Why Should We Offer Namaz

The word Islam is generally understood to mean: �Submission to the Will of Allah (SWT)�: The Will of Allah (SWT) is made known to us through the Holy Quran. The Quran, in addition to various facts, contains instructions ordering as to do certain things and not to do certain others. The way one should submit to the Will of Allah (SWT), that is, obey His orders given in the Holy Quran, has been demonstrated by Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).  A Muslim would therefore be defined as a person who obeys the orders of Allah (SWT) in accordance with the instructions given by Prophet Muhammed (SAWS).  

The instructions, saying and deeds of Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) are known as the Hadis. If the order to offer Namaz (Salaat in Arabic) is given in the Holy Quran and Hadis and if we claim ourselves to be Muslims then it becomes our duty to obey the order.  Let us, therefore, search the Holy Quran and Hadis understand them thoroughly and find out, why should we offer Namaz and whether offering Namaz is compulsory or optional?

I am Allah there is no god except Me, so serve Me and establish worship ( Salaat ) for My remembrance.( Ch:20 V:14 )

And establish worship ( Salaat ) and give charity ( Zakat ) and whatever good you send before for yourselves, you will find it with Allah, Allah is certainly the Seer of what you do. ( Ch:2 V:110 )

And enjoin worship ( Salaat ) on your people and be constant therin. We do not ask you for provision, We provide for you.  And the consequences of guarding (against) evil is good. ( Ch:20 Vs:132 )

Read that which is communicated to you of the book and establish worship (Salaat), worship ( Salaat ) certainly keep one away from indecency and things and recognized (as good), and the remembrance of Allah is greatest, and Allah knows the work which you do. ( Ch:29 V:45 )
   
(Be of) those who turn to Him in repentance and fear Him and establish worship (Salaat ) and do not be of the polytheists, ( Ch: 30:Vs:31 )

Say, Allah certainly leaves in error whom He wills and guides to Himself those who turn ( to Him ), those who believe and whose hearts find peace in the remembrance of Allah. Beware ! hearts do find peace in the remembrance of Allah ( Ch:13 Vs:27 and 28 )

And those who are custodians of their worship (Salaat). They will be honoured in gardens. ( Ch:70 Vs.35 )

THE HADIS

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is reported to have said, �The foundation of Islam rests on five pillars:

To bear witness of the fact that there is no god except Allah (SWT) and Muhammed (SAWS) is His Servant and Messenger.
To offer Namaz regularly.
To pay the poor tax ( Zakat ).
To fast (Roza during the month of Ramadan and
To perform pilgrimage ( Hajj ),� narrated by Hazarath Abdullah bin Omer (RA) and reported by Bukhari and Muslim).

Hazarath Ibni Masood (RA) [a companion of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) once asked the prophet, �which act does Allah (SWT) like the most� He replied, �To offer Namaz in time.� Then he asked �Next to this which (act)� The Prophet replied, �To be good to parents.� �He again asked, �Next to this?� Then Prophet replied, �To fight in the way of Allah (SWT).� Reported by Bukhari and Mulsim).

Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) is reported to have said:

"The only wall that differentiates a Muslim from an unbeliever is Namaz and not offering Namaz wipes off this difference (that is, a Muslim not offering Namaz goes closer to disbelief)" (Narrated by Hazarath Jabir (RA) and reported by Muslim).

Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) once asked his companions, "If a stream is flowing in front of one's door and if he bathes in it five times daily, will any dirt remain on him?" His companions replied " No dirt will remain on him." The Prophet Muhammed, (SAWS) explained "Similar is the case of offering Namaz five times a day, due to it Allah (SWT) wipes off the sins." ( Narrated by Hazarath Abu Hurrairah (RA) and reported by Bukhari and Muslim).

In view of the above passages quoted form Holy Quran and Hadis, offering Namaz is an order of Allah (SWT) and His messenger and in view of the fact that we are Muslims that is those who are required to obey Allah and Prophet Muhammed (SAWS), offering Namaz is our duty that should not be avoided.

1. Namaz is the most important deed after Iman.
2. Due to it we get peace of mind and heart.
3. It keeps us away from evil and shameful deeds.
4. It wipes off sin.
5. If we do not offer Namaz we go nearer to disbelief, the punishment for which is hell.
6. The reward for being regular at Namaz is paradise. Besides offering Namaz or doing anything good is for our own benefit, in no way do we oblige Allah (SWT) because He is free from all wants. In fact we should be thankful to Allah (SWT) to have selected us from amongst millions of human beings to stand before Him offering Namaz and thereby getting reward both in this world and in the life hereafter death.

WHOM SHOULD WE WORSHIP ?

Let us search the Quran and see what should be the object of our worship while offering Namaz. The Holy Quran states :

To Him is due the real prayer (for help), and those to whom they pray (for help) besides Him, do not respond to them in anything . . . . . (Ch:13 Vs:14)

And to Allah bows down whoever (and whatever) is in the skies and the earth willingly and unwillingly and their shadows (too), in the mornings and in the evenings. Say '"Who is the Fosterer of the skies and the earth?" Say, "Allah." Say, "Then do you take guardians besides Him, who do not have the power to benefit or harm (even) their ownselves?" ..... (Ch:13 Vs:14 to 16)

You alone do we serve and (from) you alone do we seek help. (Ch:l Vs:4)

It is clear from the above verses of the Holy Quran that we are required to worship and serve only Allah (SWT) and no one else. Worshipping anything other than Allah (SWT) and considering that Allah has partners are sins known as Kufr and Shirk which will not be forgiven and the punishment of which is hell. It is of utmost importance that we should be very clear and correct in our belief (Iman), that: Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, the Most Powerful, no one is equal to Him in anything, Everything good or bad happens by his command, no one can stop Him from doing anything He wishes, He is the Supreme, the only Master of everything everywhere.

