Explanation of Hadith
The Light of Salah
Maulana Nasir Jamal Attari Madani
The Honourable Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated: ’ اَلصَّلَاۃُ نُوْرٌ’ ‘Salah is Light.’ (Sahih Muslim, p. 115, Hadith 534)
As humans we realise the importance of light, often going to great lengths to install suitable lighting in our homes. When these lights fail, we throw them away because they have become unfit for purpose and naturally, we do not give importance to useless objects.
Humans were created for the sole purpose of worshipping Allah Almighty. From the acts of worship available to us, Salah is the most important and superior. The Prophet of Allah, Sayyiduna Ibrahim عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام even supplicated for himself and his children regarding Salah as described in the Quran: ‘O my Lord, make me the one who keeps Salah established, and (also) some of my offspring. O our Lord, answer my supplication,’ (Part 13, Surah Ibrahim, verse 40). A right of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ, Salah holds so much importance that on the Day of Judgement, it is the first matter we will be questioned about, as explained in the blessed Hadith, ‘On the Day of Judgement, a person will be asked regarding Salah first,’ (Nasai, p. 652, Hadith 3997) Commenting on this Hadith, Abdul Rauf Al-Munaawi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه remarked that, ‘No doubt, Salah is a sign of sound faith and the essence of worship,’ (At-Tayseer Sharh Jami’ah-us-Sagheer, vol. 1, p. 391).
In one Hadith, the Merciful Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم analogised Salah to light for several reasons:
1. Light prevents accidents such as falling into a ditch and similarly salah prevents one from falling into the ditch of immodesty and other sins.
2. On the Day of Judgement, reward will be given in the form of light to a worshipper who was consistent in offering Salah.
3. The light of Salah will radiate from the faces of worshippers in this world and the Hereafter.
4. Salah is the light of a believer’s heart, face, grave, and resurrection, (Sharh Muslim-lil-Nawawi, vol. 2, p. 101, derived from; Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 1, p. 232, derived from).
The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم further clarified who will attain the light of Salah and who will not:
Whoever safeguards his Salah, for him on the Day of Judgement will be a light, an open proof, and protection. And he who does not safeguard his Salah will not have light, an open proof, or any protection, and he will be resurrected with Qaroon, Fir’awn, Haman, and ‘Ubay Bin Khalf, (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2, p. 574, Hadith 6587).
He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم added, ‘Glad tidings of a complete light be for those who walk to the masjid on foot, in darkness,’ (Tirmizi, vol. 1, p. 261, Hadith 223).
It is reported that on the Day of Judgement, worshippers will be commanded to go towards Paradise in groups. When the first group approaches, with their faces shining and radiant like stars, the angels will welcome them, asking, ‘Who are you?’ They will reply, ‘We are the worshippers (those were consistent in offering Salah) from the Ummah of Muhammad عَلیٰ صَاحِبہَا الصّلوٰۃُ وَالسّلام.’ They will then be asked, ‘What was the state of your Salah?’ to which they will respond, ‘Upon hearing the Azaan, we would immediately stand for Wudu, and nothing of this world could stop us from doing that.’ The angels will commend them, ‘You are truly deserving of this (Paradise).’
Then the second group will come forth; their charm and beauty will be greater than that of the previous group, and their faces radiant and shining like stars. The angels will ask who they are, to which they will reply, ‘We were consistent in offering our Salah.’ The angels will say, ‘What was the state of your Salah?’ to which they will answer, ‘We would make wudu for Salah before the Salah Time even began (and then immediately attend the Masjid upon hearing the Azaan).’ The angels will say, ‘You are truly deserving of this.’
Then the third group will come; their charm, beauty, and status will be superior to that of the previous groups, and their faces will be radiant like the Sun. The angels will ask, ‘Why are you so beautiful and of such a lofty status?’ They will reply, ‘We were always consistent in offering our Salah.’ Then they will be asked, ‘What was the state of your Salah?’ and they will answer, ‘We would be present in the masjid before the Azaan is called, and we would listen to the Azaan in the masjid.’ The angels will say, ‘You are truly deserving of this,’ (Qoot-ul-Quloob, vol. 2, p. 168).
21 Benefits of Salah
Salah:
1. Provides relief to the heart, stomach, and intestines.
2. Reduces or completely alleviates pain and worry.
3. Offers a great opportunity for light exercise as most joints are actively engaged while performing the various postures of Salah such as standing, bowing, and prostrating.
4. Alleviates flu if the prostration (Sajdah) is lengthened.
5. Clears the mind and extinguishes the fire of anger.
6. Motivates more sustenance.
7. Protects one’s health.
8. Removes pain.
9. Grants relief from illness.
10. Strengthens the heart.
11. Becomes a source of happiness.
12. Treats laziness.
13. Spiritually opens the heart.
14. Nourishes the soul.
15. Illuminates the heart.
16. Brightens the face.
17. Brings about blessings.
18. Leads to Allah’s proximity.
19. Makes Satan flee.
20. Prostrating relieves congestion.
21. Prostrating helps clear the intestines.
These benefits can only be attained when Salah is offered correctly, in a calm manner, (Faizan-e-Namaz, p. 28).
To motivate people towards offering Salah, Ameer-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Maulana Ilyas Attar Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ has authored, ‘Faizan-e-Namaz.’ An engaging and pertinent read, this book is the need of every household. If you want to attain this treasure, then get your hands on this book immediately and begin your journey of amelioration.
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