Why
do we pray?
What
does Qur'an say about those who do not pray and those who pray?
Q.
Why do we pray?
A.
Is man really as strong
and great as his ego tells him? The Holy Qur'an tells us the reality of man’s
nature: (It
is Allah Who created you in a state of weakness, then gave you strength after
weakness, then after strength, gave you weakness and a hoary head: He creates
what He wills, and He is the All-knowing, the All-powerful) (Qur'an:
30/54)
Weakness
in the beginning and weakness in the end: This is the essence of man. He is so
weak and helpless at birth that his entire existence depends on his parents and
his family. As this child enters the years of youth and independence, he
begins to take control of his own life. He begins to despise those of less
abilities, even scorning his parents, who exhausted their own health to nurture
him.
Allahu
Akbar! - Allah is the Greatest! In our everyday lives, we say a warm thank you
for the small acts of kindness which others do for us. So what about thanking
Allah, Who, in His infinite Mercy, has provided for every single one of our
needs. Just observe the beauty and perfection of the earth around you and fall
down in gratitude to your Lord.
Prayer gives every Muslim the chance to communicate with his Lord. Islam
is like a building supported by its columns; remove just one column and the
entire building weakens. In the same way, when a person stops praying, his faith
becomes weak, and the mildest blows can cause it to crumble.
Q.
What does Qur'an say about those who do not pray and those who pray?
A.
Allah says,
concerning the plight of the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment, that they will
be asked by the Believers:
("What led you into
the Hell-fire?" They will say: 'We were not of those who prayed.') (Qur'an:
74/42-43). Allah
also says: (Successful indeed are the
Believers, those who humble themselves in their prayers.) (Qur'an:
23/1-2), and: (And
those who guard their worship, such will be the honored ones in the Gardens [of
Bliss]) (Qur'an: 70/34-35).
Allah
has emphasized the need for humility and concentration in prayers. There is no
doubt that Satan is the most bitter enemy of man; he always tries to disturb the
Believer’s prayers. He (the worshipper) finds his mind suddenly engulfed with
memories, problems, worries, work and his family… This is how Satan steals the
prayer. Man was created only to worship Allah. He says: (I
created not the Jinns and mankind except to worship me.)
(Qur'an: 51/56). Man
is to live in this world as a worshipper of Allah and prayer is the best form of
worship. On the Day of Judgment, man will have to answer for his deeds. Allah
says: (Then shall you be
questioned about the joy [you indulged in].) (Qur'an:
102/8)
