says with regard to the inmates of Hell:ON THE PUNISHMENT FOR HE WHO ABANDONS SALÂH
Allâh says with regard to the inmates of Hell:
“What has caused you to fall into Hell? They will reply: ‘We were not of those who offered the salâh. Nor did we feed the needy. And we used to indulge in [vain] discussions with those who used to indulge therein.’” (Sûrah al-Muddaththir, 74: 42-45)
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh 
said: “The dividing line between a man and unbelief is abandoning salâh.”
Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The dividing line between a man and polytheism or unbelief is abandoning salâh.” Imâm Abû Dâ’ûd rahimahullâh and Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There is nothing between a person and unbelief except abandoning salâh.” Imâm at-Tirmidhî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The dividing line between unbelief and îmân is abandoning salâh.” Imâm Ibn Mâjahrahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The dividing line between a person and unbelief is abandoningsalâh.”
Imâm at-Tirmidhî rahimahullâh and others narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The covenant that is between us and them is salâh. He who abandons it has committed unbelief.”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who abandons salâh deliberately has committed an open act of unbelief.” Another narration states: “The dividing line between a person and unbelief or polytheism is abandoningsalâh. If he abandons salâh he has committed unbelief.” Another narration states: “There is no dividing line between a person and polytheism except abandoning salâh. When he abandons salâh, he has committed polytheism.”
‘Ubâdah ibn as-Sâmit 
narrates: “My dear friend [Muhammad] advised me to do seven things: he said: (1) Do not ascribe any partner to Allâh even if you are cut up into pieces, burnt or crucified. (2) Do not leave out salâh deliberately. Surely he who leaves out salâh deliberately has come out from the religion. (3) Do not commit an act of disobedience for it brings on the wrath of Allâh . (4) Do not consume alcohol for it is the head of all evil….
Imâm at-Tirmidhî rahimahullâh narrates that the Companions of Muhammad did not consider any deed which anyone left out to be unbelief except for salâh. The following Hadîth is also authentic: the dividing line between a person and unbelief and îmân is salâh. If he abandons it, he has committed polytheism. Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There is no share in Islam for he who has no salâh. And there is no salâh for he who has no wudû’ (ablution).”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates: “There is no îmân for he who has no trustworthiness. There is no salâh for he who has no purity. There is no Islam for he who has no salâh. The position ofsalâh in Islam is like the position of the head in a body.”
Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh and al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrate from Abû ad-Dardâ’ : “My dear friend [Muhammad] advised me saying: ‘Do not ascribe any partner to Allâh even if you are cut up into pieces and even if you are burnt. Do not leave a prescribed salâh deliberately. He who leaves it out deliberately has freed himself from the protection [of Islam]. Do not consume alcohol because it is the key to all evil.’”
Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh and others narrate via a good chain of narrators from Ibn ‘Abbâs : “When I lost my eyesight, and my pupil was still good, someone told me: ‘We can treat your eye but you will have to abandon salâh for a few days.’ I replied: ‘No. The Messenger of Allâh said: ‘He who abandons salâh shall meet Allâh while He is angry with him.’”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates that a man came to the Messenger of Allâh and said: “O Messenger of Allâh! Teach me a deed which, if I do, I will enter Paradise.” He said: “Do not ascribe any partner to Allâh even if you are tortured and burnt. Obey your parents even if they remove you from your wealth and everything else that you own. Do not leave out salâh deliberately. Surely the protection of Allâh leaves the person who leaves outsalâh deliberately.”
Another narration states: “Do not ascribe any partner to Allâh even if you are killed and burnt. Do not disobey your parents even if they order you to leave your family and wealth. Do not leave out a prescribed salâh deliberately. Surely he who leaves out a prescribed salâh deliberately, then the protection of Allâh leaves him. Do not consume alcohol for it is the basis of every immorality. Beware of disobedience for it is through disobedience that the wrath of Allâh descends. Beware of fleeing from the battlefield. Even if the people are destroyed and even if death has overtaken them, you must remain steadfast. Spend on your family from your earnings. Do not refrain from using your stick on them when disciplining them. And make them fearful of Allâh .”
Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh narrates in his Sahîh that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Hasten with salâh on a cloudy day for surely he who abandons salâh has committed unbelief.”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates from Umaymah radiyallâhu ‘anhâ, the freed slave woman of the Messenger of Allâh , who said: “I was pouring the ablution water on the head of the Messenger of Allâh when a man entered and said: ‘Advise me.’ He replied: ‘Do not ascribe any partner to Allâh even if you are cut up into pieces and burnt by the fire. Do not disobey your parents even if they order you to leave your family and worldly possessions. Do not consume alcohol for it is the key to every evil. Do not leave out a salâh deliberately. He who does that has lost the protection of Allâh and His Messenger.”
Abû Nu‘aym rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who abandons salâh deliberately, Allâh writes his name on the door of the Hell-fire [and thereby includes him] among those who shall enter it.”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh and al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who abandons salâh has lost his family and wealth.”
Al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrates from ‘Alî that the Messenger of Allâh said: “O assembly of Quraysh! I take an oath by Allâh that you will have to establish salâh and you will have to give the zakâh or else I will send a person to you who will chop off your necks for the sake of Islam.”
Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There is no share in Islam for he who has no salâh. And there is no salâh for he who has no ablution.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There are four things which Allâh made compulsory in Islam. He who fulfils three of them, they will not avail him in any way till he fulfils all four of them. They are: salâh, zakâh, fasting in the month of Ramadân, and the pilgrimage to the House.”
Al-Asbahânî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who leaves out a salâh deliberately, Allâh reduces his deeds to nothing and he loses the protection of Allâh till he turns in repentance to Allâh .”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who abandons salâh has committed an open act of unbelief.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Do not abandon salâh deliberately. Surely he who abandons salâh deliberately is deprived of the protection of Allâh and His Messenger .”
Ibn Abî Shaybah rahimahullâh and Imâm al-Bukhârî rahimahullâh in his Târîkh narrate from ‘Alî : “He who does not offer salâh is an unbeliever.”
Muhammad ibn Nasr rahimahullâh and Ibn ‘Abd al-Barrrahimahullâh narrate from Ibn ‘Abbâs : “He who abandons salâh has committed unbelief.”
Ibn Nasr rahimahullâh narrates from Ibn Mas‘ûd : “He who abandons salâh has no Islam.”
Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr rahimahullâh narrates from Jâbir : “He who does not offer salâh is an unbeliever.”
Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr rahimahullâh and others narrate from Abû ad-Dardâ’ : “There is no îmân for he who has no salâh. And there is no salâh for he who has no ablution.”
Ibn Abî Shaybah rahimahullâh narrates that the Prophet said: “He who abandons salâh has committed unbelief.”
Muhammad ibn Nadr rahimahullâh narrates: I heard Is-hâqrahimahullâh saying: It is authentically reported that the Prophetsaid: “The person who abandons salâh is an unbeliever.” Similar was the opinion of those endowed with the knowledge of the Prophet that the person who abandons salâh deliberately without any excuse to the extent that its time expires is an unbeliever. Ayyûb rahimahullâh said: “Abandoning salâh is unbelief. There is no difference of opinion in this.”
Allâh says:
“There came in their place successors who abandoned salâh and went after their lusts. They will, later on, see the deviation. Except him who repented…” (Sûrah Maryam, 19: 59-60)
Ibn Mas‘ûd said: “The words ‘abandoned salâh’ do not mean that they abandoned salâh totally. Rather, it means that they delayed them from their prescribed times.”
Sa‘îd ibn al-Musayyib rahimahullâh, the leading personality from the Tâbi‘ûn, said: “It means that a person does not offer thezuhrsalâh to such an extent that the ‘asr salâh enters. He does not offer the ‘asr salâh to such an extent that themaghrib salâh enters. He does not offer the maghrib salâh to such an extent that the ‘ishâ salâhenters. He does not offer the ‘ishâ salâh to such an extent that thefajr salâh enters. He does not offer the fajr salâh to such an extent that the sun rises. He who passes away while persisting in this condition and having not repented, then Allâh threatens him with Ghayy which is a valley in Hell. It is extremely deep and its punishment is very severe.”
