The importance of Salat has been emphasized in the Qur'an countless times. Allah has stressed that Muslims offer Salat regularly in order to achieve the benefits that come with it.
- Gain Nearness to Allah: With prayer, we can develop a bond with our Creator and learn to pray to thank Allah and seek help during difficult times.
- Taqwa: Piety or righteousness is achieved through Salat. This is because Salat keeps us away from wrongdoing, ensuring that we learn to do what's right in order to please Allah.
- Reward in the Hereafter: The Prophet (pbuh) said, "The first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgement is prayer, Allah will say to His angels: "Look at my servants prayers. Were they complete or not?" If they were complete It will be written as complete. If they were not fully complete Allah will say: "See if my servant has voluntary prayers, If he has them Allah will Say: Complete his obligatory prayers shortage with his voluntary prayers." Then the rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner", (Reported by Abu Dawood).
- Protection from Satan: Satan is an enemy of the believers and tries to stray them from their path of righteousness. Not offering prayer is actually a sign of us following Satan, whereas those who offer prayer are resisting temptation from Satan.
Thus, if we don't pray, we are not preparing ourselves for the first question Allah will ask us on the Day of Judgement. Also, we are missing out on the benefits that Salat has on us in this life.
2. Stay in a State of Wudu
It has been related in a narration from Ibn Umar that the Prophet (pbuh) said: "Whoever performs Wudu while in a state of purity, Allah writes for him on account of it ten good merits". (Tirmidhi)
Moreover, the Prophet (pbuh) said, "When any of you sleeps, Satan ties three knots at the back of his neck. He recites the incantation at every knot: 'You have a long night, so sleep.' If he awakes and remembers Allah, one knot is loosened. If he performs Wudu' the (second) knot is loosened; and if he performs prayer, (all) knots are loosened. He begins his morning in a happy and refreshed mood; otherwise, he gets up in bad spirits and sluggish state". (Narrated by Abu Huraira - Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Thus, it is important that we not only remain in a state of Wudu so we can pray whenever we need to and remain clean. But also, to please Allah and gain blessings from our purified state.
3. Fast
Since it is Ramadan right now, you are probably aware of the commandment of fasting and why it is important to us as Muslims. If not, you can read my post by clicking here.
It is narrated by Abu Huraira that the Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah said, "Every good deed of Adam's son is for him except fasting, it is for Me, and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it.' Verily, the smell of the mouth of a fasting person is better to Allah than the smell of musk".
While fasting, we are in a state of remembering Allah, and doing something to please no one but Allah. Allah will reward us for fasting, and so it is important to fast regularly.
4. Perform Good Deeds
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an, "Verily, those who believe and do good works - surely, We suffer not the reward of those who do good works to be lost. It is these who will have Gardens of Eternity beneath which streams shall flow. They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, reclining therein upon raised couches. How good the reward and how excellent the place of rest!" (Holy Qu'rna 18:31-32).
And so, it is important that we do good deeds in this world, in order to impact the lives of those less around us, and making the world a better place. But also, to gain Allah's pleasure.
5. Make Istighfar
All of us have shortcomings. All of us have done something which displeased please Allah. This is okay. We were made humans, not angels. BUT, we must ask Allah for forgiveness many times a day. We don't want to die having displeased Allah and not seeking forgiveness for it.
But surely the righteous will be in the midst of gardens and springs, receiving what the Lord will give them; for they used to do good before that. They used to sleep but a little of the night; and at the dawn of the day they sought forgiveness...[51:16-19]
If you want to know more about Istighfar click here.
We must always think about death, as it is our short time in this world that will determine what happens in the Hereafter. May we all make ourselves better individuals and better Muslims who will please Allah with our actions and character, Ameen!
SaveSaveSaveSave
