Chapter 2: WARNINGS FOR NEGLECTING SALAAH VIRTUES OF SALAAH

The books of Hadith mention very severe punishments for those who neglect Salaah. A few Ahaadith are mentioned in this chapter. A single warning from Rasulullah ﷺ should be enough. Out of love and mercy for his followers, he has warned them again and again in different ways, so that they do not neglect Salaah and suffer the punishment. In spite of this, we are still unmindful of Salaah, and have the audacity to consider ourselves the followers of Rasulullah ﷺ and the champions of Islam.

Translation: Hadhrat Jaabir bin Abdillah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying:

Translation: 1. “To leave out Salaah is to be joined with kufr.”

Translation: 2. “To leave out Salaah is to be joined with kufr and shirk.”

Translation: 3. “Leaving out of Salaah is the only difference between Imaan and kufr.”

Note: There are a number of Ahaadith on this subject. On one occasion, Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said: “Hasten in your Salaah when it is cloudy (in case you make a mistake and miss the correct time). To leave out Salaah is to become a kaafir.” What a stern warning against even missing the correct time of Salaah, as (according to this quotation)

to miss the correct time of Salaah is like leaving it out. Although, according to the interpretation of the Ulama, the verdict of kufr is given against a person only when he rejects (and not simply neglects) Salaah, yet the words of Rasulullah ﷺ in these Ahaadith should be very weighty for those who have any regard for him. However, it may be noted that some of the very important Sahaabah of Rasulullah ﷺ like Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضى اللهُ عَنهُ , Abdullah bin Abbas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , etc. and eminent Fuqahaa like Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal, Ishaaq bin Raahwayh, Ibn Mubaarak, رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , etc. are definitely of the opinion that the verdict of kufr can be given against the person who intentionally leaves out his Salaah. May Allah Ta’ala save us!

Translation: Hadhrat Ubaadah bin Saamit رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates; “My dear friend, Rasulullah ﷺ , instructed me with seven good practices, ‘Do not ascribe anything as a partner to Allah Ta’ala, though you may be Note: In another Hadith, Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “My dear Rasul ﷺ warned me saying, ‘Do not ascribe anything as partner unto Allah Ta’ala even if you may be cut into pieces or burnt alive or crucified; do not discard Salaah intentionally, as Allah Ta’ala is free from any obligation to a person who knowingly neglects Salaah, and do not take wine, for that is the key to all evils.’”

Translation: Hadhrat Mu’aaz bin Jabal رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates: “Rasulullah ﷺ instructed me with ten things:

Translation: 1. ‘Do not believe in anything as a partner with Allah Ta’ala, though you may be killed or burnt alive.

Translation: 2. Do not disobey your parents, though you may have to leave your wife or all your wealth.

3. Do not neglect the Fardh Salaah intentionally, for Allah Ta’ala does not care about a person who neglects the Fardh Salaah intentionally.

4. Do not drink wine, for it is an evil habit and the root of every evil.

5. Do not disobey Allah Ta’ala, for that brings about the anger of Allah Ta’ala.

6. Do not turn your back to the enemy in battle, though all your companions may have died.

7. Do not escape from a locality where a disease has broken out.

8. Spend on your family members according to your capacity.

9. Let your rod be hanging on them as a warning and 10. Keep on instilling the fear of Allah in them.”

According to this Hadith, we should not spare the rod in checking the children from becoming reckless in doing whatever they like. Sometimes it is necessary to use the rod. It is a pity that, out of love, we do not use the rod in the beginning and when the children get spoilt, we cry and complain about them. To spare the rod and spoil the child is no kindness at all. Who would like to save a child from a surgical operation under advice from a doctor for the simple reason that it would cause pain to him? Rasulullah ﷺ has said: “Command your child with Salaah when he is seven years old and punish him if he neglects it when he reaches ten.” Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “Guard the Salaah of your children and inculcate good habits in them.” Luqmaan عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ the wise used to say, “The use of the rod on a child is as necessary as is water for the fields.” Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “A person advising his children earns more reward from Allah Ta’ala than spending about (seven pounds) 3kg of grain in His path.” In another Hadith Rasulullah ﷺ has said, “May Allah Ta’ala bless a person who keeps a lash hanging in his house for the warning of his house people.”

He also said, “No father can give anything better to his children than teaching them good manners.”

Translation: Hadhrat Naufal ibn Mu’aawiyah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “A person who has missed one Salaah is like one who has lost all his family and wealth.”

Note: Salaah is missed usually when a person is in the company of his family members or whilst he is earning money. According to this Hadith, the ultimate loss suffered in missing a single Salaah is in no way less than losing one’s entire family and property. In other words, if we miss a Salaah, we should be as much grieved as when we lose all our family and belongings. If we are warned by some truthful person about gangsters on a certain road, where people are robbed and killed during the night, we need to be very brave to ignore the warning and travel on that road even during the daytime. It is strange that we have been warned again and again by Rasulullah ﷺ and we definitely believe that he was the true Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, yet we do not take heed and go on missing Salaah one after the other.

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “A person who joins two Salaahs without any strong excuse, reaches one of the doors of kabaa’ir (major sins).”

Note: Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ reports that Rasulullah ﷺ once said. “Do not delay in three things; Salaah when its time has set in, burial when the Janaazah is ready and the marriage of a woman when her match is found.” Many people, who consider themselves as pious and punctual on their salaah, perform many Salaah together on returning home, on the very weak excuse of travel, business or job. To delay Salaah without a strong excuse (e.g. illness, etc.) is a major sin. Although it is not as bad as not reading Salaah at all, yet it is quite serious.

HADITH 6 – SALAAH IS A DEFENSE IN THE AAKHIRAH

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that once Rasulullah ﷺ , while talking about Salaah, said: “For the one who used to perform Salaah, it shall be a light for him on the Day of Qiyaamah, an argument in his favour, and a means of saving him from Jahannam. There will be no light, no defence and no safety from punishment for him who does not guard his Salaah. He shall be raised up with Qaaroon, Firaun, Haamaan and Ubayy bin Khalaf.”

Note: Everybody knows that Firaun the disbeliever had been so proud that he claimed himself to be ‘God’. He ordered his people to worship him. Haamaan was his Chief Minister and friend. Ubayy bin Khalaf was the worst enemy of Islam among the disbelievers of Makkah. Before Hijrah, he would say to Rasulullah ﷺ most rudely, “I have trained a horse which I feed very well. I will kill you one day riding on its back.” Once, Nabi ﷺ replied to him, “Insha-Allah! I will kill you.”

In the battle of Uhud, he ran about the field in search of Nabi ﷺ saying, “If Muhammad ﷺ is not killed today, then I stand no chance of surviving.” At last he found Rasulullah ﷺ and went forward to attack him. The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ decided to kill him before he reached Rasulullah ﷺ , but Rasulullah ﷺ stopped them. When he approached, Nabi ﷺ took a spear from one of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ and struck him, causing a little scratch on his neck. He stumbled and fell from his horse and ran towards his camp crying, “By Allah! Muhammad ﷺ has killed me!” His people tried to calm him down by saying, “It was only a scratch and there was nothing to worry about.” He said, “Muhammad (ﷺ ) had once told me in Makkah that he would kill me. By Allah, if he only spat at me, I would have died.” He cried like a bull. Abu Sufyaan, who was very active on that day, put him to shame for crying so profusely over a slight wound. He said, “Do you know who caused me this injury? It was none other than Muhammad (ﷺ ). By Laat and Uzza! (Names of his idols) If my pain was to be distributed over all the people of Arabia, none of them would survive. Since the time he had said that he would kill me, I was sure that I would die at his hands. If he only spat at me, I would have fallen dead.” He died on his return to Makkah. Look! A disbeliever like Ubayy bin Khalaf is so sure about the truth of the words of Rasulullah ﷺ that he does not have the slightest doubt about his own death. Where do we stand? Although we believe in him as the greatest Nabi of Allah, consider his words to be most genuine and boast of our love for him, yet how much do we practice on his advice. How much do we fear the punishments about which he has warned us! It is for us all to think about. Ibn Hajar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , while quoting this Hadith, has also mentioned Qaaroon with Firaun and others. He writes: “Sharing the fate of these people on the Day of Qiyaamah will be due to the fact that these people were guilty of those causes that make us neglect our Salaah. Therefore, if a person neglects Salaah due to a craving for wealth, he will meet the fate of Qaaroon; if due to love for power, then that of Firaun; if due to a desire for attachment to a ruler, then that of Haamaan; and if due to business, then that of Ubbay Bin Khalaf.” Meeting the same fate as theirs, explains fully the severest tortures in store for those who neglect Salaah. Although the disbelievers shall have to suffer their punishment forever, the believers will be released after their period of punishment is over and will then be allowed to enter Jannah. But who knows that this period of punishment may last for thousands of years.

Translation: It is said in a Hadith that Allah Ta’ala gives five favours to a person who is mindful of his Salaah. His rizq (sustenance) is made easy for him; he is saved from the punishment in the grave; he shall receive his book of deeds in his right hand on the Day of Qiyaamah; (the details of this has been mentioned in Surah Al-Haaqqah that those who receive their book of deeds in their right hand will be extremely happy, showing their results to all), he shall cross the bridge of Siraat with the speed of lightning and he shall enter Jannah without being questioned.

Translation: As for him who neglects his Salaah, he shall meet five types of punishments in this world, three at the time of death, three in the grave and three in the Aakhirah.

Those in this world are: He is not blessed in his life. He will not have the noor (light) of piety on his face. He receives no rewards for his good practices. His duas are not answered and he has no share in the duas of the pious.

Those at the time of death are: He dies disgracefully. He dies hungry. He dies with such thirst that the water in the oceans of the world cannot quench.