Allâh says:
“O believers! Let not your wealth and your children make you oblivious to the remembrance of Allâh. Whoever does this, it is such people who are in loss.” (Sûrah al-Munâfiqûn, 63: 9)
A group of commentators says that the words “the remembrance of Allâh” in this context refer to the five salâhs. He who is preoccupied with his wealth, either by engaging in transactions with it, engaged in his craft, or busy with his children, and therefore does not offer the salâh at its prescribed time, then he is from among those who are in loss.
The Messenger of Allâh said: “The first thing that a person will have to give an account of from his deeds is his salâh. If his salâh was in order, he will be successful and he will pass. But if there are any shortcomings in it, he will lose and fail.”
Allâh says:
“Destruction to those who offer salâh: who are inattentive of theirsalâh.” (al-Mâ‘ûn, 107: 4-5)
The Messenger of Allâh said: “They are the ones who delay thesalâh from its prescribed time.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh, at-Tabarânî rahimahullâh and IbnHibbân rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh mentioned salâh on one day. He said: “He who safeguards it, it will be a source of light, a proof, and salvation for him on the day of resurrection. He who does not safeguard it, it will neither be a source of light, a proof, nor a salvation for him. On the day of resurrection he will be with Qârûn, Pharaoh, Hâmân and Ubayy ibn Khalaf.”
The ‘ulamâ’ state that he will be resurrected with these people because: if he was kept away from salâh because of his wealth, he is similar to Qârûn. He will therefore be resurrected with him. If he was kept away from salâh because of his kingdom, he is similar to Pharaoh. He will therefore be resurrected with him. If he was kept away from salâh because of his ministerial occupations, he is similar to Hâmân. He will therefore be resurrected with him. If he was kept away from salâh because of his business, he is similar to Ubayy ibn Khalaf, a trader from the unbelievers of Makkah. He will therefore be resurrected with him.
Al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh narrates from Sa‘d ibn Abî Waqqâs who said: I asked the Prophet about the following words of Allâh :
“who are inattentive of their salâh.” (al-Mâ‘ûn, 107: 5)
He replied: “They are the ones who delay the salâh from its prescribed time.”
Abû Ya‘lâ rahimahullâh narrates from Mus‘ab ibn Sa‘d who said: I asked my father: “O my beloved father! These words of Allâh state:
“who are inattentive of their salâh.” (al-Mâ‘ûn, 107: 5)
“Now which of us does not become distracted and which of us does not stray in his salâh?” My father replied: “That is not what it means. It means delaying it from its prescribed time.”
The word wayl in the above verse refers to the severity of punishment. It is said that it also refers to a valley in Hell. If the mountains of the world were sent to it, they would all melt due to the severity of its heat. So it is the abode of he who is neglectful ofsalâh and delays it from its prescribed time. Unless he repents to Allâh and expresses remorse over his excesses.
Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh narrates in his Sahîh that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He whom a salâh misses is as if he has lost his family and wealth.”
Imâm Bukhârî rahimahullâh, Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh, Imâm Abû dâ’ûd rahimahullâh, Imâm at-Tirmidhî rahimahullâh, Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh and Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who misses the ‘‘asr salâh is as if he has lost his family and wealth.”
Ibn Khuzaymah rahimahullâh adds in his Sahîh: Imâm Mâlikrahimahullâh says that this refers to the expiry of the salâh time. Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh says that from among the salâhs there is a salâh which, if a person misses, it is as if he has lost his family and wealth. It refers to the ‘‘asr salâh.
Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh and Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh say that the ‘‘asr salâh was presented to all the nations before you, but they neglected it. Therefore, he who safeguards it today shall receive a double reward. And there is no salâh after it till the stars begin to appear [in other words, only after sunset is there a salâh after the ‘asr salâh].
