its appointed time...” Such threatening is for them as they delay prayers out of their due time; because prayers have appointed time within which they must be performed. If the time is missed, they are then invalid and are not accepted unless there is a legitimate excuse. Allah Almighty has said: {Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours} [Surat An-Nisâ’ 4:103].
{...إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا}النساء: 103
Transliteration: inna alssalata kanat AAala almumineena kitaban mawqootan
He Almighty has also said: {Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salât (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salât (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell.} [Surat Maryam 19:59]
{فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا} مريم: 59
Transliteration: Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun adaAAoo alssalata waittabaAAoo alshshahawati fasawfa yalqawna ghayyan
Ibn Mas’ûd, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “They have not totally quit praying, but they delay prayers till after their due fixed time.”
They pray; but the dawn prayer after the sun rises and the afternoon prayer after the sun sets and so on with the rest of prayers.
Abu Muhammad Ibn Hazm said: “It is reported from ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab, Abdul Rahman Ibn Auf, Mu’âz Ibn Jabal, Abu Huraira and other companions, may Allah be pleased with them, that this who leaves one prayer intentionally until its due time is gone out is a disbeliever and an apostate. We do not know anyone who disagrees with those companions.”
The obligation of the congregation prayer
Some people are very keen in observing prayers in their fixed times. Nevertheless, their enthusiasm fades away and their insistence weakens concerning performing congregational prayers in mosques. To be honest, we will provide them with the proven evidences and arguments that show the obligation of the congregation prayers in mosques; and that anyone who thinks other than that is living in great delusion and committing a grave mistake. Above all evidence is what Allah has ordained upon the fighters during the severest hours of war to pray in congregation. He, the Almighty has said: {When you (O Messenger Muhammad) are among them, and lead them in As-Salât (the prayer), let one party of them stand up [in Salât (prayer)] with you taking their arms with them; when they finish their prostrations, let them take their positions in the rear and let the other party come up which have not yet prayed, and let them pray with you taking all the precautions and bearing arms. Those who disbelieve wish, if you were negligent of your arms and your baggage, to attack you in a single rush, but there is no sin on you if you put away your arms because of the inconvenience of rain or because you are ill, but take every precaution for yourselves. Verily, Allâh has prepared a humiliating torment for the disbelievers} [Surat An-Nisâ’ 4:102].
{وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَائِفَةٌ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا فَلْيَكُونُوا مِن وَرَائِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَائِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا فَلْيُصَلُّوا مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ وَدَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةً وَاحِدَةً ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَن تَضَعُوا أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ۖ وَخُذُوا حِذْرَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَافِرِينَ عَذَابًا مُّهِينًا} النساء: 102
Transliteration: Waitha kunta feehim faaqamta lahumu alssalata faltaqum taifatun minhum maAAaka walyakhuthoo aslihatahum faitha sajadoo falyakoonoo min waraikum waltati taifatun okhra lam yusalloo falyusalloo maAAaka walyakhuthoo hithrahum waaslihatahum wadda allatheena kafaroo law taghfuloona AAan aslihatikum waamtiAAatikum fayameeloona AAalaykum maylatan wahidatan walajunaha AAalaykum in kana bikum athan min matarin aw kuntum marda an tadaAAoo aslihatakum wakhuthoohithrakum inna Allaha aAAadda lilkafireena AAathaban muheenan
Have you seen, O my Muslim brother, how Allah has obligated the congregation prayers even in the darkest and gravest situations and conditions while swords have been stained with blood and heads have been decapitated.
The obligation of the congregation prayers is reported in the two authentic books of Hadith (Bukhari and Muslim). The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: “I have a strong desire to order the prayer to be established, then order a man to lead the people in prayer then I would go with some men carrying bundles of wood to people not attending the prayer (i.e. in congregation) and burn their houses over them (an exaggeration to show the extremity of his anger).” [Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim and the narration is for Muslim]
«ولقد هممت أن آمر بالصلاة فتقام، ثم آمر رجلا فيصلي بالناس، ثم أنطلق معي برجال معهم حزم من حطب، إلى قوم لا يشهدون الصلاة، فأحرق عليهم بيوتهم بالنار» رواه البخاري ومسلم والرواية لمسلم
What does this indicate? Is there any other indication, other than the obligation of congregation prayers in mosques and that praying at homes is a great, serious and fatal sin and mistake?
