Salah is the first and the most important obligation upon Muslim after having faith in Allah and His Messenger (PBUH). Salah has been made obligatory upon every Muslim, man or woman, rich or poor, healthy or sick, strong or weak, old or young, traveler or resident, king or slave, in peace or war, happiness or grief, hot or cold. This obligation is not waived off even in the battlefield right at the time of fighting. This important and fundamental duty has excessively been stated in the Holy Qur’an and Hadeeth. But the sorrowful matter is that we show numerous sorts of negligence regarding Salah.
The Messenger of Allāh صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said:
“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. If it is corrupt, then the rest of his deeds will be corrupt”
“For every people, there is an appointed time. So, when their appointed time will come, they cannot be late for a moment, nor will they get ahead.” (Surah al-A’raf: 34)
Ayesha (RA) says: We would talk to the Prophet (PBUH) and he would talk to us. But when the time for Salah would fall, he would suddenly change, as if he even did not recognize us and turn completely towards Allah.
Abdullah ibn Masood (RA) narrates that he asked the Prophet (PBUH): “Which of the deeds is loved by Allah the most?” He replied: “Salah at its proper time.”
The conditions of Sallah
- Al-Islam (Salah is only accepted from a Muslim).
- Al-'aql (sanity).
- Al-tamyeez (puberty).
- State of purity (having wudu or taking ghusl to remove ritual impurity).
- Removal of filth (clothing should be free from impurities and also place of worship).
- Covering of Awrah (covering the nakedness).
- Commencement of time (The Salah must be prayed in it's proper time and not a minute before).
- Facing the direction of Qiblah.
- An-niyah ( the intention for the prayer being prayed should be present).
Conditions are prerequisites for the salah. A person is not excused from them regardless if he was ignorant of it's obligation, or if he forgot, or if he deliberately left it. The above conditions must be fulfilled before Salah can be accepted.
Consequences of Neglecting Salah:
1. Loss of Spiritual Connection: Neglecting Salah leads to a gradual weakening of the spiritual connection between the individual and Allah. Without regular prayer, the heart becomes hardened, and the soul becomes deprived of the nourishment it requires to thrive.
2. Increased Distance from Allah: Continuously neglecting Salah can result in a growing distance from Allah and His mercy. The individual may feel spiritually disconnected, lost, and devoid of the blessings and guidance that Salah provides.
3. Accountability on Judgment Day: On the Day of Judgment, individuals will be held accountable for their deeds, including their observance of Salah. Neglecting prayer can lead to severe consequences in the Hereafter, as it is considered a fundamental obligation in Islam.
4. Missed Opportunity for Forgiveness: Salah serves as a means of seeking forgiveness from Allah for one's sins. Neglecting prayer deprives the individual of this opportunity for repentance and spiritual purification, leading to a buildup of sin and spiritual stagnation.
5. Decreased Barakah (Blessings): Neglecting Salah can result in a decrease in blessings (Barakah) in one's life. Without the divine guidance and protection attained through prayer, individuals may find themselves facing difficulties and challenges without the spiritual strength and support they need to overcome them.
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his progeny) has said: “Prayer is the pillar of your religion and one who intentionally forsakes his prayer has destroyed his religion. And one who does not guard the times of the prayers, shall be made to enter ‘Wayl’, which is a valley in Hell, as Allah, the Exalted,says:
“So woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayers.”
In summary, Salah is a vital aspect of Islamic faith and practice, offering numerous benefits and blessings to those who observe it diligently. Neglecting Salah can have detrimental consequences on both the individual's spiritual well-being and their standing in the Hereafter. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to prioritize prayer and maintain consistency in their worship to attain spiritual fulfillment and divine favor.
All Praises is due to Allah,we ask Him to let us die on the path of Qur'an and Sunnah.