FASA'L-E-SALATT THE REWARDS OF SALAAT Shaikhal Hadith Zakariyya Kandhalvi

Hadith I. Salaat is a pillar of Islam	HHadith II Salaat wipes out sins
Hadith III Salaat causes forgiveness of sins	Hadith IV Salaat washes away sins
Hadith V Salaat helps in adversities	Hadith VI Salaat is expiation for sins
Hadith VII Salaat causes early entry into Paradise	Hadith VIII Salaat is a redeemer
Hadith IX Allah's covenant with persons particular about Salaat	Hadith X Value of two rakaat of Salaat

"We glorify Allah and seek His blessings and salutations for His noble Prophet, his companions and those whofollow him in upholding the cause of the right religion."The indifference of Muslims towards practicing Islam these days is too well known. So much so that even Salat,which is the most important pillar of Islam (after Imaan and the first and the foremost thing to be reckoned for on the Day of Judgment, is being badly neglected. Although every call to 'Islam', now-a-days, seems to be only a cry in the wilderness, yet experience shows that efforts in this direction are not altogether fruitless. The glorious words of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) are sure to benefit those with receptive and submissive frame of mind. With this idea in view and to comply with the long-standing request of some of my dear friends, I have taken upon myself to write this booklet, which is the second of the series on 'Tabligh', the font one being "Virtues of Tabligh.........And guidance in my endeavor can only come from Allah! And in-Him I trust and unto ??Bun I turn...(XI :88)The present-day Muslims, in respect of their behavior towards Salaat,can be divided into three groups. A large number among them is totally unmindful of Salaat quite a few observe their Salaat but are not particular about Jamaat.Then there are those who are regular in their Salaat (with Jamaat), but their Salaat is devoid of the care and thoroughness which it demands. I have divided the book into three parts to suit the requirements of each group. In each part,the illustrious Ahadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) are quoted with their simple translation. The translation is idiomatic and not literal. Explanatory notes have been added wherever necessary. The names of the books of Hadith from which the quotations are taken have also been mentioned for reference

"Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has compared Islam to a canopy resting on five supports. The Kalimah is the central support and the other four pillars of Islam are,so to say, the remaining four supports, one at each corner of the canopy. Without the central support,the canopy cannot possibly stand, and if any one of the corner supports is missing a collapse will result in the defective corner. Now,let us judge for ourselves how far we have kept up the canopy of Islam. Is there really any pillar that is being maintained in its proper place? The five pillars of Islam mentioned in this Hadith signify the most essential duties of a Muslim. Although a Muslim cannot do without any one of them, yet Salaat in Islam occupies a position next only to Kalimha.

Abdullah bin Maso'od (Radhiallaho anho) "Once, I inquired of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), which act (of Muslim) was the dearest to Allah.Rasulullah replied, 'Salaat.' I then inquired which act came next (in order of merit) and Rasulullah replied,'Kindness to parents'. I again asked what was next and he answered 'Jihad'.

Mulla All Qari (Rahmatullaha laihe) has quoted this Hadith in support of the belief that Salaat is the most important religious duty after Kalimha. . This is further corroborated by a Hadith, in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to have said: " Salaat is the best of all that has been ordained by Allah.

Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) came out of his house. It was Autumn and the leaves were falling off the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked, 'O.'Abuzar! (Radhi Allaho anho) when a Muslim offers his Salaat to please Allah, his sins are shed away from him just as these leaves are falling off this tree.

In Autumn, usually, the leaves of the trees fall in large number, so much so that on some trees not a single leaf is left behind. The same is the effect of Salaat performed with sincerity and devotion. All the sins of the person offering Salaat are wiped off.lt should, however, be remembered that according to the verdict of the Ulm'aas (theologians), it is only the 'Sagair' (minor sins) that are forgiven by the performance of Salaat and such other practices. The 'Kabair' (major sins) are not pardoned without repentance. We should, therefore, in addition to saying Salaat, be particular about doing 'Taubah'(repentance) and 'Istighfar'(seeking forgiveness). Allah may, however, pardon, by His bountiful Grace, even the Kabair to any person because of his Salaat

