In the Name of Allāh.
Indeed, we all know the significance of Ṣalāh, an act so crucial that neglecting it (by deeming it non-obligatory) takes one outside the fold of Islām. Alḥamdulillāh, no one can claim to be unaware of this fact.
Furthermore, it is explicitly clear that those who fast but fail to pray have not truly fasted. Shaykh Ibn al-‘Uthaymīn (Raḥimahullāh) stated: “The one who fasts while leaving off the prayers, then his fasting will not benefit him. It will not be accepted from him, and he has not removed the obligation (of fasting) from himself (i.e., his fasting will not be counted). Rather, he is not requested to fast as long as he leaves off the prayers because the one who does not establish the prayers is like a Jew or Christian. What if a Jew or Christian fasted? Will it be accepted from them? It will not!” [Fatāwā Fī Aḥkām Aṣ-Ṣiyām, Book 48]
While these are well understood, I would like to draw our attention to another important aspect. In this month, it is common to feel fatigued at night due to the various acts of worship we partake in during the day (especially fasting) alongside our worldly activities. However, we must guard against becoming lazy in our night prayers — both obligatory and Tarāwīḥ. Laziness in prayer is a characteristic of hypocrites. Allāh warns: “Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allāh, but it is He Who deceives them. And when they stand up for Aṣ-Ṣalāt (the prayer), they stand with laziness and to be seen of men, and they do not remember Allah but little.” [Sūrah An-Nisā’ (4): 142]
About this verse, Shaykh Muḥammad Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn (Raḥimahullāh) commented: “Whomsoever performs the Prayer upon a manner of laziness then in him is a resemblance to the hypocrites, so be wary and cautioned from resembling the Hypocrites. Perform the prayer with energy and happiness and pleasure; and by Allāh, indeed, the believer, in reality, is certainly pleased when the (time for) prayer arrives because he will stand before Allāh and call upon Him. Due to this, if you see in yourself laziness in the prayer then blame yourself because you are without a doubt comparable with the hypocrites in this characteristic, so alter your way (regarding Prayer and all worship) towards Allāh, the Most High and do not be negligent.” [Tafsīr Sūrah An-Nisā’ 2/363]
Dear brothers and sisters, let us heed the call to remain vigilant, for the dangers of laziness lurk for those who become lax in their night prayers, ready to ensnare us in the traps of hypocrisy. Indeed, the hypocrites are adept at deception, appearances, and laziness in their prayers, so let us protect ourselves against these qualities and engage vigorously and enthusiastically in the night, seeking the Pleasure of Allāh.
I beseech Allāh to grant us the strength to fast with eagerness, the vigilance to pray with sincerity, and the resilience to stay steadfast on the path of righteousness. Aameen.
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