Those in the grave are: He is squeezed so tightly that the ribs of one side go into the ribs of the other, fire is burnt inside the grave and he is rolled on burning coal day and night, a snake with fiery eyes and iron nails equal in length to a day’s journey is let loose on him and shouts in a thundering voice, “Allah Ta’ala has instructed me to lash you till sunrise for neglecting Fajr, till Asr for neglecting Zuhr, till sunset for neglecting Asr, till Esha for neglecting Maghrib and till morning for neglecting Esha.” The snake will keep on lashing him till the Last Day. Each blow pushes him to a depth of seventy arm’s length. This punishment will last till the Day of Qiyaamah.

Those in the Aakhirah are: His questioning will be made difficult. Allah Ta’ala will be angry with him and he will be thrown into Jahannam. According to one report, he will have the following three lines written on his forehead:

‘O you who neglected Allah’s duties.’

‘O you who has deserved Allah’s anger.’

‘Lose all hope of Allah’s mercy, as you neglected your duty to Allah Ta’ala.’

Note: Famous Ulama like Ibn Hajr, Abu Lais Samarqandi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and others, have mentioned this Hadith in their kitaabs. Although I have not been able to find the text in the original books of Hadith, yet other Ahaadith, some of which have already been mentioned and some are to follow, support its meaning. Neglect of Salaah, as has been stated above, leads one to kufr. Therefore no punishment is too severe for this offence. But we should remember that even after a person is guilty, Allah Ta’ala is free to forgive him as and when He pleases. Allah says in the Qur-aan Shareef:

Translation: “Verily Allah Ta’ala shall not forgive that shirk be committed but will forgive all other sins for whom He wills.” (Surah Nisaa’ – Aayah 116)

If then it pleases Allah Ta’ala to forgive anybody neglecting Salaah, it will be most fortunate; but who can be sure of this fortune? It is also stated in a Hadith that there will be three courts to be held by Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah. The first will judge between kufr and Islam and there will be no forgiveness. The second will be to judge our duties and conduct towards other people. All the aggrieved shall be repaid by either the people who had wronged them or by Allah Ta’ala Himself, i.e. if He pleases to forgive anybody. The third will deal with our duties towards Allah Ta’ala. Here the doors of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala will be thrown wide open and He will forgive anybody He wills. Taking into account what has been said above, it must be clearly understood that we deserve the punishments that have been laid down because of our committing of sins, but the all-embracing mercy of Allah Ta’ala overrides everything and knows no bounds. In Bukhaari Shareef there is a narration that it was the habit of Rasulullah ﷺ to ask the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ after Fajr if anybody had seen a dream. He would then interpret the dream. One day, after asking, Rasulullah ﷺ himself narrated a long dream in which two men came and took him. He reported certain things which he saw in his dream. He said: “I saw the head of a person being crushed with a heavy stone. It was struck with such force that, after crushing the head, the stone rolled over a long distance. The head would return to its normal shape and the stone repeated the process. This continued non-stop. Rasulullah ﷺ asked his two companions that who is this person (being punished). He was told that this is that person who learnt the Qur-aan Shareef, but never used to recite it nor practice upon it. He would also go to sleep without reading the Fardh Salaah.” There is a similar narration, in which Rasulullah ﷺ had seen (in his dream) a group of people being treated in the same manner. Jibraa-eel عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ informed him that those were the people who used to neglect their Salaah. Mujaahid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says, “Allah Ta’ala blesses the people who guard their Salaah, just as he blessed Hadhrat Ibraheem عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ and his descendants.” Hadhrat Anas عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “If a person dies with sincere Imaan, observing the commandments of Allah Ta’ala, performing Salaah and paying Zakaat, Allah Ta’ala is pleased with him when he dies.” Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Allah Ta’ala says, ‘I hold back the punishment from an area when I see people who always go to the Masjid, love one another for My sake, and make dua asking for forgiveness in the hours of darkness.’” Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ wrote to Hadhrat Salmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ saying: “Spend most of your time in the Masjid. I have heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, ‘The Masjid is the place of the pious. Allah Ta’ala blesses the person who spends most of his time in the Masjid. Allah Ta’ala shall keep him in comfort and shall enable him to cross the bridge of Siraat with ease. Surely Allah Ta’ala is pleased with such a person.’” Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: “The Masaajid are the Houses of Allah Ta’ala and people who go there are His visitors. When everybody treats his visitors kindly, why should Allah Ta’ala not be kind to His visitors?” Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: “Allah Ta’ala loves the person who is attached to the Masjid.” Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “After a dead person is laid in the grave, even before the people present at his burial go away, Munkar and Nakeer visit him. Then if the person is a believer, his good actions encircle him; Salaah comes close to his head, Zakaat to his right, Fast to his left, and the remaining good actions towards his feet, so that no one can approach him. Even the Malaaikah do the necessary questioning while standing at a distance.” One of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ reports that, when the people of Rasulullah’s ﷺ house were in difficulty, he would ask them to perform Salaah and recite the following Aayah:

Translation: “And instruct your family to perform Salaah and you yourself remain steadfast on it. We do not ask you to provide sustenance, but We provide it for you. And the best result (rewards in the Aakhirah) is for adopting Taqwa.” (Surah Taahaa – Aayah 132)

THOSE WHO WILL GO TO JANNAH WITHOUT ANY HISAAB

Hadhrat Asma رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا narrates that she heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “All the people will be gathered together on the Day of Qiyaamah in the beginning the angel will say: “All those gathered here will see today who are the honoured people,” and with the addition that the angel at the time of third announcement will say: “Where are those whom their engagement in trade and business did not distract from Salaah and the remembrance of Allah Ta’ala?” Shaikh Nasar Samarqandi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ after quoting this lengthy Hadith in Tambeehul Ghaafileen, writes, “When all the three groups will have entered Jannah without questioning, a monster with a long neck, shining eyes and most well-spoken tongue will rise up from Jahannam and say; ‘I have been appointed for all who are proud and ill-tempered.’ It will then pick up all such persons from the crowd, as a fowl picks up grain, and then it will fling them into the Jahannam. It will rise up again saying; ‘This time I have been appointed for all those who spoke bad about Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ .’ It will then pick up all such people and throw them into Jahannam. It will appear for the third time and will, in a similar manner, take away all those who made images and pictures. The questioning will then begin only after these three groups have been dealt with. Previously, people could see shaytaan. A person came to shaytaan saying that he wanted to be like him. Shaytaan told him that no one had ever asked him such a question before and asked him why he made such a request. The person replied that he wished it from his heart. Shaytaan asked him to neglect his Salaah and to take false oaths very often, not caring about being honest in this regard. The person told Shaytaan that, By Allah Ta’ala! Never will he give up Salaah and never will he take false oaths. Shaytaan told him that he had never been tricked before by a human being. He also made a promise never to advise a human again.

Hadhrat Ubayy رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Give good news to the Muslims that they shall be honoured and their Deen shall become powerful. There is no share in the Aakhirah for those who use Islam for the dunya (world).” Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said, “I saw Allah Ta’ala in His best form. He said to me, ‘O Muhammad! What are the most exalted Malaaikah (Al-Malaul’alaa) arguing about?’ I said, ‘I have no knowledge about that.’ Allah Ta’ala placed His gracious hand on my chest. I felt its comforting coolness right through my heart and the entire universe was revealed to me. I said, ‘They are arguing about the things which elevate a person’s rank, those things that cause a person’s sins to be forgiven, the rewards for the steps taken when going for Salaah (with Jamaat), the rewards of performing wudhu properly when it is very cold and the blessings that a person deserves when, after performing one Salaah, keeps on sitting in the masjid till the next Salaah. A person particular on these shall live a blessed life and shall have a good death.”

Rasulullah ﷺ is reported (in many Ahaadith) to have said, “Allah Ta’ala says, ‘O, Son of Aadam! Perform four rakaats of Salaah in the early part of the day, I shall help you in completing all your work during the rest of the day.” In Tambeehul Ghaafileen there is a Hadith: “Salaah is the cause of the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala, it is loved by the Malaaikah, it is a practice of the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ , it enables you to recognise Allah Ta’ala, it causes our duas to be accepted, it is a means of barakah in our rizq, it is the root of Imaan, it refreshes the body, it is a weapon against the enemy, it shall beg forgiveness on behalf of its reader, it is a light in the darkness of the grave, it is a source of comfort in the loneliness of the grave, it is a reply to the questioning of the Malaaikah, it is a shade against the sun on the day of Qiyaamah, it is a protection against the fire of Jahannam, it is a weight for the scales of good deeds, it is a means of crossing quickly over the bridge of Siraat and it is a key to Jannah.” Hadhrat Usmaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is reported to have said, “Allah Ta’ala grants nine favours to a person who guards his Salaah and is particular in performing it at the correct time, viz.

1. He is loved by Allah Ta’ala,

2. He enjoys good health,

3. He is always under the protection of the Malaaikah,

4. His home is blessed,

5. There is noor (light of righteousness) on his face,

6. His heart is made soft,

7. He shall cross the bridge of Siraat with the speed of lightning,

8. He is saved from Jahannam, and 9. His neighbours in Jannah are those about whom Allah Ta’ala has said;

Translation: “And there shall neither be any fear upon them, nor shall they grieve” (Surah Baqarah – Aayah 36)

Rasulullah ﷺ says, “Salaah is the pillar of Islam and it has ten virtues, viz;

1. It enlightens the face,

2. It is a light of the heart,

3. It is a source of comfort and refreshment for the body,

4. It is a company in the grave,

5. It is a means for the Mercy of Allah Ta’ala coming down.

6. It is a key to Jannah,

7. It is a weight for the scales (of good deeds),

8. It is a means of winning the pleasure of Allah Ta’ala,

9. It is the price of Jannah and 10. It is a protection against the fire of Jahannam.

A person who is particular on his Salaah, in fact establishes Deen, and one who neglects it, demolishes (so to say, the structure of) Deen.” It is mentioned in one Hadith that to perform Salaah in one’s home is a noor (a light). So brighten up your homes with Salaah. It is a famous Hadith that my Ummah, on the day of Qiyaamah, will have faces and limbs shining because of Wudhu and Sajdah. This will be the distinguishing factor between us and other Ummats. It is mentioned in another Hadith that when any calamity descends from the skies, it is removed from those who frequent the Masjid. It is mentioned in many Ahaadith that Allah Ta’ala has forbidden Jahannam to burn the places of sajdah. (If, per chance, a person has to enter Jahannam due to his evil deeds, the fire will not affect those areas where there are signs of sajdah). In one Hadith it is mentioned that Salaah blackens the face of the devil and Sadaqah breaks his back. According to one Hadith, Salaah is a cure. Once, when Rasulullah ﷺ saw Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ lying on his stomach, he asked him, “Are you suffering from stomach pain?” He replied, ‘Yes’. Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Then get up and busy yourself in Salaah, because Salaah will cure you.”