If there were two or more gods then each God would have had his own followers and all the followers of each god would have got their food, water, air, clothing etc. from their respective gods. On the contrary, all human beings, animals and plants get their food, water and all other necessities from common sources which proves that God is ONE, that is Allah (SWT) and besides Him there is no other God. He has created everything and has full control on everything. He brings us to life and causes us to die. He knows everything, is always watching us whether we are busy worshiping Him or doing anything else. He helps every one but does not need any one's help. He has neither parents nor children, He is alone. No one is like Him, He is the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, the Cherisher and Sustainer of everything everywhere.

We should worship only Allah (SWT) and ask only Him for all help, do all that He has ordered us to do and abstain from that which He has forbidden because He rewards the good and punishes the evil. In the known and the unknown universe everything is created by Allah (SWT). We should not worship anything created but worship only the CREATOR, that is, ALLAH (SWT) and serve only Him.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER CATEGORIES OF NAMAZ ?

1. Namaz - I - Janazah (For the dead):

Offering Namaz-i-janazah is a Farz -i-Kifayah. If no one is present it can be offered alone but when many people are present it should be offered injamat. The Imam leads the Namaz and those who follow him form odd number of rows. In this Namaz there is no ruku, sajdah or Qaidah, we are required to stand in Qiyam throughout. With the niyyat (intention) of offering Namaz-i-janazah the Imam and followers say Allahu Akbar (the Imam aloud and the followers to themselves) and fold their arms below the navel as in Qiyam of normal Namaz. First Sana (Hanafi) Sura-i-Fatheha (Shafai) is recited, after which the Imam says Allahu Akbar for the second time. This is followed by reciting the Durood - i - Ibrahim (recited in the last rakat of normal Namaz), after which the Imam says Allahu Akbar for the third time finally a Dua for the deceased is recited which depends on whether the deceased is a male, female, an adult or a child. If one does not remember the specific Dua, he can recite:

'ALLAHUMMA-GHFIR LIL MUMININA WAL MUMINATI'.

O Allah forgive the Muslim men and women'.

After the Dua the Imam says Allahu Akbar for the fourth time and ends the Namaz by reciting the salam as in normal Namaz, by turning the face to the right and then to the left.

2. NAMAZ - TARAWIH :

This Namaz is sunnath and is to be offered on all nights during the month of Ramadan after the Namaz-i-isha till dawn but before offering Namaz-i-Vitar. Some authorities put the number of rakats as eight while others as twenty. Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) always offered Namaz-i-tarawih either alone or in jamat. Hazarath Omer (RA) (Second Calif) during his regime, started regular jamat for offering Namaz-i-Tarawih.

Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) was made to revise the Holy Quran in the month of Ramazan to the extent it was revealed. He regularly offered Namaz-i-tarawih. By offering Namaz-i-Tarawih in Jamat in the Mosque we not only fullfill these two sunnaths of Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) but also get the benefit and reward of offering Namaz in jamat and in the Mosque. In view of this advantages Namaz-i-Tarawih should prefearbly be offered in the Mosque. In case we are not able to offer it in the Mosque, we should offer it alone. We should not miss it because Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) never missed it. This Namaz can be offered in installments of two or four rakats Just like any other Sunnath or Nafil Namaz. We can recite the last ten chapters of the Holy Quran or as much Quran as we remember. In the Mosque, normally the Quran is revised once. The person who leads the Namaz is a Hafiz-i-Quran, that is, one who has memorised the Holy Quran by heart.

3. SOME IMPORTANT NAFIL (EXTRA) NAMAZ

a) Ishraq : Two or four rakats to be offered 15 to 20 minutes after the sun rise. The Namaz carries great reward and it is said that Allah (SWT) helps such persons the whole day and forgives their sins.

b) Chast: Two to twelve rakats between 10 to 11 a.m. (in Pakistan). It is said that even two rakats are compensation (sadqa) for all the joints of the body.

c) Awabeen : After two rakats sunnath of Maghrib, six rakats offered in installement of two rakats is said to be equivalent to twelve years worship.

d) Solar & Lunar Eclipse : Two rakat Namaz during the eclipes.

e) Journey : When one undertakes a journey he should offer two rakat Namaz-i-nafil at home before preceding and on return first go to the mosque offer two rakat Namaz and come home.

f) Forgiveness : When any sin is committed two rakat Namaz should be offered and Allah's forgiveness should be asked for.

g) After performing wazu : Offering two rakat Namaz carries great reward.

h) On entering the Mosque : Offering two rakat Namaz before sitting down also carries great reward.

