The Prophet (s.a.w.) on the Importance of Swalah

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Shaykh ‘Utsman Nuri Tufbas wrote, in “Islam, Spirit, & Form”, that the Prophet (s.a.w.) asked the following question to the companions to explain to them the importance of the five daily prayers: “If one of you has a river next to his door, and he washed himself five times a day in this river, do you think that person can have a scrap of dirt on his body?” 

The companions answered, “No dirt will remain on that person. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) went on, “The five daily prayers function in the same way.  Allah Erases sins through the five daily prayers.”  This is recorded in Swahih al-Bukhari. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) announced the following good news in several sayings as well: “If the deadly sins are avoided, the five daily prayers and the Friday congregational prayers are considered to be redemptions for minor sins committed between them.  And this is valid for all times.”  This is recorded in Swahih Muslim. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) also said, “If a Muslim makes ablution when the time for prayer is due, and does the prayer in pious reverence, this prayer redeems his previous sins.  And this is valid for all times.”  This is also recorded in Swahih Muslim. 

It must be stated here that the five daily prayers are all-important.  There is wisdom behind their being at different times of the day.  The way they are divided is good for humans, both bodily and spiritually.  Therefore, one should be serious about performing each one of them with sincerity. Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرُّوم

فَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ حِينَ تُمۡسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصۡبِحُونَ (١٧) وَلَهُ ٱلۡحَمۡدُ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَعَشِيًّ۬ا وَحِينَ تُظۡهِرُونَ (١٨) 

So (give) glory to Allah, when you reach eventide and when you rise in the morning; yea, to Him be praise, in the Heavens and on Earth; and in the late afternoon and when the day begins to decline. (Surah ar-Rum:18) 

Sayyidina ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abbas (r.a.) regarded these verses as covering the five daily prayers and said, “The words ‘when ye rise in the morning’ refers to the morning prayer; the words ‘in the late afternoon’ refers to the noon-prayer; the words ‘the day begins to decline’ refers to the late-noon prayer; the words ‘when you reach eventide’ refers to the evening and late-night prayer.”