Abu'Uthman (Radhi Allaho anho) says: ."I was once sitting under a tree with Salman (Radhi Allaho anho). He caught hold of a dry branch of the tree and shook it till all its leaves fell off. He then said to me, "O. Abu Uthman,(Radhi Allaho anho) Will you not ask me why I am doing this?" "Do tell me," I entreated He said' "The Apostle of Allah had done exactly like this before me, while I was with him under a tree. He caught a dry branch of it and shock it, till all its leaves fell off. At this he said: 'O.Salman! (Radhi Allaho anho) Will you not ask me why I am doing this He replied: "Do tell me. Why you are doing this?' He remarked: "Verily when a Muslim performs 'Wudhu' properly and then observes his Salaat five times a day, his sins fall off just as these leaves have fallen off.He then recited the following verse of the Holy Quran:

"Establish Salaat at the two ends of the day, and at the approaches of the night. Verily, good deeds annul ill deeds. This is a reminder for the mindful".. (XI: 114),

The behavior of Salman (Radhi Allaho anho) in the above Hadith displays the profound love which the Sahabah had for Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). They would often cherish the sweet memories of the time when Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was living among them. They would, while quoting him, exactly what they had seen him doing at a particular moment. It is really very difficult to cover all the traditions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), which deal with the importance of Salaat and which declare forgiveness for those who are careful of it. As has been said before, the theologians restrict this declaration of forgiveness to "Saghair" (minor sins) only, but in the text of the Hadith there is no such restriction. My learned father gave me two reasons for this. Firstly, it does not really become a Muslim to commit any of the "Kabair"(major sins). If perchance any such sins are committed by him, he cannot rest in peace (due to inherent fear of Allah in him) until he washes them with his tears of repentance in crying before Allah. Secondly, the person who performs his Salaat with sincerity and thoroughness is very likely to do istighfaar quite a number of times daily. Look for instance at the closing prayer of Salaat itself

"O. My Lord! I have wronged my soul a great wrong,and none forgiveth sins save Thou alone"

Then forgiven and have mercy on me. Verily, Thou art the Forgiving, the Merciful

In the above Hadith, mention is made of 'Wudhu'to be done properly. We should, therefore, be sure of the regulations about 'Wudhu' and try to observe all of these For example, take the case of Miswak. It is Suannah in Wudhu but is very often neglected. It is said in a Hadith that the Salaat offered after doing Miswak is seventy times superior to the Salaat without Miswak. In another Hadith, use of Miswak has been enjoined very strongly, and the following benefits are attributed to it:-"It cleanses and sweetens the mouth and ???? bad smell."'At is a cause of Allah's pleasure and a blow to Satan.""Allah and His angels love the person doing Miswak.""It strengthens the gums and improves eye sight."It is a cure for bile and phlegm. To crown all,"It is a 'Sunnah 'i.e. the Practice of our beloved Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)."As many as seventy virtues of the Miswak have been numerated by the theologians. It is said that a person in the habit of Miswak dies with the Kalimah on his lips. As a contrast, opium eating has seventy harms, one of them being, forgetting the 'Kalimah' at the time of death. The rewards of making Wudhu properly are very many. It is ?perfar mentioned in 'Hadith' that parts of the body washed in Wudhu shall glitter on the Day of Judgment and, by this(distinction), Rasulullah (Sailallaho alaihe wasallam) will at once recognize his followers.

Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that once Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam] asked his companions "Do you believe that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a brook running in front of his door?" 'No', replied the companions, "No dirt can remain on his body" Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked: 'So, exactly similar is the effect of Salaat offered five times a day with the Grace of Allah it washes away all the sins

Jabir (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that he heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying:"The likeness of five times 'daily Salaat is of a deep brook running in front of the door of a person who bathes therein five times a day.

Running water is generally free from dirt, and the deeper it runs the cleaner and purer it is. A bath in such water surely removes dirt from the body and makes it clean. Salaat offered with due regard for its essentials likewise cleanses the soul of all sins. There are several Ahadith of the same meaning, though with slight variations in expression, narrated by different companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam).