Once, Rasulullah ﷺ saw Jannah in his dream and heard the footsteps of Hadhrat Bilaal رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ . The next morning he asked Hadhrat Bilaal رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ : “What action of yours helped you to follow me even in Jannah?” He replied: “When my wudhu breaks at night, I make a fresh wudhu and perform as many rakaats of Nafl Salaah as I can.” Safeeri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes: “The Malaaikah address a person who misses Fajr as; ‘O you wrongdoer’, and one who neglects Zuhr as; ‘O you loser’, and one who ignores Asr as; ‘O you transgressor’, and one who omits Maghrib as; ‘O you kaafir’, and one who does not perform Esha as; ‘O you violator of Allah Ta’ala’s commandments.” Allama Sha’raani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes: “It should be clearly understood that punishment is taken away from a locality where the people are particular about Salaah, whereas a locality where the people neglect Salaah is often afflicted by punishments. Earthquakes, storms and sinking of houses are not unexpected where people are not particular about Salaah. Just guarding one’s own Salaah is not enough, because when a punishment comes, it does not affect the wrongdoers only, but rather affects everybody in that locality. Once, the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked Rasulullah ﷺ ; “Can we be destroyed while there are pious people amongst us?” Rasulullah ﷺ replied, “Yes, if evil actions overtake good actions.” It is therefore necessary that other people should also be encouraged to obey the commandments of Allah Ta’ala and stay away from wrongdoing.

Translation: Rasulullah ﷺ said, “A person neglecting his Salaah (even though he performs it later) shall remain in Jahannam for a period of one Huqb. A Huqb is equal to eighty years of 360 days each, and a day in the Aakhirah shall equal 1000 years of this world.” (One huqb will be 28 800 000 years)

Note: Huqb in Arabic means a very long time. In most Ahaadith the meaning of Huqb has been explained as eighty years as mentioned above. This same amount has also been narrated in Durr-e-Mansoor from different narrations. Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once asked Hilaal Hijri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ what was the amount of a Huqb. He said that a Huqb is equal to 80 years and each year is equal to 12 months and each month is equal to 30 days and one day is equal to 1000 years. 80 years has also been narrated from Abdullah Ibn Masood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ from authentic sources. Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ has narrated from Rasulullah ﷺ that one Huqb is equal to 80 years and one year is equal to 360 days and one day will be equal to a 1000 years according to the days of this world. This information has also been narrated by Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا from Rasulullah ﷺ . Thereafter, Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا mentions that, “Don’t just rely on this that because of your Imaan you will eventually come out of Jahannam. You may only come out after so many years. i.e. 28 800 000 years. And that is if there are no other reasons for you to remain therein.” There are other durations mentioned in different Ahaadith which explain more or less days. But this amount mentioned above has come in many Ahaadith. Hence, this has been given preference. It is also possible that this duration may increase or decrease depending on the condition of the person.

Abul Lais Samarqandi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ has mentioned a Hadith in which Rasulullah ﷺ is reported to have said; “The name of a person who neglects even a single Fardh Salaah intentionally is written on the gate of Jahannam, which he must enter.” Hadhrat Ibnu Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that once, Rasulullah ﷺ said, “Please, O Allah!

Let not anyone of us be a miserable poor person.” He then asked: “Do you know who is a miserable poor person?” When the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked, he explained to them saying, “A miserable poor person is the one who neglects his Salaah. In Islam there is nothing for him.” In another Hadith it is said, “Allah Ta’ala will not care a bit for the person who had been neglecting his Salaah intentionally and there shall be a terrible end for him.” It is said in a Hadith that ten people will be given extra punishment. One of them will be the person who neglects his Salaah. His hands will be tied while the Malaaikah shall beat him on his face and back. Jannah will say to him, “There is no place for you in me.” Jahannam will say to him, “Come to me. You are for me and I am for you.” It is also said that there is a valley in Jahannam named Lamlam. This valley is filled with snakes as fat as the neck of a camel and as long as one month’s journey. A person neglecting Salaah will be punished in this valley. In another Hadith it is said that there is a place in Jahannam which is known as the pit of grief. It is inhabited by scorpions as huge as donkeys. This place is for punishing the people who neglect Salaah. Of course, there is no reason to worry if the most merciful Allah Ta’ala forgives our sins. But are we really prepared to ask for His forgiveness? Ibn Hajar رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes in his book Zawaajir that; “A woman died. Her brother was present at her burial and mistakenly his wallet fell into the grave and was buried with the dead person. The brother realised this only after he had returned home and was very sorry for the loss. He decided to dig up the grave secretly and remove the wallet. When he dug it up, he saw that the grave was in flames. He returned home full of grief and narrated the incident to his mother. He asked her if she knew why it was so. His mother informed him that his sister used to delay in Salaah and read it after its correct time. May Allah Ta’ala save us from these habits!

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: “There is no place in Islam for a person who does not perform his Salaah, and there is no Salaah without wudhu.”

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ also heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: “There is no Islam in a person who has no Salaah by him. The position of Salaah in Islam is like the position of the head in a body.”

Note: Let those who do not offer Salaah and not only call themselves Muslims, but also boast of their being champions of the Muslim cause, ponder over these words of Nabi ﷺ . They dream of reviving the past glory of Islam, but would not care to know how the people responsible for that glory stuck steadfastly to the practices of Islam. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ suffered from cataract of the eye. People told him that the disease could be treated, but he would have to miss his Salaah for a few days. He said: “This is not possible! I have heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, ‘A person who does not perform his Salaah, will stand before Allah Ta’ala while Allah Ta’ala will be angry with him.’” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ of Rasulullah ﷺ would prefer to become blind rather than to leave out Salaah even for a few days. When Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ was stabbed by a kaafir, he often remained unconscious and eventually passed away due to heavy bleeding. On his deathbed he was made aware of the time of Salaah and he performed Salaah in that very condition and would say: “There is no place in Islam for a person who does not perform his Salaah.” These days it is considered unkind and improper to make the patient perform salaah or even allow him to perform it. What a world of difference there is between the view points and approach of the Muslims of these two ages!

Look at the difference between the paths; what a great deviation!

Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ once asked Nabi ﷺ to give him a servant. Nabi ﷺ said; “Here are three slaves. Take the one you prefer.” Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “Can you please choose one for me.” Rasulullah ﷺ pointed towards a certain man, saying, “Take this one. He is particular about his Salaah. You are not to hit him. We are not allowed to hit anyone who performs Salaah.” There is another incident mentioned in this regard about Abul Haysam رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ who also requested a slave from Rasulullah ﷺ . We, on the other hand, mock our servants and consider him a liability if he goes for Salaah.

Sufyaan Sauri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , the famous Sufi once fell into a state of ecstasy. He remained in his house for seven days without taking sleep, food and drink. When his Shaikh was informed of his condition, he inquired if Sufyaan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was observing the hours of his Salaah. He was told that his Salaah was quite regular and safe. At this, the Shaikh remarked,

Translation: “All praise be to Allah Ta’ala, Who has not allowed Shaytaan to have an upper hand on him!”

PART 2

It has already been mentioned in the foreword that although there are many who perform their Salaah regularly, but they are not very particular about performing the salaah with jamaat. Rasulullah ﷺ has stressed on joining the Jamaat Salaah just as he was particular about Salaah itself. This part also consists of two Chapters. The first deals with the rewards of Jamaat Salaah and the second with the consequences of neglecting Jamaat Salaah.

CHAPTER ONE REWARDS FOR PERFORMING SALAAH WITH JAMAAT

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: “Salaah performed with Jamaat is twenty-seven times better than Salaah performed alone.”

Note: When we perform our Salaah with the intention of receiving reward from Allah Ta’ala, then why should it not be done in the Masjid, where the reward is twenty-seven times more. No one is so foolish to leave a profit that is twenty-seven times greater with a little extra work. But we are so indifferent about the profits promised for our ibaadaat! This can be due to nothing but our indifference for Deen and the rewards for it. It is a pity that we work so hard to acquire the petty gains of this material world, but are unmindful of the gains in the Aakhirah, which bring us twenty-seven times more reward with a little extra effort. We often argue that by going to the masjid for Jamaat we will have to close the shop and therefore lose business. These and other excuses cannot stand in the way of those who have perfect Imaan in the Greatness of Allah Ta’ala and in His word; and who realise the value of the blessings and reward in the Aakhirah. It is because of such people that Allah Ta’ala says:

Translation: “Men, whom neither their trade nor commerce distracts them from the zikr (remembrance) of Allah Ta’ala and establishment of Salaah.” (Surah Noor – Aayah 37)

In the Stories of Sahaabah (chapter 5) the details of how the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ would react in their businesses at the time of Azaan has been mentioned briefly. It is said of Saalim Haddaad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , who was a businessman and a great Sufi that on hearing Azaan he would turn pale and grow restless. He would stand up immediately, leaving his shop open and recite these couplets:

Translation: “When Your summoner stands up to summon, quickly I stand up.” “To respond to (the summons of) The Mighty Lord Who has no peer.”

