On the Importance of Salah
Provided hereunder is a selection of ahadith from the Ma’ariful Hadith by Mawlana Manzoor No’mani as translated by Muhammad Asif Kidwai under the title Meaning and Message of the Traditions
(1) It is related by Jabir that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “Between a Muslim and a non-Muslim there is only the giving up of Prayer.” [Muslim]
Commentary
It shows that Prayer (Salah) is such a fundamental tenet of Islam and is so closely related to the reality of Faith that, on leaving it out, a Muslim, one would say, ceases to be a [sincere] Believer.
(2) Abu Darda related that “my friend and beloved, peace be upon him, has exhorted me (in these terms), ‘Do not associate anyone with God (Allah) even if you are cut into pieces and roasted on fire, and beware, never omit Prayer intentionally for whoever, willingly and knowingly, omits Prayer, for him the responsibility that rests with God regarding His truthful and believing slaves comes to an end, and, (also) take care not to drink (wine) at all for it is the key to every evil (thing or act.).’” [Ibn Majah]
(3) It is related by Ubaydah ibn Samit that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “God has prescribed five daily Prayers, whoever performed ablution (Wudhu) properly and offered Prayers punctually and carried out genuflection (Ruku) and prostration (Sujud) as they ought to be done with concentration, for him it is the firm promise of the Lord that He will forgive him (his sins), and whoever did not do so, for him there is no promise of the Lord. He will forgive or punish him as He likes.” [Musnad Ahmad, and Abu Da’ud]
(4) It is related on the authority of Abu Hurayrah that, “One day, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said to his Companions, ‘Tell me, if a stream flows at the door of anyone of you and he takes bath in it five times a day, will any dirt be left on his body.’ ‘No,’ said the Companions. ‘The Prophet,’ thereupon, remarked, ‘It is the same with the five daily Prayers. God removes sins and impurities through them.’” [Bukhari and Muslim]
(5) Abu Dhar narrated that, “Once during the cold weather the Prophet, peace be upon him, went out and the leaves of the trees were falling (as it was autumn). The Prophet caught hold of two branches of a tree (and shook them) and its leaves began to fall. Addressing me, he said, ‘Abu Dhar, when a person offers Prayer solely for the sake of Allah, his sins will fall away like these leaves.’” [Musnad Ahmad]
(6) It is related by ‘Uthman that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, “A Muslim who performs ablution properly for an obligatory Prayer when the time for it comes, and, then, offers it up with humbleness and with good Ruku’ and Sujud, that Salah will become an atonement for his previous sins unless he has been guilty of a major transgression, and this propitiousness of Salah will be reaching him forever.” [Muslim]
(7) ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ud related to us that, “Once I enquired from the Prophet, peace be upon him, which act, among all religious duties, was most pleasing to God.” The Prophet replied, ‘To offer Prayers punctually.’ I then asked, “Which act is most pleasing (to Him) after it?” ‘To serve one’s parents,’ replied the Prophet. I again asked, “Which act is most pleasing (to Him) after it?” ‘To strive in the way of Allah (Jihad) in the path of Allah,’ came the reply.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
