Salah or prayer is a most beautiful act. It is the one thing that most human beings whether they believe in Allah or not engage in. Because as human beings we know that most things are out of our control. We can not control the weather or heal the terminally sick or know when we will die, so when we find ourselves in distress we turn to a higher power. As Muslims we turn to Allah.

One of the most beautiful sights in Islam is that of a Muslim praying, whether alone or in congregation. But the true beauty is what happens inside that persons heart as she or he dialogues with her or his Creator.

We’re often times so caught up in life that we forget to pray, or postpone our prayer till we finish that chapter, until we come home from work or we finish watching our soap. Part and parcel of being a Muslim is the struggle – known as Jihad – the struggle to be better versions of ourselves. The struggle to do what is right and uphold the truth even if it incriminates us.

I hope these pictures will inspire us in that struggle to stop making excuses and get up and pray right now. Yes right this instance before you finish reading this (if it’s time for Salah) because you could drop dead at any second or fall into a coma or get some really bad news.

Dramatics aside, even if nothing bad happens to you, you should get up and pray to say thanks for all the wonderful things Allah has given you.

Allah says in the Holy Quran about Prayer:

“Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds” (Quran 29:45)

“Verily, man was created impatient, irritable when evil touches him and ungenerous when good touches him. Except for those devoted to prayer those who remain constant in their prayers…” (Quran 70:19-23)

The next time you feel like dragging your feet when it’s time for salah try and remember this:

“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad.” [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahib.]

Salah is a type of purification. In a Hadith the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) said:

“If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?” The people said, “No filth would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (PBUH) then said, “That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)

And if all that wasn’t enough surely if that man can offer his salah in a blizzard you have no excuses whatsoever. I think I hear the adhan…

I found most of these pictures on pinterest