Salaat occupies a lofty position in the religion of Islam. Its performance is the foremost duty of a Muslim after he has brought faith in the Oneness of Allah Ta’ala and the prophethood of His holy Messenger, Nabee Muhammed (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam). It is a most special act of Divine worship which he is called upon to perform five times daily without fail. The pages of the Qur’an and Hadith are replete with injunctions which enjoin Salaat on us. It is of such paramount importance that it has been described as a pillar and foundation of faith.
Salaat, if offered with a sincere heart, proper devotion and mental concentration, contributes to the cleansing of the heart, ridding it of the impurities of sin and ultimately transforming one’s entire life. It engenders love for piety and promotes fear of Allah in man. Islam has laid greater emphasis on the institution of Salaat than on other religious obligations. Whenever anyone came to Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam) with a view to embrace Islam, he was expected to uphold his Salaat with regularity. Hence after Imaan, Salaat is the bedrock of Islam.
From a study of the traditions of our Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam) we learn that Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam) denounced the giving up of Salaat as the way of the unbelievers. He is reported to have said:
“That which separates a believer from infidelity is simply the Salaat”
“He has no share in Islam who does not offer Salaat”
Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam) sounded a note of warning to Muslims that if they gave up Salaat their conduct would be associated with that of the unbelievers.
What a great act of virtue and felicity it is to offer Salaat regularly and how disastrous it is to neglect it, is beautifully summarised in the following prophetic words:
‘Whoever will offer the Salaat properly and regularly it will be for him on the Last Day a source of light, a proof of his faith and a means to salvation. (On the other hand) Whoever will not offer it carefully and regularly it will be for him neither a source of light, nor a proof of faith, nor a means of salvation, and the end of such a person will be with Qarun, Fir’aun, Haman and Ubai-bin-Khalaf.’
The ignominy and disgrace that the defaulters of Salaat will be subjected to on the Day of Judgment, has been aptly described in the Holy Qur’an:
“The day that the shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able, their eyes shall be cast down – ignominy will cover them, seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to bow in adoration while they were hale and healthy (and had refused). “(LXVIII:42).
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