Abu Saeed Khudri (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saving: bleach of the five Salaat expiates the sins committed since the Salaat preceding it.
Explanatory Notes:
To explain, let us take the case of a person working in a factory. His job is such that his body gets covered with dust. But there are five streams of running water in between the factory and his house and, on his return from the job, he takes a bath in each stream The effect of five times daily Salaat is quite similar. Any sins of omission and commission between two Salaat are forgiven on account of 'Istighfar and Taubah in each Salaat. Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), th ?lough such similes, aims at impressing that Salaat has the wonderful power of removing the sins. If we fail to avail of Allah's mercy, surely we ourselves are the losers. To ?err is human. We are likely to commit in numerable acts of displeasing Allah and deserts thereby His wrath and punishment;but look how relenting Allah (s.w.t.) is! He has most graciously shown us the way to earn His mercy and forgiveness. It is a great pity if we do not avail of this great favour. Allah (s.w.t).is always eager to show us His mercy on very small grounds. It is said in a Hadith that,if a person goes to bed with the intention of getting up for Tahajjud,and perchance does not wake up, he receives the full reward for Tahajjud, although he has been enjoying his sleep at the time of Tahajjud. How boundless is the grace of Allah and what a tremendous loss and deprivation if we do not receive blessings from such a Giver.

Hazaifah (Radhi Allaho anho) says that,whenever the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) happened to face any difficulty, he would at once resort to Salaat.

Salaat is a great blessing of Allah. To resort to Salaat at the time of worry is to hasten towards His mercy, and when Allah's mercy comes to the rescue, there can remain no trace of any worry. There are many traditions concerning this practice of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). Similar was the practice of his companions, who followed him in the minutest detail.

Abu Darda (Radhiallaho anho) says: "Whenever a strong wind blew, Rasulullah (Salla-llaho alaihe wasallam) would immediately enter the 'Masjid' and would not leave until the wind had subsided. Similarly, at the time of solar or lunar eclipse.

Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) would at once start offering 'Salaat'. Sohaib (Radhiallaho anho) was informed by Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) that all the previous Apostles of Allah (peace be upon them) also used to resort to 'Salaat' in all adversities
Ibne Abbas (Radhiallaho anho) was once on journey; on his way. he got the news of the death of his son. He got down from his camel and offered two 'rak'aat ' of Salaat, praying in 'Tashahhud' for a long time. He then recited' (Innadillahi-wa-inna-ilaihi-rajeun)' and said, 'A have done what Allah has ordered us to do in His Holy Book "Seek Allah's help with patience and Salaat" (II:45).

Another similar story is narrated about him. He was on a journey when he received the news about the death of his brother 'Ousum'. He descended from his camel by the road-side, and performed two rakaat of Salaat and kept praying in' Tashahhud' for a long time. After finishing his Salaat, he rode his camel reciting the following verse of the Holy Qur'an: "Seek Allah's help with patience and 'Salaat" and truly it is indeed hard except to the humble minded."(II: 45 ). There is yet another story about him.

On hearing of the death of a wife of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), he fell down prostrate. When somebody asked him the reason. he said, "Our Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) had enjoined on us to prostrate (in Salaat) whenever a calamity befell us. "what calamity can be greater than the death of the 'Ummul-Momineen

When Ubadah (Radhiallaho anho) was about to breathe his last, he said to the people around him, "I prohibit one and all from crying over me. When my soul departs, I ask every one to perform 'Wudhu, observing all its essentials, and to go to the Masjid and pray for my forgiveness, because our Gracious Allah has enjoined on us to "Seek help with patience and Salaat" After that, lay me down in the pit of my grave

Nadhr (Radhiallaho anho) narrates, "Once it became very dark during the day in Madinah;.I hurriedly went to Anas (Radhiallaho anho) to know if he had ever experienced similar conditions during the life time of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam). He said to me, (????) During those blessed days, whenever the wind blew strong we would hurry to the Masjid lest it should be the approach of the Dooms day.Abdullah-bin-Salaam (Radhiallaho anho) narrates that whenever the members of Rasulullah's family were hard-pressed in any way, Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) would enjoin upon them to say 'Salaat', and would recite the following verse of the Holy Qur'an "And enjoin Salaat upon thy family and be thy-self constant therein. We ask not of thee to provide sustenance. We Provide it for thee. And the Hereafter, for the righteousness." -~XX: 132).

It is said in a Hadith that when somebody is confronted with a need, whether pertaining to this life or the Hereafter,or whether it concerns Allah or a mortal, he should perform perfect 'Wudhu', offer 'Salaat' of two 'rak'aats', glorify Allah, then ask blessing for Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), and then pray as under "There is no god save Allah-the Clement-the Bountiful. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the tremendous throne. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I ask Thee all that leadeth to Thy Mercy and deserveth Thy forgiveness. I ask Thee abundance in all that is good and refuge from all that is evil. Leave ?? sin but Thou pardonest it, and no distress but ??Thouremovest it, and no need but Thou fulfillest it. O.most Merciful of those who show mercy

"Wahabbin Munabbah writes: "Have your needs fulfilled by Allah through Salaat. In the good old days, if a calamity befell the people, they would hurry towards Salaat'' It is said that in Koofah there was a porter who was well known for his honesty. People trusted him with their valuables and money, which he carried from one place to another. Once he was on his usual ?errand when a person met him on the way and asked him about his destination. When the porter gave him the required information, he said, "I am also bound for the same destination. If I could walk, I would have accompanied you on foot. Will you kindly give me a lift on your mule for one Dinaar?" The porter agreed and allowed him to share the mule with him. They came to acrossing on the way. The person said, 'Now, which road will you take?' ' The main road, of course, replied the porter.The person said, "No, brother". We should go by the other road.which is shortcut and there is plenty of grass enroute to feed the animal.' The porter said, 'I have never been on this path.' The person remarked, 'But I have traveled by this route quite often: The porter believed him and put the animal on that path. After some distance, the path ended in a terrifying forest where a large number of dead bodies were lying about. All of a sudden.the person jumped down from the mule and took out his knife with the intention of slaying the porter. 'Hold your hand' shouted the porter, "Take the animal and its load, but do not kill me" The person refused to listen to his entreaty and swore that he would first kill the porter and then take possession of the animal and the goods. Seeing that his entreaties fell on deaf ears and that his cruel heart would not melt, the porter said to him, 'All right if you must kill me, then permit me to say only two Rakaat Salaat.The person agreed and remarked, 'You can please yourself. All the dead you see over here made the same request, but their Salaat was of no avail to them.' The porter started the Salaat. but could not recollect any Soorah to connect with Fatihah, in spite of his best efforts. Meanwhile theperson grew impatient and pressed him hard to hurry up with the Salaat. All of a sudden the following verse flashed to his mind:'"Is it not He Who answereth the wronged one when hearieth unto Him, and removeth the evil(XXVII-62)." The porter was reciting this verse and tears welled up in his eyes, when a horseman suddenly appeared on the scene. He was wearing a glittering helmet and held a spear in his hand. He pierced the body of the pitiless rogue with his spear and killed him then and there. A flame of fire rose from the spot where the dead body fell. The porter fell down prostrate and thanked Allah. After finishing his Salaat, ??hear an towards the horseman and requested him to disclose his identity. He replied, 'I am a slave to Him who answereth the ?wronged one. You are now safe and can go wherever you like.' saying this' the horseman rode away and disappeared. "Indeed,Salaat is a great asset. Besides pleasing Allah, it often gets us deliverance from the calamities of this life and provides us with tranquillity and peace of mind.Ibn Sirin writes: "If I be allowed to choose between Paradise and Salaat of two rakaats, I would prefer Salaat. The reason is quite clear. Paradise is for my own pleasure while Salaat is for the pleasure of my Lord." The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has said: "?Enviable is the lot of that Muslim who is with least encumbrance, whose main fortune is Salaat, who remains content with humble provisions: throughout his life, who worships his Lord in a ?dutiful manner, who lives unknown and who dies an early death, with very little to bequeath and very few to mourn him." In another Hadith, the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to have said :'Offer your Salaat at your homes quite frequently, so that these may be blessed with Allah's Grace and Mercy."

