On the request of our Noble Shaikh 'Abdirazzaaq al-Badr asking us students to compile 50 points of benefit from the book Tadheem Qadr as-Salaah by al-Imaam al-Marwazee (taught by the Shaikh here in Madeenah) showing the importance of Salaah in Islaam. Here are 50 points, may Allaah increase both the Shaikh and the Imaam in good, aameen.
1. The Salaf would teach people they met the importance of Salaah whenever possible, in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree it is narrated by 'Aaishah (radiyallaahu 'anha) that they would teach people the rulings concerning Salaah as well as its importance.
2. The author of the book himself, Imaam al-Marwazee, would be praised by the people of his time due to how amazing they found his Salaah to be.
3. Salaah is the most important act in Islaam after the Shahaadah, see Soorah al-Bayyinah, how Allaah mentions the command of Salaah after the Shahaadah straight away.
4. In Soorah At-Tawbah Allaah tied brotherhood in faith with Salaah, if the Mushrikoon make Tawbah and establish the Salaah and pay the Zakaah then they are your brothers in faith.
5. The Prophet (salallaahu'alyhi wassallam) was commanded by Allaah to fight those who abandon Salaah.
6. Aboo Bakr (radiyallaahu 'anhu) fought those who stopped praying after the death of the Prophet.
7. Islamically if a person were to pray to a direction other than the Qiblah, that person would not be considered a Muslim. Then what about a person who doesn't even pray at all?
8. All the Prophets of old established Salaah (mentioned in more detail later on).
9. When Allaah brought Moosa ('alyhi salaam) close and spoke to him, the first act he was taught was that of Salaah. See Soorah Taahaa.
10. The magicians who fought Moosa used to be in deep Shirk, but once they acknowledged their error and made Tawbah, the first thing they did was to prostrate to Allaah (i.e. Salaah)
11. Allaah commanded Moosa to tell his people to establish Salaah. See Soorah Yunus.
12. Prophet Eesa ('alyhi salaam) spoke in the craddle and the first act of obedience he mentioned to have been commanded with was that of Salaah. See Soorah Maryam.
13. Prophet Ibraaheem ('alyhi salaam) left his son and Haajar in a barren valley (Makkah) and from amongst all the deeds the only one he made Du'a for regarding them as well as himself, was that they would establish Salaah. See Soorah Ibraaheem.
14. Allaah praised Prophet Ismaa'eel in the Qur'aan and that is because he used to establish the Salaah and command his family to do likewise.
15. Allaah mentions specifically how Prophet Zakariyya would stand in the Mihraab (place of prayer) praying to his Lord. See Soorah Aal Imraan.
16. When Ibraaheem was about to sacrifice Ismaa'eel and he put his face down as mentioned in Soorah as-Saafaat, scholars such as Mujaahid and Ishaaq say that this means Sujood.
17. When Prophet Daawood come to know of his mistake (Soorah Saad) the first thing he did was fall down in prostration to Allaah (i.e. Salaah).
18. Prophet Suleymaan forgot to pray Salaatul 'Asr due to forgetfulness and being preoccupied with his horses, this was not done deliberately and only happened once, even then, it was a major thing for him and he made Tawbah by sacrificing his beloved horses. See Soorah Saad.
19. It is mentioned in the Sunnah, of how Prophet Daawood used to pray his night prayers, this shows how serious he would take his prayer.
20. When Prophet Yunus was swallowed by the whale, Allaah mentions in Soorah Saafaat that if it hadn't been for him praising Allaah he would have been left in the stomach of that whale until the Day of Judgement. The scholars say, this praise means that he would establish the Salaah.
21. The people of Madyan whom Prophet Shuayb was sent to, made fun of him by saying, do your prayers command you...? (Soorah Huud) This shows that they would always see him praying and that Shuayb 'alyhi salaam become known amongst his people for Salaah.
22. The Prophet mentions in an authentic hadeeth that whenever the Prophets would face a difficult time, they would rush to prayer.
23. Every person who neglects Salaah it is due to following desires, whether it be love for sleep, love for work and making more money etc.
24. Some of the Salaf would ask their parents, whilst still being young children, about Salaah.
25. Those who enter the hell fire, when asked what caused them to enter it, they don't mention any other deed from amongst the obligatory deeds they left off, except Salaah. See Soorah Muddathir.
26. In Soorah al-Munaafiqoon, Allaah warns the believers not to let their wealth and children stop them from remembering Allaah - the scholars mention that the remembrance of Allaah here means Salaah.
