THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER 1

By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

Transliteration

[002. 001. Alif-lam-meem

002.002 . Thalika alkitabu la rayba feehi hudan lilmuttaqeena
00.2.003 Allatheena yu/minoona bialghaybi wayuqeemoona alssalata wamimma razaqnahum
yunfiqoona ]

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Translation
[002.001. A.L.M.
002.002. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah.
002.003. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have
provided for them]

We were talking about salat where Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala said (Alif. Lam.
Mim. 002.002 This is the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, guidance unto those who ward off
(evil). 002.003 Who believe in the Unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that We have
bestowed upon them;).
As you came to know that we are discussing some about salat. The importance of salat can be
understood from here that many places of the holy Quran are replete with the effects and virtues

of salat. Allah says that those who hold the book of Allah

and they are steadfast in their prayers. There are great rewards and regards for
them in this mortal world and in everlasting hereafter. And then says

those who are steadfast in their prayers and whatever We

are giving them and they give it into the charity. The third one is
 THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER 2
By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

[fa-in taboo waaqamoo alssalata

waatawoo alzzakata fakhalloo sabeelahum] (But if they repent and perform As-Salat, and give
Zakat, then leave their way free). Allah is talking about the messenger that if Kuffar came to you
and did their repentance and tauba and they were steadfast in their prayers.

and they paid their zakat then you should leave them alone. And then

the other one . [Fa-in taboo

waaqamoo alssalata waatawoo alzzakata fa-ikhwanukum fee alddeeni ] (But (even so), if they
repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity,- they are your brethren in Faith)

And this is the reason that’s why the messenger of Allah said the
difference being a Muslim and non-Muslim is the salat.
That if someone converts to Islam and becomes a Muslim and says that now he is not a
Muslim and not praying anymore or offering his salat and says that it is not wajib (religiously
obligatory) on him. Then in 7 days he becomes a complete Kaffir. In this situation there are
clear instructions in Din to kill the person if two sane Muslims confirmed. Either he does tauba
(repentance) or not. It makes no difference. He is considered to be out of Islam. In Islamic
country he deserves to be given death sentence. But if a man is born a Muslim and he or she says
that they are not going to offer prayers and further they say that salat is not wajib and they are not
now Muslims. They also deserve to be killed. From here you can imagine that how much
important is the salat. But if a non-Muslim gets shahadat he is our brother. And whoever
believes in Allah and also believes in the Day of Judgment, and also establishes the prayer, and
pays zakat they are Muslims and deserve to be given high reward and respect.

[wala ya/toona alssalata illa wahum kusala] (And not

they come to prayer except they are lazy). This is one of the signs of hypocrites. So a true
Muslim should act upon five basic pillars and obey the commands of the messenger. Because the
teachings and commands of the messenger are also from Allah. He does not give us anything
from his own but from taking Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala directly through the divine medium of
revelation.

Further Allah says that make your houses to be

your Kibla and establish prayers. and during the night it is one of the important
times of the prayers. Then Allah says

[Waallatheena sabaroo ibtighaa wajhi

rabbihim waaqamoo alssalata](And those who remain patient seeking the face of their Lord and

offer perfectly prayers) those who are patient’s, seeking to please their lord,
and they establish prayer. Allah says

[Qul liAAibadiya allatheena amanoo

yuqeemoo alssalata ] (Speak to my servants who have believed, that they may establish regular
 THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER 3
By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

prayers). Tell my servants, He did not say tell My believer He said .When we pray in

tashhad we say we mention abd which is servant. It is clear from

here the prophet did not get the status of a prophet until he became servant of Allah Subhana-Wa-
Ta’aala. So to be a good servant of Allah is very important. We should be good and humble
servant of Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala. Allah tells us that

[Faasharat ilayhi qaloo kayfa

nukallimu man kana fee almahdi sabiyyan] (Then she points to him. They said: How can we talk
to one who is a child in the cradle?). When Essa was a kid and people came there and gathered
around him. His mother Marry asked people to ask him their questions. They replied how could
they talk to him that he was just a milk-suckling baby in the cradle? The first words Essa spoke