Abu Muslim narrates: I went to see Abu Umamah(Radhiallaho anho) while he was in Masjid. I asked him if he had really heard the Holy Prophet (Sallallahoalaihe wasallam) saying, "When a person performs 'Wudhu' with right performance and then says his Fardh Salaat, Allah forgives him all the sins committed that day by his feet in going towards evil, by his hands in doing evil, by his ears in listening to evil, by his eyes in looking at evil and by his heart in thinking of evil. 'He replied, 'By Allah, I have heard these words from the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alalhe wasallam) again and,.again.

Many of the companions have narrated this Hadith with slight variations. Those endowed with the power of 'Kashf'can even witness the sins being shed. It is said of Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullah alaih) that he could tell from the water falling down from the limbs of the person doing'Wudhu' as to which sins had been washed ?stiff therewith. In a narration by UtUman (Radhiallaho anho), the Holy Prophet(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to have warned against being wrong headed in committing sins in the hope ofgetting them redeemed through Salaat. We have, really, no ground to behave as such on this account. After all, what is the quality of the Salaat that we offer? If Allah merely absolves us of our obligation it is His very special favour and His grace Again it is the height of ingratitude to disobey Allah ?inst because He is Clement. Merciful and Forgiving

Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allaho anho) narrates, "Two persons of one clan came to Rasulullah (Sallallaho allaihe wasallam) and embraced Islam at one and the same time. One of these was martyred in a battle and the other died a year later Talhah bin Ubaidullah says that he saw in his dream that the person who had died later was admitted into Paradise before the martyr. This surprised him. I do not recollect whether it was he or somebody else who narrated this dream. Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) thereupon remarked: "Has not the person dying later fasted for one additional month of Ramadhan, and has he not offered six thousand or odd 'rakaat ' of Salaat more during the year he lived after the Martyr?

Really, we do not realize how valuable Salaat is! The Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was often heard saying, "The comfort of my eyes is in Salaat." This is an expression of his profound love for Salaat. As such, what else can be more valuable than Salaat.

Ibne Masud (Radhiallaho anho) narrates that heheard the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying: "At the approach of the hour of Salaat, an Angel is deputed to proclaim,'Arise, O Children of Aadam! and extinguish the fire that you have (bycommitting sins) kindled to burn yourselves. So, the people rise up, perform 'Wudhu' and offer their 'Zuhr'prayer. This causes forgiveness of their sins committed since day-break. The same is repeated at Asr, Maghrib and Ishaa. After Ishaa people go to bed, but there are some who busy themselves in good, while some others engage in evil deeds Salman (Radhiallao anho) says, "After Ishaa the people get divided into three groups. There are some for whom the night is a source of blessing and gain. They are those who spend it in the worship of Allah, while other people are asleep. For them the night brings great reward from their Lord There are others who turn their night into a burden and curse for themselves, for they indulge in various dark deeds in the dead of night. To them the night brings ?wee and misery. There is the third group of people who go to bed immediately after Ishaa; they neither gain nor lose.

Abu Qatadah bin Rab'i (Radhiallaho anho) says, " He heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying Allah has said."O, Muhammad! I have ordained five times daily Salaat for thy followers. I have made a covenant with Myself that whosoever is regular in performing his Salaat at its fixed hour, he shall be admitted into Paradise . Those of thy followers who do not safeguard their Salaat, are not included in this covenant.

In another Hadith, it is said that Allah has ordained fivetimes Salaat and whosoever is mindful of his Salaat, by doing 'Wudhu' properly and by praying at fixed hours with sincerity and devotion, is assured by Allah of his entry into Paradise; and whosoever does not safeguard his Salaat, there is no such guarantee for him; he may or may not be forgiven.

Salaat has indeed a tremendous value. It affords us an opportunity to receive Allah's guarantee for Paradise. When an honourable person of some financial standing or having executive power gives us a guarantee or stands surety for meeting any of our requirements of this world, we feel quite satisfied and happy and we consider it our duty to remain obliged and devoted to him. Here Allah the Absolute Sovereign of both the worlds is giving us a guarantee and is ?standing surety for the real success after death in return for five times daily Salaat, which does not involve much effort on our part. If even then we do not avail of the opportunity, we shall have none to blame, but ourselves for the dreadful doom that awaits us.

