Alhamudulilahi Rabbi! Alamin!
Finally the SSCE exams are over and my life of fun are just about to start. I have so much time on my hands and I was so happy that I decided to go to Olu's place for several hours of sheer fun. As I was stepping out, my buddy Qasim stepped in. We both, decided to stroll to Olu's together. Just then, we heard the adhan for Salaat Asr being called, I quickly performed My ablution. Qasim already had his and together, we proceeded to the masjid. All through the salaat, my mind kept dashing in and out, up and down thinking of the video 'game and boys' gist that lay ahead of me. I could barely wait for the salaat to be over!
Immediately I responded to the taslim, I practically ran out of the masjid. I quickly buckled my sandals. As I rose up, my eyes caught Qasim, still sitting in the masjid. I was getting rather, impatient. Would someone please tell him to hurry up? We needed sufficient time to play in Olu's place! and then I heard someone shout AL-AMEEN! . I turned in the direction of the voice only to see my father beckonning towards me. I hurried to him and we exchanged the taslim. "Al- Ameen", he said, "You'll go to Grandpa's place now. I promised to see him after Salaat Asr but as it is, I can't make it. Please explain to him that I have an emergency meeting and I’ll lnsha Allah see him immediately it's over." "Yes sir", I replied. I cursed bitterly under my breath, putting all the blame on Qasim. If he had been out of the masjid quickly after salaat, my father would never have caught up with me.
As I returned, Qasim was still in the masjid, obviously supplicating! I became truly furious. "Qasim'! I screamed, "I'm leaving you O!". As I stamped out of the mosque compound, he caught up with me. Before I could utter a word, he was scolding me. "AI-Ameen, why did you leave the masjid like that? Don't you know the Prophet (PBUH) said that:
whoever glorifies Allah (says subhana'llah) after every prayer thirty three times, praises Allah (says al-hamdulillah) thirty three times, greets Allah (says Allahu Akbar) thirty three times, which adds up to ninety-nine, then completes that by saying La ilaha ilia Allah wahdahu la sharikalah, lahu'l-mulk wa lahu 'l-hamd, wa huwa 'ala kulli shayin qadir (There is no god but Allah, having no partner with Him, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him praise is due, and He has power over everything), his sins will be forgiven, even if they were like the foam of the sea (Muslim)?
Aren't you greedy for that enormous reward? "So who to you I haven't done it or still doing it inside me?" I responded. "AI Ameen", he continued, "the angels are going to be invoking blessings on you as long as you remain in the masjid and engage in dhikr until your ablution becomes invalid or you get up ... ". "Ya Ustadh it's okay", I quickly cut in "let's not drag that. Anyway, my father just sent me to Grandpa's place and I have to 'hurry there now if I'm still to see Olu."
We met Grandpa talking to some visitors. As we said 'Salaam alaykum', he replied and introduced his guests as reverts to Islam. Grandpa excused himself and I quickly delivered my father's message. As we got up to leave, Grandpa said:' "Haba! Omo mi, not so fast. You should keep the company of my friends for some time. We are discussing the importance of salaat and I am sure Qasim and yourself could benefit from it as well". There goes Olu's place, the games and the fun, and here comes yet another lecture! Trust Qasim, he had already made himself comfortable.
Reluctantly, I sat down and Grandpa continued his speech: "...as I was saying, this salaat Allah has prescribed for us should be seen as a blessing rather than a burden if we observe the salaat in the manner prescribed with submissiveness and for Allah alone, then it purifies the soul and enhances Allah's remembrance. And that is why it has been prescribed for us at fixed hours" I 'couldn't help the guilt that came over me as I, felt Grandpa's words hit me painfully hard. Yes, It really miss my salaat, but do I say them in the manner prescribed? Gradually, my prayer, it seems, has b come a burden to me rather than a blessing. I barely follow, the reading of the surah talkless of reflecting over them. I found myself praying for forgiveness, then patience in my salaat as Grandpa continued the talk. . We were at Grandpa's till the adhan for Maghrib and we all walked down to the masjid. After Maghrib, a new feeling came over me, I observed. A feeling of one who had actually communicated with Allah. The peace and satisfaction; is better experienced.
I sat calmly, fully engaged with my dhikr, until the adhan for lshai was called and I stood before Allah with obedience, solemnity and full submissiveness.
".. .Verily, my salaat (prayer), my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the aalameen (mankind, jinn and all that exist). (Q6:161).
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited