Prayer

02/04/2009| IslamWeb

It is no surprise that the true Muslim woman enthusiastically worships her Lord, because she knows that she is obliged to observe all the commandments that Allah has enjoined upon every Muslim, male or female. So she carries out her Islamic duties properly, without making excuses or compromises, or being negligent.

Her Five Daily Prayers

She offers her five daily prayers at its appointed time, and does not let domestic chores or her duties as a wife and mother prevent her from doing so. Prayer is the pillar of the - whoever establishes prayer establishes faith, and whoever neglects prayer destroys the faith. Prayer is the best and most noble of deeds, as the Prophet explained. `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood, may Allah be pleased with him asked the Messenger of Allah about the mostbeloved deeds to Allah, and the first of which he mentioned was,`To offer each prayer as soon as it is due.'

Prayer is the link between the servant and his Lord. It is the rich source from which a person derives strength, steadfastness, mercy and contentment, and it is a means of cleansing the stain of his or her sins. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: `What would you think if there were a river running by the door of any of you, and he bathed in it five times every day, would any trace of dirt be left on him?' The people said: `There would be no trace of dirt on him.' He said: `This is like the five daily prayers, through which Allah erases sins.'"

Prayer is a mercy, which Allah has bestowed upon His slaves; they seek its shade five times a day and praise their Lord, glorifying Him, asking for His help and seeking His mercy, guidance and forgiveness. Thus prayer becomes a means of purification for those who pray, men and women alike, cleansing them from their sins.

`Uthmaan ibn `Affaan may Allah be pleased with him, said: "I heard the Messenger of Allah say: `There is no Muslim person who, when the time for prayer comes, performs ablution properly, concentrates during prayer and bows correctly, but the prayer will be an expiation for the sins committed prior to it, so long as no major sin has been committed. This is the case until the end of time.'"

There are very many Hadeeth which speak of the importance of Salah and the blessings it brings to the men and women who pray, and the rich harvest of benefits that they may reap thereby, every time they stand before Allah in an attitude of humility and repentance.

Performing Her Prayers Properly

The true Muslim woman tries hard to perform her prayers properly, with deep concentration, submission and precision of physical movements. She thinks about the meaning of the verses she is reciting, and the words of praise and glorification that she is uttering. Her soul is flooded with fear of Allah, and with gratitude to Him and sincere worship of Him. If the devil happens to whisper some idea to her during the prayer, to distract her from concentrating properly, to keep him away, she focuses on the words that she is reciting from the Quran, and the words of praise that she is uttering.

The Muslim woman does not rush back to her housework and chores when she has finished her prayer. Rather, as the Prophet used to do, she asks Allah's forgiveness by saying "Astaghfirullaah" three times, and recites the supplication: "Allahumma Anta As-Salaam Wa Minka As-Salaam, Tabaarakta Yaadal Jalaali Wal-Ikraam (O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace, Blessed are You, O Lord of majesty and honor.)" Then she recites the supplications and mention of Allah that the Prophet is known to have recited after completing his prayer.

There are many such supplications and mention of Allah, one of the most important of which is to repeat "Subhaanallaah" thirty-three times, "Al-Hamdulillaah" thirty-three times, "Allahu Akbar" thirty-three times, then to complete one hundred with "La Ilaaha Illallaah Wahdahu La Shareeka Lahu, Lahul-Mulk Wa Lahul-Hamd, Wahuwa `Ala Kulli Shay'in Qadeer." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Then she turns to Allah humbly asking Him to correct all her affairs, in this world and next, and to bless her abundantly and guide her in everything.

Thus the Muslim woman finishes her prayers, purified in heart and mind and reinvigorated with a dose of spiritual energy, which will help her to cope with the burdens of everyday life, knowing that she is under the protection of Allah.