PRAYERS (NAMAAZ)

Prayers are called “Salaat” in Arabic and “Namaaz” in Urdu. Namaaz is the best among all acts of worship. Prayer is the spiritual Ascension of Momin. If namaaz is accepted by Allah (S.W.T.) then other acts of worship are also accepted. Offering five times prayers purifies our souls in the same way as bathing five times a day cleanses our body of all dirt and filth. It is the very first item of Furoo-e-Deen or Branches of Islam. It is obligatory on every Muslim men and women to pray five times every day. It must be performed regularly and punctually. Each namaaz should be performed as soon as the time for that particular namaaz arrives. One should not be lazy and lethargic about it and should not wait till the time of that particular namaaz comes to an end. One should not pray namaaz in haste and hurry. One should remember that he is standing in the court of The Greatest of all. His Might, Majesty, Grandeur and Glory should be in our thoughts. It should be performed humbly and with solemnity and understand the meaning of each and every word. One should concentrate and try to forget about every thing else. Remember the absorption of The Commander of the Faithful when an arrow was pulled out of his foot while praying but he remained unaware of it.

There is a saying in Persian, “Rooz-e-Mahshar Ke Jangudaz Buad, Awwaleen Pursish-e-Namaaz Buad.” Meaning, “The Day of Judgment will be a day of fear when the servants of Allah will be questioned first about namaaz.”

Allama Iqbal, the dreamer of Pakistan, has said, “Ye Aik Sajdah Jise Tu Giran Samjhta Hai, Hazaar Sajdaun Se Deta Hai Admi Ko Najaat”. Meaning, “This one prostration to Allah which looks burdensome to you, will spare you from bending for one thousand times in front of the servants of Allah.

Prayers in Noble Qur’an:

Surah Al-Baqara, Ayat 238, “Pay due attention to your prayers, especially the middle prayers, and stand up while praying, in obedience to Allah (S.W.T.)”

Sura Al-Nisa Ayat 101 & 103, “When you are on a journey, it is no sin to shorten your prayers, if you are afraid of the mischief of the unbelievers…..”

“When you complete your prayer, remember Allah all the time while standing, sitting, or reclining. When you are safe, say your prayers properly. It is a constant duty of the believers”

Surah Al-Anaam, Ayat 92,162  “….Those who believe in the Day of Judgment accept this and are steadfast in their prayers.”

“My prayer, sacrifice, life and death are all for Allah, the Lord of the Universe”

Surah Al-Ra’d Ayat 28, “…and the faithful ones whose hearts are comforted by the remembrance of Allah. Remembrance of Allah certainly brings comfort to all hearts.”

Sura Al-Mu’minun Ayat 10, “….and who are steadfast in their prayer, these are the heirs of Paradise wherein they will live for ever.”

Surah Ta’Ha’ Ayat 14, “I am Allah, the only ‘Ilah (one deserving to be worshiped). Worship Me and be steadfast in prayer to have My name (always) in your mind.”

Surah Al-Ankabut Ayat 45, “(Muhammad) recite to them what has been revealed to you in the Book and be steadfast in prayer; prayer (speaking of Allah) keeps one away from indecency and sins. Allah’s paying attention to the worshiper is (indeed) the greatest (reward for worshiping Allah). Allah knows what you do.”

Surah Al-Ma’arij Ayat 34, “…who do not miss their daily prayers at the prescribed times, such people will receive due honor in Paradise.”

Hadees-e-Qudsi: “And when he (the worshiper) knows that it is time of Prayer and he does not pray, he is indeed careless about Me”

The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.S.): said, “The first thing that Allah made obligatory on my Ummah was the five prayers and the first thing they will be questioned will be the five time prayers.”

“One who adhere to the five (daily) prayers diligently, they shall be a means of illumination and salvation for him on the Day of Judgment.”

“The prayer of a person is (in reality) a light in his heart, so whoever desires, can illuminate his heart.”

“The prayer is one of the (primary) dictates of religion, in it lie the pleasure of the Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious, and it is the conducts of the prophets.”

“The prayer is the standard of Islam. Whosoever loves prayers, and observes their limits, timings and methods, is a true believer.”

The Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (A.S.) said, “If the worshiper knew to what extent His (Allah’s) Mercy surrounded him during prayers, he would never raise his head from prostration.”

“No one but the Messenger (S.A.W.S.) took me the lead in prayers.”

“….Fear Allah so far as prayer is concerned because prayers are pillars of your faith….”

Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S.): said, “Islam have been founded and established on five things: Prayers, Zakaat, Hajj, Sawm (Fasting), and Wilaya.”

“The prayer is the pillar of religion and its parable is that of a tent – when the prop remains upright, the pegs and ropes remain straight and upright, but when the prop bends or breaks neither the pegs nor ropes remain straight.”

“We command our children to offer prayers when they are five years old, so you too order your children to offer prayers (but only) when they are seven years of age.”

Imam Jaffer Al-Sadiq (A.S.): said, “The first thing for which a person shall be subjected to reckoning is prayers. If they are accepted, all his other deeds (shall) also be accepted. But if prayer is rejected, all his other deeds shall (also) be rejected.”

“Surely, the Angel of Death repels Shaitaan from the proximity of one who had adhered to and guarded his prayers, and makes him speak out the testimony “There is no God except Allah and Muhaamad is the Messenger of Allah” during that terrifying and frightening state of (death)”

We are the followers of the Master of Prostrators and the Chief of Worshippers, Imam Ali Zain-ul-Abedin (A.S.) and the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (A.S.). It is reported that Imam Ali used to pray a good portion of the night, because the neighbors could hear “Allah-o-Akber” one thousand times. Similarly, he was martyred while praying morning prayers. On the same line, on the Day of Ashura, Imam Husayn (A.S.) was martyred while he was prostrating!

It is recommended that namaaz should be performed in congregation as the reward is twenty five times more than reciting alone. Consequently, great importance have been stressed regarding Friday Prayers.