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh, Imâm al-Bukhârî rahimahullâh and Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who leaves out the ‘asr salâh has destroyed all his deeds.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh and Ibn Abî Shaybah rahimahullâhnarrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who leaves the ‘asrsalâh till its time expires has destroyed all his deeds.”
Ibn Abî Shaybah rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who leaves out the ‘asr salâh without an excuse till the sun sets has destroyed all his deeds.”
‘Abd ar-Razzâq rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “For one of you to lose his family and wealth is better for him than the time of ‘asr salâh passing by him.”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh and Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who deliberately leaves out the ‘asr salâh till the sun sets is as if he destroyed his family and wealth.”
Al-Bukhârî rahimahullâh narrates that Samurah ibn Jundub said: “The Messenger of Allâh would very often ask his Companions: ‘Did any of you see a dream?’ So he whom Allâh willed would relate his dream to him. One morning, the Messenger of Allâh said to us: ‘Two people came to me last night. They were sent to me. They said to me: ‘Come, let’s go.’ I went with them. We reached a man who was lying down while another man was standing over him with a rock. The man suddenly struck his head with the rock. The rock rolled away. The one who struck the other followed the rock and brought it back. By the time he reached the man [who he had struck], his head returned to its normal state. The thrower then did the same as he had done the first time. I asked my two companions: “Glory be to Allâh! What is this?” They said to me: “Proceed.”
We proceeded till we came to a man lying flat on his back. Another man was standing over him with a steel hook. He suddenly inserts the hook on one side of the man’s mouth and tears off his mouth towards his back, his nose towards his back and his eyes towards his back. He then goes to the other side of his mouth and does just as he had done to the first side. He barely finishes with the second side when the first side returns to its original state. So he goes back to the first side and does the same as he had done before. I asked my two companions: “Glory be to Allâh! What is this?” They said to me: “Proceed.”
We proceeded till we came to something that looked like an oven. The narrator says: “I think that the Prophet said: “There was much noise and clamour in it.” We looked into it and saw many naked men and women. Suddenly a flame of fire came to them from beneath. When it reached them, they began screaming in terror. I asked my two companions: “Who are these people?” They said to me: “Proceed.”
We proceeded till we came to a river. The narrator says: “I think that the Prophet said: “It was red like blood.” In the river was a man who was swimming. On the bank of the river was another man who had gathered many rocks. When the swimmer approached the bank, the man would throw a rock into his mouth and the swimmer would swim away. The swimmer would then return and the man would do the same. I asked my two companions: “What is this?” They said to me: “Proceed.”
We proceeded till we came to a hideous looking man – the most hideous looking person you ever set your eyes on. There was a fire near him which he was kindling and walking around. I asked my two companions: “What is this?” They said to me: “Proceed.”
We proceeded till we came to a garden having tall and lofty plants, and all the colours of spring. In the middle of the garden was a tall man. I could not even see his head because of his extreme height. Around him were the largest number of children I ever saw. I asked my two companions: “What is this? Who are these people?” They said to me: “Proceed.”
We proceeded till we came to a massive garden. I never saw a garden bigger and more beautiful than it. My two companions said to me: “Go up.” We ascended to it till we reached a city built with alternating bricks of gold and silver. We went to the gate of the city and asked for it to be opened. It was opened for us and we entered it. Some men met us: half their bodies were as handsome as the most handsome person you have ever seen, while the other half of their bodies were as ugly as the ugliest person you have ever seen. My two companions said to them: “Go and throw yourselves in that river.” There was a river flowing across the city whose water was pure white. They went and threw themselves into the river. They then returned to us with that ugliness which they had completely vanished. They now had the most beautiful appearance.
My two companions said to me: “This is the Garden of Eden and this is your abode.” I raised my eyes and saw a palace like a white cloud. They said to me: “This is your abode.” I said to them: “May Allâh bless you. Let me enter it.” They said: “You may not enter it now, but you will certainly enter it [one day].”
I said to them: “I saw many astonishing things tonight. What are all these things that I saw?” They replied: “We will inform you: As for the first man you came upon, whose head was repeatedly struck by a rock, he is a person who studies the Qur’ân but then does not practise on its teachings and remains asleep when it is the time for the prescribed salâh.”
