Every religion has some form of worship to establish a contact with one's Creator. In Islam, Salat (prayer) is one of the most fundamental acts of worship, prescribed by Allah as the second of the Five Pillars of Islam. In fact this is the most referred to the form of worship in Qur'an and stressed upon by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The five daily prayers are OBLIGATORY on all adult Muslim men and women and no one is excused from the performance of Salat, unless mentally or physically unable to do so.
Salt /prayer in fact is a direct link between the worshipper and Allah, performed five times daily as a means of expressing submission, gratitude, and dependence on Him. The importance of Salat is emphasized repeatedly in the Qur'an and Hadith, illustrating its crucial role in a Muslim's life. Anyone who does not offer salat is said to have committed an act of disbelief for it is obligatory generally for all adult Muslims.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has on a number of occasion asked his companions to make it an obligation to offer five daily prayers and also cautioned severe consequences for skipping it altogether.
One such Hadith is mentioned Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 40: The Book on Faith / كتاب الإيمان عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلمعليه وسلم / Chapter: 21 - What Has Been Related About Abandoning The Salat / باب مَا جَاءَ فِي تَرْكِ الصَّلاَةِ / as Hadith number # 2621:
Narrated by Abdullah bin Buraidah narrated from his father:
that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "The covenant between us and them is the Salat, so whoever abandons it he has committed disbelief."
Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، وَيُوسُفُ بْنُ عِيسَى، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا الْفَضْلُ بْنُ مُوسَى، عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ وَاقِدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، وَمَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ وَاقِدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ شَقِيقٍ، وَمَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ شَقِيقٍ، عَنِ الْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ وَاقِدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الْعَهْدُ الَّذِي بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَهُمُ الصَّلاَةُ فَمَنْ تَرَكَهَا فَقَدْ كَفَرَ " . وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ أَنَسٍ وَابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ غَرِيبٌ .
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)
In this hadith, the Prophet (ﷺ) underscores Salat (the five daily prayers) as the key distinction between believers and non-believers. It emphasizes the vital role of prayer in a Muslim's life and implies that neglecting it may lead to disbelief (kufr), illustrating how closely connected prayer is to one's faith.
Explanation of the Hadith: Let us explain this hadith in some detail:
- “The Covenant between Us and Them is the Salat”: Salat is viewed as a binding "covenant" or agreement between Allah and Muslims. The term “covenant” signifies a promise, obligation, and identity marker that differentiates Muslims from non-Muslims. Performing the Salat symbolizes submission to Allah and commitment to Islam.
In many other hadiths, the Prophet (ﷺ) explained that Salat holds a unique position in Islam, often calling it the "pillar of religion." Just as a building would collapse without its pillars, a person’s faith becomes fragile and unsound without prayer.
- “Whoever Abandons It Has Committed Disbelief”: Abandoning Salat is seen as a severe neglect of one’s duty to Allah, to the extent that it is associated with disbelief (kufr). This does not necessarily mean the complete renunciation of Islam, but it indicates that deliberately neglecting prayer leads one close to disbelief. Prayer is fundamental in Islam, so abandoning it suggests a failure to uphold one’s faith.
Some scholars interpret this hadith to mean that a Muslim who intentionally and consistently abandons prayer is dangerously close to becoming a disbeliever, as it reflects a disregard for a core Islamic obligation.
Importance of Salat in Islam
In the Qur'an and numerous hadiths, Salat is emphasized as the central act of worship. It is a means of seeking closeness to Allah, gaining spiritual purification, and remembering one’s purpose in life. Here are some of the ways the Qur'an underscores the importance of Salat:
- Establishing Salat: Allah commands believers to establish regular prayer throughout the Qur'an, such as in Surah Al-Baqarah: "And establish prayer and give zakat and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience]." (Qur'an, 2:43)
- Salat as a Source of Protection: "Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do." (Qur'an, 29:45)
- Distinguishing Mark of Believers: In many verses, those who uphold Salat are praised for their obedience and sincerity in faith, distinguishing them from those who are heedless of Allah.
Lessons from the Hadith
- Prayer as an Essential Part of Faith: This hadith teaches that Salat is essential in Islam, making it a clear indication of a Muslim’s belief and commitment to Allah. Without it, a person risks drifting from the path of faith.
- Disbelief and Neglect of Fundamental Obligations: Neglecting the core obligations of Islam, like Salat, leads one toward disbelief, as it demonstrates an indifference to Allah’s commands.
- Spiritual and Social Covenant: The covenant of Salat not only maintains a person’s connection to Allah but also strengthens the unity of the Muslim community. It provides a structure for unity, a reminder of purpose, and shared values among Muslims worldwide.
- Self-Discipline and Accountability: Performing the daily prayers instills discipline, humility, and consistency. These qualities are vital for maintaining faith, and the act of praying regularly keeps a person accountable in other aspects of their religious and personal life.
Practical Application
- Prioritizing Prayer: Believers are encouraged to make prayer a priority and to perform it sincerely and regularly. If a person struggles with their prayers, they should seek support and work on establishing consistency.
- Reconnecting Through Repentance: For those who may have missed prayers, Islam encourages repentance and making up missed prayers to renew one’s commitment to Allah. Seeking forgiveness and establishing regular Salat strengthens a person’s bond with Allah and renews their faith.
- Building a Habit of Prayer in Community: Participating in congregational prayers helps foster a sense of unity and support in the Muslim community, as it reinforces the shared commitment to worship and encourages consistency.
This hadith from the Prophet (ﷺ) underscores the central role of Salat as a distinguishing mark of faith in Islam. By performing Salat, Muslims fulfill their covenant with Allah, strengthening both their relationship with Him and their place within the Muslim community. The hadith serves as a reminder of the dangers of neglecting prayer, urging Muslims to uphold this core pillar of faith consistently and with dedication.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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