Books on Hadith record very severe punishment for those who neglect Salaah, from many Ahadith on the subject, only a few are reproduced in this chapter. Although a single warning from the most truthful Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) was enough, yet we find that out of love and affection for his followers, he has warned them again and again and in various ways, lest they should neglect Salaah and suffer the consequences. In spite of all this, alas! We are unmindful of Salaah and still we have the rashness to consider ourselves devotees of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) and champions of Islam.

Salaah is a Partition Between Islam and Kufr.

Jabir Ibn Abdullah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying:

1. "To leave Salaah is to be linked with Kufr.

2. "To leave Salaah is to be linked with Kufr and belief in more than one God."

3. "Leaving of Salaah is the only partition between Iman and Kufr."

There are a number of Ahadith on the subject. In one of these it is reported: "Hurry up with your Salaah when it is cloudy (lest you should err and miss the correct time), for to miss Salaah is to become a nonbeliever. What a strong and stiff warning against even missing the correct time of Salaah, as (according to this quotation) to miss the correct time of Salaah is to discard it. Although, according to the interpretation of Ulama, the verdict of Kufr is given against a person only when he rejects (and not simply neglects) Salaah, yet the words of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) in these Ahadith should be very weighty for those who have any regard for him.

It may, however, be noted that some of the very important Sahabah of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) like Amar, Abdullah Ibn Masood, Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Radiallaho Anho) and eminent jurists like Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Ishaaq Ibn Rahwayh, Ibn Mubaarak Rehmatullah Alaihi, are definitely of the opinion that verdict of Kufr can be given against the person who intentionally leaves his Salaah. May Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) save us!

Discarding Salaah is Equivalent to Leaving Islam Ubaadah Ibn Saamit (Radiallaho Anho) narrates, 'My dear friend, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), while enjoining upon me seven good practices said, "Do not ascribe anything as partner to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), though you may be cut into pieces or burnt alive or crucified; do not forego Salaah intentionally, lest you should get out of the fold of Islam; do not indulge in disobedience of Allah tamale, lest you deserve His anger; and do not take to drinking, for that is the source of all evils." In another Hadith. Abu al-Dardaa' (Radiallaho Anho) says. “My beloved Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) warned me, saying, 'Do not ascribe anything as partner to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), though you may be cut into pieces or burnt alive or crucified: do not discard Salaah intentionally, as Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is free from any obligation to a person who knowingly neglects Salaah: and do not drink wine, for that is the key to all vices.'" Allah Has No Obligation to Persons Discarding Salaah Click Here to Read Muaaz Ibn Jabal (Radiallaho Anho) narrates: Rasul (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) enjoined upon me ten things, "Do not ascribe anything as partner to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), though you may be killed or burnt alive .Do not disobey your parents, though you may have to part with your wile or your entire wealth. Do not neglect obligatory Salaah intentionally, for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is free from obligation to a person who neglects obligatory Salaah intentionally. Do hot take wine, for it is the root of every vice. Do not be disobedient to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) for that attracts the anger of Allah Subhanahu wa Taala). Do not turn your back to the enemy in battle, though all your comrades may have fallen. Do not run away from the locality where an epidemic has broken out. Do spend on your family members according to your capacity and let your stick be hanging over them, as a warning and to punish them against neglect of their duties towards Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) " According to this Hadith. We should not spare the rod in checking the children from becoming reckless in doing anything they like. Sometimes, it is necessary to use the rod. It is a pity that. out of love, we do not use the rod in the beginning and, when children get spoilt, we cry and complain about them. To spare the rod and to spoil the child is no kindness at all. Who would like to save a child from a surgical operation, under advice from a doctor, for the simple reason that it would cause pain to him? Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said very often: "Enjoin Salaah on your child when he is seven years old. and beat him if he neglects it after lie reaches the age often." Abdullah Ibn -Masked (Radiallaho Anho) says. "Guard the Salaah' of your children and teach good habits to them." Luqmaan the wise used to say. " The use of the rod on a child is as indispensable as is water for the Fields." Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said. "A person while advising his children earns more reward from Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) than when he is spending about seven pounds of grain in His path." In another Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) has said. "May Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) bless a person who keeps a lash hanging in his house for warning his house-folk." On another occasion he said. "No father can give anything better to his children than to teach them good manners." Tremendous Loss on Missing a single Salaah Click Here to Read Nawfal Ibn Muaawiyah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, “A person who has missed one Salaah is like one who has lost all his family and wealth.” Salaah is missed usually when either a person is in the company of his family members or is in pursuit of wealth. According to this Hadith the ultimate loss through missing a .Salaah is in no way less than the loss of the whole family and property. In other words, if we miss a Salaah we should be as much grieved as when we lose all of our folk and entire belongings. If we are warned by some reliable person about the presence of gangsters on a certain road, where people are robbed and killed during the night, we need a lion’s heart to ignore the warning and travel on that road even during the day time. Strange it is to note that we have been warned again and again by Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) and we do believe that he was really the true Messenger of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) yet we do not care and go on missing one Salaah after the other. Discard of Salaah is a Major Sin Click Here to Read Ibn Abbas (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, “A person who combines two Salaah without any strong excuse has reached a door of the major sins.” Ali (Radiallaho Anho) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) once said, “Do not delay in three things: Salaah when its time has set in, burial when the funeral is ready and marriage of an unmarried woman when her match is found.” Many persons who consider themselves as practicing Muslims perform a number of their Salaah together on returning home, on the very feeble excuses of travel, trade or occupation. To put Salaah off till after its set time, without a strong excuse (illness, etc), is a major sin. Although it is not as sinful as neglecting Salaah, yet it is quite serious. Fate of the Person Neglecting Salaah Click Here to Read Abdullah Ibn Amr (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) while talking about Salaah said, “For its devotee, Salaah shall on the day of Qiyamah be a light for him, an argument in his favor, and a means of his deliverance; whereas there will be no light, no defense and no deliverance from punishment for one who does not guard his Salaah, and he shall meet the fate of Firaawn, Haamaan and Ubbay bin Khalf.” Everybody knows that Firaawn the big disbeliever had been so proud that he proclaimed himself “Lord, the Highest” and made his people worship him. Haamaan was his Chief Minister and accomplice. Ubbay Ibn Khalf was the most active and severest enemy of Islam among the disbeliveers of Makkah. Before the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) migrated to Madinah he used to say to Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), “I have reared a horse, which I feed very well; I will slay you one day riding on its back.” Once Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) replied to him, “If Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) wills it you shall meet your end at my hands.” In the battle of Uhud, he ran about the field in search of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, “If Muhammad is not slain today then I stand no chance of surviving.” He at last found Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) and advanced to attack him. The Sahabah wanted to finish him before he reached Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), but Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) stopped them. When he came near, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) took a spear from , one of the Sahabah and struck him with it, causing a little scratch on his neck. He staggered and fell down from his horse and then fled towards his camp crying, “By Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) has killed me!” His people tried to console him and told him that it was only a bruise and there was nothing to worry about, but he would say, “Muhammad had once announced to me in Makkah that he would kill me. By Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), had he only spat at me, I would have died.” It is said that he bellowed like a bull. Abu Sufyan, who was very active on that day, put him to shame for crying in that manner over a slight wound, but he said, “Do you know who has inflicted this injury upon me? It was none other than Muhammad. By al-Laat and Uzzaa! If my pain be distributed over all the people of Hijaaz, none of them would survive. Since the time he Had declared that he would kill me. I was sure that I would meet my death at his hands. If He only spat at me after that declaration, I would be no more." So he died on his way back. A day before they reached Makkah. Look! A disbeliever like Ubbay bin Khalf is so sure about the truth of Rasulullah 's words that he does not have the slightest doubt about his own