Poetic Translation: “I reply to the summons with complete submission and cheer, ‘Here am I, O Bountiful One.’”

Poetic Translation: “My face grows pale with awe and fear, and occupation in You distracts me from all other occupations.”

Poetic Translation: “I swear by You, nothing is dear to me, besides Your remembrance.” “Nothing is more beautiful for me than Your sweet name.”

Translation: “O, will there be a time for us to be together?” “A lover is happy only when he is with his Beloved.”

Translation: “He, whose eyes have seen the light of Your beauty, can never be comforted. He must die desiring for You.”

It is said in a Hadith: “People frequenting the Masjid are its pegs. The Malaaikah are their companions, who visit them when they are sick and help them when they are at their jobs.

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Salaah with Jamaat is twenty-five times better than Salaah which is read in a house or in a shop. When a person performs wudhu correctly and walks to the Masjid, with the intention of performing Salaah, then for each step that he takes, Allah Ta’ala gives him a reward and wipes out a sin for him. If he remains sitting in the Masjid with wudhu after the Salaah, the Malaaikah continue making dua for him, “O Allah, Have mercy on him”. As long as he keeps sitting in the Masjid waiting for Salaah, he continues to earn rewards as if he is busy in Salaah.”

Note: In Hadith No. 1, the superiority of Salaah performed with Jamaat compared to Salaah performed alone is described as being twenty-seven times more rewarding, while this Hadith mentions only twenty-five times. Various Ulama have discussed this difference. The following are some of the explanations:

1. This difference from twenty-five to twenty-seven is due to the level of ikhlaas (sincerity) in different individuals.

2. In Sirri (quiet) Salaah (i.e., Zuhr and Asr), it is twenty-five times,

while in Jahri (loud) Salaah (i.e. Fajr, Maghrib and Ishaa), it is twenty-seven times.

3. In Fajr and Esha, when it is inconvenient to go out due to the cold and darkness, it is twenty-seven times, but in other Salaahs it is twenty-five times.

4. In the beginning it was twenty-five times, but subsequently, Allah Ta’ala (by special favour on the Ummah of Rasulullah ﷺ ) raised the reward to twenty-seven times. Some others have put forward a still finer explanation. They say that the reward for Salaah with Jamaat mentioned in this Hadith is not only twenty-five times but two raised to the power twenty-five (i.e. 225) which adds up to thirty-three million five hundred and fifty-four thousand four hundred and thirty-two (33 554 432). This is something not beyond the bountiful Mercy of Allah Ta’ala. When leaving out a single Salaah can be a cause of punishment in Jahannam for one Huqb (as we have seen in the last chapter), then the huge reward for one Salaah with Jamaat is also quite possible. Rasulullah ﷺ has also explained to us how the reward goes on increasing in the case of a person who, after performing wudhu, leaves his house only with the intention of joining the Salaah with Jamaat in the Masjid. Each step he takes, brings one reward as well as washes away one sin. The houses of Banu Salama, a group of people in Madinah Munawwarah, were situated far away from the Masjid. They chose to move closer to the Masjid. Rasulullah ﷺ said to them: “Stay where you are. Every step that you take to the Masjid is a means of Sawaab (reward) for you.” It is said in a Hadith: “The example of a person who performs wudhu at home and then leaves for the Masjid is like a person who, after wearing the ihraam at home, leaves for Haj.” Further, in the same Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ points to another act of great value; i.e., as long as one remains sitting in masjid after the Salaah is over, the Malaaikah make dua for him by asking for forgiveness and mercy. The Malaaikah are the innocent and obedient creation of Allah Ta’ala, so the effect that their Duas will have is obvious. Muhammad bin Sammaak رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is a famous Shaikh.

He was the student of Imaam Abu Yusuf رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ and Imaam Muhammad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . He died at the age of 103. He would perform 200 rakaats of Nafl Salaah daily. He writes: “For forty years, I never missed the first takbeer of Salaah with Jamaat, except once when my mother had passed away.” The same Shaikh writes: “Once, I missed the Jamaat Salaah. I knew that Salaah with Jamaat was twenty-five times more rewarding. I, therefore, repeated the Salaah (on my own) twenty-five times to compensate for it. I heard in my dream, ‘Muhammad! You have repeated your Salaah twenty-five times (to cover up), but what about the ‘Aameen’ by the Malaaikah?’” It is reported in many Ahaadith that when the Imaam says ‘Ameen’ after Surah Faatihah, the Malaaikah also say Aameen. All the past sins of a person, who’s Aameen coincides with that of the Malaaikah, are forgiven. This is possible by performing Salaah with Jamaat. Therefore, Moulana Abdul Hayy رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , when quoting this story about the Shaikh, writes: “If a person repeats his Salaah (by himself) a thousand times, he cannot receive the sawaab of one Salaah with Jamaat.” He not only loses the ‘Ameen’ with the Malaaikah, but also the sawaab of Jamaat and the duas of the Malaaikah after Salaah and many other benefits. The duas of the Malaaikah can only be earned when the Salaah is a proper one. If the Salaah of a person is not as it should be (according to Hadith), it is flung back like a dirty rag at his face. How then can the Malaaikah make dua for him?

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “If one wishes to meet Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah as a Muslim, he must perform his Salaah at a place where Azaan is called out (a Masjid). Allah Ta’ala has ordered, through His Nabi ﷺ , such practices which are nothing but complete guidance, and Salaah with Jamaat is one of them. If you start to perform your Salaah at your houses as so and so is doing, then you will be leaving out the Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ , and when you leave out his Sunnah, then you will go astray. When a person performs wudhu correctly and then leaves for the Masjid, for each step that he takes, he receives one sawaab (reward) and has one sin wiped out. During the lifetime of Rasulullah ﷺ , no one would miss Jamaat except an open munaafiq (a non-Muslim pretending to be a Muslim) or a really sick person. Even the munaafiq dared not miss the Jamaat. A sick person who could be taken to the Masjid with the help of two men would be helped to join the Jamaat. And he said that Rasulullah ﷺ taught us those sunnats that are acts of Ibaadat. And amongst these sunnats is to perform salaah in a Masjid where Azaan is called out.”

Note: This shows the extreme care the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ took concerning Salaah with Jamaat. Even a sick person would be brought to the Masjid somehow or the other, even if it needed two men to help him. This concern was understandable as they found Rasulullah ﷺ himself so particular about it. It is said that when Rasulullah ﷺ was on his deathbed, he would often faint. He made wudhu after trying several times. Though he could hardly stand up, he went to the Masjid with the help of Hadhrat Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ and another Sahaabi in a condition that his mubaarak feet were dragging on the ground. Hadhrat Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ led the Salaah, and Rasulullah ﷺ himself joined the Jamaat.” Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that Nabi ﷺ once said to him, “Worship Allah Ta’ala as if you see Him before you. Count yourself amongst the dead. (Don’t even regard yourself to be amongst the living. In this way, nothing will please you and nothing will cause you grief). Beware of the curse of the oppressed. Do not miss Esha and Fajar with Jamaat even if you could crawl to the Masjid.” It is said in another Hadith, “Esha and Fajr are very hard on the munaafiq. If they knew the reward of Salaah with Jamaat, they would go to the Masjid and join the Jamaat even if they had to crawl.”

Translation: Hadhrat Anas bin Maalik رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “A person who is particular about his Salaah with Jamaat for forty days, without missing the first takbeer, receives two certificates: One of being saved from Jahannam and the other of freedom from nifaaq (being a hypocrite).”

Note: If a person is regular with his Salaah (with sincerity) for forty days and he joins the Jamaat from the very beginning (i.e. when the Imaam says the first takbeer), he shall neither be a munaafiq nor shall he go to Jahannam. A munaafiq is a person who pretends to be a Muslim, but there is kufr (disbelief) in his heart. Changes in a man takes place in periods of forty days (according to the Hadith). The sequence of man’s creation takes place in periods of 40 days. From a drop of liquid to a piece of flesh and in this way changes take place every forty days. This seems to be the significance of forty days in this Hadith. Therefore, the Sufis attach importance to this period (called Chilla in Urdu) for purposes of spiritual discipline. Fortunate are those who do not miss their first takbeer for years on end.

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Nabi ﷺ saying, “A person who performs wudhu properly, and, when he arrives at the Masjid, finds that the Jamaat is over, receives the reward of Jamaat. He will not receive a reward lesser than those who have performed their Salaah with Jamaat.”

Note: It is the favour and kindness of Allah Ta’ala that a slight effort is enough to earn us the reward of Jamaat, although we had missed it. Who is the loser then if we ourselves remain deprived of the gifts of the Most Kind? This Hadith also shows that we should not leave out going to the Masjid thinking that the Jamaat is over. Even if we find, on reaching the Masjid, that the Jamaat is over, we will get the full reward. However, if we are certain that the Jamaat is already over, then there is of course no point in going to the Masjid.

Translation: Hadhrat Qubaas bin Ashyam Allaysi رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Two people performing Salaah together with one as the Imaam, are liked by Allah Ta’ala more than four people performing Salaah on their own. Similarly four people performing Salaah with Jamaat are liked by Allah Ta’ala more than eight people performing it alone. Similarly, eight people performing Salaah with Jamaat are liked by Allah more than 100 people performing it alone.”

In another Hadith it is said, “A big Jamaat is liked more by Allah Ta’ala than a small Jamaat.”

