The five daily prayers, or Salah, is the second pillar of Islam. Muslims of sound mind and old enough to offer prayers must pray five times daily. Obligatory prayers are a basic tenant of our faith.
Like all other forms of worship, such as Zakat or Hajj, Salah also has certain requirements and conditions. Without fulfilling these conditions our Salah is either incomplete or completely void. These conditions include:
- Offering each prayer within the prescribed time. Prayers should not be offered before time or
- delayed past a certain limit. There are exceptional circumstances, but these should be rare and
- best avoided.
- Worshippers must be in a state of Wudhu or ablution. Cleanliness is vital as we are presenting
- ourselves to Allah (SWT).
- Prayers should be offered in the proper attire. Both men and women must cover certain body
- parts and ensure that their garments are free of filth.
- The place where Salah is being offered must be clean as well.
- Salah should be offered while facing the Qibla, which is the direction of the Holy Kaaba.
Most of the conditions are easy to fulfill. Many, however, struggle to find the time to be punctual and consistent with their prayers. striking a balance between work and home life is difficult for many even without adding in the obligation of the five daily prayers.
Still, we must find a way to follow Allah’s (SWT) commands while trying to get everything else done as well. Praying the five daily prayers on time is important to any Muslim’s life. Praying the Salah on time should not be an achievement, as it is the bare minimum we can do as Muslims.
Why Praying On Time is Vital?
If you are still finding it hard to pray each of the five prayers on time, here are a few reasons to let you know just why timely prayer is so critical to our faith:
It is Allah’s (SWT) Order
Allah (SWT), our Creator, our Master, and our Provider, has ordered us to pray five times each day. Accepting Islam means surrendering oneself to Allah (SWT). This means whatever we do or do not do is based on Allah’s (SWT) commands. If He (SWT) commands us to stop eating from dawn till dusk for thirty days, we must do so without asking any questions.
It is this blind and unwavering faith in Allah (SWT) that makes a Muslim a believer, a pious servant of Allah (SWT). The command to offer the five prayers at the prescribed times is clear and unambiguous. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
“If you are late in performing your service of prayer honor God by remembering Him, standing or sitting or lying on your sides. And when you have security perform your act of prayer befittingly; and praying at fixed hours is prescribed for the faithful.” [4:103]
It is important to offer the prayers on time simply because it is Allah’s (SWT) command. A true Muslim needs no other reason. Allah’s (SWT) order is reason enough.
Being Mindful of Prayers is the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW)
Another reason to make sure that Salah timings are followed exactly is that it is the Sunnah for the Holy Prophet (SAW). Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) lived a life of extreme piousness and nobility, which is why his life is a model for us. To become good Muslims, we must follow in his footsteps.
The Holy Prophet (SAW) and his companions (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) were always very particular about their prayers. Prayer was established with great care. The following tradition is found in Sahih al-Bukhari concerning prayer timings:
Narrated Az-Zuhri that he visited Anas bin Malik in Damascus and found him weeping and asked him why he was weeping. He replied, “I do not know anything which I used to know during the lifetime of Allah’s Apostle except this prayer which is being lost (not offered as it should be).” [Sahih al-Bukhari 530]
The above hadith indicates how essential it was to offer Salah at the proper time. it was considered a matter of great sorrow if a companion (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) of the Holy Prophet (SAW) missed a prayer even if there was a genuine cause, like an illness.
Punctuality of Salah Keeps Us Connected to Allah (SWT)
Salah is the remembrance of Allah (SWT). By offering prayer throughout the day, we are repeatedly reminded of our mission. It keeps us connected to Allah (SWT) by strengthening the bond with our Creator.
We can disconnect from the material world and disengage ourselves from the hustle and bustle of our lives. Prayer is a way we get closer to our Lord and offer prayers daily throughout the day to make sure. we never stray too far from Allah (SWT). Prayer in this sense is a protective shield against sins as we think twice before doing an evil deed because we know we must face Allah (SWT).
Timely Praying the Salah Keeps Us Organized
Time management is hard. By offering the five daily prayers, we must organize and manage our time to cater to our worldly commitments while fulfilling our obligations towards Allah (SWT).
Praying Salah on time necessitates better time management. It also prevents us from becoming complacent and lazy. It is easy to develop a routine and break down the day based on the tasks that must be completed, including the prayers for the day.
Praying Salah on Time Fills our Day with Blessings
Timely prayers mean we begin the day with the remembrance of Allah (SWT) and end the day with the remembrance of Allah (SWT). Throughout the day, we are reminded of Allah’s (SWT) Power, Might, and Mercy. our day is filled with positive thoughts and the feeling that Allah (SWT) is watching over us.
It makes us a better person as we refrain from sinning and strive to be better to all those around us. This is the blessing of offering salah on time. The five daily prayers are a gift from Allah (SWT).
Who is it All for?
We offer prayers to Allah (SWT), but we pray for our salvation and forgiveness. Allah (SWT) does not need our prayers; He is above such things. He has an army of angels who glorify Him without rest or
respite.
If we pray on time and with all the conditions that need to be fulfilled for praying salah, then we do so for ourselves. We need to make Allah (SWT) happy and earn His pleasure because that is the real success we can hope to gain in this life and the Hereafter. Nothing else matters besides Allah’s (SWT) pleasure and will.