The Losses Of the one that does not pray

BY TIECM Young Scribe (20 years old)

28/01/2024

In the fast-paced world we live in, where distractions and responsibilities often compete for our attention, it's easy to lose sight of the spiritual essence that grounds us. For young Muslims navigating the challenges of the modern era, maintaining a connection with our faith can be particularly demanding. However, amid the hustle and bustle of life, one timeless practice stands as a steadfast anchor for the Muslim youth – Salāh.

When the topic of Salāh is addressed on public platforms, the conventional method focusses on establishing its importance, discussing the sins associated with neglecting Salāh and discussing the rulings associated with such a person. This method is without doubt essential, and it does reflect one of the many Quranic approaches when speaking about Salāh. However, our journey in this article will be a less conventional method, and I hope that Allāh ﷻ will make this read a means of wakefulness for my heart and the hearts of my dear young readers.

Our journey will take different narrations, which speak not only of the compulsory Salāh, but of other matters that are attached to it and the voluntary prayers. The purpose of this exercise is for us to then realise just how much the one who misses their prayer has actually lost out on.

Sālah, The Unparalleled Act of Worship

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

‘’Whoever says after finishing his Fajr prayer.

‘La ilaha ill-Allah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahu’l-mulk wa lahu’l-hamd yuhyi wa yumit biyadihil khayr wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadir’

(there is no God but Allah Alone, with no partner or associate, His is the Dominion and to Him be praise, He gives life and gives death, in His hand is all good and He has power over all things)

100 times before changing his position, he will be amongst the best of people on earth in respect to their good deeds, except a person who did the same as this or more.’’ Source: Al-Mundhiri, on the authority of Abu Umama

Ponder over this, for this Hadith is not speaking about the Salāh itself but merely an action that is linked to Salāh. Look at the enormity of the reward involved! What then about the Salāh itself?

‘’A man came to The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and asked him about the greatest of good deeds, to which he responded, ‘Al-Salāh.’ The man asked again, ‘Then what?’ The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, ‘Al Salāh,’ three times.’’

Source: Ahmad, on the authority of ‘Abdullah b. ‘Amr

One should surely ask: just how much has the one who misses his prayer actually lost out on? The answer: He has missed out on the greatest of all actions in the Eyes of Allāh. On a Day where one will be in a state of depression for every atoms weight of a good deed, being informed that ‘your scrolls of good deeds are in fact lacking the best of deeds’ is devastating to say the least.

So, my dear reader, when the time for prayer arrives, drop everything that is within your hands at once and realise that regardless of what it is that you are engaging in at that time, you will not be doing anything that even comes close in greatness to Salāh.

Salāh and the treasures of Dunya

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

‘’The two units of prayer before Fajr are greater than this world and everything within it.’’

Source: Muslim, on the authority of A’ishah

This is the value of the Sunnah prayer associated with Fajr. Imagine the value of the Fajr prayer itself, Thus, we ask: just how much has the one who misses his prayer actually lost out on? He has missed out on something that is far more precious than the Dunya and its delights combined. This is a person who purposely sets his alarm clock to ring after the sun has risen in order to catch enough sleep before school or work. Thus, he begins his day in the worst way possible: without Salāh.

Salāh and Your Family and Wealth

Envisage yourself checking your bank account one morning only to find that your savings have mysteriously disappeared. Then, after returning home from school or work, you realise the absence of your family. You find a note on the coffee table that reads, ‘’We have robbed you of all your wealth and family.’’ Your heart wretches with pain at the mere thought of such a scenario. With that in mind, The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

‘’Whoever misses his ‘Asr prayer, it is as if his wealth and family have been taken away from him.’’

Source: Al-Nasa’i, on the authority of Nawfal b. Mu’awiyah

One must surely ask: just how much has the one who misses his prayer actually lost out on? He has lost out on a matter that is far more precious than one’s wealth and family.

Salāh and Protection

Imagine being informed by an individual of power and influence that ‘’you are under my protection for today.’’ Your anxieties would disappear for that day; you would walk the Earth with the highest of spirits, attend to your daily activities with the greatest of confidence, and mix with people fearlessly, having realised that so-and-so has your back. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

‘’Whoever prays the Fajr prayer, then for that day, such a person is under the protection of Allāh.’’

Source: Al-Tabarani, on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar

Should the one who performs the Fajr prayer truly sense the meaning of this Hadith by day, their demeanour would most certainly change.

One must surely ask: just how much has the one who misses his prayer actually lost out on? What strength can there be in a person whom Allāh ﷻ has let go of? With what confidence does such a person meet people and attend to his needs? Are they not afraid? Are they not aware that they have been left exposed, bare and incredibly vulnerable?

The Transformative power of Salāh

One of the most powerful aspects of Salāh is the discipline it instils in the lives of those who practice it regularly. The five daily prayers create a structured routine, weaving mindfulness into the fabric of everyday existence. This disciplined approach not only helps young Muslims stay connected with their faith but also cultivates a sense of order and balance in their lives.

Salāh is not only an individual act of worship but also a communal experience. The unity of Muslims standing shoulder to shoulder in prayer symbolises the strength of the Ummah, fostering a sense of community and brotherhood. Engaging in Salāh together creates bonds that go beyond shared interests or experiences, tying them to a broader, supportive network.

Regular engagement in Salāh provides an opportunity for continuous spiritual growth and self- reflection. The moments spent in prostration and supplication allow us to assess our actions, seek forgiveness, and strive for self-improvement. Through this process, we can navigate the challenges of adolescence and adulthood with a heightened sense of purpose and moral clarity.

In the hectic journey of youth, where the pursuit of personal and professional success often takes precedence, the practice of Salāh emerges as a beacon of stability and guidance. Encouraging young people to embrace the transformative power of prayer is not just an invitation to observe a ritual; it's an invitation to embark on a journey of self-discovery, spiritual enlightenment, and a deeper connection with Allāh. It is in Salāh that we can find solace, discipline, and a profound sense of purpose that transcends the transient nature of the world around us.

So once more, we must ask ourselves: just how much has the one who misses their prayer actually lost out on?

Clearly, he has lost out on everything that constitutes success in this world and the next.

And what has a person who upholds his prayer gained?

He has gained the most hopeful good deed that a person could possibly present to Allāh on the Day of Standing.