Importance of Praying Salah on Time | Quranic Verses and Hadiths

We know there are five pillars of Islam; Salah is one of them and most important Pillar of Islam. When someone prays he is known to be Muslim because he is worshipping Allah Almighty who is his creator and the Lord of everything in this world and Hereafter too. Salah is an Arabic word its basic meaning is to worship or praying. It’s obligatory on every Muslim to pray five times in a day on time. In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers… If you fear, pray on foot, or riding. ” (Quran 2:238-9)

Salah has many benefits one of them is that it’s the way of communication with Allah Almighty and also it restrains one from doing evil deeds. Purpose of Salah is to bring ourselves in touch with Allah Almighty; to intensify our relationship with Him; to be grateful for all His blessings, and to remind ourselves of His Greatness. Just as the body requires physical needs such as food and water, the soul has spiritual needs and our spiritual need is to pray Salah.

Allah the Most High says in Holy Quran about Salah: “But after them there followed a posterity who missed Prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face destruction, except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness.” (Quran, 19: 59-60). From this verse, we came to know that by missing prayer does not mean that someone is not praying at all it means not praying on its due time.

Quranic Verses and Hadiths Regarding Praying on Time

Quran and Hadiths both greatly emphasize on offering salah on time. Below we will discuss some Quranic verses and hadiths related to offering prayer on its due time.

The man was created weak and without seeking help from Allah, it will be impossible to refrain from evil but Salah helps him to refrain from evil deeds. In Holy Quran Allah Almighty says regarding this in a way: “Verily, prayer restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds…” (Quran 29:45). One who is standing 5 times a day in front of Allah Almighty surely will stay away from doing evil deeds.

A human being is forgetful, especially with the busy lifestyles. Prayer satisfies our spiritual need to be in contact with our Creator. This gives the soul peace and satisfaction. In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “Without a doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” (Quran 13:28). From this verse, we came to know that without remembering Allah (SWT) we can’t find peace and heart satisfaction and the best way to remember Allah Almighty is Salah.

Everyone commits sins, however, Allah has provided, in prayer, a way to wipe out those sins. In Holy Quran Allah says: “And perform prayer… surely the good deeds remove the evils deeds.” (Quran 11:114). Our beloved Prophet (SAW) also gave a beautiful example when he said to his companions: “Consider if one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They said, “No.” Then the Prophet replied: “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.”

Now a day’s man is surrounded by great trials and problems. Once we focus on strengthening our relationship with our Lord, He, who is All-Powerful, will fix our worldly problems. In Quran Allah Almighty says: “Seek help in patience and prayer.” (Quran 2:153)

Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Between a man and unbelief is the nonperformance of the Prayer” (Muslim). From above hadith, we can conclude that if someone wants to be a Muslim or true believer then he has to offer Salah.

In another hadith Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever keeps on performing Prayers (in its due time), it will be a light, a proof, and redemption for him on the Day of Judgment. Otherwise, he will be assembled with Pharaoh, Qarun Haman, and ‘Ubai Ibn Khalaf.” (Ahmad)

One who missed his prayer has to suffer in this world and hereafter too. There are many Ayahs related to those who missed their prayers, some of them are given below:

Allah Almighty says to those who are abandoning the prayer in a way: “O Mankind, What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?” (Quran 82:06)

The whole purpose of our existence is to worship Allah, yet we are disobeying our Creator every day. In Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “Then, there has succeeded them a generation who have given up prayer and have followed their desires. So they will be thrown into Hell. Except those who repent and believe, and work righteousness.” (Quran 19:59-60)

In another verse of Holy Quran Allah says about those who missed prayers:“( the people in Hell will be asked) What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: We were not of those who used to pray…” (Quran 74:42-43)

The Prophet (SAW) said about those who are being lazy in their prayers, “On the Day of Resurrection the feet of the son of Adam will not move away till he is questioned about five matters: on what he spent his life; in doing what he made his youth pass away; where he acquired his property, and on what he spent it; and what he did regarding what he knew.”

We should keep in mind one thing that Allah doesn’t need our prayer. Allah doesn’t need anything from anyone. It is we that stand in need of His mercy. Allah says in Holy Quran: “Give thanks to Allah, and whoever gives thanks, it is only for his own soul’s good, and whoever is ungrateful, surely Allah is Free of all needs, Worthy of all praise.” (Quran 31:12)

In nutshell, we should pray on time instead of making lame excuses. Prayer is obligatory for us so we should try to Offer Salah on its due time. We can get blessings of Almighty Allah by offering Salah. May Allah helps us to fulfill this obligation in its due time, Ameen!