"My Slave : Why Did You Not Pray?"

Indeed some of the scholars will tell you, if you want Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) to listen to you, or if you want to speak to Allah...pray. If you want to listen to Allah...listen to the Qur'an. So now, akhi and ukhti, we already know the answer, if you pray, what happens and if you don't pray, what happens. So some of us will procrastinate, 'after I reach 40, after I perform Hajj, after I get married!' You're riding the waves of false hopes. Imagine yourself, standing in front of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) when he asks you questions, 'My slave! Why did you not pray?' What excuse will you do? What will you say? Where will you run? Where will you hide? -- 'I was rich, I was poor, I was good-looking, places to go, things to do, people to see.' No Wallaahi, Imagine that some of us are worse than Shaythaan...SubhaanAllah (Glory be to Allah)! How could you be worse than Shaythaan? Is it possible for you, to actually be called worse than Shaythaan? I'm sure you know who I am talking about, no need for introduction. You know who's worse than Shaythaan? The one that does not pray...because...which one is worse? Shaythaan was commanded to bow down in respect to Adam (May Allah be pleased with him), and the children of Adam (May Allah be pleased with him) was commanded to bow down to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala), and they refused, which one is worse?! The one that was commanded to bow down to Adam (May Allah be pleased with him) and he refused or the one that was commanded to bow down to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) and he refused? SubhaanAllah (Glory be to Allah)! Imagine yourself on Judgment Day, akhi and ukhti, where everyone will prostrate to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala), when Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) comes to start Judgment in a way befitting His Majesty...When Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) comes befitting His Majesty...and, they will prostrate, they will be asked to prostrate, and they will not be able to. So, if you prostrated to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) in this dunya (world), you would be able to prostrate to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) in the Hereafter. If you did not prostrate to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala) here, you will not be given that glory or the chance to prostrate to Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala). So what's holding you back?

"So whatever you have been given is but (a passing) enjoyment for this worldly life, but that which is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord. And those who avoid the great sins and lewdness, and when they are angry, they forgive. And those who answer the Call of their Lord, and perform the Salah, and who conduct their affairs by mutual consultation, and who spend of what We have bestowed on them." (Quran 42:36-38)

By Sheikh Alaa Elsayed