Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates that he heard the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) saying:
"Islam is founded on five pillars: bearing witness that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is His servant and apostle; establishment of salaat; paying of Zakaat; performance of Hajj; and fasting in Ramadhaan."
The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) has compared Islam to a canopy resting on five supports. The Kali-mah is the central support and the other four pillars of Islam are, so to say, the remaining four supports, one at each corner of the canopy. Without the central support, the canopy cannot possibly stand, and if any one of the corner supports is missing a collapse will result in the defective corner. Now, let us judge for ourselves how far we have kept up the canopy of Islam. Is there really any pillar that is being held in its proper place?
The five pillars of Islam mentioned in this Hadith signify the most essential duties of a Muslim. Although a Muslim cannot do without any one of them, yet salaat in Islam occupies a position next only to Imaan. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Mas'ood (Radhiyallaho anho) says:
"Once, I inquired of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), which act (of man) was the dearest to Allah. The Prophet replied, 'salaat'. I then inquired which act came next (in order of merit) and the Prophet replied, 'Kindness to parents'. I again asked what was next and he answered 'Jihaad'."
Mulla Ali Qari (Rahmatullah alaih) has quoted this Hadith in support of the belief that salaat is the most important religious duty after Imaan. This is further corroborated by a hadith, in which the Holy Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) is reported to have said:
"Salaat is the best of all that has been ordained by Allah."
Tags: salaat
Subject: THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR
Dear brothers and sisters
Today, the best guest has arrived. This blessed guest whom we have been
awaiting for is the Best Day of the year. This is the day, the day of
`Arafah.
This is the day on which the religion was perfected and Allaah’s
Favour was completed.
“This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour
upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.�
[al-Maa’idah 5:3]
It is a day by which Allaah swore an oath.
“By the witnessing day [Friday] and by the witnessed day [the Day of
‘Arafaah].� [al-Burooj 85:3].
This is the day that fasting on that day is an expiation for two years.
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was
asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Arafaah. He said, “It expiates for
the sins of the previous year and of the coming year.� Narrated by
Muslim.
We are people who have indeed oppressed our soul excessively. We are
those who have committed sins in secret as well as in public and are
those who have exceeded all bounds and committed sins which only Allaah is
more knowledgeable of. We are those who are drenched in sins. Hence
this is a great opportunity to repent sincerely and to make intention to
never commit sins again and to live a pious life.
It is the day of forgiveness of sins, freedom from the Fire and pride
in the people who are there.
It was reported from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings
of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah expresses His pride to His
angels at the time of ‘Ishaa’ on the Day of ‘Arafaah, about the people
of ‘Arafaah. He says, ‘Look at My slaves who have come unkempt and
dusty.’� Narrated by Ahmad and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani.
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