death: but where do we stand? Although we believe in him as the greatest Nabi of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). Consider his words to be most genuine and boast of our love for him. Yet how far do we act upon his advice and how much do we fear the punishments about which he has warned us? It is for every one of us to think over this and answer. Ibn Hajar. While quoting this Hadith has also recorded the name of Quern with Firaawn and others. He writes: "Sharing the fate of these people on the day of Qiyamah is due to the fact that it is often the activities that these guilty persons did which cause neglect of Salaah. If therefore a person neglects Salaah due to a desire for wealth, he will meet the fate of Qaaroon: if due to love for power, then that of Firaawn: if due to attachment with a ruler. Then that of Haamaan: and if due to occupation in trade. then that of Ubbay bin Khalf." Meeting t he same fate as theirs, explains fully the severest tortures in store for those who neglect Salaah. Although the disbeliveers shall have to suffer their punishment forever, therein believers will be released after their period of punishment is over and will ultimately be allowed to enter Jannah, yet this period. who knows, may last for thousands of years. Horrible Result of Neglecting Salaah Click Here to Read It is said in a Hadith that Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) gives five favors to a person who is mindful of his Salaah, His daily bread is made easy for him, he is saved from the punishments in the grave, he shall receive his book of deeds in his right hand on the day of Qiyamah, he shall cross the bridge over Jahannam with the speed of lightning and he shall enter Jannah without reckoning. As for him who neglects his Salaah, he shall meet fifteen types of punishments in this world, three at the time of death, three in the grave and three on arising after death. The punishments in this world are his life is not blessed, he is deprived of the light which brightens the faces of the righteous, he receives no rewards for his good practices, his Dua is not answered and he has no share in the Dua of the pious. those at the time of death are, he dies of disgracefully, he dies hungry, he dies in thirst, which the water in oceans of the world cannot quench. Those in the grave are: He is so squeezed there that the ribs of one side get into the ribs of the other side, fire is burnt in the grave for him and he is rolled in fire day and night, a serpent with fiery eyes and iron nails equal in length to a day's journey is let loose on him and shouts with a thundering voice. "My Allah has ordered me to thrash you till sunrise for neglecting Fajr, till Asr for neglecting Zuhr, till sunset for neglecting Maghrib, till dawn for neglecting Isha." The serpent will keep on thrashing him thus till the last day. Each blow pushes him to a depth of seventy arms length. The punishments will last till the day of Qiyamah. Those after arising from death are, His reckoning will be a hard one, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) will be angry with him and he will be thrown into the Fire. (This is a total of fourteen punishments, perhaps one of the narrators forgot the fifteenth. In another Hadith it is stated that he will have the following three lines inscribed on his forehead. 'O you who neglected Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's duty' 'O you who have deserved Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's anger' 'Now do not hope for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's mercy as you neglected your duty to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala)'. Eminent theologians like Ibn Hajar, Abu al-layth al-Samarqandee (Rehmatullah Alaihi) and others, have narrated this Hadith in their books. Although I have not been able to trace the full text in books on Hadith, yet other Ahadith, some of which have already been quoted and some are to follow, support its meaning Neglect of Salaah, as has been stated above, leads one to Kufr, hence no punishment is too severe for this offence. But it should be borne in mind that, even after the declaration of a person as being guilty, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is free to pardon him, as and when He pleases. He says in His Book. "Lo Allah pardoneth not that partners should be ascribed unto Him. Allah paroneth all (save that) to whom He will (al-Nisaa' 116) If then it pleases Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) to pardon anybody neglecting Salaah, he will be most fortunate, but who can be sure of this good fortune? It is also stated in a Hadith that there will be three courts to be held by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) on the day of Qiyamah. The first will judge between Kufr and Islam and there will be no pardon. The second will be to judge the duties and conduct of one towards another. All aggrieved shall be compensated there. Compensation will either be realized from the aggressor or paid by Allah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) Himself, if He pleases to pardon anybody. The third will deal with duties towards Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala). Here the doors of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's mercy will be thrown wide-open and He shall pardon anybody He wishes. In the light of all that has been said above, it must be clearly understood that we deserve