For those that struggle to pray salat
Salat is the lifeline of a Muslim.
It is my intention that from this short book you will understand the essential point that salat is for our benefit alone, and for our benefit in the present moment, the here-and-now in this world.
Salat was ordained for us by Allah as the repeated and constant guidance of the believer by the supreme, guidance in duniya (not the hereafter) as it is in this world that mankind is in desperate need of this guidance. And salat is a supreme guidance that works in all ways to guide us and, perhaps so much more importantly, to constantly return us to the right path.
If salat is not alive in one’s life, then what do we have? What guides us to the meaning of living? What defines our purpose?
Salat was not given to only the pious, the elderly or the wise. Salat is for all of mankind; we are all full of imperfections, every single one of us, and only Allah can guide us and have mercy upon us. Let us turn to the Creatorﷻ for guidance.
Allahﷻ says: “Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you.” (Hadith qudsi)
Take that first step towards Allahﷻ and one will surely find where that path will lead.
May Allahﷻ guide us to pray salat for it will surely lead to great things.
May Allahﷻ grant us the ability to pray salat on time as only prayers at their prescribed time are accepted by ﷻ Him
“Verily, the prayer (as-salah) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.” (Surah An-Nisa:103)
In'shaAllah, the revival of salat in one’s life will lead to the revival of oneself. Revival of oneself will lead to revival of one’s life and family, which in turn will, by the will of Allahﷻ , lead to the awakening and revival of society.
Surah 2 Al-Baqara Ayah 45
Waistaaaeenoo bialssabrI waalssalatI wainnaha lakabeeratun illa aaalaalkhashiaaeena
And seek help in patience and as-salah (the prayer) and truly, it is extremely heavy and hard except for al-khashi`in (i.e. the true believers in Allah that are humble in prayers).
The scholars have various opinions on the meaning of the above.
Allah Ta’ala says that one should seek help in patience and as-salah yet also states that it is extremely heavy (i.e. that patience and the prayer are extremely difficult for all except for al khasi’in)
‘Al khasi’in’ refers to the true humble believers, those that attain khushu` (tranquillity and joy) in their prayers. To attain khushu` in one’s prayers, one must be aware and mindful of Allah Ta’ala and understand the meaning so as to be able to contemplate this conversation, thereby attaining tranquillity and joy in salah. Allah Ta’ala mentions that without attaining khushu` it is ‘extremely heavy’. The importance of khushu` is clearly emphasised to us in this ayat.
Khushu` in prayer is only attained by the one who has emptied his heart totally in salat, who does not pay attention to anything else besides it, and who prefers it above all else. At that point it becomes a delight and a joy for one’s eye, as in the hadith recorded by Imam Ahmad and An-Nasa'I from Anas (ra), who said that the messenger of Allah said: “..and salah was made the joy of my eye.”
Repent to Allahﷻ . This applies to all; no-one is exempt and no-one will obtain mercy without sincere tauba.