❖FROM MONOTHEISM TO POLYTHEISM : What Happened? ❖

 

۞  The First Idols: How Polytheistic Worship Emerged  ۞ 

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Allaah (ﷻ) created mankind and the jinn to worship Him alone, and He provided for them everything they need to fulfil this purpose.

Allaah, the Exalted, said:

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ۝ مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍۢ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ ۝ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلرَّزَّاقُ ذُو ٱلْقُوَّةِ ٱلْمَتِينُ

“And I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me. I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed Me. Indeed, Allaah is the Provider, the Possessor of strength, the Firm.”

[Adh-Dhaariyaat 51:56-58]

Tawheed is firmly rooted in the natural disposition (fitrah) of mankind, while Shirk is something that enters into and corrupts that natural disposition.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًۭا ۚ فِطْرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

“So direct your face towards the religion, inclining to truth—the Fitrah (natural disposition) of Allaah upon which He has created mankind. There is no changing the creation of Allaah. That is the straight religion, but most people do not know.”

[Ar-Rum 30:30] 

And the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله ﷺ

كُلُّ مَوْلُودٍ يُولَدُ عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ، فَأَبَوَاهُ يُهَوِّدَانِهِ أَوْ يُنَصِّرَانِهِ أَوْ يُمَجِّسَانِهِ

“Every child is born upon the  Fitrah (natural disposition), then his parents make him a Jew, a Christian, or a Magian.”

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 1385; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2658] 

Therefore, Tawheed is the original state of mankind. Mankind was initially upon Tawheed, but Shaytaan gradually led people away from it until Shirk appeared.

Polytheism and corruption in Aqeedah first became widespread among the people of Nūḥ (عليه السلام), and Nūḥ (عليه السلام) was the first Messenger sent to mankind.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

وَقَالُوا۟ لَا تَذَرُنَّ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ وَلَا تَذَرُنَّ وَدًّۭا وَلَا سُوَاعًۭا وَلَا يَغُوثَ وَيَعُوقَ وَنَسْرًۭا

“And they said: Never leave your gods, and never leave Wadd, nor Suwaa‘, nor Yaghooth, nor Ya‘ooq, nor Nasr.”

[Nūḥ 71:23]

Ibn ‘Abbaas (رضي الله عنهما) explained that these were the names of righteous men from the people of Nūḥ. When they died, Shaytaan inspired their people to make statues in the places where they used to gather and name them after them. The people did so, but the statues were not worshipped at first. When that generation died and knowledge was forgotten, the statues were eventually worshipped.

[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4920] 

This shows how Shirk develops gradually. It may begin with something that appears to be a good intention—remembering righteous people—but eventually leads people away from the worship of Allaah alone.

Although many people throughout history committed Shirk in worship, most of them still acknowledged that Allaah is the Creator, Provider and Controller of the universe. Their main error was directing acts of worship to others besides Him.

Allaah (ﷻ) says:

وَلَئِن سَأَلْتَهُم مَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ لَيَقُولُنَّ ٱللَّهُ

“And if you ask them who created the heavens and the earth and subjected the sun and the moon, they will surely say: Allaah.”

[Al-‘Ankabūt 29:61]

Thus, merely believing that Allaah exists and that He is the Creator is not sufficient. A person must also worship Allaah alone, without directing any act of worship to another.

May Allaah (ﷻ) keep us firm upon Tawheed, protect us from every form of Shirk, and guide us and our families to the Straight Path.

*آمِيْن*

17 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR CONCENTRATION IN SALAAH

 

17 Powerful Ways to Deepen Your Connection with Allah in Salah

1. Pray slowly and take your time changing your positions. Do not rush through the salah.

2. Focus on perfecting your humbleness and your concentration on Allah (SWT) when you pray.

3. Prepare properly for Salah, take your time making Wudu

4. Use a Miswak for every wudu and/or every Salah

5. Come early for the Salah and prepare yourself to concentrate.

6. Listen and pay attention to the Adhaan. Repeat what the Muazzin says and make a supplication after the Adhaan. Dua isn’t refused between the Adhaan and the Iqamah.

7. Go to the masjid on time so you can get a good spot behind the imam

8. Aim for the full reward of the salah.

9. Perfect your Rukooh and Sujood. Make sure you are fully still when you do them.

10. Contemplate the Ayaah and adhkaar you are reciting in your Salah. Know what they mean.

11. Pray in congregation.

12. Don’t miss the nafl prayers, especially the Sunnah Muakkadah and the witr prayers.

13. Don’t speed up your Salah and pay attention to what you are doing in the Salah.

14. Remember that Allah (SWT) responds to your Salah. As long as you are paying attention to your Salah, Allah is paying attention to it, but when your heart turns away from the Salah, Allah (SWT) has no need to listen to your du'a.

