The Book Of Prayer (Kitaab-ul-Salaat)

Allamah Amjad Ali Aazmi (may Allah have mercy on him) mentions that abandoning Prayer is
terrible in itself, but see what Allah the Supreme says about those who let it lapse: “ So “ vail”
(or ruin) is to those offerers of Prayer - Those who are neglectful of their Prayer.” (Surah
Maoon)
“ Vail” is the name of a dreadful valley in hell, from which hell also seeks refuge. This will be
the destination of those who let their Prayers lapse. (Bahaare Shariat)
The Blessings Of Prayer
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “ If there was a river at the door of
anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would you notice any dirt on him?" The
Companions said: “ Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example
of the five Prayers with which Allah annuls evil deeds." (Saheeh Bukhari & Saheeh Muslim)
Here “ evil deeds” mean the lesser sins. The cardinal sins are forgiven only after repentance and
giving the people their due rights.
It is recorded in Mishkaat Shareef that once during the winter season, the Holy Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) caught hold of a tree branch and shook it, causing its leaves to fall.
He then said: “ When a Muslim offers Prayer, seeking Allah's pleasure, his sins fall off like these
leaves did."
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has also said: “ For the one who is regular
in his Prayer, the Prayer will become a light, a guide and the cause of his salvation on the Day of
Resurrection. Whereas the one who is not regular in his Prayers, will not have any light, guide or
salvation - and on the Day of Resurrection, he will be along with Qaroon, Firaun, Hamaan, Ubai
bin Khalaf” - i.e. with the major infidels. (Mishkaat)
Another blessing of Prayer is that all hardships are resolved through it, and the offerer gains
solace from it. Hazrat Huzaifah (may Allah be well pleased with him) says that whenever the
Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was faced with any difficulty, he used to turn
his attention towards Prayer. (Abu Dawood)
The Excellence Of Offering Prayer In Congregation (With Jamaat)
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) has said: “ The Prayer in congregation is
twenty seven times superior to the Prayer offered by a person alone." (Bukhari & Muslim)
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) found some people absenting themselves
from certain Prayers and he said: “ I intend to order someone to lead people in Prayer, and then
go to the persons who do not join the (congregational) Prayer and then order their houses to be
burnt by the bundles of fuel. If one amongst them were to know that he would find a fat fleshy
bone he would attend the Night Prayer.” (Muslim & Abu Dawood)