Five a Day keeps the Shaitaan at Bay

As Muslims we are all well aware of the commandments of Allah (S.W.T) and the teachings of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W) with regards to performing our daily Salah. Despite this we turn a blind eye and neglect this command and in doing so, are deprived of its blessings and instead nominating ourselves for Allah (S.W.T)’s punishment.

It is commonly understood within the community that the pious/ elderly are the ones who should be involved in Salah. We have this notion that when we have sorted our lives out then we will also participate in daily Salah. As currently we are not ready nor worthy of acting upon the command of Allah (S.W.T). Some convince themselves that by performing the Jummah/ Tharavi prayer, the ruling of the daily prayer is excused for them. This type of thinking is nothing but the entrapments of Shaitaan.

Unfortunately we all know that the Shaitaan is our declared enemy, yet we still fail to follow our Creator (S.W.T)’s commands and live our daily lives far from the teachings of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W), resulting in our own destruction.

There are vast numbers of Quranic Ayahs and AHadith regarding this topic, below are just a few AHadith which we hope you read, take heed from and forward to others.

Hazrat Anas Bin Malik (R.A) narrates that: “The Prophet (S.A.W) said: ‘The first matter for which the servants will be called to account is the ritual prayer. So if the ritual prayer is correct, the rest of his conduct is correct and if it is improper, the rest of his conduct is improper.’” (421/9 Al Tabarani)

Hazrat Abu Zarr (R.A) narrates, once in winter the Prophet (S.A.W) was walking outside whilst the leaves were falling from trees. He (S.A.W) held a branch of the tree and the leaves started to fall. He (S.A.W) said “When a Muslim prays seeking the pleasure of Allah (S.W.T) his sins fall from him like these leaves from this tree” (Ahmad).

Islam does not think much of mere rituals when they are performed mechanically and have no influence on ones inner life. Salah demands care and attention and must not be completed for mere formality purpose. This great gift from Allah (S.W.T) not only protects us in our daily lives, but also it brings us closer to our Creator. It teaches humbleness, piety, self control, time keeping, and most importantly it protects us from Shaitaan, the accursed.

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said that Salah is the coolness of my eyes. We the Ummah of Holy Prophet (S.A.W) are blessed to be given 5 daily Salahs, which we unfortunately avoid due to our 'so called busy lives'. Nothing should come between us and our Salah; the benefits are too good to waste.