15. Pray with a Sutra and draw near to it. If someone tries to pass in front of you, put your hand out to stop them so that they don’t cross in front of you to break your concentration.

16. Seek refuge from the Shaytan when you go for your Salah. If you are distracted by thoughts in your Salah, then turn to your left side with your head and spit thrice with dry spittle and say “audhubillahi minash Shaytanar Rajeem.”

17. Pray as if it is your last prayer. Say to yourself, “I’ll never be able to pray another prayer after this.”

▶️THE POWER AND EXCELLENCE OF DHIKR◀️

 

▶️The Remembrance of Allah: A Source of Tranquillity ◀️

🌷Allãh ﷻ said:

فَاذْكُرُونِي أَذْكُرْكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لِي وَلَا تَكْفُرُونِ (152)

"Therefore, remember Me, I will remember you and be grateful to Me, and never be ungrateful to Me." 

[2:152]

 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا (41)

☘️ "O you who believe! Remember ALLÃH with much remembrance." 

[Al-'Ahzaab, 41]

 وَاذْكُر رَّبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ الْغَافِلِينَ (205)

🍀"And bring your Lord to remembrance in your [very] soul, with humility and remember without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings, and be not of those who are unheedful." 

[7:205]

▶️AHadiths about Zikr:

🌹The prophet ﷺ said: Allãh ﷻ said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ يَقُولُ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى

أَنَا عِنْدَ ظَنِّ عَبْدِي بِي، وَأَنَا مَعَهُ إِذَا ذَكَرَنِي، فَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي نَفْسِهِ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي نَفْسِي، وَإِنْ ذَكَرَنِي فِي مَلأٍ ذَكَرْتُهُ فِي مَلأٍ خَيْرٍ مِنْهُمْ، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ بِشِبْرٍ تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ ذِرَاعًا، وَإِنْ تَقَرَّبَ إِلَىَّ ذِرَاعًا تَقَرَّبْتُ إِلَيْهِ بَاعًا، وَإِنْ أَتَانِي يَمْشِي أَتَيْتُهُ هَرْوَلَةً ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says: 'I am just as My slave thinks I am, (i.e. I am able to do for him what he thinks I can do for him) and I am with him if He remembers Me. If he remembers Me in himself, I too, remember him in Myself; and if he remembers Me in a group of people, I remember him in a group that is better than they; and if he comes one span nearer to Me, I go one cubit nearer to him; and if he comes one cubit nearer to Me, I go a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.' "

[Sahih al-Bukhari 7405; Sahih Muslim 2675.]

🌴The Prophet ﷺ said: 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ

مَا قَعَدَ قَوْمٌ مَقْعَدًا لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً، فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ. وَمَا مَشَى قَوْمٌ مَمْشًى لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً، فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ. وَمَا اضْطَجَعَ قَوْمٌ مَضْجَعًا لَمْ يَذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ فِيهِ، وَلَمْ يُصَلُّوا عَلَى نَبِيِّهِمْ، إِلَّا كَانَ عَلَيْهِمْ تِرَةً، فَإِنْ شَاءَ عَذَّبَهُمْ، وَإِنْ شَاءَ غَفَرَ لَهُمْ

رواه أبو داود والنسائي

"Whoever takes a seat and fails to remember Allãh, has incurred upon himself a loss from Allãh, and whoever lies down (relaxes) and fails to remember Allãh, has incurred himself a loss from Allãh."

[Sunan Abi Dawud 4856; Musnad Ahmad 9711.]

 

🌳Narrated Abu Huraira; The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ

كَلِمَتَانِ خَفِيفَتَانِ عَلَى اللِّسَانِ، ثَقِيلَتَانِ فِي الْمِيزَانِ، حَبِيبَتَانِ إِلَى الرَّحْمَنِ: سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ، سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ

رواه البخاري ومسلم

 

"(There are) two words which are dear to the  Beneficent (Allah) and very light (easy) for the tongue (to say), but  very heavy in weight in the balance. They are: ''Subhan Allah wa-bi  hamdihi'' and ''Subhan Allah Al-`Azim."  

