Prayer

* Ahmad bin Mohammad bin Khalid Al-Barqi states in Al-Mahasin Book: Reported from Abou Baseer that he asked Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) about this saying of Allah {Allah and His angels send their prayers upon the prophet. O you who believed send your prayers upon him and submit to him totally}. Imam (Pbuh) said: “sending your prayers upon him and submitting to him in every matter that he brought forth.” [1]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Ilal Al-Shara’i Book: Reported from Hisham bin Al-Hakam that he asked Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) about the cause of prayer for it distracts people from serving their needs and it wearies their bodies. Imam (Pbuh): “ there are many causes behind prayer. For if people were left without warning and without reminding them of the prophet (Pbuhp) and if only the book remained in their hands they would have relapsed to how the first nations were. They would have made up a new religion, wrote a new book, and called upon people to follow them and killed them  in order to follow them. Thus people would follow them. So Allah didn’t want them to forget Mohammad (Pbuhp) so He imposed prayer as a mandatory duty so that they remember him five times everyday calling his name, worshiping by prayer, and remembering Allah so that people don’t forget him and his remembrance wouldn’t be erased.” [2]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Man La Yahdourohou Al-Faqeeh Book:Reported from Mohammad bin Sanan that he said: “Imam Abou Al-Hassan Ali Bin Moussa Al-Rida (Pbuh) wrote to me a message talking about the causes behind prayer that says: It represents admitting the deity of Allah and disowning any peer. It makes you stand before the All-Mighty in humbleness, humility, submission, confession, asking forgiveness for the past sins. It is placing the head on the ground five times every day in glorification of Allah. It makes you always aware and never unaware and arrogant. It makes you humble and pious asking for more faith and Donia that includes being prohibited and being persistent in remembering Allah during day and at night. So that the servant never forgets his master, creator preventing him from being arrogant. Standing before his lord and remembering him holds him back from sinning and corruptions.”[3]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Moawia bin Wahab that he asked Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) about what brings the servants close to their Lord the most and what Allah likes the most? Imam (Pbuh) said: “I know nothing that that is better than prayer after knowledge. Didn’t you see that the righteous servant Issa bin Mariam (pbuh) said: {“He enjoined me with Prayer and Zakat as long as I live.”} [4]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Zaid Al-Shahham that he heard Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) say: ‘‘The worship act that Allah likes the most is Prayer. It is the last of the commandments of prophets. How good is the servant when he washes or ablates two times then goes to where no one can see him then Allah looks at him while he is bowing and prostrating. When a servant prostrates and prolongs his prostration, Iblees says: “Woe to me. He obeyed and I disobeyed. He prostrated and I refused.”[5]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Abou Hamza from Imam Abou Jaa’far (Pbuh) that he said that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “When the faithful servant stands for prayer Allah looks at him- Or he said: Allah comes to him.- till he finishes. Mercy shadows him from above his head till the horizon of the sky. Angels surround him till the horizon of the sky. Allah tells an angel to stand by his head saying to him: “O praying man, if you know who is looking at you and whom are you pleading you wouldn’t have turned and you would leave this place ever”. “[6]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Obeid bin Zurara that Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) said that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “Prayer is like the pillar of the tent. When the pillar is fixed poles and veils are benefit but when the pillar is broken the poles and veils benefit nothing.” [7]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Hafs bin Al-Bukhtari from Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) that he said: “ Allah doesn’t torment one if He accepted one prayer of his and He doesn’t torment him if He accepted one righteous deed of his.” [8]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Al-Hussein bin Saif from his father that he heard  Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) say: “ He who prays two Raka’as knowing what he says in them shall leave having no sin between him and Allah.” [9]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Aban bin Taghlob that he said that he prayed behind Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) in Al-Mouzdalifa city. When he left Imam (Pbuh) turned and said to him: “ O Aban, he who prays the five prayers on time and doesn’t neglect them shall meet Allah on Resurrection Day having a divine covenant that sentences him to heaven. He who doesn’t pray the five prayers on time and neglects them shall meet Allah having no divine covenant. So Allah torments him or forgives him if he pleases.”[10]

* Tafseer Al-Imam Al-Askari Book: Imam Moussa Bin Jaa’far (Pbuh) said: “ The reward of prayer increases as much as the praying man glorifies his greatest fathers Mohammad and Ali (Pbut).” [11]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Qateeba Al-Aa’sha from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) that he said: “The value of prayer on its time is greater than prayer in its last moments is like The Hereafter is greater than Donia.” [12]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Al-Amali Book: Reported from Abdellah bin Sanan from Imam Abou Abdellah Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) from his father (Pbuh) from the Prophet (Pbuhp) that he said: “On the time of every prayer, an angel calls among people: “Rise up to your fires that you ignited on your backs and put it off with your prayers.”“ [13]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Al-Amali Book: Reported from Ibn Abi Ya’afour that he said that Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) said: “When you pray an obligated prayer, pray it on time as if you will never pray again. Then look at where you prostrate. For if you know who is on your left and right you would pray in the best way. Know that around you there are who see you but you don’t see them.” [14]

