By Sumaya Hussein | Smart Muslim
Few days to his death, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) repeatedly spoke to the companions about the importance of praying on time. We learn from the seerah of our beloved prophet that the best deed is prayer on time.
Knowing that Salah, the second pillar of Islam after the declaration of the oneness of Allah, is a fundamental act of worship prescribed in the magnificent Quran, believers are required to put their best foot forward in observing the correct time for each of the five obligatory prayers. “Surely the Salah at fixed hours (of the day and night) has been enjoined upon the believers.” (Quran 4:103).
When the time for prayer arrives, the adhan, or call to prayer, is announced to inform Muslims. Upon hearing the adhan, Muslims are encouraged to head to the mosque for men, or prepare for prayer at home for women.
Praying on time is one of the most beloved deeds to Allah. ‘Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “I asked the Prophet, ‘Which deed is dearest to Allah?’ He replied, ‘To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari 527)
Every Muslim should strive to pray their Salah promptly. Being too engrossed in worldly matters to the extent of delaying or missing prayers is warned against in the Quran: “They were succeeded by a people who neglected the Prayers and pursued their lusts. They shall presently meet with their doom…” (Quran 19:59).
On the Day of Judgement, the first matter Allah will inquire about is Salah. Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the day of resurrection is his Salah. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost.” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 413).
It is common to find how many modern Muslims these days take the matter of prayer lightly. In our Mosques we always attend prayers behind schedule missing the first and yet the most important initial Takbir. Some deliberately miss their prayers altogether.
Prayer is an important appointment with Allah (The Most High) as such it requires one to make great efforts in making sure that one prays on time. It requires personal dedication and commitment to having a wonderful regimen of keeping with time when it comes to Salah.
We may forget ourselves in the hustle and bustle of daily life and lose track of this important opportunity to connect with Allah (The Most High) and speak with Him directly. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The closest that a slave comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so invoke Allah much (in prostration).”
Sense of fulfillment
Think of Salah as an appointment with your creator. Would you want to be late to such an important meeting? Whenever I pray on time, I feel a sense of fulfilment that allows me to take my time and concentrate better in the prayer. Also, I have enough time to perform sunnah prayers which come either before or after the fardh prayers.
When I get late to salah, shaytan puts doubt in my heart about whether or not my prayer is accepted, and this reduces my khushu (concentration) and ultimately, the quality of my prayers. Moreover, I end up not praying the sunnah prayers due to lack of time.
Praying on time fosters a sense of peace and purpose, guiding us through the challenges of daily life. It keeps us grounded, reminding us of our ultimate goal – to attain Allah’s pleasure and achieve success in the hereafter.
Every Muslim should live in preparation for their end, which comes when the soul leaves the body. Since no one knows when they will die, it is crucial to strive to pray Salah on time, without a second of delay.
Praying Salah on time is not only a duty but also a way to cultivate a closer relationship with Allah (SWT), attain spiritual growth, and lead a disciplined life. It is upon an honourable Muslim to cultivate a personal habit of being in front of Allah on time.
To achieve a permanent state of punctuality, surround yourself with righteous friends who encourage you to pray on time. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “A man follows the religion of his friend; so each one should consider whom he takes as a friend.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 4833). Friends who encourage each other to do good deeds will be friends in the dunya and hereafter.
The matter of prayer is so great for a believer that our righteous predecessors left nothing to chance when it comes to praying on time-at home and on journey. Known for their dedication to details when it comes to ibadah, the first generations of Muslims used prayer as a yardstick to associate with a Muslim.
One of our righteous predecessors, Abu Al Aliyah said: “I would travel for days to meet a man and the first thing I would notice about him is his prayer. If he would establish the prayer perfectly and on time, I would stay with him and hear the knowledge he had. If I found him to be careless concerning the prayer, I would leave him and say to myself that for things other than the prayer, he would be even more careless.”
One of the highly distinguished scholars in Islam, Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim, in his book Inner Dimensions of Prayer, likened Salah to attending a banquet that Allah Himself has prepared, five times in a day. “Even as Allah tested his servants by creating them with innate lusts and desires, and exposing him to external temptations, His Mercy and Kindness mandated that Allah (the Most High), gives his servants a feast comprising of several kinds of delicacies, nourishments, gifts and grants to help them repel these desires and temptations,”.
In addition to spiritual benefits, Salah offers protection from worldly temptations, expiation of sins, and physical health benefits such as meditation and improved blood circulation.
Allah (SWT) gave us the gift of Salah for our own benefit. It is crucial that we strive to perform all our daily prayers on time in order to attain Allah’s pleasure, mercy, blessings and closeness to him.
