These were the last words of our beloved Prophet Mohammed (SWS); this shows just how important prayer is; this was the final advice given to mankind from the final Prophet. Prayer is also the most emphasised act in Al Qur'aan: [29:45] "Observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) for it prohibits evil and vice."
[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.
[2:150] "Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces (during Salat) towards it."
These are translations of just some of the ayat in Al Qur'aan concerning prayer. Below is a Hadith which also explains that it is not only obligatory to pray 5 times a day, but also to pray on time :
Once Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) passing by his Companions asked:“ Do you know what the Almighty Allah says? He says, I swear by My Honour and Glory, there is no one who performs the Salat at its stated time, but I admit him to the Paradise . But for who performs it without observing its prescribed time, I may have mercy upon him if I like or
punish him if I like” (Al-Tabarani).
Prayer also brings many benefits such as: It...* Attracts good livelihood...
* Improves health...
* Prevents harm...
* Keeps away diseases...
* Strengthens and refreshes
the heart...
* Brightens the face....
* Delights the soul....
* Takes away laziness...
* Invigorates the organs...
* Replenishes energy...
* Nurtures the spirit....
* Enlightens the mind....
* Prevents adversity- punishment...
* Invites blessings...
* Drives away Shaytaan...And some benefits that brothers gain from attending congregational prayer includes : * Allah's (SWT) safeguard...
* Allah's (SWT) guidance...
* Protection from Shaytaan..
* Radiant light on Yawm al
Qiyama...
* A prominant place in
Jannah...
* Forgiveness of sins with
each step to the masjid...
Surely brothers and sisters, this should be enough motivation to pray. It is our only connection to Allah (SWT) and we are closest when we are in Sajda, in this position we have no worldy worries in our head and we get complete serenity and the feeling is amazing as we all know. Prayer was not given to us as a hardship, but a blessing from Allah (SWT) as it brings us closer to Him and has many health benefits. There are different types of solat; Fard, Sunnah and Nawafil.
Fard: 5 prayers...Fajr (2 Rakaats recited loudly, in both rakaats you must recite Surah al Faatiha as well as another Surah.)
...Dhuhr (4 Rakaats recited silently, in the first 2 you must recite Surah al Faatiha as well as another surah, but in the last two you only recite Surah al Faatiha.)
...’Asr (4 Rakaats recited silently, in the first 2 you must recite Surah al Faatiha as well as another surah, but in the last two you only recite Surah al Faatiha, as in Salah al Dhuhr.)
...Maghrib (3 Rakaats, the first 2 recited loudly and the 3rd recited silently. In the first two rakaats you recite Surah al Faatiha aswell as another surah. But in the last rakaat you only recite Surah al Faatiha)
...’Isha’ (4 Rakaats, the first 2 recited loudly and the last 2 recited silently. In the first two you must recite Surah al Faatiha and another surah, and in the last two rakaats you recite Surah al Faatiha only.)
Sunnah: ... 2 Rakaat before Fajr
... 4 Rakaat before Dhuhr and 2 after
... 4 Rakaat before ‘Asr
... 2 Rakaat after Maghrib
... 4 Rakaat before ‘Isha.
... Witr (any odd number of rakaats after ‘Isha, preferably after sleeping.But can be done before in fear of not waking up.)
... Tahajjud (A large number of rakaats (as many as may be easy for you) in the last third of the night, the person performing tahajjud must have had some sleep before, no matter how little.)
Nawafil prayers: ... Voluntary prayers at any time except haram times to pray (sunrise, midday and sunset).
Missing prayer out of laziness is considered one of the major sins in Islam and is an act of kufr. Prayer is what seperates Muslims from non-muslims; at the time of the adhaan Muslims will drop what they're doing and go to pray, while non-muslims continue their worldly activities. Here is some translations of verses in Al Qur'aan clarifying the danger of not praying.
"What led you into Hell-Fire? They will say; 'We were not of those who prayed;' (The Noble Quran, 74:42-43)"
"So woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their Prayers, those who (want but) to be seen (of men). (The Noble Quran, 107:4-6)"
"And when it is said to them, 'Prostrate yourselves!' they do not so. Ah woe, that Day, to the rejecters of Truth! (The Noble Quran, 77:48-49)"