* Ibn Shaher Ashoub states in Al-Manaqib Book: Abou Hazim said that a man said to Imam Zain Al-Abideen (Pbuh): “Do you know how to pray?” Abou Hazem was about to attack him but Imam (Pbuh) said: “Wait, O Abou Hazim. The knowledgeable men are the merciful and forbearing men.” Then Imam said to the asker: “Yes I know how to pray.” Then man asked him about how to pray and about the obligatory prayers and the nonobligatory ones. Then he asked: “How does it start?” Imam (Pbuh): “Takbeer (Allah is the Greatest).” Man: “What it its proof?” Imam (Pbuh): “Its proof is reciting.” Man: “What is its piousness?” Imam: “Its piousness is in looking at the place of prostration.” Man: “When does it start?” Imam: “Takbeer.” Man: “When does it end: “Tasleem.” Man: “What is its essence?” Imam: “Exaltation.” Man: “What is its banner?” Imam: “Ta’qeeb (supplicating after prayer).” Man: “What completes it?” Imam: “Sending prayer upon Mohammad and AL Mohammad.” Man: “What makes it accepted?” Imam: “Loyalty to us and disowning our enemies.” Man: “No one can speak a word after that.” Then he left saying: “Allah knows where he places his message.” [15] 

* Al-Allama Al-Majlisi states in Al-Bihar Book: Reported from Ibn Al-Waleed from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) explaining this saying of Allah “The Prayer is raised” that he said: “it means the rise of Al-Qa’im (Pbuh).” [16]

Not praying

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Mas’ada bin Sadaqa that Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) was asked: “Why you don’t consider the fornicator an infidel and yet you consider who doesn’t pray as an infidel. What is the proof of that?” Imam (Pbuh) said: “Because who fornicates and does similar matters does that because of a desire that was defeated him. Yet who doesn’t pray, they don’t pray because they are underestimating and neglecting prayer. The fornicator doesn’t come to a woman but with pleasure that he seeks. Yet who intends not to pray, he doesn’t pray because of a desire that he seeks. So when there is no pleasure there is underestimation and underestimation proves infidelity.”[17]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Zurara from Imam Abou Jaa’far (Pbuh) that he said: “ While the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) was sitting in the mosque a man came and prayed. He neither completed his prostration nor his kneeling so the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “Pecking like the pecking of the crow, if he died still praying like this, he dies not being a follower of my religion.”“[18]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Zurara from Imam Abou Jaa’far (Pbuh) that he said: “Don’t ever underestimate and neglect prayer for the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said while dying: “He is not from me he who underestimates and neglects prayer. He is not from me he who drinks any intoxicant. I swear to Allah he will not come to me at Al-Hawd.”“[19]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Al-Sukuni from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “Satan remains afraid from the believer as long as he is persistent on praying the five prayers. When he stops praying, Satan becomes more powerful than him and leads him to commit great sins.” [20]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Al-Amali Book: Reported from Ismaeel bin Abi Ziad from Imam Jaa’far Bin Mohammad Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) from his forefathers from Ameer Elmo’mineen (Pbut) from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) that he said: “Satan remains afraid from the sons of Adam as long as he prays the five prayers on time. When he neglects them, Satan becomes more powerful than him and leads him to committing grand sins.”

* Al-Sheikh Al-Kulaini states in Al-Kafi Book: Reported from Hisham bin Salem from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) that he said: “ When a servant stands in prayer and yet shortens his prayer Allah says to his angels: “Can you see my servant shortening his prayer. As if he thinks that his needs are in the hands of other than Me, doesn’t he know that his needs are in my hands?”[21]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Ilal Al-Shara’i Book: Reported from Zurara from Imam Abou Jaa’far (Pbuh) that he said: “An angel says to he who sleeps from sunset till midnight “May Allah not allow your eyes to sleep.”“[22]