Ibne Salman says that he heard one of the companions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) narrating, "When we had won the battle of Khaiber,we began to buy and sell among ourselves the booty that had fallen to our lot. One of us went to Holy Prophet(Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and said, 'O.Apostle of Allah, no one else has earned so much profit as I have obtained in todays trade.' 'How much did you earn?'asked Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam).He replied, 'I kept on selling and buying till I earned a net profit of three hundred 'Oqiyyah' of silver.' The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said, "Shall I inform you of something better than that ?" He exclaimed, 'Do tell me, O. Prophet of Allah!, Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) remarked 'Two 'rakaats'Nafel after (Fardh) Salaat.

Three hundred 'Oqiyyahs' of silver come to about three thousand rupees. According to the Prophet (Salla llaho alaihe wasallam), the perishable gain of this world stands no comparison with the ever lasting gain of the Hereafter. Our life will be pleasant and worth living if we develop our 'iman' to an extent where two rakaats of Salaat,in our sight, are more valuable than all the riches of this world. Salaat is really a great treasure and that is why the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has called it 'the comfort of his eyes and has enjoined its observance right up to his last breath.

Umme Salmah (Radhiallaho anha) narrates that the last words of Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), which he could hardly utter, were about taking care of the Salaat and kindness towards the slaves. There is a similar Hadith narrated by Ali (Radhiallaho anho) as well.Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) once deputed in 'Jihad' a 'Jamaat' towards 'Najd'. They returned victorious very soon with a handsome booty. When Rasulullah (Sallallaho alalhe wasallam) saw the people envying them and wondering at their quick and lucrative return, he said to them, "Shall I inform you of a group of people who earn much more in a much shorter time? They are those who perform their Fajr with 'Jama'at' and keep sitting after prayer till a little while after sunrise. and then offer two rak'aat' of Salaat.

According to Shaqiq Balkhi, a very famous Shaikh, five things could be acquired through five channels; an increase in provisions through 'Chaasht'a light in the grave through the 'Tahajjud', a very satisfactory answer to 'Munkar and Nakir' through the recitation of the Quran; an easy crossing of'Siraat'through fasting and alms,and room under the shade of Allah's Throne on the Day ofJudgement through seclusion (i.e. Zikr).There are so many sayings of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alalhe wasallam) enjoining Salaat and explaining its virtues that it is very difficult to cover all of them in this small book. Some quotations are, however, reproduced below for a blessing

1. "Salaat was the first and the foremost thing ordainedby Allah, and it shall be the first and the foremostthing to be accounted for on the Day of Judgement.

2. Fear Allah in the matter of Salaat! Fear Allah in the matter of Salaat!! Fear Allah in the matter of Salaat!!!

4 Salaat is the mark of Islam. A person who says his Salaat at the fixed hours with sincerity and devotion, observing all its regulations including the 'Mustahabbat',is surely a Mo'min.

5.Of all things that have been ordained by Allah, Imaan'and 'Salaat are the most valued. If there were any other thing better than Salaat, then Allah would have ordained it for His Angels, some of whom are always in'Ruku' and others in 'Sajdah.

11.When a calamity befalls us from Heaven, people frequenting the Masjid are spared and saved.

12 If some major sins of a Muslim land him in Hell, the fire would not burn those parts of his body which have touched the ground while he was in Sajdah during hisSalaat.

13 Fire has been forbidden to touch those parts of the body which touch the ground while performing theSajdah.

15.Allah likes the most when a person is in 'Sajdah',pressing his forehead on the ground in humility.

18.When a person stands in Salaat the gates of Paradiseare let open and all the veils between him and Allah are lifted (provided that he spoils not his Salaat by coughing etc)

l9.A person in Salaat (so to say) knocks at the door of the sovereign Lord, and the door is always opened for him who knock

21.Salaat is the light of the heart ?Let those who wish en-lighten their hearts (through Salaat").22.If a person wishes to have his sins forgiven by Allah,he should perform his 'Wudhu' properly, offer with devotion two or four rak'aat of'Fardh or'Nafl, and then pray to Allah. Allah will forgive him.