Note: People think that there is no harm in having a small Jamaat of their own at their houses or at their shops. This is not correct. Firstly, they lose the reward of performing Salaah in the Masjid and secondly, they lose the reward of Salaah with a big Jamaat. The bigger the Jamaat, the more pleasing it is to Allah Ta’ala. When our only aim is to please Allah Ta’ala, why should we not do that which is more pleasing to Him. Allah Ta’ala is pleased to see three things; a row of Musallis offering Salaah with Jamaat, a person busy in Salaah at the time of Tahajjud in the darkness of night and a person fighting in the path of Allah Ta’ala.

Translation: Hadhrat Sahl bin Sa’d رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Give good news to those who go to the Masjid during the hours of darkness. They will have perfect light on the Day of Qiyaamah.”

Note: The importance of going to the Masjid in the darkness of the night will be realised on the dreadful Day of Qiyaamah. A person going to the Masjid in the hours of darkness in this world will be rewarded greatly in the Aakhirah. He will carry with him a light more brilliant than that of the sun. In a Hadith it is reported that such people shall sit on thrones of noor, with no worry at all while others will be in total confusion. In another Hadith it is said, on the Day of Qiyaamah Allah Ta’ala will ask, “Where are My neighbours?” The Malaaikah will ask, “Who are Your neighbours, O Allah?” Allah Ta’ala will reply, “Those who would frequent the Masjid.” In a Hadith it is said, “Of all the places on this earth, the Masaajid (plural of Masjid) are the dearest to Allah Ta’ala, and the shopping centres are the most hated by Him.” In another Hadith, the Masaajid are called, “The gardens of Jannah.” Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates in a Saheeh Hadith that, Rasulullah ﷺ once said, “Bear testimony to the Imaan of the person frequenting the masjid and then he recited the following aayah of the Qur-aan;

Translation: “Only those should attend (and care for) Allah Ta’ala's Masaajid (places for Allah Ta’ala’s worship) who believes in Allah Ta’ala and the Last Day.” (Surah Taubah – Aayah 18)

The following are few more Ahaadith regarding the rewards of Salaah with Jamaat:-1. “Making wudhu when it is difficult, walking towards the Masjid and waiting for Salaah, wipes out one’s sins.”

2. “The further a person lives from the Masjid, the greater the sawaab (reward) he receives.” This is so because a person coming from far will have to walk more. Every step will earn him a reward. Therefore, some Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ would take small steps in going to the Masjid to earn more sawaab.

3. “There are three things in this world for which people would fight with one another if only they knew their rewards. These are: To call out the Azaan, to go to the Masjid for Zuhr in the scorching heat of the sun, and to be in the first row in Salaah with Jamaat.”

4. “Seven people will be given place under the shade of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala on the Day of Qiyaamah, when everybody will be suffering under the scorching heat of the sun. One of them will be the person whose heart remains attached to the Masjid. He is anxious to return to the Masjid if per chance he had to leave for some reason.” Another Hadith says that, “Allah Ta’ala loves those who love the Masjid.” Every command of the pure Shariah is a source of innumerable blessings and rewards from Allah Ta’ala and carries many benefits which are showered on those who follow it. Besides, no commandment of Allah Ta’ala is void of goodness, blessings and reward. It is often difficult to understand the full benefits of the commandments of Allah Ta’ala, as no one can understand His Knowledge and Wisdom. Some of the Ulama have tried to explain the importance of Salaah with Jamaat, but their explanations differ according to their ability to understand the commands of Allah Ta’ala. Our respected Shaikh, Shah Waliullah Dehlawi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , writes in his famous Book ‘Hujjatullahil Balighah’: “To save the people, whether they are learned or illiterate, from the evil effects of their own customs and rituals, we have to make one of the Deeni practices so common that it may be practiced openly by everybody. The people of the city and the villages will both desire to practice it. It should become a “Further, in every community there are a few who have the ability to lead, while the rest of the people just follow. There are some people who can be corrected with a little advice or criticism. Then there is a third group of people with very weak Imaan. If they are not encouraged to make ibaadah in public, they are likely to leave it out altogether. It is therefore in the best interest of the Muslim community that all its members perform Salaah collectively in Jamaat, so that those who neglect their ibaadah may be identified from those that observe their ibaadah. This will also cause the people with less knowledge to follow the Ulama and make the ignorant to learn from the learned the specific requirements of ibaadah. Those who are making ibaadah will differentiate right from wrong and genuine from fake, so that the right and the genuine may prevail and the wrong and the fake may be stopped.” “That group of people who love Allah Ta’ala, who seek His Mercy, always fear Him and have their hearts and souls turned to Him alone, are a cause of His blessings and Mercy to come down from the skies.” “The Muslim community has been given the responsibility of establishing the word of Allah Ta’ala which must be held in high regard and our Deen to be dominant over all others. This object cannot be achieved unless all the Muslims, big and small, the rich and the poor, the people of the cities and the villages, all perform the highest service and the most sacred commandment of Islam (i.e., Salaah) by gathering together in one place. It is for this reason that the Shariat (Islamic Law) lays special stress on Jumuah and Salaah with jamaat, by explaining the rewards that one gets for observing it and the punishments for neglecting it. For fulfilling this important duty, two types of Jamaat Salaah are required; one for people at their local Masjid and the other for the people of the whole town. Since gathering at your local Masjid is convenient and that of gathering the entire town is a little difficult, therefore, the five times daily Salaah (with Jamaat) will be performed at their local Masjid, and the weekly Jumuah Salaah will be performed at the common town Masjid (Jaami Masjid).”

CHAPTER TWO WARNINGS FOR NOT PERFORMING SALAAH WITH JAMAAT

Just as Allah Ta’ala has promised rewards and blessings for fulfilling His commandments, He has also warned us of the dreadful punishments for neglecting it. We are the slaves of Allah Ta’ala and, therefore, it is obligatory for us to obey Him. No payment or reward is due to us for our obedience to Him. If He gives us a reward, it is surely His extreme favour on us. Similarly, no punishments can be too much for us if we disobey Allah Ta’ala, because there can be no greater crime for a slave than disobedience to his Master. Thus, no warning was required to be given by Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ , yet they have so kindly warned us in different ways of the punishments and explained to us again and again just to save us from disaster. If even then we don’t take a lesson, who could there be to save us from the unavoidable consequences?

Translation: Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “If a person, in spite of hearing the Azaan, does not go to the Masjid (and he prefers to read his Salaah at home) without a strong excuse, then his Salaah is not accepted.” When the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ inquired as to what could be a strong excuse, he replied, “Illness or fear.”

Note: It may perhaps appear from this Hadith that Salaah performed at home (after hearing the Azaan) is no Salaah at all. The Hanafis do not hold this view. According to them, though the reward and blessings promised for Fardh Salaah will not be awarded, but the person performing Salaah at home frees himself of this obligation. But in the opinion of some of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ and their successors, Salaah with jamaat (after hearing the Azaan) is fardh, and not to join the jamaat is haraam. According to many other Ulama, such a person has not even fulfilled the obligation of that particular Salaah. However, he is surely committing the sin of leaving out jamaat. In another Hadith narrated by Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا , it is stated that such a person is guilty of disobedience to Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ . Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا also says, “The person who does not join the jamaat after hearing the Azaan, did not intend to do good nor was any good intended for him.” Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “It is better to pour hot lead into the ears of a person who does not join the Jamaat.”

Translation: Hadhrat Mu’aaz bin Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Nabi ﷺ saying, “A person who does not go for Salaah after hearing the Azaan is doing a great wrong. He is doing an act of kufr and nifaaq.”

Note: According to this Hadith, not to join the Jamaat after hearing the Azaan is improper for a Muslim. It is the practice of a kaafir or a munaafiq. What a strong warning! In another Hadith, it is said, “Not to join Jamaat after hearing the Azaan causes a person to be the most unfortunate and the most worthless.” Hadhrat Sulaymaan bin Abi Hasamah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ is one of the famous people of the early days of Islam. He was born during the lifetime of Nabi ﷺ , but was too young at that time to have had the honour of listening to any Hadith directly from him. During the khilaafat of Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ he was made in charge of the market. One day, Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ found him missing in Fajr Salaah. Hadhrat Umar رضِمالله عَنا went to his house and asked his mother why Sulaymaan was not present for Fajr Salaah. She replied, “He kept on reading Nafl Salaah throughout the night, and sleep overpowered him at the time of Fajr Salaah.” At this, Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said, “I would prefer reading Fajr Salaah with Jamaat than reading Nafl Salaah all night long.”

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Hurairah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “I desire to ask the boys to collect a huge amount of firewood. I would then go around and set fire to the houses of those who perform their Salaah at their homes without any excuse.”

Note: Rasulullah ﷺ , who was most kind and merciful towards his followers and who would be greatly pained to see them even in a little difficulty, becomes so angry that he is ready to set fire to the homes of those who read their Salaah at home.

Translation: Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “If there are (even) three people in a village or in a desert and they do not read their Salaah with Jamaat, shaytaan gets hold of them. Remember that Salaah with Jamaat is very necessary for you. Surely a wolf eats up a lonely sheep, and shaytaan is the wolf for the people.”

Note: People busy in farming etc. should make arrangements to read their Salaah with Jamaat when they are three or more in number. Even if they are two, it is better to read with Jamaat. The farmers in our country are generally negligent of Salaah and consider their farming a sufficient excuse for their neglect and even those who are considered pious prefer to perform their Salaah individually. If the farmers working in the fields get together and perform Salaah with Jamaat, they will receive the blessings of Allah Ta’ala. Despite the sun, rain, heat and cold, they remain busy for the sake of small worldly gains, but lose a huge amount of reward given by Allah Ta’ala by neglecting their Salaah. They could earn a reward fifty times more by reading their Salaah with Jamaat in the fields. It is stated in a Hadith, “When a shepherd calls out the Azaan at the foot of a hill (or in the fields) and begins his Salaah, Allah Ta’ala is greatly pleased with him. He says proudly to the Malaaikah, Look at My slave! He has called out the Azaan and is performing his Salaah. He does all this out of fear for Me. I therefore grant him forgiveness and announce his entrance into Jannah.”

