Namaz Ki Ahmiyat

Book Name:Namaz Ki Ahmiyat

virtuous deeds, we also become habitual in doing so. If only after seeing others go to the masjid, we too yearn to perform the five daily salahs in congregation. If only upon seeing the love that others possess for the masjid, we also become those who have love for the masjid. اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه The Reviver of Islam, the Imam of Ahl al-Sunnah, Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, undertook many journeys and faced great hardships during them, yet he always offered salah in congregation. In this regard, let us listen to a faith-refreshing story.

The imam’s love for salah

At the age of 52, Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه travelled for Hajj for the second time. After performing the Hajj rites, he fell so ill that he was bedridden for more than two months. When he recovered to some degree, he prepared to visit the blessed shrine of the Prophet                      صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم. As such, he left by boat via Jeddah and reached Rabigh after three days, and from there, he travelled on a camel towards Madinah. On the way, when he reached Bir al-Sheikh, his destination was a short distance away. However, there was little time left for Fajr Salah. The camel riders intended to stop at the destination, but there was a strong possibility that the time for Fajr Salah time would elapse by then. Observing this situation, Imam Aḥmad Razā Khān رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, along with his fellow travellers, stopped there and the caravan left.

The imam had a bucket (made from a specific type of jute), but there was no rope, and the well was quite deep too. Therefore, he tied imāmahs together to withdraw water, made ablution and offered Fajr Salah within its stipulated time. However, he was now concerned about the resultant weakness from his lengthy illness and how it would prevent him from walking the remaining distance. But then he turned around and