Salaat is better than Sleep
The importance ofSalaat in Islam can never be over-emphasised . We have learnt from theHadith ofRasulullah (Sallallaahu A'layhi Wasallam ) that the similitude ofSalaat in the life of a Muslim is like that of the head in the human body. Just as there is no life without the head, there is no Islam withoutSalaat .
O Muslim Brothers and Sisters: Consider these virtues ofFajr in theMasjid .!! PerformingFajr on its time withJamaat is a quality of aMumin .
PerformingFajr on its time withJamaat andEsha as well equals theIbadat (worship) of the whole night. He who performs hisFajr withJamaat is in the protection of Allah.
There are glad tidings of perfect and completeNur (celestial light)for him on the day ofQiyamah . He who awakens from his sleep and makes theZikr of Allah, performswudhu and performs hisFajr Salaat withJamaat in theMasjid awakens fresh and healthy and if not, he awakens evil and lazy.
If he performs hisFajr withJamaat he acquires multiple rewards, his rank is elevated and sins forgiven. To performFajr on its time withJamaat in theMasjid is a cause of entry intojannah and protection from the fire. Themalaa-eekah are present in thesalaat ofFajr andAsr with mercy and blessings.
He who performsFajr andAsr on time withJamaat , will enterJannah .
He who performs hisSalaat before the rising of the sun (Fajr ) and before its setting (Asr ) will never enter the fire.The angels of the night and day that are appointed over a person alternate. they gather during theFajr andAsr Salaat .thereafter those angels that spent their night with a person ascend (the skies) and theirRabb asks them (although He is most knowledgeable). "How did you leaveMy servants?" they will reply: "We left them while they were performingSalaat and we came to them while they were performingSalaat ."
The harms of not performingFajr in theMasjid withJamaat :
It is a reported quality of a hypocrite (munafiq ).
A loss of rewards andthawaabs result by not performingFajr withJamaat in theMasjid .
A person who sleeps until sunrise and did not perform hisFajr in theMasjid awakes evil and lazy. A person is deprived of the benefits of good health which are acquired when awakening and performingFajr withJamaat in theMasjid . A person is deprived of the obedience to Allah.
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'layhi Wasallam ) said with regard to a man who slept until the sun rose, "He is a person in whose earsShaytaan has urinated."
Factors that will assist in performingFajr :
Realise the greatness of Allah and His commandments and fear His punishment in the hereafter and in this world if He has to take one to task. It is a great sign of Islam and a pillar from among the pillars of Islam.
Fight thenafs (carnal self) and train it to perform thisfardh with eagerness, contentment and solely for the pleasure of Allah. Always meditate about the fact thatFajr is difficult for themunafiqeen ( hypocrites).
Sleep early. To stay awake for a permissible act but which causes one tomiss Fajr isHaraam .then what about staying awake for aharaam act and missingFajr ?
Make a firm resolution and intention to performFajr withJamaat in theMasjid , for a sleeping person is like a dead person who does not know whether he will awaken in the morning or be dead. If he did not make the intention ofFajr he will have a bad death.
Themoment you awaken for thissalaat do not procrastinate; hasten immediately to performwudhu and give up procrastination and laxity.
Realise that if you perform yoursalaat withJamaat in theMasjid you will acquire rewards that cannot be measured in monetary terms and if you did not perform yourSalaat you are vulnerable to the punishment of Allah.
Make sure you set your alarm and make suitable and reliable arrangements to be awakened forSalaat like asking a friend to telephone you or knock on your door or take you along forFajr .
Fix some punishment for yourself whenever you miss yourFajr withJamaat like performing a certain number ofNafl Salaats , giving charity etc. so that the pinch is felt.
Perform yourSalaat before yours is performed - remember death is inevitable.
All want the sun of Islam to rise but how can that be when the sons of Islam are fast asleep when the sun rises?
A Tradition from ImamHusayn (as)
A man once came to him asking for advice since he could not stop committing sin.the Imam (as) asked him to do any of the following five things and then he could sin as he wished:
1. Do not eat from the sustenance of Allah, and then sin as you like.
2. Go out of the kingdom of Allah, and then sin as you like.
3. Find a place where Allah does not see you and then sin as you like.
4. When the Angel of Death approaches you to take you soul, stop him from doing so.
5. When you are dragged into the hell fire at the command of Allah, refuse to enter.