Translation: Somebody asked Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا , “What about a person who keeps fast all day and performs Nafl Salaah all night, but does not go to the Masjid for Jamaat and Jumu’ah?” “He is doomed to Jahannam,” replied Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا .

Note: Such a person, being a Muslim, may finally be freed from Jahannam, but who knows after how long? The ignorant Sufis and Shaikhs are very particular about Zikr and Nafl Salaah and consider this important in attaining piety, while they are not particular about Salaah with jamaat. It must be clearly borne in mind at all times that no person can achieve piety without holding on to the Sunnah of our beloved Nabi ﷺ .

It is stated in a Hadith that Allah Ta’ala curses three people:

1. An Imaam who insists on leading the people in Salaah, although they are unhappy with him for a valid reason;

2. A woman whose husband is angry with her; and 3. A person who hears the Azaan but does not go to the Masjid for Salaah with Jamaat.

Translation: Ka’b Ahbaar (rahimahullah) says, “By Him who revealed the Taurah to Moosa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ , the Injeel to Isa عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ , the Zaboor to Dawood عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ , and the Qur-aan to Muhammad ﷺ , the following aayaat were revealed in respect of saying the Fardh Salaah in those places (masjids) where the Azaan is called out:

Translation: “On the day when the glory of Saaq is revealed (this is a special kind of tajalli) and people are ordered to make sajdah, but they will be unable to do so, their gazes will be lowered with shame and they will be covered in disgrace. This will be because they had been commanded to make sajdah when they were quite well and healthy.” (Surah Qalam -Aayaat 42-43).

Note: The ‘glory of Saaq’ refers to a particular type of glory to be displayed on the Day of Qiyaamah. All the Muslims will fall into sajdah on seeing this glory, but there will be some whose backs will turn stiff and they will not be able to fall into sajdah. Different interpretations have been given by different commentators as to who these unlucky people will be. According to this Hadith, which is also supported by another which is narrated by Hadhrat Ibn Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا , those shall be the people who were called for Salaah with jamaat, but did not go for it. A few other interpretations of the same are given below:

1. Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates on the authority of Rasulullah ﷺ that these shall be the people who used to perform Salaah so that they could be seen by other men.

2. These shall be the disbelievers who did not perform their Salaah at all.

3. These shall be the munaafiqeen. (Allah Ta’ala knows best and His knowledge is most perfect).

What a terrible thing to be so humiliated and disgraced on the Day of Qiyaamah that, while all the Muslims will fall into sajdah on seeing the shall be of any help.

PART 3 KHUSHOO AND KHUDOO IMPORTANCE OF SINCERITY, CONCENTRATION AND DEVOTION IN SALAAH

There are many people who read their five daily Salaah. Many are particular about Jamaat as well, but they read it so incorrectly, that instead of them getting sawaab (reward), Allah Ta’ala rejects their Salaah. This is not as bad as neglecting Salaah altogether, which as we have already learnt, is very serious. Although we are deprived of the rewards by performing our Salaah incorrectly, which is not accepted, yet we are saved from the sin of neglecting and disobeying the commandments of Allah Ta’ala altogether. However, when we spend our time, leave our work and undergo inconvenience, then why should we not see that we get the best return for our time and effort by performing our Salaah as best as we can? This third part is divided into three chapters. In the first chapter, a few Aayaat are given from the Qur-aan Shareef about the people who were reprimanded for not performing their Salaah correctly and those who were praised for performing their Salaah correctly. In the second Chapter, stories are given about the Salaah of those few people who had extreme love for Allah Ta’ala. The third chapter consists of the sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ on this subject.

CHAPTER 1 AAYAAT FROM THE QUR-AAN SHAREEF AAYAH 1 - IT IS YOUR TAQWA THAT REACHES ALLAH TA’ALA

Translation: “Their flesh and their blood will never reach Allah Ta’ala, but it is your Taqwa that will reach Him.” (Surah Hajj - Aayah 37)

Although this particular aayah refers to the sacrificing of an animal, it also applies to all other ibaadah. It is the sincerity and devotion in our ibaadah by which it is accepted and would be judged by Allah Ta’ala. Hadhrat Mu’aaz رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “When Rasulullah ﷺ sent me to Yemen, I requested him to give me some parting advice. He replied, “Be sincere in all your duties, as sincerity will increase the value of an action, however small it may be.” Hadhrat Saubaan رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ narrates that he heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying, “Blessed are the sincere ones, for they are the lamps of guidance. They cause the worst evils to be driven off through their sincerity.” It is said in another Hadith, “It is through the presence of the weak and due to their Salaah and their sincerity that the help of Allah Ta’ala comes to all the people.”

Translation: “Destruction be for those performers of salaah who are heedless of their Salaah, those who show off (when performing salaah).” (Surah Maa’oon – Aayaat 4-6)

“To be heedless,” has been given the following different interpretations:

1. To be so careless that you miss the correct time of Salaah.

2. To be inattentive, (i.e. your mind wandering everywhere) in Salaah.

3. To forget the number of rakaats.

Translation: “And when they (the hypocrites) stand up for Salaah, they stand up lazily (reluctantly) and want to be seen by people and they remember Allah Ta’ala only a little.” (Surah Nisaa’ – Aayah 142)

Translation: “They (these Ambiyaa ر عَلَيْهِم السَّلَامُ ) were followed by such evil successors who destroyed salaah and pursued (followed) their passions (did as they pleased). Soon they shall meet devastation (in the Aakhirah).” (Surah Maryam – Aayah 59)

In the dictionary, ‘Ghayy’ is explained as dishonesty, which points towards the dreadful punishment and destruction in the Aakhirah.

According to many commentators, ‘Ghayy’ is a pit in Jahannam full of blood and pus. The people who had destroyed their Salaah shall be thrown into this pit.

Translation: “The only thing that prevents their spending (acts of charity) from being accepted is that they disbelieve in Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul ﷺ and they perform their salaah lazily and only spend reluctantly in charity” (Surah Taubah – Aayah 54)

The Aayaat one to five above relate to those who destroy their Salaah. On the other hand, the following Aayaat speak of those whom Allah Ta’ala praises for performing a good Salaah.

Translation: “Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their Salaah, who turn away from futility (talk and actions that have no benefit), who fulfil the act of paying Zakaat and those who safeguard their private organs, except when it comes to their spouses and the slave women whom they own, then they will surely not be blamed (about cohabiting with them). Whoever seeks more than this (by fulfilling their desires in a manner the shari’ah forbids), then such persons are indeed transgressors (sinners). (The successful believers are also) Those who give due regard to (fulfil) their trust and their pledges, and are particular about their Salaah. These are the heirs who will inherit Firdaus (the highest level of Jannah) where they will live forever.”

Translation: (Surah Mu’minoon – Aayaat 1-11)

Rasulullah ﷺ says, “Firdaus is the highest and the best portion of Jannah, from where all its rivers originate. The Arsh of Allah Ta’ala will be placed there. When you make dua for Jannah, always ask for Jannatul Firdaus.”

Translation: “And truly it (Salaah) is difficult except for the humble ones; who are convinced (of the fact) that they will meet their Rabb, and that to Him they will return.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayaat 45-46)

Translation: “In the houses (Masaajid) which Allah Ta’ala has commanded that they be exalted (honoured and respected), and His name be taken in them, they (men whom Allah Ta’ala guided) glorify Him morning and evening. (These rightly guided men are) Men whom neither their trade nor commerce distracts them from the zikr (remembrance) of Allah Ta’ala, establishment of Salaah and paying of Zakaat. They fear that Day when their hearts and eyes will be overturned. So that Allah Ta’ala may reward them with the best of rewards for their (good) actions and grant them an increase from His bounty. Allah provides for whoever He wills without any measure.” (Surah Noor – Aayaat 36-38)

Poetic Translation: You are that Master, Who always keeps His doors of mercy open for our sake.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “Establishment of Salaah means performance of Ruku and Sajdah properly and continuous concentration in Salaah with complete humility and submission.” Hadhrat Qataadah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “Wherever the words ‘Establishment of Salaah’ occurs in Qur-aan Shareef, it means to guard its correct time, to perform wudhu correctly and to make Ruku and Sajdah properly.”