i) Namaz for the Security of Iman : We should occasionally offer two rakat Namaz praying for the safety and security of our Iman {(faith or belief in Allah (SWT)).}

j) Salat-e- tasbih: Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) had taught this Namaz to his uncle Hazarath Abbas (RA) and had said that by offering this Namaz all your previous and future sins will be forgiven. If possible offer it daily, if not weekly, monthly or once in an year, if even this is not possible offer it atleast once in your life time. It is a four rakat Nafil Namaz and the procedure for performing it is as follows:

1. After reciting the sana recite 15 times: SUBHAN ALLAH! WAL HAMDULILLAHI WA LA ILAHA ILLALLAHU WA ALLAHU AKBAR.

2. Before performing the ruku recite the same ten times (25)    

3. In the ruku, after the ruku tasbih, recite it ten times (35)

4. Before performing the sajdah, in the standing position recite it ten times 

    (45)

5. In the sajdah after tasbih of the sajdah, recite it ten times (55)

6. Between the first and second sajdah, recite it ten times (65)

7. In the second sajdah after the sajdah tasbih, recite it ten times (75)

This adds upto 75 times in each rakat. Follow the same procedure in the second, third and fourth rakats, starting each rakat by reciting the tasbih 15 times before Sura-i-Fathea. Thus in the whole Namaz, the tasbih is recited 300 times. Except for reciting the tasbih, the whole Namaz is to be offered as four rakat Nafil Namaz as described above.

K) Namaz-i-Istikhara : This Namaz is for seeking good from Allah (SWT) before one decides to take an important step.

Jabir (R.A) reports that the Messenger (SAWS) of Allah (SWT) used to teach us 'Istikharah' [Namaz and Dua for seeking good from Allah (SWT)] in all affairs as he used to teach us a chapter from the Holy Quran. He used to say. "When anyone of you intends to do some work he should offer two rakats (Nafil) other than Farz, and pray as follows:

'ALLAHUMMA INNI ASTA-KHAIRUKA BI-ILMIKA WA ASTAQDIRUKA BI-QUDRATIKA WA ASALUKA MIN FAZLIKAL AZEEM, FA INNAKA TAQDIRU WA LAA AQDIRU WA TA'ALAMU WA LAA AALAMU WA ANTA ALIAMUL GHUYYUBI. ALLAHUMMA IN KUNTA TALAMU ANNA HAZAL AMRA (here think of the affair under consideration) KHAIRUNLEE FI DEENI WA MA'ASHI WA 'AAQIBATI AMRI FAQDURUH LEE WA YESSIR HU LEE SUMMA BARIK LEE FIHI WA IN KUNTA TATAMU ANNA HAZAL AMRA (here again think of the affair under consideration) SHARRUN-LEE FI DEENI WA MA'ASHI WA 'AAQIBATI AMRI FAS RIFHU 'ANNI WAS RIFNI ANHU WAQDUR LIYAL KHAIRA HAISU KANA SUMMA ARZINI BIHI.�

'O Allah (SWT) ! I seek good through Your knowledge and I seek power (to do) through Your Power and I ask You (to give me) through Your Grace because You are Powerful and I do not have power and You have knowledge and I do not have knowledge and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allah ! If in Your knowledge, this work (under consideration) is good for me in my religious and wordly affairs and in the here after, then (please) order it for me and make it easy for me and put in it Your Blessing, and if in Your Knowledge, this work (under consideration) is bad for me in my religious and my wordly affairs and in the here after, then (please) turn it away from me and turn me away from it and order for me good wherever it is and make me happy with it.

1) Namaz-i-Hajat (For Seeking Allah's Help)

This Namaz is for seeking Allah's help when we need or wish to have something. After performing wazu, two rakat Nafil Namaz-i-Hajat is to be offered. First praise Allah (SWT), pray for Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) by reciting a durood and finally pray as follows:

LAA ILAHA ILLALLAHU-L-HALEEMUL KAREEM, SUBHANA ALLAHI RAB BIL ARSHIL AZEEM, WAL HAMDUULLAHI RAB BIL AALAMEEN ASALUKA MUOJIBATI RAHMATIKA, WA AZA AAIMA MAGHFIRATIKA WAL GHANIMATA MIN KULLI BIR RIWN-WAS-SALAMATA MIN KULLI ISMIN LA TADAA LI ZANBAN ILLA GHAFARTAHU WA LA HAMMAN ILLA FAR RAJTAHU WA LA HAJATAN H1A LAKA RIZAN ILLA QAZAITAHA YAA ARHAMAR RAHIMEEN.

'There is no god except Allah Who is Forbearing and Honoured, Glory be to Allah Who is the Lord of the Throne, and (all) Praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds (universe). (O Allah !) 1 ask You for things which make Your Mercy compulsory, which make Your Forgiveness compulsory and (I ask You) for my share in every good and safety from all sins. (O Allah !). Do not leave any sin of mine without forgiving it and any grief without removing it and any necessity which you like without fulfilling it. O You ! The Most Beneficent of all beneficents!

This Namaz is in obedience to Allah's orders given in the Holy Quran :

' O you who believe I seek help through patience and worship (salaat) Allah is certainly with the patient (Ch:2Vs:153)

Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammed (SWAS) have shown us how we are to manage all our through Namaz and dua; To offer two rakat Namaz when we decide to do something, when we need something, when our wish is granted, when commit a sin, when we go and come back from journey etc., to say Bismillah ir Rehman ir Rahim] when we start something, Inshallah when we intend doing something, Alhamdu lillah when we sneeze etc. In short all important acts are to be covered by Namaz or dua. It is said that Namaz is a means of nearness to Allah (SWT). In view of all this, we should make it a habit to start and end all our actions with Namaz or dua, on which many books are available.