the punishments that have been laid down for our committed sins, but the all-embracing mercy of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) overrides everything and knows no limits. It was a habit with Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) to enquire from the Sahabah just after Fajr if anybody had seen any dream. He would then interpret the dream as related to him. One day, after enquiring from others as usual, Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) himself narrated a long dream in which two men came and took him with them. Besides others, he reported certain events which he happened to see in his dream. He said: "I noticed the head of a person being crushed with a heavy stone. It was struck with such force that, after crushing the head, the stone rolled down over a long distance. The head would assume its normal shape by the time the stone was brought back for repeating the process. This continued without break. On inquiring from my companions, I was told that the person first learnt the Quran, but failed to keep it up and also would go to sleep without offering the obligatory Salaah." There is another similar narration, in which Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have seen (in his dream) a group of people being treated likewise. The Angel Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) informed him, on his query, that those were the persons who used to neglect their Salaah. Mujahid says, "Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) blesses the people who take care of their Salaah, just as He blessed Ibrahim (Alaihi Salaam) and his descendants." Anas (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, "If a person dies with sincere Iman observing the commandments of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) , performing Salaah and paying Zakah, then he dies while Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is pleased with him." Anas (Radiallaho Anho) also narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, "Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) says I hold back punishment deserved by a locality, when I see therein some people who frequently visit the Masjid, love one another for My sake, and make Dua for forgiveness in the hours of darkness." Abu Darda (Radiallaho Anho) wrote to Salmaan ( Radiallaho Anho) "spend most of your time in the Masjid. I have heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying that the Masjid is the place of the pious. Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has taken upon Himself to reward the person who spends most of his time in the Masjid. Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) shall keep him in comfort and shall make him cross the bridge over Jahannam with great ease. Surely, Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) is pleased with such a person:. Abdullah Ibn Masood (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "Masjids are the houses of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and people coming therein are His visitors. When everybody treats his visitors kindly, why should Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) not be kind to His guests?" Abu Saeed al-Khudree (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) say: "Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) loves the person who is attached to the Masjid." Abu Hurairah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, "When a dead person is laid in the grave, even before the people present at his burial clear off, Munker and Nakeer visit hi,. Then, if the person is a Moameen, his good practices encircle him: Salaah comes close to his head, Zakah to his right, fast to his left and the remaining food deeds towards his feet, so that no one can approach him. Even the Angels do the necessary questioning while standing at a distance." One of the Sahabi reports that, when the inmates of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) 's house were hard-pressed in any way, he would order them to offer Salaah and recite the following Ayah: "And enjoin Salaah upon the people and be constant therein, We ask not of thee a provision, We provide for thee. And the Akhirah is for righteousness. (Taaha 132)". Asma (Radiallaho Anha) narrates that she heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, "All the people will be gathered together on the day of Qiyamah and they will all hear the voice of the announcing Angel. He will say 'Where are those who glorified Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) in ease and adversity?' A group will rise up and enter Jannah without reckoning. It will then be announced. 'Where are those who left their beds and spent their nights in worship?' Another group will rise up and enter Jannah without reckoning. The Angel will again announce, 'Where are those whom trade and business did not keep away from remembrance of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala)?' Yet another group will rise up and enter Jannah." In another Hadith, the same account is given, with the addition that in the beginning the angel will say, “All those gathered here will see today who are the honored people,” and with the change that the angels at the time of the third announcement will say, “Where are those whom their engagement in trade did not distract from Salaah and remembrance of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala)?" Sheikh Nasr al-Samarqandee, after quoting this Hadith writes, “When all the three groups will have entered Jannah without reckoning, a monster with a long neck, shining eyes and a most fluent tongue will rise up from Jahannam and say, ‘I have been deputed on all who are proud and bad-tempered.’ It will then pick up all such persons from the crowd, as a fowl picks up grain and then it will throw them into the Jahannam” “It will rise up again saying, ‘This time I have been deputed on all who lied about Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) and His Rasul (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam)' It will then pick up all such persons and throw them into Jahannam. It will appear for the third time and will, in a similar manner, take away all those who made images and pictures. The reckoning will then commence after these three groups have been eliminated.” It is said that during early times people could see Shaitan. A person approached him to ask how could he be like him. Shaitan told him that he had never received such a request before and asked him what had prompted him to ask for it. The person told him that he wished it from his heart. Shaitan told him to neglect his Salaah and to swear very frequently, not caring whether he was doing it truthfully. The person told Shaitan that he would swear by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) never to give up Salaah and never swear falsely. Shaitan told him that never before had he been tricked by a human being to give his advice. He was determined never to do so in future. Ubayy (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, “Give good news to the Muslims that they shall be honored and exalted, and their religion shall prevail, but there is no portion in the Akhirah for those who exploit Islam for worldly gains.” Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said, “I saw Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) in His best form. He said to me, ‘0 Muhammad! What are the Highest Chiefs (angels) arguing about?’ I said, I have no knowledge about that.’ Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) placed His gracious hand on my bosom. I felt its comforting coolness right through my heart, and the entire universe was revealed to me. I said, ‘They are arguing about the things which exalt, the things which atone for sins, the rewards for the steps taken while going for Salaah (with Jamaah) the virtues of performing Wudu’ properly when it is very cold, and the blessings that a person deserves when, after performing one Salaah he keeps on sitting in the Masjid till the next Salaah. A person careful of these shall live a blessed life and shall die a blessed death.” Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported (in many Ahadith) to have said, “Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) says, ‘0 son of Adam! Say four Rakaats of Salaah in the early part of the day. I shall help thee in completing all thy tasks during the rest of the day.’” It is said in a Hadith: Salaah is the cause of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's pleasure, is loved by the angels, is a tradition of the Ambiyaa, gives awareness about Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) causes Dua to be granted, blesses the daily bread, is the root of Iman, refreshes the body, is a weapon against the enemy, shall recommend its devotee, is a light in the darkness and a companion in the loneliness of the grave, is a reply to the questioning of the angels, is a shade against the sun on the day of Qiyamah, is a protection against the fire of Jahannam is a weight for the scales of good deeds, is a means of swift crossing over the bridge over Jahannam and is a key to Jannah" Usman (Radiallaho Anho) is reported to have said, "Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) bestows nine favors on a person who guards his Salaah and is particular in performing it at its appointed hours: He is loved by Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), he enjoys good health, is constantly under the protection of the angels, his home is blessed, the light of righteousness shines on his face, his heart is made soft, he shall cross the bridge over Jahannam with the speed of lightning, he is saved from Jahannam and his neighbors in Jannah are those about whom Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) has said : There shall no fear come upon them, neither shall they grieve7 (al-baqarah 38) Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) says, ''Salaah is the pillar of Islam and it has ten virtues: It brightens the face, is a light of the heart, health and freshness for the body, a company in the grave, a means for gaining Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's mercy, a key to Jannah, a weight for the scales (of good deeds), a means of winning Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's pleasure, a price of Jannah and a protection against the fire of Jahannam. A person who is particular about Salaah in fact, establishes Deen and one who neglects it demolishes (so to say, the structure of) Deen. According to one Hadith, there is healing in Salaah. Once Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saw Abu Hurairah (Radiallaho Anho) lying on his stomach. He said to him, "Are you suffering from stomach pain?" He replied in the affirmative. The Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said, "Then get up and busy yourself in Salaah for