Translation: “The (faithful) slaves of Ar-Rahmaan (the Beneficent) are those who walk upon the earth with humility and when the ignorant talk to them, they (excuse themselves) saying “salaam” (leave us in peace) and spend the night in prostrating and standing before their Rabb.” (Surah Furqaan – Aayaat 63-64)

After describing a few more qualities of His faithful slaves, Allah Ta’ala says in the same context:

Translation: “These people, because of their steadfastness (Imaan and Islam), shall be rewarded with balconies (in Jannah) where they will be met (by the Malaaikah) with greetings (of welcome) and salaam. They will live there (in Jannah) forever. It is surely a beautiful residence and abode.” (Surah Furqaan – Aayaat 75-76)

Translation: “And the Malaaikah shall come to them from every door (proclaiming) ‘Salaam (peace) be on you for the sabr that you exercised. How blissful is the outcome of the Aakhirah.” (Surah Ra’d – Aayaat 23-24)

Translation: “(The ones who believe in our revelations are) Those who forsake their beds / their sides (bodies) part from their beds, making dua to their Rabb in fear (for His punishment) and hope (in His mercy) and they spend (in charity) from what We provided for them. No soul knows what pleasures are hidden for him (in Jannah) as a reward for the deed they used to carry out.” (Surah Sajdah – Aayaat 16-17)

Translation: “Verily those with Taqwa shall be (enjoying themselves) in Jannah with springs, receiving whatever their Rabb gives them, for indeed these people use to carry out good deeds before (in this world). They used to sleep but little at night. During the closing portions of the night they would be seeking forgiveness.” (Surah Zaariyaat - Aayaat 15-18)

Translation: “(is this kaafir better) or the person who is engrossed (engaged) in ibaadah (of Allah Ta’ala) throughout the hours of the night, prostrating and standing, fearing the Aakhirah and hoping for the mercy of his Rabb? (to be counted equal with a disbeliever)? Say (to them, O Muhammad ﷺ ): ‘Can those who have knowledge be equal with those who do not have knowledge? But only men of understanding will pay heed. Only those with (spiritual) intelligence (wisdom) will take heed.’” (Surah Zumar – Aayah 9)

Translation: “Verily man was created very impatient. When difficulty afflicts him, he panics. And when he experiences any good, he becomes miserly. (this is the condition of all people) Except those (believers) who perform salaah, those who are constant (regular) in their Salaah.” (Surah Ma’aarij – Aayaat 19-23)

After giving some more qualities of these blessed people, Allah Ta’ala says in the same context;

Translation: “And those who guard their Salaah (the time, condition and method of performing it). These people shall be honoured in the gardens of Jannah.” (Surah Ma’aarij – Aayaat 34-35)

Besides the quotations given above, there are many Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef commanding Salaah and praising those who perform their Salaah properly. Salaah is indeed a great favour. That is why Rasulullah ﷺ has called it, ‘the comfort of my eyes’, and Ibraaheem عَلَيْهِ السَّلَامُ made dua to Allah Ta’ala,

Translation: “O my Rabb! Make me one who establishes Salaah and my progeny as well. O our Rabb! Accept my dua.” (Surah Ibraaheem - Aayah 40)

Here, the famous Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, whom Allah Ta’ala has called ‘Khaleel’, is asking Allah Ta’ala to allow him to perform his Salaah properly and regularly. Allah Ta’ala Himself is ordering His beloved Nabi ﷺ thus:

Translation: “And instruct (encourage) your family to perform Salaah and you yourself remain steadfast on it. We do not ask provision (sustenance) from you but We provide for you. And the best result is for (adopting) taqwa.” (Surah Taaha – Aayah 132)

It is said in a Hadith that whenever the people of the house of Rasulullah ﷺ experienced any difficulty, he instructed them to perform Salaah and used to recite this Aayah. All the Ambiyaa عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلَامُ of Allah Ta’ala are reported to have turned to Salaah whenever they faced any difficulty. Unfortunately, we are so unmindful and indifferent about Salaah that in spite of all that we speak about Islam and Islamic practices, we pay no attention to it. But on the other hand, if anybody stands up to invite us and to draw our attention towards Salaah, we make jokes and mock him and oppose him, thereby harming no one but ourselves. Even those who perform their Salaah, often perform it in such a way that it will not be wrong to call it a mockery of Salaah, because all its requirements are not observed and it also lacks concentration and devotion. The practical example of Rasullulah ﷺ and his Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ should be the guiding factor in our lives. I have collected the stories about the Salaah of the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ in a separate book, named “Stories of Sahaabah,” and I need not repeat them here. However, I am giving a few stories from the lives of some pious people in the following pages. The practices and sayings of Rasullulah ﷺ about this subject would appear in Chapter three.

CHAPTER TWO A FEW STORIES FROM THE LIVES OF THE PIOUS

STORY 1 – A SAINT PERFORMS ESHA AND FAJR SALAAH FOR FORTY YEARS WITH THE SAME WUDHU

Shaikh Abdul Waahid رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says, “One day I was so much overpowered by sleep that I went to bed before finishing my zikr for the night. I saw in my dream a most beautiful girl dressed in green silk. All parts of her body and even her shoes were engaged in zikr. She said to me, ‘Desire to possess me as I desire to possess you.’ She then recited a few couplets showing the eagerness of a lover. When I woke up from the dream, I vowed not to sleep any more during the night.” It is reported that for full forty years he never slept at night, and performed both Esha and Fajr Salaah with the same wudhu.

STORY 2 – A SAINT SEES WOMEN IN A DREAM MAKING THE ZIKR OF ALLAH TA’ALA

Shaikh Mazhar Sa’di رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , the famous saint, kept weeping for sixty years in love and eagerness for Allah Ta’ala. One night he saw in a dream a few women by the side of pearl trees with gold branches, on the bank of a river full with fluid musk, pure and fragrant. The women were making the zikr of Allah Ta’ala. He asked them who they were. They replied by reciting two couplets, which meant, “We have been created by the Sustainer of mankind and the Rabb of Nabi Muhammad ﷺ for those people who keep standing before Allah Ta’ala all night long, remembering Him and asking from Him.”

STORY 3 – A SAINT GOES TO SLEEP AT NIGHT WITHOUT STANDING UP FOR IBAADAH

Abu Bakr Dhareer رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says, “There lived a young slave with me. He fasted the entire day and stood in Tahajjud Salaah the entire night. One day he came to me and related: ‘Last night, against my usual practice, I went to sleep. I saw in my dream that the wall of the Mihraab was cracked and from the crack appeared a few damsels. One of them was very ugly. I asked one of the pretty damsels who they were. She replied that they were my previous nights and that the ugly one was this night.’”

STORY 4 – A SAINT IS REMINDED TO GET UP AND RECITE THE QUR-AAN IN TAHAJJUD

A famous Shaikh says: “One night I was in a deep sleep and could not get up for Tahajjud Salaah. I saw in my dream a girl of such beauty which I had never seen in my life. A fragrance came out from her which I had never smelt before. She handed over to me a piece of paper on which were written three couplets, which meant, “You are enjoying such a deep sleep that you have become forgetful of the high balconies of Jannah, where you have to stay forever with no fear of death. Wake up! It is better to recite the Qur-aan Shareef in Tahajjud than to sleep.” Since then, whenever I feel sleepy, these couplets come to my mind and the sleep goes away.

STORY 5 – SALAAH OF A SLAVE GIRL

Hadhrat Ataa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes, “I once went to the market. A person was selling a slave girl who was known to be mad. I bought her for seven Dinaar (gold coins) and brought her home. After some part of the night had passed, I noticed that she got up, performed wudhu and began her Salaah. She cried so much that I thought she would die. On finishing her Salaah, she made dua to Allah Ta’ala thus, ‘O my Allah!

Because of the love You have for me, show mercy on me.’ I corrected her by telling her that she should rather say; ‘Because of the love I have for You...’ She got annoyed and said, ‘By Allah Himself! Had He not loved me, I would not be standing here before Him while you are in your bed.’ She then fell into sajdah and recited a few poems saying, ‘I am growing more and more restless. How can one rest whose peace of mind is taken away by love (of Allah Ta’ala)? O Allah! Show mercy and give me some good news.’ She then made dua. ‘O Allah! The matter between me and You had been a secret. Now, people have come to know of it. O, Allah!

Call me back.’ After saying this, she cried aloud and passed away on the spot.”

STORY 6 – ANOTHER INCIDENT OF A SLAVE GIRL

Hadhrat Sirri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes: “I once bought a slave woman to work for me. She served me for some time. I didn’t realise her secret. She had a corner in the house for her Salaah. After finishing her work, she would go there and offer Salaah. One night, I noticed her performing Salaah and then making dua to Allah Ta’ala. While making her dua, she said, ‘Because of the love You have for me, do such and such a thing for me.’ I said to her, ‘O woman, say, by the love that I have for You.’ She answered, ‘My Master, if He had not loved me, He would not have allowed me to stand in Salaah and deprive you of it.’ Next morning, I said to her, ‘You are wasting your time in your present job. You are meant for the service of Allah.’ I then gave her some gifts and set her free.”

STORY 7 – CRYING OF A SLAVE GIRL IN TAHAJJUD SALAAH

Hadhrat Sirri Saqati رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ writes about a woman: “Upon getting up for Tahajjud she would say, ‘O Allah! Shaytaan is Your creation. You have full power over him. He sees me and I cannot see him. You see him and have control over all his actions, while he has no control over You. O, Allah! Stop the evil that he wishes to do to me. Forgive the wrong he may do to trick me. I seek your help from his evil plans and with Your help I chase him away.’ She would cry bitterly until she became blind in one eye. People begged her to stop crying so much in STORY 8 – A PORTER STOPS WORK AT THE TIME OF SALAAH

Shaikh Abu Abdullah Jilaa رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “My mother asked my father to buy some fish from the market. My father left for the market and I went with him. After buying the fish, we required someone to carry it. We paid a boy who was prepared to do the job. He put the load on his head and followed us. On the way, we heard the Azaan. The boy exclaimed, ‘The caller of Allah Ta’ala has called me. I need to make wudhu. I shall now carry the fish after Salaah. If you like, you may wait, otherwise, here it is.’ Saying this, he put the load down and left for the Masjid. My father thought that if the poor boy could trust Allah Ta’ala so much, we must do so as well. He, therefore, left the fish there and took me to the Masjid. Having performed Salaah, we found the fish lying in the same place as we had left it. The boy carried it to our house. My father mentioned this strange story to my mother who insisted that the boy should be invited to eat with us. On inviting him, he said, ‘Excuse me, I am fasting.’ My father then asked him to have iftaar at our house. To this he said, ‘It is not possible for me to return once I am gone. Maybe I will stay in a Masjid close to your house. I shall then join you for meals.’ Saying this he went to the Masjid and returned after Maghrib. When supper was over, I showed him the room where he could rest without being disturbed. There lived a crippled woman in our neighbourhood. We were surprised to see her walking normally. Upon asking her how she got cured, she said, ‘I made dua to Allah Ta’ala to cure me through the blessings of your guest. As soon as I made this dua I was cured.’ When we went to look for the boy in the room where we had left him in, we found that the door was closed and he was nowhere to be seen.”

