The Importance of the Middle Prayer & Of the Obligatory Prayers in General
Haafizuu ‘alas-Salawaati was-Salaatil-wustaa; wa quu-muu lillaahi qaanitiin. “Guard your prayers, especially the middle prayer, and stand before Allah with devotion.” (Al-Baqara 2: 239)
This sacred verse is a fundamental reminder
that a true believer must never neglect his Salat (prayer). He must
observe his prayer with care, respect, constancy, and complete submission
before Allah. When we look at the origin of the words and the deeper meaning of
the term Haafizu, we find extraordinary depth. In Arabic, Haafizu
comes from hifz or ha-fa-za, which means to guard, protect,
preserve. But it is not limited to outward protection; it implies inner
vigilance, a discipline that resists the forces that try to divert a believer
from his duty.
In its profound sense, especially in this Qur’anic verse, Haafizu is a command from Allah, instructing believers to maintain constancy and faithfulness in observing prayer, and to struggle continuously against neglecting their Salat. Protecting prayer is like placing a spiritual umbrella over the whole life of a believer; it becomes a source of blessings and a defence against evil.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Indeed, prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing.”
(Al-Ankabut 29: 46)
And also: “Seek help through patience and prayer.” (Al-Baqara 2: 46)
This shows that Salat has a vast
dimension; it is not merely a ritual, but a living force that protects and
reforms a believer.
Regarding the middle prayer (Salat’ul-Wustaa),
scholars have differed in interpretation. Some say it is Salat’ul-Asr,
as it falls between Zuhr and Maghrib; others say it is Tahajjud,
because it requires sacrifice of sleep and sincerity. Some even say the middle
prayer depends on context, place, and personal difficulty – for example, for
one who struggles to rise in the morning, Fajr becomes his middle prayer. Yet
the most accepted explanation is that it refers to Salat’ul-Asr.
Although Tahajjud is mentioned in the Qur’an and holds great importance
for those seeking closeness to Allah, it is not among the obligatory prayers.
Allah has established five daily prayers, and Asr is the one in the
middle, often found most difficult to perform.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Whoever
guards the Asr prayer, Allah will protect his faith.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
This shows the importance of not missing Asr,
as it is often the most difficult to observe at its prescribed time. In the
Battle of Khandaq, the Companions were so occupied defending Madina that they
nearly missed Asr; the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was saddened by this. This
incident shows that even in war, prayer remains the priority of believers. Shariah
allows combining or delaying prayers in specific circumstances, but never
according to personal whim or desire. The supreme authority is Allah, not human
ego.
Salat is an
awakening of conscience. When a person stands before Allah, he becomes aware of
his shortcomings and weaknesses, and sees his own moral reflection. Prayer
becomes a spiritual mirror, showing what is good and what needs correction. The
Prophet (pbuh) said: “Prayer is light.” (Muslim)
In other words, Salat illuminates the
conscience and guides towards righteousness. But to give life to prayer, effort
is essential, even indispensable. Though at first it may feel difficult or
without pleasure, a believer must persevere. One who abandons prayer because he
feels no joy deprives himself of divine light. One who perseveres eventually
tastes the sweetness of prayer. Many neglect Fajr because they spend the
night in distractions, but Fajr must be a priority, for it protects the
believer throughout the day.
Allah says in the Qur’an: “Establish prayer at the decline of the sun until the
darkness of the night, and also recite the Qur’an at dawn, for the recitation
at dawn is witnessed.” (Bani Isra’il 17: 79)
This shows the unique value of Fajr,
both the prayer itself and the recitation of Qur’an afterwards.
The collective dimension of Salat is
fundamental. Congregational prayer strengthens social bonds, protects the
community (Ummah), and creates solidarity. Each person must not only
guard his own prayer but also encourage others to fulfil this duty to Allah.
Parents have a special responsibility: they must instil love for prayer in
their children with tenderness and sometimes firmness. The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Command your children to pray at seven years of age, and discipline (literally:
beat) them if they do not pray at ten.” (Abu Dawud)
This shows that discipline must be instilled
from childhood so that prayer becomes an integral part of life.
Salat is
the source of life for a true believer. Without it, a person is spiritually
dead, even if outwardly alive. Prayer is the umbilical cord connecting a person
to Allah. Without this link, beauty, joy, morality, and happiness are empty.
Allah says: “And whoever turns away from My
remembrance will surely have a miserable life.” (Ta-Ha 20: 125)
Thus, Salat is the source of spiritual
vitality. Those who care for the well-being of the Ummah of Muhammad (pbuh)
must advise others with Rahma (mercy and compassion). The Prophet was
the perfect example of Rahma. When he was mistreated in Ta’if, he did
not seek revenge but said: “O Allah! Guide my people, for they do not know.”
This shows that advice must be given gently,
even if rejected. Rahma is the key to fruitful counsel.
Patience (Sabr) is also indispensable.
Allah says: “Seek help through patience and
prayer.” (Al-Baqara 2:46)
Patience helps prayer to be answered. When one
feels powerless, he must transform this into patience. The Prophet demonstrated
this throughout his life. Those who neglect prayer turn their homes into places
of darkness, without remembrance of Allah, filled with materialism, lacking
peace and tranquillity. Allah says: “Is it not by
the remembrance of Allah that hearts find tranquillity?” (Ar-Ra’d
13: 29)
This shows that remembrance of Allah is the
source of inner peace.
Therefore, the protection of Salat must
extend to others too. A person must protect his neighbour and his social
environment. Parents must ensure that love of prayer is cultivated in their
children. Some people, despite appearances, if they do not pray, are like the
dead, for their link with Allah is cut. Salat is the bond that unites
them to Allah; without it, life collapses. Thus, my message is: Protect your Salat.
Whoever protects his prayer protects his faith; whoever protects his faith
protects his eternal life. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Between a man and
disbelief is the abandonment of prayer.” (Muslim)
Salat is the central pillar of spiritual life;
without it, everything falls apart.
It is important at all times to give advice on
this subject. You will notice that many of my sermons have been on the
importance of Salat, because it is a fundamental pillar of Islam and of Iman
(faith). Without Salat – without a believer establishing his connection
with Allah through prayer – he can never become a true believer. Therefore, one
must never give up on prayer, even if results are not immediately visible.
Formation must begin now. Do not neglect your children, their future, and their
faith. Do not let them be lost from the path of Allah. Teach them to prioritise
Allah instead of wasting time on useless matters that benefit neither in this
world nor in the Hereafter.
May Allah help us all in this task. If we
persevere in this struggle, progress will come, and both the Jamaat and the
Ummah (as a whole) will be strengthened. Salat is discipline,
protection, source of life, and awakening of conscience for a believer. Effort
must be made in this path, and brothers and sisters must also know the
importance of praying in congregation as one body. Remember well: whoever
performs his Salat and helps others to taste its sweetness performs an
act of Rahma. Whoever protects his prayer, Allah protects him; whoever
neglects his prayer deprives himself of divine light. That is why Allah says in
the Qur’an (as I quoted at the beginning of my sermon):
“Guard your prayers, especially
the middle prayer, and stand before Allah with devotion.”
(Al-Baqara 2: 239)
This verse is an eternal call to live under the
light of prayer – not only Salat’ul-Asr, but all the obligatory prayers
Allah has prescribed for believers, for they are the path to salvation and
purification.
May Allah have mercy on us, enable us to
establish our bond with Him in the most honourable and just way, accept our
prayers, purify them for us, transform us outwardly and inwardly, and bestow
His pleasure upon us. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 14 November 2025~ 23 Jamadi'ul Awwal 1447 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.