[Sahih al-Bukhari 6682; Sahih Muslim 2694.]

🔚 Note: May Allah make our tongues constantly moist with His remembrance, our hearts alive with His love, and our lives filled with obedience to Him. May He grant us sincerity in our Dhikr and make it a means of attaining His pleasure and Paradise. Āmīn. 🤲

“So remember Me; I will remember you.” — 

Qur’an 2:152

4 FOUNDATIONS OF A BELIEVER'S

 

 Ḥātim al-Aṣamm رحمه الله, Advice: Provision, Worship, Death & Allah’s Watchfulness

سُئِلَ حَاتِمٌ الأَصَمُّ رَحِمَهُ اللَّهُ: عَلَى أَيِّ شَيْءٍ بَنَيْتَ أَمْرَكَ؟

فَقَالَ عَلَى أَرْبَعِ خِصَالٍ

عَلَى أَنِّي لَا أَخْرُجُ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا حَتَّى أَسْتَكْمِلَ رِزْقِي ، وَعَلَى أَنَّ رِزْقِي لَا يَأْكُلُهُ غَيْرِي ، وَعَلَى أَنَّ أَجَلِي لَا أَدْرِي مَتَى هُوَ ، وَعَلَى أَنِّي لَا أَغِيبُ عَنِ اللَّهِ طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ

الخطيب البغدادي، تاريخ بغداد، جـ 9، صـ 149

Ḥātim al-Aṣamm رحمه الله was asked:

“Upon what have you built your life?”

He replied:

“Upon four principles:

1. I understood that no one can take away the provision Allah has destined for me, so my heart became content.

2. I understood that no one can perform my acts of worship for me, so I began to fulfil them myself.

3. I understood that Allah is always watching me, so I became ashamed to disobey Him.

4. I understood that death awaits me, so I began preparing for my meeting with Allah. 

🌿 In short: My provision is guaranteed, my lifespan is unknown, my deeds are my responsibility, and Allah is always watching me.

📚 Reference:

Al-Khaṭīb al-Baghdādī, Tārīkh Baghdād, Vol. 9, p. 149.

*THE 3 RIGHTS OF A MUSLIM : Allah, the Body & One Another*

 

* Three Rights, Three Responsibilities: Allah, Your Body & Your Fellow Muslims *

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*Do You Fulfil Them? *

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There are 3 Rights which are incumbent upon you to fulfil, otherwise you will fail in life and in death.

__

*1. The Right of Allah ﷻ*

The Right of Allah ﷻ over His slaves is that His slaves  do not associate with Him, obey Him in everything and avoid engaging in disobedience.

As Allah ﷻ says

* أَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱلرَّسُولَ *

_Obey Allah and Obey His Messenger ﷺ_

[4:59]

To know Allah ﷻ so that you may worship Him correctly and in the best way possible also falls into this category.

So, Seek Knowledge!

Logically, how else will you obey Allah ﷻ if you don't know Halal from Haram?

And as Prophet ﷺ said _

قَالَ: فَأَخْبِرْنِي عَنِ الْإِحْسَانِ، قَالَ: أَنْ تَعْبُدَ اللَّهَ كَأَنَّكَ تَرَاهُ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَكُنْ تَرَاهُ فَإِنَّهُ يَرَاكَ

"To worship Allah ﷻ as if you see Him, meaning with Khushoo' and even though you don't see Him, know that He sees you"_

Note: “with Khushūʿ” is an explanation of the meaning, rather than part of the Prophet’s ﷺ exact wording.

[Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Wallahi! When we slack in Khushoo' in our 'Amaal, we haven't fulfilled the Right of Allah ﷻ over us and there is a hole in it!

Why should we expect acceptance for a Deed which lacked sincerity, Khushoo', conviction?

Rather we should strive to perform every deed with Ikhlaas, Ihsaan and Khushoo'.

__

*2. Right over self-*

The second right you have to fulfil is the right over yourself.

Your Body has a right over you that it should be led towards Jannah and not towards Jahannam.

Meaning we should take care of ourselves, spiritually and physically!

Your Body has a right over you that you should be using it for the Obedience of Allah ﷻ!

And using it to avoid the disobedience to Allah ﷻ!

As Allah ﷻ says

ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

_On that day we shall seal their mouths, and their hands shall speak to us and their feet shall bear witness to what they have earned. _

[36:65]

Your body has a right over you in the physical sense!

Keep healthy!

Don't overburden your body by not being active!

