Prayer is better than sleep

“الصلوۃ خیرمن النوم”

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Talk of Sahibzada Abdul Qadeer Awan,

 translated by Naeha Sharif

This is the call of truth that was raised on Mirāj Nabwi (Salallahu alayhi wassalam) and shall remain exalted thereby up until Allāh Wills, the existence of The Realm of Creation.  When The Realm of Creation will become void of this echo, The Doomsday will commence.

According to common opinion the incident of Asra-o-Mirāj of the Prophet (Salallahu alayhi wassalam) took place in the month of Rajab however it is not completely agreed upon, not even a same year of incidence is universally endorsed. Nonetheless, the way there exists a complete accord over the manifestation of the event of Mirāj (Ascension), the same holds true for the Bestowance of Salaah and its becoming incumbent, on the night of Mirāj.

The esteemed excellence that Allāh kareem has bestowed upon the Prophet Salallahu alayhi wassalam, has been remarkably expressed repeatedly. The incident of Mirāj is also amongst such events that portray the eminence of Prophethood (Salallahu alayhi wassalam) and also pronounces the exalted greatness of the beloved (Salallahu alayhi wassalam).

Regardless of the exact date of this blessed event, I want to bring the attention of my readers to the topic of the editorial. The Host is the Creator of the Worlds, whereas the guest is the one who is the source of His Mercy upon The Worlds (رحمتہ للعالمین). What a phenomenal gift, would have been bestowed by The Al-Mighty, at this beautiful and singular exemplary event in the timeline of The Realm of Creation! When on The Day of Judgment, no one shall receive the Mercy of the Almighty without the intercession of the Messenger of Allāh (Salallahu alayhi wassalam), Hence certainly the granted gift would surely have been the extraordinarily exceptional.

How is it possible that an individual is a firm believer; while being a claimant of being a member of the Ummah of Muhammad (Salallahu alayhi wassalam); yet at becoming unwell, nothing else was forsaken, except his Salaah went amiss. If some friends or family arrived, nothing else was forsaken but for the Salaah. When tired, busy and in amidst of other common ordeals, nothing got neglected but for the Salaah. Sleep did not break its hold on the break of dawn, and the call of الصلوۃ خیرمن النوم (Prayer is better than sleep) came and went unheard.

As per the personal requirements, it is obligatory on every Muslim man and woman to acquire knowledge about all the commandments of Islam and to act accordingly thereby. Amongst all the obligations, the praying of 5 times daily Salaah is prioritized at number one, therefore it is of utmost importance to know what has been ordained regarding Salaah. The day a mother would fail to recognize her own child, how important Salaah is for us that Day in order to receive the intercession of Allāh’s Prophet (Salallahu alayhi wassalam), is something we all need to know.

There are several aspects to the continuity of the human life. The Day of the Pledge (Youm-e-Alast) , the womb of a mother, the Realm of the World and the Realm of the Veil (the Barzakh) and subsequent to these is “الْقَارِعَةُ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ” the Doomsday, thereupon after passing through accountability, followed by ‘As Sirat’ (the test of the Bridge) and thereafter the never ending phase of life will begin. These words of Quran are echoing in my ears after reaching this part of the script.

 ”الْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ الَّذِي هَدَانَا لِهَـذَا وَمَا كُنَّا لِنَهْتَدِيَ لَوْلا أَنْ هَدَانَا اللّهُ“

"Praise be to Allāh, who hath guided us to this (felicity): never could we have found guidance, had it not been for the guidance of Allāh… (7:43)

Undoubtedly, this is the gratitude that residents of Jannah will extend to the Almighty Allāh upon entering the gates of Jannah through His mercy and on the safe culmination of the journey that started from The Day of The Pledge (Youm-e-Alast).

It is my greatest wish and an impassioned plea with an earnest heart, and also a prayer before Allāh, duly for the sake of His Prophet (Salallahu alayhi wassalam), and indeed an expectation of a humble destitute, from his Allāh that may He let this real journey conclude safely and provide the opportunity to offer the aforementioned gratitude. Āmeen

“Āmeen”

Without doubt, every believer will say “sum Āmeen” along with this “Āmeen”. Nonetheless, myself and you, who are merely concluding a finite amount of our individually prescribed time in this world, it is of paramount importance that we implement the subsequent part of this aforementioned Ayat in our lives.

”لَقَدْ جَاءتْ رُسُلُ رَبِّنَا بِالْحَقِّ “

…Indeed it was the truth, that the Messengers of our Lord brought unto us."(7:43)