May Allah (SWT) help us in becoming Muslims through NAMAZ, WHICH IS ONE many important purposes. (AAMEEN)

Wudu

WUDU (Ablution) BEFORE DOING WUDU: If someone needs to go to the toilet ,he should use the toilet and do Istinja before doing wudu.

SIWAK(TOOTH-STICK): It is a good practice to clean the teeth with a tooth-stick,or a toothbrush before performing Wudu.In this way you can avoid many diseases which are caused by unclean teeth.

As mentioned in the Hadith:Aisha r.a reported Allah's Messenger pbuh as saying:"The use of a tooth-stick is a means of purifying the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord as well."(Ahmed, Darmi and Nasai)

Prophet Muhammad pbuh also said:"If I wouldn't have felt that it is difficult for my people I would have ordered them to use a tooth-stick with ever prayer,that is before doing each wudu.

So Muslims should always try to fulfil this wish of our Prophet pbuh.
MAKING INTENTION(NIYAH) FOR WUDU:

Before starting the actions o wudu it is necesary to make niyat.
Make Niyat that the act of performing  wudu is for the purpose  of
purity only. Niyat should be made in the heart because  it is an action
of the heart  and not of the tongue.

Niyat by words is not approved by Prophet  Muhammad  (S.A.W)
Then start the wudu by saying:- Bismillah  hir-rahma  nir-raheem
(ln the name of Allah, most gracious,  most merciful)

ACTIONS FOR PERFORMING WUDU: 

1.Wash the hands up to the wrist making sure that no part of the hands is left dry.

2.Rinse the mouth taking up water with the right hand.

3.Clean the nose :sniff water up from the right palm and then eject water with the left hand.

4.Wash the face ,from ear to ear,and forehead to chin making sure that no part of the face is left dry.

5.Then wash the forearms(right forearm first) upto the elbows making sure that no part of them is left dry.

6.Rub the head as follows: Wet your fingers and wipe the head with your fingers,starting from the forehead,taking\ them to the nape of the neck,then bring them back to the forehead.

7.Clean the ears by inserting the tips of the index fingers wetted with water into the ears,twist them around the folds of the ears then pass the thumb behind the ears from the bottom,upwards.

8.Wash the feet(right foot first) up to the anklesmaking surethat no part of the feet are left dry, especially between the toes.

SPECIAL FACILITIES IN WUDU: Rubbing the socks with wet hands instead of washing the feet is allowed provided that the socks have been put on after performing an ablution including washing the feet.This is allowed for 24 hours from the time of ablution,and for 3 days if the person is on journey.After this time the feet must be washed .Similarly if there is a wound in any parts of the body which has to be washed in ablution,and if washing that particular part is likely to cause harm, it is permissible to wipe the dressing of the wound with a wet hand.

Hadith:Mughira bin Shu'bah said:"Prophet pbuh performed ablution and wiped over his socks and his sandals."(Ahmad,Tirmidhi,Abu Dawud)
Each detail of ablution has been performed by Prophet Muhammad pbuh once,twice or three times (except rubbing of head and cleaning of ears i.e. action 6 and 7 should only be done once).Since all the above methods meet Prophet pbuh's approval, we can perform ablution by doing the actions once ,twice or three times,provided that no part has been left dry.

Amr bin Shu'aib, quoting his father on the authority of his grand father narrated that prophet Muhammad said:"If anyone performs actions of ablution more than 3 times ,he has done wrong,transgressed , and done wickedly."(Ibn Majah, Nasai)

DUA AT THE END OF WUDU: Ashadu an la ilaha illal lahu wah duhu la shareeka lahu wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan 'abduhu wa Rasuluhu.
"I testify that there is no deity except Allah Alone. And I testify that Muhammad pbuh is His servant and Messenger."(Muslim)

Allahum maj 'alnee minat taw-wabeena waj'alnee minal muta tahhireen.
"O Allah make me among those who are penitent and make me among those who are purified."(Tirmidhi)

TAYAMMUM: In circumstances when water cannot be found ,or just enough is available for drinking ,or it is injurious to health:in such situations Tayammum (dry ablution) can be performed.

The procedure below is given according to Qur'an and hadith. "..And if you don't find any water,then take clean earth (or sand ) and rub it on your face,and hands .Allah does not wish to put you in a difficulty ,but He wants to make you clean, and to complete His favour unto you,so you should be grateful to Him."(surah 5:verse 6)

Procedure:

1.Make Niyat in the heart.

2.Begin with the name of Allah.

3.Strike palms of both hands on clean sand,dust or anything containing these e.g wall or stone etc.then blow into the palm of both hands over the face once and then rub your right hand with the left palm and left hand with the right palm.(Bukhari)

4.Finish with the same dua as given at the end of ablution.

TIME-PLACE-DRESS AND TYPES OF PRAYER

TIME OF SALAT: Each Salat must be offered at or during its proper time .No salat can be offered before its time .There are five obligatory Salat in a day:

Fajar Prayer: The time for the Fajar or morning prayer starts at dawn and ends at sunrise.