The most strain you put on it is when you sit idle and do nothing!

__

*3. Right of your fellow Muslim*

The last but not least, fulfilling the right of your fellow muslim.

Allah ﷻ says

* إِنَّمَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌۭ *

_Indeed, the Believers are but Brothers. _

[49:10]

Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, _ 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ

حَقُّ الْمُسْلِمِ عَلَى الْمُسْلِمِ خَمْسٌ: رَدُّ السَّلَامِ، وَعِيَادَةُ الْمَرِيضِ، وَاتِّبَاعُ الْجَنَائِزِ، وَإِجَابَةُ الدَّعْوَةِ، وَتَشْمِيتُ الْعَاطِسِ

«وَإِذَا اسْتَنْصَحَكَ فَانْصَحْ لَهُ»

“A Muslim has five rights over another Muslim: 

To return the greeting of peace, to visit him when he is sick, to follow his funeral procession, to answer his invitation, and to respond to his sneeze.” _

In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said, _“When he seeks your advice, you counsel him.”_

[Sahih Al-Bukhari 1183, Sahih Muslim 2162]

May Allah ﷻ make us among those who fulfill all the rights towards everyone and grant us ease.

*آمِيْن*

RISE FOR TAHAJJUD (Your Lord Is Near) 🌙🤲🏻

 

THE SECRETS OF TAHAJJUD (Tears, Duʿā & Divine Mercy) 🤲🏻💞

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Messenger Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said,

"Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says: 

Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation?

Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request?

Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him? "

 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ يَتَنَزَّلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ فَيَقُولُ مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ، مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ، مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 7494

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

Whenever the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) offered the night (Tahajjud) prayer, he used to say,

"O Allah! All the Praises are for You; You are the Light of the Heavens and the Earth. And all the Praises are for You; You are the Keeper of the Heavens and the Earth.

All the Praises are for You; You are the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth and whatever is therein. You are the Truth, and Your Promise is the Truth, and Your Speech is the Truth, and meeting You is the Truth, and Paradise is the Truth and Hell (Fire) is the Truth and all the prophets are the Truth and the Hour is the Truth.

O Allah! I surrender to You, and believe in You, and depend upon You, and repent to You, and in Your cause, I fight and with Your orders I rule. So please forgive my past and future sins and those sins which I did in secret or in public. It is You Whom I worship, none has the right to be worshipped except You."

 ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يَقُولُ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا تَهَجَّدَ مِنَ اللَّيْلِ قَالَ ‏"‏

اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَ الأَرْضِ، وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ قَيِّمُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَ الأَرْضِ، وَ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ رَبُّ السَّمَوَاتِ وَ الأَرْضِ، وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ أَنْتَ الْحَقُّ، وَ وَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ وَ قَوْلُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَ لِقَاؤُكَ الْحَقُّ، وَ الْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ، وَ النَّارُ حَقٌّ، وَ النَّبِيُّونَ حَقٌّ، وَ السَّاعَةُ حَقٌّ، اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ، وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ، وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ، وَ إِلَيْكَ أَنَبْتُ، وَ بِكَ خَاصَمْتُ، وَ إِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ، فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَ مَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَ مَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَ مَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ إِلَهِي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ ‏"‏‏.‏

Sahih al-Bukhari 7499

*🕋THE GREAT REWARDS OF GUARDING YOUR SALAAH 🕌*

 

*🕋The Virtues of Salah: A Believer’s Greatest Connection With Allah🕌*

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ

أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ أَنَّ نَهْرًا بِبَابِ أَحَدِكُمْ يَغْتَسِلُ فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسَ مَرَّاتٍ، هَلْ يَبْقَى مِنْ دَرَنِهِ شَيْءٌ؟ قَالُوا: لَا يَبْقَى مِنْ دَرَنِهِ شَيْءٌ

قَالَ: «فَذَلِكَ مَثَلُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ، يَمْحُو اللهُ بِهِنَّ الْخَطَايَا

Abu Hurayra Radiyallahu ‘anhu said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘ *What do you think would happen if there was a river by someone’s door in which he washed five times every day? Do you think that any dirt would remain on him?* ’ They said, ‘Not a scrap of dirt would remain on him.’ He said, ‘ *That is a metaphor of the five prayers by which Allah wipes out wrong actions.'* ” 

[-Bukhari, 528 Muslim, 667]

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ رضي الله عنه، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ

«مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلَاةِ الطُّهُورُ، وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ، وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ»

Ali ibn Abi Talib (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“The key to prayer is purification; its opening is the takbīr, and its completion is the taslīm.”