27. In Soorah al-Layl when Allaah mentions those who disbelieve He says "He did not attest (i.e. believe) nor did he pray" so Allaah mentioned specifically that these people don't pray. And if it hadn't been for the importance of Salaah in Islaam, Allaah would not have singled out this one deed from amongst all the other deeds in Islaam the non believers left off other than Salaah.
28. The Prophet mentioned in a hadeeth that those who do not pray will be resurrected with Qaaroon, Haamaan and Fir'awn. Which believer would be pleased with being in such a company on the Day of Judgment?
29. Notice how the Prophet mentioned these three individuals specifically, the scholars say the reason for this is that, Qaaroon was prevent from the truth and remembrance of Allaah due to his pursuit of wealth, Haamaan was stopped because of love for his work and Fir'awn was prevented from it due to his pursuit of leadership and following his own desires. And if you really ponder on it, you will come to see that most of the people who do not pray are often one of these three types of people.
30. Being regular in performing Salaah will prevent someone from despairing in the mercy of Allaah, notice how in Soorah al-Ma'aarij Allaah mentions those who pray as an exception to the general rule of despair amongst mankind.
31. In Soorah Maryam, Allaah threatens those who pray but delay their prayers, with being thrown into Al-Ghayya which is a part of Jahannam. Now imagine what the case is for those who do not even pray at all?
32. No worship in Islaam needs Tahaarah before it except Salaah, this shows the status of Salaah in our religion.
33. Again in Soorah Maryam, Allaah mentions Prophet after Prophet and then concludes by mentioning how ALL of them would fall into prostration (i.e. Salaah) when reminded of the verses of their Lord.
34. Many ahaadeeth mention to us the tremendous reward for performing Wudhu, walking to the masjid, waiting for Salaah etc. If this is the case for these things that lead up to Salaah, then what about Salaah itself?
35. Also in Soorah al-Maa'oon Allaah threatens those who pray but do so without paying attention to their prayer. He threatens them with al-Wayl which is destruction, if this is the case for one who actually prays, what then about a person who refuses to pray at all?
36. All worship in Islaam is only required during certain times or under certain circumstances, such as the fasting of Ramadhaan, this is only once a year. The Zakaah is only required from someone who possess the means, similarly with the Hajj. Whereas with Salaah, it is always required, from the sick, the poor etc (in a way they are able to).
37. The menstruating woman is not required to pray, and this shows the purity and high status of Salaah in Islaam.
38. The Musaafir (traveller) is not excused from Salaah, even though he faces a lot of hardship and difficulties in his travel, he is only allowed to shorten some prayers but never to leave it off completely.
39. If you can pray standing up then you have to do so. If not, then pray sitting down, if not then on your side and so on. Salaah can never be abandoned.
40. Even in the heat of battle, the Mujaahideen are not allowed to forsake Salaah.
41. Tahaarah (purifcation) is something required for Salaah, but if one is not able, then their is a substitute, Tayamum.
42. Similarly, if one was to be naked and can not find clothes to cover themselves at all, they are still required to preform Salaah and not let the time pass him. See the speech of the Imaam in his book.
43. During the other forms of worship such as fasting, hajj etc, one is allowed to talk, to sleep, to laugh and so on whilst performing these type of acts, whereas in Salaah all these things become prohibited. Meaning the heart is not allowed to be preoccupied with anything but the remembrance of the Lord.
44. The Prophet informed us in a authentic hadeeth that Allaah is present in front of His slaves face during Salaah. And this is something specific to Salaah.
45. Some of the Salaf would literally cry if they missed praying in congregation with the people, imagine us who not only miss prayer in congregation but miss prayers altogether!
46. Allaah begins His Noble Book the Qur'aan, by mentioning that this revelation is a guidance for the Muttaqqeen (those who have Taqwa) and then Allaah mentions certain characteristics these people have, and the second point mentioned about them is that they establish Salaah.
47. The Prophet was commanded with all other forms of worship through means of revelation, but when it came to Salaah, Allaah sent His most Noble Angel Jibreel to bring His most Noble Prophet to Him, in order to inform him about Salaah.
48. In Soorah al-Mu'minoon Allaah mentions the success of the believers and their special traits the first of them pertaining to their prayers. And then again a few verses down, their Salaah is mentioned yet again!
49. Similarly in Soorah al-Ma'aarij all makes those who pray an exception, and then mentions their other virtues only to conclude once again by mentioning how these people safeguard their prayers.
50. The Prophet has informed us in an authentic hadeeth that the first thing we will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is our Salaah. Imagine if you were to fail this first test, what hope do you have left then?
May Allaah make us from amongst those who establish their Salaah and pray it in a similar manner our beloved Prophet did, may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him. Aameen.