23.Any strip of earth, on which Allah is remembered in Salaat.takes pride over the rest of the Earth.

24.Allah accepts the prayer of a person who prays to Him after performing two 'rakaat ' of Salaat. Allah grants him what he prays for, sometimes immediately and sometimes (in his own interest) later.

25.A person who performs two 'rakat of Salaat' in seclusion, where no-body except Allah and His Angels see him, receives a writ of deliverance from the fire of Hell

26 One prayer(wish) is granted to a person by Allah after each 'Fardh' Salaat performed by him.

27.Fire of Hell is forbidden and Paradise becomes due to a person who performs his 'Wudhu' properly and says his Salaat conscientiously, according to its regulations.

28.Devil remains scared of a Muslim so long as he is particular about his Salaat, but no sooner does he neglect it than the Devil gets a hold upon him and aspires for success in seducing him.

32.At dawn, some people go to the Masjid and some to the market. Those going to the Masjid are the flag bearers of Imaan and those leaving for the market are the flag bearers of the Devil.

33.The four 'Rak'aats' before Zuhr have the same reward as the four rakaats of Tahajjud.

34.The four 'rakaat' before Zuhr are counted equal (in reward) to the four rakaats of Tahajjud.

36.Salaat at dead of night is most valued, but there are very few who do it.

37. Jibrail (Alayhis Salam) came to me and said,'O. Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam)! howeverl ong thou livest thou shalt die one day, and whoever,thou may love thou shalt depart from him one day. Surely. thou shalt receive the recompense of whatever (good or evil) thou dost. No doubt honour for a Mo'min is in Tahajjud and his dignity is in contentmentanal restraint

38. "Two rakaats in late hours of the night are more valu-able than all the riches of this world. But for fear o??f

39.Keep offering 'Tahajjud', for it is the path of the righteous and the means of nearness to Allah. Tahajjud keeps one away from sins, causes forgiveness ofsins and improves the health of the body.