Zuhr Prayer: The time of Zuhr prayer starts when the sun begins to decline from its zenith and ends when the size of an object's shadow is equal to the size of object.

Jabir bin Abullah ra narrated:"The angel Jibrael came to Prophet Muhammad pbuh and said to him:'Stand up and pray Zuhr' so Allah's Messenger prayed zuhr when the sun had declined from its zenith.Then the angel Jibrael came again at the time of Asr and said:'Stand up and pray Asr'.The Prophet Muhammad pbuh prayed Asr when the shadow of everything was equal to itself.Then Jibrael came the next day to the Prophet pbuh and said:'Stand up and pray zuhur.'Then the Prophet Muhammad pbuh prayed the zuhur when the shadow of everything was equal to itself.Then Jibrael came again at Asr time and said:'Satnd up and pray Asr".Then He prayed Asr when the shadow of everything was twice its length...Then Jibrael said,(after praying 10 Salat with Prophet Muhammd pbuh in two consecutive days) that the time of Salat is in between these two times." Ahmad,Nasai, Tirmidhi and Bukhari remarked that this is the most authentic Hadith giving the times of prayer.

We find that many books on salat state the ending time of Zuhur prayer and the starting time of Asr prayer when the shadow of something is twice itself.But this contradicts the above hadith as on the first day Jibrael asked Prophet Muhammad pbuh to pray Asr when shadow of everything was equal to itself.This means that was the end time of Zuhr prayer.And we already know that all the Ulama of the Muslim Ummah agree unanimously that no Salat can be offered before this time.

Asr Prayer: The time for Asr prayer or late afternoon prayer starts when the shadow of something is equal to itself and ends just before sunset.
It is better to offer Asr prayer before the sun become yellow because even though it is allowed to offer the Salat at this time the Prophet pbuh disliked Muslims to delay Asr prayer up to this time.He remarked that the Munafiq (hypocrite) offered his salat at this time.

Maghrib Prayer: The time for the Maghrib or the sunset starts just after sunset and ends when twilight has disappeared.

Isha Prayer: The time for Isha or night prayer starts from the disappearance of twilight and ends just before midnight.It is preferable to offer this prayer before midnight.

FORBIDDEN TIMES OF PRAYER

Uqbah bin 'Amir said,There are three times at which Allah's Messenger pbuh used to forbid us to pray or bury our dead.

1.When the sun began to riseuntil it was fully up.
2.When the sun was at its height at midday till it pass meridian.
3.When the sun drew near to setting till it had set.(Muslim)
Forbidden times for Nafl Prayer:

1.Abu Sa'eed Al Khudree ra reported Allah's Messenger pbuh as saying:"No Salat is to be said after the Fajar prayer until the sun rises, or after the Asr prayer until the sun sets."(Bukhari and Muslim)

Only Nafl prayer is forbidden at these times but a missed Fard prayer can be offered .Most of the ' ULAMA of the Muslim Ummah allowed the offering of missed Fard prayer after Fajar and 'Asr because of the following Hadith:
 Prophet pbuh said'"Who has forgotten the prayer he should pray it whenever he remembers it."(Bukhari and Muslim)

2.A Nafl cannot be offered once the Iqamat for Fard prayer has been said.Abu Huraira  narrated that Messenger pbuh said:"When the Iqamat  has been said , then there is no Salat valid(Nafl or Sunnat ) exept the Fard prayer for which the iqamat was said."(Ahmad and Muslim)

It is seen in practice that many people continue with the sunnat prayer even though the Iqamat has been said for the Fard prayer especially in the Fajar prayer.They feel that the 2 Rak'at Sunnat of Fajar can only be offered before the Fard. This practice is against congregation philosphy, discipline of Jama'at and a clear violation of Hadith. They should offer 2 Rak'at Sunnat of Fajar immediately after the Fard or after sunrise.

PLACE FOR SALAT

A place or a building which is used for the purpose of worship and Salat is called a MASJID(Mosque) .A Hadith tells us that ,All the earth has been rendered for the Muslims as the Mosque (pure and clean).

This means that whereever a Muslim might be he can offer his Salat but the reward of a Salat offered in a Mosque is far greater than that offered in an ordinary place. The following points should be noted when choosing a place for Salat,

a)The place should be clean and pure. Salat in a dirty, filthy and impure place such as a rubbish tip ,slaughter house ,bathing place and a camel pen is forbidden.

b)The place should be free from danger.The danger could be due to someone or something that may disturb the worshipper.

c)A prayer place where the worshipper might hinder the movement of others should be avoided, e.g. busy pavements, public roadways etc.

d)It is forbidden to pray on the roof of BAITULLAH(Ka'bah)

e)It is forbidden to pray on top of or facing towards a grave.