“As for the man whom you came upon with the sides of his mouth, nostrils and eyes being torn towards his back, he is a person who leaves his house in the morning and tells a lie that spreads throughout the world.”
“As for the naked men and women who were in that structure like an oven, they are adulterers and adulteresses.”
“As for the man whom you came upon in the river, swimming and swallowing a rock, he is the one who devours usury.”
“As for the hideous looking man you saw kindling a fire and walking around it, he is Mâlik, the gatekeeper of Hell.”
“As for the tall man whom you saw in the garden, he is Ibrâhîm
.”
“As for the children who were around him, they are those who pass away on the fitrah (the natural religion of Allâh ).”
Some Muslims asked: “O Messenger of Allâh! What about the children of the polytheists?” The Messenger of Allâh replied: “The children of the polytheists as well.”
“As for those people whose half bodies were beautiful and the other half ugly, they are those who committed acts that were good and other acts that were evil. Allâh pardoned them.”
The Hadîth of al-Bazzâr rahimahullâh states: The Prophet then came upon a people whose heads were shattered by rocks. Each time they were shattered, they returned to their original state. This continued again and again. He asked: “O Jibra’îl! Who are these people?” He replied: “They are those whose heads felt very heavy from offering salâh.” [In other words, they felt it very burdensome to offer salâh].
Al-Khatîb rahimahullâh and Ibn an-Najjâr rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The flag of Islam is salâh. He who devotes his heart to it and safeguards it within its limits, at its prescribed times, and with its Sunnah acts, is a true believer.”
Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh narrates that Allâh said [to the Messenger of Allâh ]: “I made five salâhs compulsory on yourummah and I made a promise to Myself that he who safeguards them by offering them at their prescribed times, I will admit him into Paradise. As for he who does not safeguard them, he enjoys no such promise from Me.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh and al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “He who knows that salâh is a compulsory obligation on him and fulfils it shall enter Paradise.”
Imâm at-Tirmidhî rahimahullâh, Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh and Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The first thing that a person will be taken to account for on the day of resurrection from his deeds is salâh. If his salâh is in order, he passed and succeeded. If it is not in order, he failed and lost. If there is any shortcoming in his compulsory salâh, Allâh will say: ‘Check if My servant has any optional salâh.’ The optional salâh will then be used to complete the shortcomings in his compulsory salâh. All his other deeds will be reckoned in the same way.”
Imam an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The first thing that a person will be taken to account for on the day of resurrection from his deeds is salâh. And the first judgement that will be passed among people will be with regard to the shedding of blood.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh, Imâm Abû Dâ’ûd rahimahullâh, Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh, Imâm Ibn Mâjah rahimahullâh and al-Hâkimrahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The first thing that a person will be taken to account for on the day of resurrection will be his salâh. If he offered them in totality, they will be recorded in totality in his favour. If he did not offer them in totality, Allâh will say to His angels: ‘See if you can find an optional salâh for My servant.’ They will use them to complete his compulsory salâhs. The same will be done for zakâh. Thereafter all the other deeds will be taken into account in like manner.”
At-Tabarânî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The first thing that a person will be questioned about will be his salâh. If it was in order, he will be successful. If it was not in order, he will be lost and ruined.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh, Imâm Abû Dâ’ûd rahimahullâh, Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh and al-Hâkim rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The first thing that the people will be taken to account for from their deeds on the day of resurrection will be salâh. Our Sustainer will say to His angels – despite knowing best – look at the salâh of My servant. Did he fulfil it completely or did he display shortcomings in it?’ If it was fulfilled in totality, it will be recorded in totality. If he left out anything from it, He will say: ‘See if My servant has any optionalsalâh. If he has any optional salâh, complete his compulsory salâh with it.’ All the other deeds will be accounted in the same manner.”
