Virtue of Prayer

It is narrated from Hazrat Sillah bin Ashyam that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever performs two rak'ahs in such a way that no thought of the world comes into his heart, whatever he asks from Allah Almighty, Allah Almighty will grant it to him.

It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: No better good has been given to a servant in this world than that he is given the opportunity to perform two rak‘ahs and he offers them.

Hazrat Abu Hazim narrates that Hazrat Abu Huraira passed by a grave in which a dead person had just been buried. He said, "Two light rak'ahs which you consider insignificant are better for him than the whole world."

Hazrat Abu Usman narrates that a man bought a garden in Madinah and gained as much benefit from it as from a date-palm tree. Upon this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Shall I tell you of something better than this? A person who performs ablution well, then offers two rak'ahs in a cave or on the top of a mountain, the benefit of this is greater than that person's.

Hazrat Ka'b, regarding the command of Allah Almighty: There is a message in it for the people who worship. He says that by this is meant the five prayers.

Hazrat Abu Bakr bin Amarah bin Ruwaybah Thaqafi narrates from his father that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Whoever offers two rak‘ahs before the rising of the sun and after its setting will not enter Hell. A man asked him, “Did you yourself hear this statement from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?” He replied, “I bear witness that I myself heard it from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); my ears heard it and my heart preserved it.”

Hazrat Zar narrates that the Holy Qur'an used to be presented before Hazrat Abdullah. A man from Thaqif asked him, "O Abu Abdur Rahman! Which deed is the most virtuous?" He replied, "Prayer; whoever does not pray has no religion."

Hazrat Masruq states that, apart from (striving in) the path of Allah, the time when a person's supplication is most likely to be accepted is when his face is covered with dust in the state of prostration.

Hazrat Masruq used to say that whoever is regular in these prayers will not be counted among the heedless, and there is destruction in neglecting these prayers.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Whoever did not pray has committed disbelief.

Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) bin Thabit says that the sacrifice of the pious is prayer.