that will heal you. Once Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam), in his dream, saw Jannah and heard the footsteps of Bilal (Radiallaho Anho) there. Next morning he said to Bilal: "What deed of yours helped you to follow me even to jannah7'^ He replied: "When my Wudu' lapses even at night, I perform fresh wudoo7 and say as many Rakaats of Nafil Salaah as I can. Safeeree writes: "The angels address a person who misses Fajr as '0 you wrongdoer,' and one who neglects Zuhr as '0 you loser,' and one who ignores Casr as '0 you offender,' and one who omits Maghrib as '0 you nonbeliever,' and one who does not say Isha as '0 you violator of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's commandments.' Allama Sharaanee writes: "It should be clearly understood that punishment is drawn off from a locality the people of which are particular about Salaah whereas a locality the people of which neglect Salaah is frequently visited by punishment. Earthquakes, thunderbolts and sinking of houses may be expected where people are not particular about Salaah. Simply guarding one's own Salaah is not enough, because when a disaster strikes, it does not befall the wrongdoers alone. It affects everybody in that locality. Once the Sahabah asked the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam): "Can we perish while there are pious people among us?" Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) replied, "Yes, if vice becomes supreme." It is therefore necessary that other people should also be reminded to stick to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) 's commandments and refrain from wrongdoing. One Huqb in Jahannam for Each Missed Salaah Click Here to Read Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said, "A person neglecting his Salaah (even though he makes it up later) shall remain in Jahannam for a period of one huqb. A Huqb is equal to eighty years of three hundred and sixty days each, and a day in Akhirah shall equal one thousand years of this world." Huqb literally means a very long time; in most Ahadith it is explained as being eighty years as given above. Abu al-Layth al-Samarqandi is responsible for the Hadith in which Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said, "The name of a person who neglects even a single obligatory Salaah intentionally is written on the gate of Jahannam, which he must enter.” Ibn Abbas (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said, “Ask Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) to cause not anyone of us to be an unfortunate penniless.” He then said: “Do you know who is an unfortunate penniless?” At the request of the Sahabah he explained to them, saying, “An unfortunate penniless is he who neglects his Salaah. In Islam there is nothing for him.” In another Hadith it is said, “Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) will not care a bit for the person who has been neglecting Salaah intentionally and for him shall be an awful punishment. It is reported in a Hadith that ten persons will be specially punished and one of them will be the person who neglects his Salaah. It is said that his hands will be tied while angels shall beat him on his face and back. Jannah will tell him, “In me there is no room for you,” and Jahannam will say to him, “Come to me, you are for me and I am for you.” It is also reported that there is a valley in Jahannam named “Lamlam.” This valley is full of serpents as fat as the neck of a camel and as long as one month’s journey. A person neglecting Salaah shall be punished in this valley. In another Hadith, it is reported that there is a valley in Jahannam, which is known as the “pit of grief.” It is infested with scorpions of the size of a mule. This place is also meant for punishing the people who neglect Salaah. Of course, there is nothing to worry if the most Merciful Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) pardons the sins. But are we really prepared to ask for His pardon? Ibn Hajar writes, “A woman died. Her brother was present at her burial. By chance his purse fell into the grave and was buried with the dead body. The brother realized this after he had returned home and was very sorry for the loss. He decided to dig up the grave secretly and take out the purse. When he dug it up, he saw that the pit was in flames. He returned home, stricken with grief, and related the story to his mother, and inquired if she knew why it was so. The mother informed him that his sister used to delay in Salaah and offered it after its fixed hours.” May Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) save us from these habits! No Portion in Islam for the Person Neglecting Salaah Click Here to Read Abu Hurairah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying: “There is no place in Islam for a person who does not say his Salaah, and there is no Salaah without Wudu’. In another Hadith the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported as saying, “There is no Islam in a person when there is no Salaah. The position of Salaah in Islam is that of the head in a body.” Let those who do not offer Salaah and not only call themselves Muslims but also boast of their being champions of the Muslim cause, ponder over these words of the Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam). They dream of reviving the past glory of Islam, but would not care to know how rigidly the people responsible for that glory stuck to the practices of