At-Tayâlisî rahimahullâh, at-Tabarânî rahimahullâh and ad-Diyâ’ inal-Mukhtârah narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Jibra’îl came to me from Allâh and said: ‘O Muhammad! Allâh says: ‘I made five salâhs compulsory on your ummah. He who fulfils them with their ablution, at their prescribed times, with their bowing and prostrating postures, then he has a promise that I will enter him into Paradise. And he who meets Me having left out anything thereof, he has no promise from Me. I may punish him or I may have mercy on him.’”
Al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrates: “Salâh has a scale. He who fulfils it has sought to fill the scale.”
Ad-Daylamî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Salâh blackens the face of Satan, charity breaks his back, mutual love for the sake of Allâh and intense love for knowledge eradicates him completely. If you do all this, he [Satan] will distance himself away from you like the distance between the east and west.”
At-Tirmidhî rahimahullâh, Ibn Hibbân rahimahullâh and al-Hâkimrahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “Continue fearing Allâh , offer your five salâhs, fast in your month [of Ramadân], give the zakâh of your wealth, and obey those of authority among you; you will enter the Paradise of your Sustainer.”
Imâm Ahmad rahimahullâh, Imâm al-Bukhârî rahimahullâh, Imâm Muslim rahimahullâh, Imâm Abû Dâ’ûd rahimahullâh and Imâm an-Nasa’î rahimahullâh narrate that the Messenger of Allâh said: “The most beloved of deeds in the sight of Allâh is salâh at its prescribed time, then obedience to parents, and then waging jihâd in the cause of Allâh .”
Al-Bayhaqî rahimahullâh narrates from ‘Umar who said: A man came to the Prophet and asked: “O Messenger of Allâh! Which deeds are most beloved to Allâh in Islam?” He replied: “Salâh at its prescribed time. He who abandons salâh has no Islam. Salâh is the pillar of Islam.”
When ‘Umar was stabbed, someone said to him: “It is the time ofsalâh, O leader of the believers!” He said: “What a wonderful thing salâh is. Listen! There is no share in Islam for any person who abandons salâh.” ‘Umar offered salâh while his wound was flowing with blood.
Adh-Dhahabî rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “When a person offers salâh at the beginning of its time, it ascends the sky with light till it reaches the Throne. It then seeks forgiveness for the person till the day of resurrection. It says to him: ‘May Allâh safeguard you as you safeguarded me.’ When a person offers it out of its prescribed time, it ascends the sky while covered in darkness. When it reaches the sky, it is flung back just as a worn out garment is flung aside. The person’s face is then struck with it.”
Imâm Abû Dâ’ûd rahimahullâh narrates that the Messenger of Allâh said: “There are three people whose salâh Allâh does not accept.” From among them he enumerated the person who offerssalâh after the expiry of the time.
Some scholars say that it is related in the Hadîth that he who safeguards salâh, Allâh honours him with five things: (1) a constricted [and difficult] life is removed from him, (2) the punishment of the grave is raised from him, (3) Allâh will give him his book of deeds in his right hand, (4) he will cross the Sirâtwith the speed of lightning, (5) he will enter Paradise without reckoning.
As for he who is neglectful of salâh, Allâh will punish him with 15 forms of punishment: five in this world, three at the time of death, three in his grave, three when he comes out of his grave.
As for those that he will suffer in this world, they are: (1) blessing will be taken out of his life, (2) the characteristics of the righteous will be wiped off his face [the radiance and illumination that we see on the faces of the righteous will be removed from his face], (3) Allâh will not reward him for every deed that he does, (4) his supplications will not be raised to the heavens [i.e. they will not be accepted], (5) he will enjoy no share in the supplications of the righteous.
As for those that he will suffer at the time of death, they are: (1) he will die disgracefully, (2) he will die hungry, (3) he will die thirsty. Even if he were given to drink the oceans of the earth, his thirst will not be quenched.
