…Surely sins are like the seeds of fruits that always bear like fruits. Some of the Salaaf have said that indeed the punishment for committing a sin is that one is compelled to commit sin again, and the reward for performing good deeds is the guidance to follow that up with yet another good deed. This singular action of doing a good deed bears a series of good deeds and in turn one’s profits multiply. Similarly sins accumulates more sins and begin to take shape and permanence in one’s character.
“
| — | Ibn Al-Qayyim (rahimahullah) |
The first thing that a servant will be asked about on the Day of Resurrection will be their Salah. If it is found perfect, it will be recorded as perfect. But if something is lacking, He (Allah) will say (to the angels), ‘See if My Servant has any voluntary Salah to make up for the shortfall in their obligatory Salah.’ Then all the deeds will be reckoned similarly. Hadith Sahih (authentic Hadith).
& in another narration:
“The first thing for which a servant will be held to account is his prayer. If it is correct and sound, all the rest of his actions will be correct and sound, and if it is corrupt then all the rest of his actions will be corrupt.” [Reported by at-Tabaraanee in Al-Awsat and Ad-Diyaa from Anas .It is also in Saheehul-Jaami no. 2570].
So you’ll be asked about your OBLIGATORY prayers first [the five]. If you were negligent or lacked in those, you will be asked about your voluntary prayers. If you were negligent upon THOSE, all your other deeds will be corrupt. So if you want your good deeds to be deemed as good, make sure your Salah is good.
If you find yourself lacking in one area of prayer, take time to perfect it. If you find yourself not fearful or humble; figure out what you need to do. Whether that is visualizing the Angel of Death awaiting you to finish prayer, envisioning Hellfire behind you or Heaven in front of you…do what it takes to improve on what you’re lacking in. But before you try to fix yourself, figure out WHAT IT IS you need to fix. Get a piece of paper & pen; and write down all the things you can improve. Some suggestions are:
- Reciting Suratul Fatiha better.
- Giving appropriate time for all the prayer positions.
- Knowing what to say at each position.
- Not thinking about anything else except prayer.
- Not getting distracted.
- Reciting while understanding what’s being said.
- Etiquettes of how to sit after you rise from Sujud.
- How to position your arms, your feet, etc.
Whatever it is, write it down; and even if you’re doing everything right, take the time to improve on some things to perfect your prayer.
*Fab Vocab
- Obligatory prayers; 1. Fajr/Subuh, 2. Duhr, 3. `Asr, 4. Maghrib, 5. Eesha.
Prophet PBUH said : “A person who repents from his sin is like the one who has never committed that sin.” — (Ibn Majah)
The Shaitan can’t defeat you if you’re sincere and never give up. It’s hard to defeat anyone who never gives up.
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| — | (via abdulbary) |