40. Allah says, 'O. son of Aadam! Do not feel reluctant in offering four 'Raka'ats' in early part of the day, for I shall suffice thee in thy jobs in the rest of it."Books of Hadith are full of discourses on the virtues of Salaat, enjoining its observance on all Muslims. The forty short Ahadith given above can be memorised and thus the reward of knowing Ahadith in that number can be earned. In fact, Salaat is really a big ?boon, but this is realised only by those who have enjoyed its taste. That is why Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) used to call it the comfort ofhis eyes and used to spend the major part of the night standing before Allah. For the very same reason our dear Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) even on his death bed charged us and enjoined on us to be particular about Salaat.It has been reported in many Ahadith that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) would often say, "Fear Allah concerning Salaat." Abdullah bin Masood, (Radhiallhoanho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying, "Of all the practices, Salaat is the dearest to me". One of the Companions narrates. "One night I happened to go to the Masjid. I found Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) in Salaat. I felt an ?ardent desire to join him. I made my intention and stood behind him; he was reciting' Bakarah' at that time. I thought that he would finish the 'qiraat' and go for Ruku'at the end of the hundred ?verse, but he did not do so. Then I thought he would perhaps go to 'Ruku' after finishing two hundred verses, but he did not stop even there. I was sure then that he would finish 'Qyam' with the end of the 'Soorah'. When the Soorah ended he hymned, 'Allahumma Lakal hamd' (O. Allah! Thine is all Glory) a number of times and then started 'AlImran on finishing that 'Soorah' he again hymned 'Allahumma Lakalhamd' three times and started 'Al-Maidah'. He went to 'Ruku' only after finishing that 'Soorah'. In Ruku and Sajdah he recited Tasbeeh and some other prayers, which I could not catch. In the second, 'raka'at' he started 'Al-anam' after 'Fatihah'. I could not continue with him any longer and broke away helplessly. What Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) recited in one 'rakaat' comes to about one sixth of the whole Quran. Besides, Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) must be reciting at ease with proper Tajweed; we can well imagine how long the rakat it would have been. It was on this account that his feet would often get swollen. But no amount of strain and inconvenience in Salaat holds back one whose heart is ?imbued with its sweetness. Abu Ishaq Subaihi is a famous Muhaddith. He died a centenarian. He would often exclaim in his old age, "Alas! This ?irfirmity and old age have deprived me of the delight of long Salaat. I am now only able to recite 'Baqrah and AleImran' in my Salaat of two Rakaat ." These two soorahs comprise about one eighth of the whole Qur'an. Muhammad bin Sammak, the famous Soofi, writes, "My neighbour at Koofah had a son. The boy fasted during the day and kept praying and hymning during the night. This constant strain emaciated him so much that his body was reduced to a skeleton. His father requested me to admonish him. Once I was sitting at my door when the boy passed by. He greeted me with 'Assalamo-alai-kum' and sat down. I had hardly said anything when he interrupted saying, 'Dear Uncle! May be that you intend to admonish me to reduce my Efforts . Listen to my story first. I had a few friends in this locality. We decided among ourselves to vie with one another in worship and adoration of Allah. They all applied themselves so hard that they were soon sent for by Allah. They embraced death delightedly and peacefully. Now I am the only one left behind. What will they think of me when they know of my lagging behind? Dear Uncle! My friends really strove very hard and achieved their goal. He then began to relate the pursuits and accomplishments of his departed friends, which astonished all the listeners .After this he left me. I heard a few days later that the boy too had died (May Allah bless him)."Even in these days,there are persons who remain engaged in Salaat for the major portion of the night and devote the whole day to Tabligh, Talim and other services in the path of Allah. Maulana Abdul Wahid Lahori (peace be upon him)was a famous saint who lived about two centuries ago. He sighed and wept when he learnt that there was no Salaat in Paradise being the place for recompense and not oflabour. He remarked, "How shall we enjoy the Paradise without Salaat!" Such people are really the salt of this Earth. May Allah give us their strength of 'Imaan' and love for His worship! 'A'amin.'Before I finish this chapter, let me reproduce the following lovely Hadith from Munabbihaat by Ibue Hair,"Once when Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) was sitting among his companions,he remarked, "Three things of this world are very dear to me: Perfume, Women and Salaat the Comfort' of my eyes." "Quite true" rejoined Abu Bakr (Radhiallaho anho)."And I cherish three things a look at thy face, spending of my wealth on thee and that my daughter is thy wife, O Prophet of Allah!" "Quite true",said Umar (Radhiallaho anho), "And the three I love most are; enforcing that which is right, forbidding evil and wearing old clothes." "Quite true", said'Uthman (Radhiallaho anho),"And the three I love most are: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked and reciting the Qur'an." "Quite true", said Ali(Radhiallaho anho). "And I love these three things most:serving a guest, fasting on a very hot day and smiting the enemy with my sword." At this, Jibrail (Alayhis Salam) appeared on the scene and said to Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), "Allah has sent me to tell you what I would love if I be one of the mortals. "Yes, do tell us, Jibrail", said Rasulullah . Jibrail then replied, "If I had been like you, I would have loved three things: guiding the people gone astray, loving those who worship in poverty and helping the poor family men. And as for Allah, He loves three characteristics of His slaves: striving in His Path, crying at the time of repentance, and steadfastness in want and hunger.?? Ibn Qayyam writes: 'Salaat ensures daily bread promotes health, drives out diseases, strengthens the heart makes the face bright and beautiful, pleases the soul, refreshes the body, cures indolence, relieves the mind, feeds the soul,illumines the heart and guarantees Allah's favour. It grants protection against Allah's wrath. It keeps the Devil away and brings us nearer to Allah.ln short, Salaat is a guarantee for all that is desirable.and a protection against all that is undesirable for both body and soul, equally in this world and in the Hereafter

by Shaikhal Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalvi, importance of five islamic daily prayers, a pillar of Islam, causes forgiveness of sins, helps in adversities, early entry into Paradise