The Importance of Salah - The First Question on Yawm al-Qiyamah (Judgement Day) - Jummah Update
Qur’an Verse
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ، الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ"
"Certainly, the believers have succeeded — those who have khushūʿ (humble focus) in their prayers.” (Al-Muʾminūn 23:1-2)
Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Between a man and shirk and kufr is abandoning the prayer.” (Muslim, 82)
Imam’s Statement
When we stand before Allāh on the Day of Judgment, every one of us will be called — by name — to account for our prayer. No one will be able to hide. No excuse will save us except what is true.
The angels will open your record. The very first page will not ask: “How much money did you make?” or “How many followers did you have?” It will say: “How did you pray?”
If your prayer is sound, the rest of your deeds will be sound. But if your prayer is broken… everything else will be broken. Your charity, your fasting, your good deeds — all will fall with it.
And then imagine — you stand there, and the angels begin reading: “Fajr — missed. Dhuhr — late. ʿAṣr — rushed. Maghrib — skipped. ʿIshāʾ — not performed.” What will you say? What answer will you give to the Lord who gave you life, breath, and time, yet you could not give Him five short meetings a day?
On that Day, no parent can help their child, nobody can help his friend. The only thing that will help you is that you guarded your prayer. So, guard it now — before the angel of death guards you in your grave. Pray now — before you wish for one more rakʿah and it is too late.
Things to Consider
- Pray on time — Treat each prayer like a meeting with Allāh. Nothing in dunya is worth missing it.
- Strive for khushūʿ — Remove distractions, understand what you recite, remember you stand before the King of kings.
- Prepare early — Make wuḍūʾ before the iqāmah; don’t rush in the last seconds.
- Attend the Masjid
- Make it personal — Between each prayer, think: What do I want to tell Allāh next time I stand before Him?
This sermon was delivered at Dover Masjid on Friday, 15th August 2025 (21 Safar 1447 AH)