Feeling Eagerness for the Prayer

Our righteous ancestors have set the perfect example in the way they preserved the prayer,even when they were ill and weak.When Amir bin Abdullah heard the Adhan while he was dying,he said:

"Lead me by my han.'They said to him,'You are ill.'He said ,'How can I hear Mu'adhdhin, yet,do not respond to it?'They took him by his hand,and his home was near the mosque,and he started the MAghrib prayer behind the Imam and died upon finishing only one Rak'ah." [Sifatu As-Safwah,vol.2,p.131 ans As-Siyar, vol.5,p.220]

Moreover ,the Farooq (i.e,who distinguished between goodness and evil)of the Muslim Ummah,'Umar(ra) became unconscious after he was stabbed,and according to Al Miswar bin Makhramah ,it was said:

"Nothing would wake him up except the call to prayer,if he is still alive."They said to him,"The prayer has finished,O Chief of the faithful!"He woke up and said,"The prayer,by Allah !Verily,there is no share in islam for whoever abndons the prayer."He performed the prayer while his wound was bleeding.[Tarikh Umar,p.243]

Umar(ra) ,for he was so eager and protective of the prayer that companions,who knew this fact of him,thought that if they mentioned the prayer to him ,he would wake up from his unconsciousness.This is exactly what happened,for when he was reminded that he did not pray yet,he woke up.In contrast ,some people in the present time like to sleep when it is so close to prayer time,while some others are being woke up for prayer,but do not respond.

Moreover,after Ar-Rabi' bin Khaytham became partially paralysed,he used to go to the mosque helped by two men.He was told:

"O Abu Yazid!You have been given permission to pray at home."He said,"You have said the truth, but I heard the caller herald,'Hayya 'ala al-Falah(Come to success),' and I thought that whoever hears this call should answer it even by crawling." [Hilyatu Al-Auliya Wa Tabaqhatu Al Asfiyaa,by Al Hafith Abu Na'im,vol.2,p.113]

Truly,they were eager to join  the prayer with obedience to Allah and His commandments and in anticipation for what He has prepared with Him of reward and bounties. Adi bin Hatim(ra) said:

"Every time the prayer time falls,it falls when I am eager for it and ready to perform it(i.e having Wudhu) [Az-Zuhd,by Imam Ahmad,p.249]

Mu'adhdhin and the Dwelling of Peace, and Paradise has moved the honorable hearts and motivated the inner-selves ,and thus, fell on responsive believing ears.Allah made the call to prayer reach those who are alive,by their Faith,and directed them to the grades of the pious ,leading them through the journey until they arrived at the Dwelling of Eternity.  

The importance our Salaf placed on the prayer brought them joy and delight when its time started;they were delighted and elated by this great favor that Allah had bestowed on them.Indeed ,as Abu Bakar ibn Abdullah Al-Muzany stated:

"Who is like you,O son of Adam?Whenever you wish, you use water to make Ablution,go to the place of worship and thus enter the presence of Your Lord (i.e., start praying) without a translator or a barrier between you and Him"[Al-Bidayah Wan -Nihayah,by Ibn Kathir,v.9,p.256]

There is no doubt that those who miss these bounties should feel grief,especially since time is the essence of man's existence and his only capital.Abu Rajaa Al-'Ataridi said:

"Nothing that i leave behind grieves me, except i used to bow down on my face five times a day before my Lord,the Exalted and Most Honored" [Hilyatu Al-Auliya ,v.2,p.306]

They gave the prayer is due consideration and honored it at its true value .Umar (ra) once said:

"If you see a man being careless concerning the prayer,then by Allah!He will be more careless,in everything else."[Tarikhu Umar,p.204]

Furthermore ,Abu Al-Aliyah said: "I would travel for days to meet a man and the first thing i notice about him is his prayer. If he establish the prayer perfectly and on time I would stay with him and hear knowledge he had. If I found him to be careles concerning the prayer,I would leave him and say to myself that for things other than the prayer,he would be even more careless."

Giving the prayer its due importance and consideration ,was also taught to children ,in obedience to the Prophet's command: 

"Order your children to pray at the age of seven and discipline them for it at the age of ten and seprate between their beds." [Abu Dawud,Ahmad abd Al Al-Hakim;Al-Albani rendered it Hassan]

in this context ,we could understand why Zaid Al-Ayami used to tell children ,"Come and pray and i will give you some hazelnuts."The children would come and pray and then gather around him to get nuts .He was asked  why he did that and he said,"I buy some nuts for them for five dirhams and they get used to praying."

In the present time, many people are concerned about teaching materialism to their children and satisfying their desires for food,drink and recreation. However,they dedicate little attention to their primary role and job as parents,that is ,teaching their children true Islamic ideals and making them get used to praying ,including questioning them if they come late for it.Allah,The Exalted and Most Honored said:

"O you who believe!Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones."(66:6)

Loving the prayer and rushing to perform it with Khushu' and perfection inwardly and outwardly ,demonstrates the heart's love for Allah  and eagerness to meet Him. On the other hand, disinterest in the prayer, laziness towards rushing to answer the Adhan, and performing it alone away from the congregational pf Muslims in the mosque,without a valid excuse, are all indications that the heart is empty of Allah's love and disinterested in what He has with Him.