Islam. Abdullah Ibn Abbas (Radiallaho Anho) suffered from cataract of the eye. People told him that the disease could be treated, but he would have to miss his Salaah for a few days. He said: “This is not possible. I have heard Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) saying, A person who does not say his Salaah shall stand before Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) while Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) shall be angry with him.” The Sahabah of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) would rather like to go blind than to forego Salaah (though permissible under such circumstances) even for a few days. When on his last’ day, Amar (Radiallaho Anho) was stabbed by a fire-worshipper, he often remained unconscious and eventually died due to excessive bleeding. While on his death bed, he was made conscious of the approaching Salaah hours and he performed Salaah in that very condition, and would remark: “There is no place in Islam for a person who docs not say his Salaah. These days it is considered unkind and improper to remind the patient or even allow him to say his Salaah. What a world of difference is there between the viewpoints and approach of the Muslims of these two ages! Ali (Radiallaho Anho) once requested Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) to give him a servant. The Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) said: “Here are three slaves: take any one you like.” Ali (Radiallaho Anho) said, “You may kindly choose one for me.” Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) pointed towards a certain man and said, “Take this one, he is particular about his Salaah. But you are not to beat him. We are forbidden to beat one who says Salaah. We, on the other hand, make fun of our servant and consider him a liability if he offers Salaah. Sufyaan al-Thawree (Rehmatullah Alaihi), the famous Sufi, once fell into a state of spiritual joy. He remained at his house for seven days without sleep, food or drink. When his sheikh was informed of his condition, he inquired if Sufyaan was observing the hours of his Salaah. He was told that his Salaah was quite regular and safe. At this, the sheikh remarked, “Glory be to Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala), who has not allowed Shaitan to have an upper hand on him!” Other Chapters Importance of Sallah The Rewards of Sallah Salaah is a pillar of Islam Salaah Wipes out Sins Salaah Causes Forgiveness of Sins Salaah Washes Away Sins Salaah Helps in Adversities Salaah is a Means of Forgiveness for Sins Salaah Causes Early Entry into Jannah Salaah is a Redeemer Allah's Agreement with Persons Particular about Salaah Value of Two Rakat Salaah Forty Short Hadiths on the Virtues of Salaah Importance of Jamaah The Rewards of Jamaah Salaah with Jamaah is Twenty-seven Times Superior Salaah with Jamaah is Twenty five Times Superior Vigilance of Sahabah over Jamaah Deliverance from Jahannam and Freedom from being a Hypocrite Reward on going to Masjid even if Jamaah is missed The bigger the Jamaah the more the reward Perfect light on the day of Qiyamah Punishment on Giving up of Jamaah Salaah without Jamaah is not accepted To miss Jamaah is not proper for a Muslim The Displeasure of Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi wasallam) on discard of Jamaah Salaah without Jamaah an easy pray for shaitan Ibne Abbas Verdict on Discard of Jamaah Person missing Jamaah shall be unable to do Sajdah on seeing Allah's Glory Importance of Humility and Devotion in Salaah Quotations from the Quran It is Devotion which reaches Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) Importance of mindfulness in Salaah The Salaah of Hypocrites Doom for those who ruin Salaah Slackness in Salaah is a reason for Allah not accepting contributions Paying Heed to Salaah leads to the Highest Jannah Qualities of those for whom Salaah is Easy People whose Business does not interfere with establishing Salaah High place and happy station for those who spend the night in Salaah Those who Forsake their Beds to cry unto Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) Life among Gardens and Springs for Nights spent in Salaah True knowledge worship at night in fear and Hope Honorable dwelling Jannah A Few Stories from the Lives of the Pious Rewards on Nights of Salaah What Allah has created for those who stand before Him at Night The physical Apperance of Nights of worship The pleasure of sleep cannot compare with the pleasures of Jannah Salaah at night is a sign of Allah's favor on the Person Another story that Salaah at night is a sign of Allah's favor Excessive weeping in Salaah Salaah with Trust that Allah will protect us from Harm Concentration in Salaah Being affected by the Quran recited in Salaah A Slave woman's story Umar ibn Abdul Aziz's Salaah Being affected by the Quran recited in Salaah Mohammed ibn al-Munkadir Thaabit al Bunaani's Wish The Salaah of some eminent Scholars Quotation from Hadith It is Devotion that reaches Allah Woe Unto those who are Heedless of Allah Reckoning will start with Salaah If Salaah is unsatisfactory all other Deeds will be Unsatisfactory The worst Thief is He who Steals from Salaah Importance of Standing Motionless in Salaah Salaah restrains from shameful and unjust Deeds Standing in Salaah with Qunoot Requisites of Good Salaah Suggested by Sufies Twelve Principles Significance of Wording of Salaah Salaah of a Few Sahabah, Taabiees and Sufis