WHY WE SHOULD STRIVE TO OFFER OUR 5X DAILY PRAYERS. {Part 2}

BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

The parable of the prayer is that of a running river in which we cleanse our hearts five times a day.

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
مَثَلُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ كَمَثَلِ نَهْرٍ جَارٍ غَمْرٍ عَلَى بَابِ أَحَدِكُمْ يَغْتَسِلُ مِنْهُ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسَ مَرَّاتٍ
The example of the five prayers is that of a river running at the door of one of you in which he cleanses himself five times a day.
Source: Sahih Muslim 668, Grade: Sahih

When we are preparing for prayer, we should keep this image in mind so that our awareness is focused on the goal of attaining a pure heart. Related to this inward purification is the purification from sin, as prayer is among the greatest good deeds for which we expiate our sins.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: A man kissed a woman who was not his wife and he came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and told him about that. The verse was revealed:
أَقِمْ الصَّلَاةَ طَرَفَيْ النَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِنْ اللَّيْلِ إِنَّ الْحَسَنَاتِ يُذْهِبْنَ السَّيِّئَاتِ
Establish prayer at the two ends of the day and in the first hours of the night. Verily, good deeds will do away with bad deeds. (11:114)
Source: Sahih Bukhari 4410, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

This expiation is another way to view the prayer as a river, since it cleanses us from the sins we commit.

Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ أَنَّ نَهَرًا بِبَابِ أَحَدِكُمْ، يَغْتَسِلُ فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسًا مَا تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ يُبْقِي مِنْ دَرَنِهِ‏
If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would you notice any dirt on him?
They said, “Not a trace of dirt would be left.” The Prophet said:
فَذَلِكَ مِثْلُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِهَا الْخَطَايَا
That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah erases evil deeds. Source: Sahih Bukahri 505, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi. Allahu Akbar.

May Allah aid us through our efforts to offer our daily salaat on time and with sunnah ones too.
Aameen.

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WHY WE SHOULD STRIVE TO OFFER OUR 5X DAILY PRAYERS. { Part 1}

BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.

Prayer (salat) is the most important practice in Islam after declaring faith in Allah and His Messenger. The Prophet described the prayer as a light, the pillar of Islam, and among the best deeds.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud may Allah be pleased with him reported: I asked, “O Messenger of Allah, which deed is best?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
الصَّلَاةُ عَلَى مِيقَاتِهَا
Prayer in its proper time.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 2630, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi

But this is for the true and sincere prayer that completes its purpose and objectives, both inwardly and outwardly, not simply going through the motions without presence of heart. In order for the prayer to be fulfilled, we must allow it to purify our hearts, to keep us away from sin, and to enrich our lives in the remembrance of Allah.

Purification of the heart is the ultimate religious objective of prayer. A prayer will only be acceptable to Allah if it is done with sincerity, reverence, awareness, and repentance. Our prayers should cleanse the heart of every spiritual disease such as envy, malice, zina, gambling, arrogance etc.

Allah says:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَن تَزَكَّىٰ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ
He has succeeded who purifies himself, who remembers the name of his Lord and prays. Surat Al-A’la 87:14-15. Allahu Akbar WALHAMDULILLAH.

May Allah aid us to purify our hearts towards our salaat.
Aameen.

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Supplication After Wudoo

The prophet (salalalhu alayhi wasalaam) said, "There is none of you who makes ablution and does it well and then says 'Ash-hadu Allaa ilaaha ill-Allah wa Anna Muhammadan Abduhu wa rasuluh' ( I testify that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant an messanger) except that the eight gates of paradise would be opened for him and he may enter through whichever he wishes " [Muslim]

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Going to the mosque

"Who ever goes to the mosque or returns from it, Allah prepare for him a place in Paradise every time he goes and returns" [Bukhari & Muslim]

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To say Laa ilaaha Ill Allah

"Whoever says, 'LAA ILAAHA ILL-ALLAH wahdahu la shareeka lahu lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shai'in qadeer' (There is no god except Allah alone without partner: to him belongs all sovereignty and all praise, and He is capable over all things) in a day one hundred times. this will be like freeing 10 slaves, 100 good deeds will be written for him, 100 evil deeds will be erased, he will be protected from satan on that day until he reaches the evening, and no one will be better than him except the one whose deeds are more than his." [Bukhari & Muslim]

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