As for those that he will suffer in his grave, they are: (1) the grave will constrict upon him to such an extent that his ribs will interlock with each other, (2) the grave will be turned into a fire and he will turn and twist on hot embers by night and day, (3) a serpent will be imposed upon him in his grave. Its name is ash-Shujâ‘ al-Aqra‘. Its eyes are of fire and its fangs of steel. The length of each fang is equal to one days journey. It will bite the deceased saying: “I am ash-Shujâ‘ al-Aqra‘.” Its voice will be like the clapping of thunder. It will say: “My Sustainer ordered me that I should strike you for neglecting the fajr salâh till sunrise, that I should strike you for neglecting the zuhr salâh till the ‘asr salâh, that I should strike you for neglecting the ‘asr salâh till the maghribsalâh, that I should strike you for neglecting the maghrib salâh till the ‘ishâ salâh, that I should strike you for neglecting the ‘ishâ salâhtill the fajr salâh.” Each time it strikes him, he goes 70 feet deeper into the ground. He will be continuously punished in the grave till the day of resurrection.
As for those that he will suffer when he comes out of his grave, they are: (1) a very severe reckoning of deeds, (2) the wrath of Allâh , (3) entry into the Hell-fire.
Another narration states: he will come on the day of resurrection with three lines of writing on his face. The first line will read: “O you who destroyed the right of Allâh!” The second line will read: “O you who have specifically earned the wrath of Allâh!” The third line will read: “Just as you destroyed the right of Allâh in the world, today you can remain despondent of the mercy of Allâh.”
The explanation of the previous Hadîth does not coincide with the fifteen forms of punishment. The explanation gives fourteen forms of punishment [and not fifteen]. It is possible that the narrator forgot the fifteenth one.
Ibn ‘Abbâs narrates: “When it is the day of resurrection, a man will be brought forward and made to stand before Allâh. Allâh will order that he be taken to the Hell-fire. He will ask: “O my Sustainer! On what account is this?” Allâh will reply: “On account of your delaying the salâh from its prescribed time, and for your taking false oaths in My name.”
It is also related that one day, the Messenger of Allâh said to his Companions: “Say: O Allâh! Do not leave a wretched and deprived person among us.” He then asked: “Do you know who a wretched and deprived person is?” They asked: “Who is he, O Messenger of Allâh?” He replied: “The one who abandons salâh.”
It is also related that the first whose faces will be blackened on the day of resurrection will be those who abandoned salâh. And that there is a valley in Hell which is called Lamlam. There are numerous serpents in it. They are as thick as the neck of a camel and long as one month’s journey. They will bite the person who abandoned salâh. Their poison will boil in his body for 70 years and his flesh will then turn yellow.
It is related that a woman from the Banî Isrâ’îl came to Mûsâ and said: “O Prophet of Allâh! I have committed a serious sin and I already turned to Allâh in repentance. Supplicate to Allâh that He forgives me my sin and accepts my repentance.” Mûsâ asked her: “What sin did you commit?” She replied: “O Prophet of Allâh! I committed adultery, I gave birth to a child [from that unlawful act] and I killed that child.” Mûsâ said to her: “Get out from here, O you shameless woman, lest a fire descends from the sky and burns all of us because of your evil.” She left and went away with a broken heart. Jibra’îl descended and said: “O Mûsâ! Allâh is asking you: ‘Why did you reject that repentant woman, O Mûsâ? Have you not come across anyone worse than her?’ Mûsâ replied: ‘O Jibra’îl! Who can be worse than her?’ He said: ‘He who deliberately leaves out a salâh.’”
It is related from the past scholars that a person buried his sister who had passed away. While he was doing that, his bag of money fell into her grave. He did not notice this till he left her grave. When he remembered it, he returned to the grave and dug it open after all the people had gone. He found the grave in a blazing fire. He covered the grave with the soil and returned to his mother, crying and very sad. He said to her: “O my beloved mother! Tell me about my sister and what she used to do.” The mother asked: “What is the reason for your question about her?” He replied: “O my beloved mother! I saw her grave in a blazing fire.” The mother also began crying and said: “O my son! Your sister was neglectful of salâh and she used to delay it from its prescribed time.”
If this is the condition of the person who delays the salâh from its prescribed time, what can be said of the condition of the person who does not offer salâh?! We ask Allâh to help us to safeguardsalâh in the most complete way at its prescribed times. Surely Allâh is most generous, kind, merciful.