* Taj Al-Deen Al-Shaeeri states in Jami’ Al-Akhbar Book: Imam Sadiq (Pbuh) said reporting from his father from his grandfather (Pbut) that he said: “Ameer Elmo’mineen (Pbuh) passed by Al-Kufa Mosque along with Qanbar. He saw a man praying. Qanbar said: “I didn’t see a man praying better than this man.” Ameer Elmo’mineen (Pbuh) said: “Silence. I swear to Allah, a man who is certain about loyalty to us AL Mohammad is better than worship of one thousand years. If a servant worshiped Allah for one thousand years, Allah doesn’t accept from him until he knows our Wilaya Ahlul-Bayt. If a servant worships Allah for one thousand years and came with the work of seventy two prophets, Allah doesn’t accept from him until he knows our Wilaya Ahlul-Bayt or else Allah will throw him on his face in hell.”[23]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Thawab Al-A’mal Book: Reported from Abou Baseer that he said: “I went to Um Hameeda to consolidate her because of the death of Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh). She cried and I cried. Then she said: “O Abou Mohammad, if you saw Abou Abdellah when he was dying you would have seen wonders. He opened his eyes and said: “gather around me everyone who is related me.” So we brought all of them not leaving one. Then he looked at them and said: “We will not intercede for anyone who underestimates and neglects prayer.”““[24]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Al-Amali Book: Reported from Abou Baseer from Imam Jaa’far Bin Mohammad Al-Sadiq (Pbuh) from his forefathers (Pbuh) from Abou Thar from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) that he said: “The one who supplicate more during prayer in Donia are the ones who will rest more on Resurrection Day when standing.”[25]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Musadaqat Al-Ikhwan Book: Reported from Al-Moufaddal bin Amr that said that Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) said: “Our followers were tested with two traits. Neglect them if they don’t have it.” Al-Moufaddal: “What are they?” Imam (Pbuh): “Always praying on time and solacing and practicing equality to brothers. Even if they had a little of these.”“[26]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Thawab Al-A’amal Book: Reported from Boraid Al-Ijli from Imam Abou Jaa’far (Pbuh) from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) that he said: “The boundary between Islam and Infidelity is not praying willingly or because of underestimating it.”[27]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Thawab Al-A’amal Book: Reported from Abdellah bin Maimoun from Imam Abou Abdellah (Pbuh) from his father from Jaber from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) that he said: “ The boundary between Islam and Infidelity is not praying.”

* Taj Al-Deen Al-Shaeeri states in Jami’ Al-Akhbar Book: The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “He who neglects prayer till he misses it without an excuse, he devalues all his work.” Then He (Pbuhp) said: “The boundary between a servant and infidelity is not praying.”[28]

* Al-Sheikh Al-Sadouq states in Oyun Akhbar Al-Rida (Pbuh) Book: The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “Don’t neglect your prayers for he who neglects his prayer will be with Qaroun and Haman on Hasher Day. Allah has the total right to sentence him to Hell with the hypocrites. Wayl is to he who isn’t consistent on praying and on working according to the standards of his prophets.”[29]

* Al-Sayyid Ali Ibn Tawous states in Falah Al-Sa’il Book: Hadrat Sayyidat Al-Nisaa’ Fatima (Pbuh) asked her father Mohammad (Pbuhp): “O Father, what is waiting he or she who neglects their prayer?” He (Pbuhp): “O Fatima. He or she who neglects prayer shall be afflicted with fifteen matters. Six of them are in Donia, three when he dies, three in his grave, and three on Resurrection Day when he rises from his grave. The ones that strike him in Donia are: Allah takes blessings from his age and blessings from his livelihood. Allah erases the marks of the righteous men from his face. He is not rewarded for any work he does. His supplications aren’t raised to the sky and the sixth is that he will not earn anything from Al-Saliheen Supplication. As for the ones that strike him while dying are that he dies in servility, he dies hungry and he dies thirsty. If he drank all the rivers of Donia he will still be thirsty. As for the ones that strike him in his grave. First, Allah orders an angel to disturb him in his grave. Second, his grave is narrowed down on him. Third, his grave will be dark. As for the ones that strike him on Resurrection Day. First, Allah orders an angel to drag him on his face while all the creatures are looking at him. Second, his judgment will be very tough. Third, Allah doesn’t look at him or purify him and he shall receive a very painful torment.”[30]

* In Saheefat Al-Rida (Pbuh) Book:Reported from him from his forefathers (Pbut) from the Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) that he said: “never neglect the five prayers. For when Allah calls upon the servant on Resurrection Day, the first matter that He asked him about is the Prayer. If his prayers aren’t complete he is directly thrown in Hell.”[31]

* Ibrahim bin Mohammad Al-Thaqafi states in Al-Gharat Book: Reported from Abdellah bin Al-Hassan from Abaya that he said that Ameer Elmo’mineen (Pbuh) wrote to Mohammad Bin Abi Baker: “…. O Mohammad, know that everything is related to prayer. Know that he who neglects prayers neglects the other matters more.”[32]

* Taj Al-Deen Al-Shaeeri states in Jami’ Al-Akhbar Book: The Messenger of Allah (Pbuhp) said: “Prayer is the pillar of faith. He who doesn’t pray deliberately destroys his faith. He who doesn’t pray on time shall be sentenced to Wayl and Wayl is a valley in hell. As Allah said: {Waly is for the praying men who are negligent with their prayer.}”[33]

* Al-Mirza Al-Nouri states in Mousatadrak Al-Wasa’il Book: Al-Qotob Al-Rawandi states in Lub Al-Albab: The Prophet (Pbuhp) said: “he who prays well so that people see him and prays bad when he is alone, he is insulting prayer and thus he is insulting his Lord.”[34]