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 61

Jami‘ at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3

Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 275)

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ

حُبِّبَ إِلَيَّ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا النِّسَاءُ وَالطِّيبُ، وَجُعِلَتْ قُرَّةُ عَيْنِي فِي الصَّلَاةِ

Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“From this world, women and perfume have been made beloved to me, and the comfort and delight of my eyes has been placed in prayer.”

(Sunan an-Nasa'i, 3940

Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Hadith 12293).

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ الْأُسَيْدِيِّ رضي الله عنه، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ

مَنْ حَافَظَ عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ، عَلَى وُضُوئِهَا، وَمَوَاقِيتِهَا، وَرُكُوعِهَا، وَسُجُودِهَا، وَعَلِمَ أَنَّهُنَّ حَقٌّ لِلَّهِ عَلَيْهِ، حَرَّمَهُ اللهُ عَلَى النَّارِ

Hanzalah Al Usaidi Radiyallahu ‘anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said: ‘

 *The person who guards the five times Salah, its Wudu, its prescribed time, its proper Ruku’ and Sujüd, while perceiving it to be the Right of Allah on him, he is forbidden upon Fire.’*

 

Note: The wording is reported with some variations in the chains and texts. The meaning is supported by many authentic narrations emphasizing the importance of preserving Salah, its times, and its proper performance.

(Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Hadith 17636)

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ بْنِ رِبْعِيٍّ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ: قَالَ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ

إِنِّي افْتَرَضْتُ عَلَى أُمَّتِكَ خَمْسَ صَلَوَاتٍ، وَعَهِدْتُ عِنْدِي عَهْدًا أَنَّهُ مَنْ حَافَظَ عَلَيْهِنَّ لِوَقْتِهِنَّ أَدْخَلْتُهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَمَنْ لَمْ يُحَافِظْ عَلَيْهِنَّ فَلَا عَهْدَ لَهُ عِنْدِي

Abu Qatadah ibne-Rib’i Radiyallahu ‘anhu reported that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam narrates in a Hadith Qudsi that Allah ‘Azza wa Jall has said:’ 

*Verily, I have enjoined upon your Ummah five times Salah, and I have taken upon myself an oath that anyone who observes them at their appointed time, I shall admit him into Paradise; if anyone does not offer them regularly, there is no such guarantee from Me for him (I may punish him or forgive him).'* 

( Abi Dawud, 430 Ibn Majah, 1403)

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ

الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ، وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ، وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ، مُكَفِّرَاتٌ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ إِذَا اجْتُنِبَتِ الْكَبَائِرُ

Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu ‘anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said: ‘ 

*The five times Salah and the prayer of Friday to Friday, and the fasting of Ramadan to Ramadan, are atonements for sins that have been committed between them, provided the sinner avoids major sins.* ’ 

(Muslim, 233 Jami‘ At-Tirmidhi,  214).

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو رضي الله عنهما، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ أَنَّهُ ذَكَرَ الصَّلَاةَ يَوْمًا فَقَالَ

مَنْ حَافَظَ عَلَيْهَا كَانَتْ لَهُ نُورًا وَبُرْهَانًا وَنَجَاةً يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، وَمَنْ لَمْ يُحَافِظْ عَلَيْهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ لَهُ نُورًا وَلَا بُرْهَانًا وَلَا نَجَاةً، وَكَانَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ مَعَ قَارُونَ وَفِرْعَوْنَ وَهَامَانَ وَأُبَيِّ بْنِ خَلَفٍ

Abdullah ibne-’Amr Radiyallahu ‘anhuma narrates that one day, Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam mentioned Salat and said: ‘ 

*For him who remains mindful of his Salah, it will be a light and an argument in his favour and a means of his salvation on the Day of Judgement; and for him who is not mindful of his Salah, there shall be neither a light, nor an argument in his favour, nor a means for his salvation. And on the Day of Judgement, he will be with Fir’aun, Hamãn and Ubayy ibne-Khalaf.’* 

(Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Hadith 6576

Sunan al-Darimi, Hadith 2721)

AHMADTRINI

Note: Fir’aun was the king of Egypt at the time of Musa ‘Alaihis salam, Hamãn was his minister, and Ubayy ibne-Khalaf was an ardent idolater and adversary of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam.