I am the servant of Allah. And He made me a prophet. That’s why

Imam Amir ul Maouminin also said in one of his Du’a I am proud

of to be one of your slaves oh my Lord. I am proud to be your servant and it is my
honor to be your servant. And there is also a Du’a of prophet Ibrahim he is
asking Allah to help his servants. In return Allah blessed his family to be able to establish the
salat. Why Allah blessed his family because they established prayer. Prophet Essa said

[waawsanee bialssalati waalzzakati ma

dumtu hayyan] (Wheresoever I be, and has enjoined on me Salat, and Zakat, as long as I live.).
Allah has advised me to keep my salat. for the longer period in my life. In any
condition you are directed to pray. It can not be ignored or left. Otherwise the consequences
would be unbearable as we are noticing in our surrounding world but the eyes of our intellect are
closed. Otherwise the results are evident. You have water to do ablution. If no water then do dry
ablution (tayamum). If circumstances don’t provide tayamum, don’t do it. But offer pray. Allah
will accept it. Even if you don’t know where the Qibla is don’t worry just point your face in any
direction and having a niyyah of prayer offer prayer.
And here Allah is talking about those people who neglected their prayers

[Fakhalafa min baAAdihim khalfun] (Then after them

succeeded and evil generation). They left behind them who are following salat.

[waittabaAAoo alshshahawati] (And followed lusts). And they

follow their own desires. [fasawfa yalqawna ghayyan] (So they

will meet transgression). And indeed they will be punished.

[Ta-Ha 020.014. Innanee ana

Allahu la ilaha illa ana faoAAbudnee waaqimi alssalata lithikree] ("Verily, I am Allah. There is
no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise).
Allah sent the messengers and commanded them to preach that their followers should establish

prayers. Allah says in Al Baqra: [WaistaAAeenoo

 THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER 4
By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah

bialssabri waalssalati] (And seek help in patience and prayer). Seek assistance of Allah Subhana-
Wa-Ta’aala with the patience. And also ask Allah Subhana-Wa-Ta’aala to grant you patience to
be able to establish prayers. How bad that people don’t have time to offer prayer and they say
that they are very busy in their works and have not time to offer prayer. Whereas we do have no
orders to neglect or keep aside the prayers. The people who like this they are under the impact of

Shaitan and Iblis. Allah says [waawhayna ilayhim

fiAAla alkhayrati] (and We revealed to them the doing of good deeds, performing Salat). Now

we recite Surah Hajj: [ waalssabireena

AAala ma asabahum waalmuqeemee alssalati] (Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is
mentioned and As-Sabirun; and who perform As-Salat, and who spend (in Allah’s Cause) out of
what We have provided them).

[Rijalun la tulheehim tijaratun

wala bayAAun AAan thikri Allahi wa-iqami alssalati] (By men whom neither traffic nor
merchandise can divert from the Remembrance of Allah, nor from regular Prayer)

[waateeAAoo alrrasoola] (And you obey the messenger). And be

the messenger of Allah. [yuqeemoona alssalata
wayu/toona alzzakata] (Establish the prayer and and give charity). Who establishes the salat and
give zakat. Allah says [inna alssalata tanha] (Verily the prayer
prevents). He says . Now proceed to Surah Luqman;

[Allatheena yuqeemoona alssalata] (Those who perform As-Salat

(Iqmat-asSalat). Luqman also advised to establish prayer and zakat. Allah says

[002.269. waman yu/ta alhikmata faqad ootiya khayran

katheeran] ( And, he, to whom Kikmah is granted, is indeed granted abundant good.)

. Luqman is also saying to his son [Ya bunayya aqimi alssalata ]

(O my son! Aqim-is-Salat (perform As-Saalat), enjoin on people.)
oh my son establish prayer. It was the first advice of Luqman given to his child.

[wa/mur bialmaAAroofi] (And bear with patience whatever befalls

you.)

aand always encourage people for doing good things. [wainha

AAani almunkari] (And forbid people from Al-Munkar ie disbeleif in the Oneness of Allah).
And help people leaving bad acts.

Further will be discussed in next lecture Inshallah!

THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER 5
By
Shaikh Jalilu Issah