The Weight of Solat

Part of keeping a believer’s heart alive is to be aware of the times of spiritual benefit; the blessed month of Rajab is said to be the month when Rasulullah ﷺ ascended to the heavens to receive the commandment of the five daily prayers.

Let us ponder on the importance of solat that has been commanded during Isra and Mi’raj – the incredible miracle that brings disbelievers to their knees. Have you ever experienced an indescribable rush that follows the urgency to relay an important message or news to your loved ones? To meet our loved ones and tell them all the important news in person is something that we won’t let go.

In Isra and Mi’raj, Rasulullah ﷺwent on a journey that transported his body and soul to receive the revelation before the presence of The Creator Himself where the observation of fifty daily prayers is decreased to five. This is the profound wisdom and mercy of Allah Ta’ala towards His servants. 

Imagine the weight of solat that costs the whole journey of Isra and Mi’raj such that abandoning solat is a great sin. The Holy Quran indicates that performing solat is second to belief in Allah Ta’ala and that it has a significant influence in refining souls, since it restrains harmful behaviors. Neglecting prayers has been associated with denying the Day of Judgment. Allah Ta’ala says in surah Al-Ma’uun, “Have you seen one who denies the Day of Judgement? (1) Who turns away the orphan, (2) and who does not urge the feeding of the poor? (3) So woe to those who pray (4) but whose hearts are not in their prayer. (5)”

Yes, solat is more than just a prayer. It’s not an exercise ritual that is being performed heedlessly. Solat is our heartbeat, a connection between a servant and The Creator without any intercedence. It deserves our best effort to have the presence of the heart.

Let’s not stop making du’a to Allah Ta’ala to help us in any struggle that befalls us in our commitment to perform our solat as without the help of Allah and His willing, we will not be able to perform the solat as required. May Allah forgive us and bless our every effort in bringing the best in our solat for His pleasure.