STORY 9 – THE LEG OF A PIOUS PERSON IS AMPUTATED WHILST PERFORMING SALAAH

A pious man had a severe sore on his foot. According to the doctors, if his foot was not amputated, the sore might cause him to die. His mother suggested the operation be done while he was reading Salaah. The operation was done whilst he was in Salaah and he felt no pain at all.

STORY 10 – A SLAVE GIRL DIES WHILST RECITING QUR’AAN IN SALAAH

Abu ‘Aamir رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says, “I saw a slave woman for sale at a very cheap price. She was very thin and her hair was dirty. I took pity on her and bought her. I said to her, ‘Come woman, let us go and buy some things for Ramadhaan.’ She said, ‘Alhamdulillah, all the months are same for me.’ She fasted daily and stood in Salaah every night. When Eid approached, I said to her, ‘O Woman! You will accompany me tomorrow to buy some things for Eid.’ She replied, ‘My master! You love this world too much.’ She then went into her room and commenced her Salaah. She was reciting Surah Ibraheem. When she reached the 16th aayah of the Surah;

Translation: “Before him is Jahannam where he will be given boiling, stinking water to drink.” (Surah Ibraaheem – Aayah 16)

which describes the punishment of a disbeliever. She continued reciting this aayat when she suddenly gave out a cry and fell down dead.”

STORY 11 – THE SACRIFICES OF A SAYYED

A story is mentioned about a Sayyed (A person from the family of Nabi لى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمَ ), who read Salaah for twelve days with the same wudhu and did not get the opportunity to lie down for fifteen years. There were many days wherein he did not get anything to eat. Many similar incidents are mentioned about those people who had sacrificed for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. To emulate such people is very difficult as Allah Ta’ala had created them only for this reason (i.e. Allah Ta’ala had bestowed them with the strength to endure such sacrifice). For the common people like us, leave alone following these people, even following those pious people who were serving Deen and also busy in their worldly responsibilities is difficult.

STORY 12 – SALAAH OF UMAR-BIN-ABDUL AZIZ رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ

Everybody knows Umar bin Abdul Aziz رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . He is the most famous Khalifah after the four Khulafaa-e-Raashideen. His wife says, “There may be other people more particular about wudhu and Salaah, but I have never seen anybody fearing Allah Ta’ala more than my husband. After Esha, he would sit on his musalla and raise his hands in dua. He would continue crying before Allah Ta’ala till sleep overpowered him. When he awoke during the night, he would again make dua and cry before Allah Ta’ala.” It is said that since his becoming Khalifah, he never shared the bed with his wife. His wife was the daughter of the great King, Abdul Malik. Her father had given her a lot of jewellery in dowry, which included a beautiful diamond. He said to his wife, “Either part with all your jewellery for the sake of Allah Ta’ala, so that I may deposit it in the Baitul Maal or be separated from me. I would not like to live in a house where there is so much wealth.” His wife replied, “I can part with a thousand times more wealth, but I cannot leave you.” She then deposited everything she had in the Baitul Maal. After the death of Umar bin Abdul Aziz, when Yazeed, the son of Abdul Malik, succeeded him as Khalifah, he said to his sister, “If you like, you may have your jewellery back from the Baitul Maal. She replied, “How can the wealth I discarded during the lifetime of my husband satisfy me after his death.” Umar bin Abdul Aziz رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was on his deathbed when he asked the people around him about the cause of his disease. Someone said, “People think it is the effect of black magic.” He said, “No, it is not magic.” He then sent for a particular slave and asked him, “What made you poison me?” He replied, “One hundred Dinaar and a promise of freedom.” Umar bin Abdul Aziz رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ took away those Dinaars from the slave and put them in the Baitul Maal. He then advised the slave to run away where he could not be arrested.

Just before his death, Maslamah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ came to him and said, “Nobody has ever treated his children as you are doing. None of your thirteen sons have anything to live on.” He sat up in his bed and said, “I have not held back from my sons what was due to them. I have refused them what was actually due to others. If my sons are pious, then Allah Ta’ala will surely look after them as He has said in His Book:

Translation: “And He is the guardian of the righteous.”

If they are wrong-doers, why should I care for them?”

STORY 13 – IMAAM AHMAD BIN HAMBAL رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ

Hadhrat Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is a famous Imaam in Fiqh. Despite him being so busy the entire day in Masaail, he would perform 300 rakaats of Nafal Salaah at night. Hadhrat Sa’eed bin Jubair رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ used to read the entire Qur-aan in one rakaat of Salaah.

STORY 14 – THE CRYING OF MUHAMMAD-BIN-MUNKADIR رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ IN TAHAJJUD SALAAH

Muhammad bin Munkadir رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was a Haafiz of Hadith (a person who has memorised at least 100 000 Ahaadith). One night, he cried bitterly in Tahajjud. When someone enquired, he said, “While reading, I came across the following words of the Qur-aan:

Translation: “Such things will then become apparent to them from Allah Ta’ala, which they had never imagined.” (Surah Zumar – Aayah 47)

In the beginning of this aayat it is mentioned that if the wrong doers possessed everything of this world and double that amount, then on the Day of Qiyaamah, in order to save themselves from the punishment, they will be prepared to give over everything they possess to save themselves.

Thereafter this aayat (above) is mentioned. At this point, all his eveil deeds will be made apparent to him. Hadhrat Muhammad bin Munkadir رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was very worried at the time of his death saying that he feared these Aayaat of the Qur-aan.

STORY 15 – SAABIT BUNAANI رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ PERFORMS SALAAH IN THE GRAVE

Saabit Bunaani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is a Hafiz of Hadith. He would cry a lot while making dua to Allah Ta’ala. Someone warned him that he would lose his eyesight. He replied, “Of what use are these eyes if they do not weep before Allah Ta’ala.” He used to ask in his dua, “O, Allah! Allow me to read Salaah in the grave.” Abu Sanaan رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says, “By Allah! I was among those present at the burial of Saabit Bunaani رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ . Just after he was placed in his grave, one of the bricks from the side fell off. I peeped into the grave, and to my amazement, Saabit رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was performing Salaah. I said to a person standing by my side, ‘Look at that.’ He advised me to keep quiet. After the burial, we went to his daughter and enquired, ‘What was the special practice of your father?’ She wanted to know what made us ask her that question. We told her the story of the grave. She said, ‘He has been punctual in Tahajjud Salaah for fifty years and made dua to Allah Ta’ala to allow him to perform Salaah in the grave if that privilege could be granted to anybody.’” Before finishing this chapter, I will write a few more stories about the Salaah of some pious people.

1. Hadhrat Imaam Abu Yusuf رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ was the Qaadhiul Qudhaat (supreme judge). Everyone knows very well about his ilmi pursuits. The work of qadhaa (being a judge) was a separate work. Despite all of this, he would perform 200 Rakaats of Nafl Salaah daily.

2. Muhammad bin Nasr رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is a famous Muhaddith.

His devotion to Salaah cannot be compared. Once, while in Salaah, he was stung on the forehead by a wasp. Although blood oozed out, he neither moved nor did he allow it to disturb his concentration in Salaah. It is said that in Salaah, he stood still like a stick planted in the ground.

3. It is said about Baqi bin Makhlad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ that he would recite the complete Qur-aan every night in thirteen rakaats of Tahajjud and Witr.

4. Hannaad رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is a great Muhaddith. One of his pupils says, “Hannaad used to weep a lot. After finishing the lesson in the morning, he would perform Nafl Salaah till midday. He would go home for a short break, returning for Zuhr. He would then perform Nafl Salaah till Asr. Between Asr and Maghrib, he recited the Qur-SALAAH aan Shareef. I left him after Maghrib. I said to one of his neighbours, ‘Our Shaikh performs so much of Salaah. It is really wonderful.’ He said, ‘He has been doing this for the last seventy years. You will be even more surprised if you saw his Salaah during the night.’”

5. Masrooq رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is another great Muhaddith. His wife says, “He used to read such long rakaats that his legs would get swollen. I would sit behind him, weeping out of pity for him.”

6. It is said about Sa’eed bin Musayyab رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ that for fifty years he read his Fajr Salaah with the wudhu made at Esha. It is also mentioned about Abul Mu’tamir that he had done the same for 40 years. Imaam Ghazaali رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , on the authority of Abu Taalib Makki, reported the same practice by no less than forty Taabi’een, some of whom had been doing it for forty years continuously.

7. Imaam Abu Haneefah رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is famous for his ibaadah.

It is said that for thirty, forty or fifty years (according to the information of different people) he read his Fajr Salaah with the wudhu for Esha (meaning that he did not sleep the entire night). This difference in numbers is because of the different narrators. The person who knew him for so many years narrated the number of years that he knew Imaam Saahib. He would go to sleep only for a few minutes in the afternoon saying, “It is Sunnah to sleep in the afternoon.”

8. Imaam Shaafi’ee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ , another famous Imaam of Fiqh, would complete reciting the Qur-aan Shareef sixty times in his Salaah during Ramadhaan. A person says, “I remained with Imaam Shaafi’ee رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ for several days and found him sleeping only for a little while at night.”

9. Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is one of the famous four Imaams of Fiqh. Besides being busy with his usual work, he used to read 300 rakaats of Nafl Salaah daily. After being lashed by the king, he became very weak and reduced his Nafl Salaah to 150 rakaats. We should not forget that he was eighty years old at that time.

10. Abu Itaab Sulami رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ is said to have been fasting during the day and weeping during the night for forty years.

Besides the above stories, there are many other stories of the pious people in our Islamic History. It is difficult to cover all of them in this book. All that has been said here is sufficient to serve as an example. May Allah Ta’ala, through His Grace, grant me and the readers of this book the strength to follow in the footsteps of these blessed people. Aameen.