Is there any excuse for those who leave congregation prayers? A blind man came to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, complaining that his house is far away and that the way is rugged besides not having a guide to lead the way. He asked the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to allow him to pray at home. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: “Do you hear the prayer call?” He said, yes. He said, “Respond, as I do not find permission for you.” [Reported by Ibn Majjah and authenticated by Al-Albani]
«قلت للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم إني كبير ضرير شاسع الدار وليس لي قائد يلاومني فهل تجد لي من رخصة قال هل تسمع النداء قلت نعم قال ما أجد لك رخصة» رواه ابن ماجه وصححه الألباني
Is there any permission, then for those of sensitive hearing and sharp sight? Is there any permission for those surrounded by mosques through paved roads and streets? O Allah, this is a great slander.
My dear brother
O, you who leave or neglect prayers, we love you and fear from the Hellfire and the anger of the Compeller {On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: “Oh, would that we had obeyed Allâh and obeyed the Messenger (Muhammad)} [Surat Al-Ahzâb 33:66].
{يَوْمَ تُقَلَّبُ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِي النَّارِ يَقُولُونَ يَا لَيْتَنَا أَطَعْنَا اللَّـهَ وَأَطَعْنَا الرَّسُولَا} الأحزاب: 66
Transliteration: Yawma tuqallabu wujoohuhum fee alnnari yaqooloona ya laytana ataAAnaAllaha waataAAna alrrasoola
By Allah, we swear by Allah that we regard it as a good omen to see you praying. We greatly rejoice over that as you are our bother in Allah. We do not ask for the impossible. We only ask you to pray with the Muslim congregation, which includes your success in both this worldly life and the Hereafter.
There is no harm, brother, to delay your businesses for about ten minutes until you observe your prayers. Prayer is a great matter and leaving and neglecting it is a serious action. Allah Almighty has said: {“What has caused you to enter Hell?” (42) They will say: “We were not of those who used to offer the Salât (prayers),} [Surat Al-Muddaththir 74:42-43].
{مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ ﴿٤٢﴾ قَالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّينَ} المدثر: 42-43
Transliteration: Masalakakum fee saqara (42) Qaloo lam naku mina almusalleena
A word for parents
Many parents are very keen in observing prayers and care a lot about them. However, some of them may Allah guide them and us, has neglected their children and ruined them. They go out to pray leaving their children at home. They do not bother to order and urge them to pray as if they are not responsible for them.
O, father:
Why are you neglectful and indulgent in the greatest and most certain pillar in Islam after the two testimonies? If it is the time of studying or working, do you leave them alone or do you follow them up and urge them to do their study and work?
How miserable! You are keen for their world and heedless for their afterlife. Do not you know that they will cling to your neck on the Day of Resurrection? Do not you know that you are responsible for them as the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, has said: “And the man is a guardian in his family and is responsible for his charge”? [Reported by Al-Bukhari]
«والرجل راعٍ في أهله ومسؤولٌ عن رعيَّته» رواه البخاري
Where are you from the words of Allah Almighty {And enjoin As-Salât (the prayer) on your family, and be patient in offering them [i.e. the Salât (prayers)].} [Surat Tâhâ 20:132]?
{وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا...} طه: 132
Transliteration: Wamur ahlaka bialssalati waistabir AAalayha
Do not you fear for them from Hellfire? {O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones,} [Surat At-Tahrîm 66:6].
{يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا قُوا أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَهْلِيكُمْ نَارًا وَقُودُهَا النَّاسُ وَالْحِجَارَةُ...} التحريم: 6
Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo qoo anfusakum waahleekum naran waqooduha alnnasu waalhijaratu
Fear Allah and strive yourself by following, observing, and looking after them in mosques. If one does not come to pray, you have to ask him about the reasons of that. Incite him not to repeat that again and teach him the importance of congregation prayer and its status in religion. Show them the punishment of the one who does not pray. Give them incentives and rewards in order to observe it. You can also cooperate with the Imam of the mosque to encourage and give prizes to them for their observing the congregation prayers – including the dawn prayer. Bring them up and accustom them for that from childhood as being ordered by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, by saying: “Order your children to pray when they are seven (years old), and beat them for it when they are ten (years old).” [Reported by Ahmad and Ibn Baaz, authentic]
«مروا أولادكم بالصلاة لسبع، واضربوهم عليها لعشر» رواه أحمد وابن الباز، صحيح
This prophetic noble guidance starts in such an early age so that the children learn and know its status from an early age; so they will be brought up, therefore, in loving it and it becomes easy for them to pray and observe it.
May Allah reform our intentions and progenies, make them the delight of our eye, and make them and us as guides and guided. Allah knows best. And peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his family and companions.
Prepared by: Ibn Khuzaymah House
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