 Let us compare Our mannerism with regards to Khushu' in the prayer with that of the Salaf.Maymun bin Hayyan said:  

"I never saw Muslim bin Yasar turning his head while praying,whether the prayer was short or long.Once,a part of the mosque came down and the noise caused fear to the people who were in the market,while he was in the mosque did not fear or even turn his head and keep praying." [Az-Zuhd,by Imam Ahmad,p.359]

When Khalaf bin Ayub was asked: "Why do you not swat at flies while praying, do they not bother you?"He said,"I will not do something that might become a habit and thus spoil my prayer for me."He was asked how he observed patience in that situation.He replied, "I was told that sinners observe patience when they are flogged by the Muslim authority and even boast about being patient in that situation.I am standing before My LOrd,would I move because of a fly?" [Al-Ihya ,vol.1,p.179]

Also when Ibn Az-Zubair stood up for prayer, he used to stand formally as if he was a piece of wood,due to his observing Khushu'. As for Abu Hanifah, he was called Al-Watad,the pole,because of his praying often with Khushu'.

 Moreover the Salaf used to perform long prayers,as often as they could.Ubaidullah bin Sulaiman said about his grandfather ,Abu Ubaidullah Al-Wazir:

"My grandfather's knees, face and hands wore through several mats due to his praying long prayers regularly.He also said that his grandfather gave away a great deal of food every day as charity, and when the prices went up he gave away double that amount."

             

 Nothing kept them busy from the prayer,and when they prayed,they strive hard to remove all barriers between them and Allah by attending the prayer in heart and with Khushu'.

Once upon a time, Abu Abdullah An-Nuba'hi was leading people in prayer in the city of Tarsus, when the call to Jihad was suddenly announced. However, he did not lessen the length of his recitation of prayer,and when he finished, people said to him,"The call to Jihad was announced but you did not lessen the length of prayer.

"He said,"I did not think that there were people who pray,and hear other things outside the prayer,instead of what they are invoking Allah with."[Sifat As-Safwah,vol.4,p.279]

They were just as Ibn Rajab described them in his book'Lata'if al-Ma'arif' ,"When they heard Allah's statements: So compete in good deeds."(5:48)

And "Race with one another in hastening towards forgiveness from your Lord(Allah), and Paradise the width whereof is as the width of the heaven and the earth."(57:21)

They understood from these statements that each one among them should strive hard to compete in the race to acquire these honors and to reach the high grades and ranks. When one of them saw that another person was performing a righteous deed that he was unable to perform,he feared that whoever performed that good deed would beat him in the race , and he felt sad for this fact.

They competed in earning the high grades of the Hereafter as if in a race ,but after them,there came people who did the opposite and competed to earn the insignificant delights and perishable goods of this life.

When Abu Talhah (ra) once prayed in a garden he owned and became busy observing a bird that was flying around his trees,he ended up unaware how many Rak'ah he had prayed.HE want to Messenger of Allah(pbuh) and told him what had happened and declared:

"O Messenger of Allah(pbuh)! I give my garden as charity,so spend it however you wish." [Al-Ihya,vol.1,p.194]

Another man was once praying in a garden of date trees and was admiring it so much that he did not know  how many Rak'ah he prayed. He told Caliph Uthman(ra) what happened and said:

"I give that garden as charity,so spend it in cause of Allah,the Exalted,the Most Honored." Uthman (ra ) sold the garden for fifty thousand. [Al-Ihya,vol.1,p.194]

These two righteous men gave away their gardens,because they gave due consideration to the importance of the prayer. Each one of us will depart this life in the time between a prayer he performed and a prayer he is waiting for.Therefore,we ought to perform each prayer as if we are sure it is the last one we will be able to perform,so that Allah might end our deeds with our most righteous and good deeds and accept them from us and generously erase our sins.

 Imam Muhammad bin Isma'il Al-Bukhari,who compiled Sahih Al-Bukhari, was praying one night when a wasp stung him close to twenty times. When he finished the prayer,he said,"Find out what bothered me!" The exalted level of patience the Salaf had while praying was possible because of the tremendous Khushu' and attention they gave to invoking Allah and praying to Him.Abu Naasr Al-FAradis said that he used to hear the sound of teardrops falling from Sa'id bin Abdul-Aziz eyes down,onto the mat while praying.[Tathkiratu Al-Huffath ,vol.1,p.219]

In contrast there is hard-heartedness in the present time demonstrated by many who do not shed tears while praying, except a few who do so only during the month of Ramadan.Sadly,this is because there are a few in the crowds that gather in the mosques feel humbleness and submission in their hearts before their Lord while praying.

Old age and weak bodies did not stop the righteous people of our Salaf from standing in prayer before Allah for long periods of time. For instance,Abu-Ishaq As-Subay'ii said complaining:

"I have lost the strength to pray much!I have become weak and my bones have become feeble, because these days,when I stand up in prayer I am only able to recite Surah Al-Baqarah and Al-Imran,reciting them an entire night."[Sifatu As-Safwah,vol.3,p.104]

 As for 'Ata bin Abu Rabah, as Ibn Jurayj described about him:"I accompanied 'Ata bin Rabah for eighteen years. When he became old and weak,he used to stand in prayer and read close to two hundred Ayat from Surat Al-Baqarah while standing in such firmness that no part of him could move." [As-Siyar,vol.5,p.87]

Old age and weakness that it brings to the body did not stop Ata from having Khushu' in the prayer and reciting the Qur'an for extended periods of time while standing firm with full submissiveness. Furthermore, Muslim bin Bannaq Al-MAkki narrated that Abdullah bin Az-Zubair, who was known for standing in prayer for a long time ,once bent down in Ruku for so long ,that it allowed Muslim to recite Surat AL-BAqarah ,Al-Imran, An-Nisa and Al-Ma'idah, before Ibn Az-Zubair raised his head from Ruku.[Al-Bidayah Wan Nihaya,vol.8,p.359]

Also, Al-Walid bin 'Ali narrated that Suwayd bin Ghaflah was leading prayer during Ramadan, when he was one hundred and twenty years old! Moreover, Mar'ruf bin Wasl At-Taymi was the Imam of his people for sixty years and he never made mistakes in the recitation of the Noble Qur'an, because he was so careful in the prayer. 