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قِيلَ لِرَسُولِ اللهِ ﷺ

يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَيُّ الدُّعَاءِ أَسْمَعُ؟ قَالَ

«جَوْفُ اللَّيْلِ الْآخِرِ، وَدُبُرَ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْمَكْتُوبَاتِ»

Abu Umamah Radiyallahu ‘anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam was asked: O Rasulullah! At what time is Du’a the most readily listened to and accepted? He replied: ‘ *The one made during the course of latter part of the night, and after the obligatory Salah’.* 

(Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3499)

Imam al-Tirmidhi رحمه الله mentioned it as Hasan (good) in his Sunan.

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ رُوَيْبَةَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ

 يَقُولُ

«لَنْ يَلِجَ النَّارَ أَحَدٌ صَلَّى قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا»

يَعْنِي: الْفَجْرَ وَالْعَصْرَ

Ruwaibah Radiyallahu ‘anhu narrates:’ I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam saying: *Undoubtedly he will not enter Hell-Fire, who has offered Salat before the rising of the sun, and before its setting; that is Fajr and ‘Asr.’* 

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 634)

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ جُنْدَبِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ الْقَسْرِيِّ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ

مَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فَهُوَ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللهِ، فَلَا يَطْلُبَنَّكُمُ اللهُ مِنْ ذِمَّتِهِ بِشَيْءٍ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَطْلُبْهُ مِنْ ذِمَّتِهِ بِشَيْءٍ يُدْرِكْهُ، ثُمَّ يَكُبُّهُ عَلَى وَجْهِهِ فِي نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ

Jundub Al Qasri Radiyallahu ‘anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said: ‘ *He who offers the Fajr Salah, is indeed in the Protection of Allah (so do not trouble those who are under Allah’s Protection); for you will be answerable to Allah for violating this protection; because undoubtedly, if He takes anyone to account for violating this protection, He will catch him and fling him headlong on his face into the Hell-Fire.’* 

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 657)

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ أُمِّ فَرْوَةَ رضي الله عنها قَالَتْ: سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ 

أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟ قَالَ

«الصَّلَاةُ لِأَوَّلِ وَقْتِهَا»

Umme Farwah Radiyallahu ‘anhã narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam was asked: ‘ *Which is the best of the good deeds?* He said: *To offer Salat at the beginning of its prescribed time.* ’ 

( Abu Dawud, 426Jami` At-Tirmidhi,  170).

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللهِ رضي الله عنهما قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ

«إِنَّ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلِ وَبَيْنَ الشِّرْكِ وَالْكُفْرِ تَرْكَ الصَّلَاةِ

Jabir ibne-Abdullah Radiyallahu ‘anhuma narrates: I heard Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam saying: ‘ *Between man and (his entering into) polytheism and unbelief is the abandonment of Salah.’* 

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 82)

Note: Scholars of Islam have offered several explanations to this hadith. One is that a person who abandons Salah becomes increasingly arrogant and bold in committing sins, which may endanger his faith. Another explanation is that the one who abandons Salah runs the risk of an evil end.

AHMADTRINI

:عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ

مُرُوا أَوْلَادَكُمْ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ، وَاضْرِبُوهُمْ عَلَيْهَا وَهُمْ أَبْنَاءُ عَشْرِ سِنِينَ، وَفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَهُمْ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ

Abdullah ibne-’Amr ibnil As narrates from his father, who heard from his grandfather Radiyallahu ‘anhuma, who narrated that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said: ‘ 

*Command your children when they are seven years old, to perform Salah; and beat them for not observing it when they are ten years old. And at this age separate their beds (i.e. do not let brothers and sisters sleep together)* .’ 

(Abu Dawud, 495 Musnad Ahmad  6756)

Note:  Beating should not cause bodily harm.

AHMADTRINI

عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ رضي الله عنه قَالَ: سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ

مَا مِنْ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ تَحْضُرُهُ صَلَاةٌ مَكْتُوبَةٌ، فَيُحْسِنُ وُضُوءَهَا، وَخُشُوعَهَا، وَرُكُوعَهَا، إِلَّا كَانَتْ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا قَبْلَهَا مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ، مَا لَمْ تُؤْتَ كَبِيرَةٌ، وَذَلِكَ الدَّهْرَ كُلَّهُ

‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, “ *There is no Muslim man who attends a prescribed prayer and does wudu’ for it well and is humble in it and in its bowing, without that being expiation for the sins before it as long as he did not commit any major sin. This will always apply.”* 

[Sahih Muslim, Hadith 228]

 _______________

"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."(51:55)