The Importance of Salah in Islam
Salah (prayer) becomes obligatory upon every Muslim once they reach adulthood. If the signs of puberty appear, Salah becomes obligatory immediately. If no signs of puberty appear, then a boy or girl is considered an adult upon completing fifteen years of age, and from the day they enter their sixteenth year, Salah and fasting become obligatory upon them. The signs of puberty include a boy experiencing a wet dream or a girl beginning menstruation.
If a person neglected Salah and fasting after reaching adulthood, they should sincerely repent to Allah and make up the missed prayers and fasts. If someone does not remember exactly when they reached puberty, then a male should begin making up prayers and fasts from the start of his thirteenth year, since a boy may reach puberty at the age of twelve. A female should begin making up prayers and fasts from the beginning of her tenth year, since a girl may reach puberty at the age of nine.
If a person believes in Allah and His Messenger ï·º and acknowledges that Salah is obligatory, but neglects it out of laziness or heedlessness, such a person remains a Muslim. However, he cannot be considered a complete Muslim. According to Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik, Imam Al-Shafi'i, and one narration from Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, such a person is committing a grave sin and is considered a major sinner due to abandoning one of the most important pillars of Islam.
After the declaration of faith, Salah is the greatest pillar of Islam. There is no act of worship more virtuous than performing the five daily prayers, and there is no sin greater than deliberately abandoning them. If a person neglects Salah but engages in other good deeds, we cannot say with certainty that those deeds will not be accepted. However, the seriousness of abandoning Salah is so great that other good deeds cannot compensate for this neglect.
It is not permissible to work for someone who prevents the performance of obligatory prayers.
Some people justify their negligence by saying that Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Merciful. Indeed, Allah is Al-Ghafur, Ar-Rahim, but when a person persistently disobeys Him without regret or shame, he should also fear Allah's punishment. Mercy should never be used as an excuse for disobedience.
It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah ï·º said:
> "Whoever guards and maintains his prayers, they will be a light for him, a proof in his favor, and a means of salvation on the Day of Judgment. Whoever does not guard his prayers will have neither light, nor proof, nor salvation, and on the Day of Judgment he will be with Pharaoh, Haman, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf."
(Musnad Ahmad, Al-Tabarani)
The reality is that one of Satan's greatest deceptions is convincing people to continue sinning while relying solely upon Allah's mercy. A true believer obeys the commands of Allah, strives to avoid sins, and at the same time hopes for Allah's mercy and forgiveness.
Salah is obligatory, and deliberately abandoning it is a major sin. Establishing Salah means performing it correctly with sincerity, concentration, humility, devotion, and according to its proper conditions and manners.
Being busy with worldly affairs is not a valid excuse for neglecting prayer. Some people say that they will begin praying once they improve their character. This idea is incorrect. In fact, Salah itself is one of the greatest means of improving one's character. Such thoughts are among the tricks of Satan, who wishes to keep a person away from worship. The correct approach is to remain steadfast in prayer while simultaneously striving to improve one's manners and conduct.
It is also wrong to pray or fast only for worldly benefits and then abandon these acts of worship once one's needs have been fulfilled. Even worse is the attitude of turning away from Allah during times of hardship and need.
A Muslim should remain connected to Allah at all times, whether in ease or difficulty. Becoming so occupied with business or worldly affairs that one misses Salah or neglects congregational prayer without a valid excuse is a serious matter and is not permissible.
May Allah make us among those who establish Salah regularly, perform it with sincerity and humility, and remain steadfast upon it until our final breath. Ameen.