Talaq bin HAbib used to say: "I love standing in prayer for Allah until my back hurts."

 He would stand up in prayer and recite the Qur'an from the begining until Surat Al-Hijr(chapter 15) and then make the Ruku(so that about the length of his entire prayer.) Thabit Al-Banani said that he used to pass by Abdullah bin Az-Zubair while praying and standing as firm as a tree fixed in the ground.

We complain to Allah for the way we treat the prayer,which is the fastest act we perform these days.Some of us might pray as fast as the chicken picks seeds from the ground, many do not feel humbleness or Khushu' and many pray with disinterest and inattention.If we observe the way these and most other people conduct their life affairs ,we will see dedication ,patience,concern and excellence in taking and giving for the sake of few dirhams or dollars that they would earn!Why is it that we are so disinterested in performing the prayer with perfection and excellence?

Abdullah bin Mas'ud ra used to so motionless while praying that he would be compared to a piece of garment thrown on a floor,while Sa'id bin Jubair would stand as firm as a pole. A similar description was given to the way Abdullah bin Az-Zubair performedthe prayer,that birds would almost land on his back while he was performing Ruku so firmly  and with Khushu.

 We might find it amzing that the Salaf felt such Khushu' and humbleness in the prayer, especially since we do not witness such dedication and excellence nowdays.As for the prayer of Our Salaf,we continue, it was different.Al-Anbas bin 'Aqbah used to make such an exalted Sujud that the birds would land on his back thinking that he was an extension of the wall.[Az-Zuhd,p.496]

 Abu Bakr bin Aiyash said: "If you saw 'Habib bin Abu Thabit while in sujud,you would think that he had died because of his long prostration." [As-Siyar,vol.5,p.291]

Furthermore, Ibn Wahb narrated that he saw Sufyan Ath-Thauri in the mosque at Makkah performing voluntry prayer after MAghrib and go into suh a long Sajadah,that he only raised his head when the time for Isha prayer came.[As-Siyar,vol.7,p.266]

Is it they for whom the flag of Paradise was raised and they raced to earn it,and the straight path was laid for them and they took it firmly.They believed that it was a great error to sell what no eye has seen ,no ear has heared and no heart has imagined of delight in the eternal dwelling,in return for a perishable life that passes as fast as a dream and is full of grief and depression.If this life makes one laugh a little, it also brings many instances of crying,and if it delighted for a day,it would cause grief for months.The pain in this life overcomes its delights and its sadness over-weighs its happiness  this life goes on with various fears and ends in certain demise.

Abu Qatan said: "Whenever I saw Shu'bah bin Al-Hajjaj go into Ruku or Sujud,I would say to myself that he has forgotten(because of the length of Shu'bah's Ruku and Sujud.)" [Tathkiratu Al-Huffath,vol.1,p.193]

 Also Ali bin Al-Fudhayl said: "I saw Ath-Thauri went into Sujud while praying, and I performed Tawaf around the House seven times before he raised his head from sujud."[As-Siyar,vol.7,p.277]

Even though they were so concerned and dedicated in performing the prayer in the best manner,they still had fears, as Uthman bin Abi Dahrash stated:

"I never performed a prayer without invoking Allah afterwards to forgive me for falling into shortcomings in the way i performed it." [Tarikhu Baghdad,vol.13,p.207]

To further describe the way the Salaf conducted the religion,we should mention that Mu'awiyah ibn Murrah said:

"I lived during the time of seventy of the companions of Muhammmad pbuh, and they lived among you today,they would not recognize any of your acts except the Adhan." [Hilayatu Al-Auliyaa ,vol.2,p.299]

Moreover ,Maymun bin Mahran said: "If a man from the Salaf was resurrected among you today, he would only recognize your Qiblah (direction of the prayer,the Ka'bah at Makkah)."

This s how different the way of conducting the religion varied from the time of the companions to the time of teh early generations of Islam. What would they say about us,then,if one of them was to be resurrected in our time?

When Hatim Al-Asamm was asked about his prayer,he said: "When it is near the time of prayer, I perform a perfect Wudhu (ablution) ,and go to where I am going to pray and sit down there until I become fully attentive to what I am about to do.I then stand up and pray,imagining that the Ka'bah is in front of my eyes,Paradise to my right, Hell-fire to my left and Angel of death behind me.

I imagine that it is the last prayer I am about to perform,stand up in hope (in Allah,His paradise and rewards) and fear (from Allah's torment in Hell-fire) and recite the Takbir while having full attention.I recite the  Qur'an calmly,make Ruku humbly ,go into Sujud with Khushu and then sit on my left leg,with the left foot laid on the floor and the right foot raised up,all the while praying with sincerity. Afterwards, I do not know(or feel certain) if that prayer was accepted from me."[Al-Ihya,vol.1,p.179]