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.