THE ACCOUNTS OF THE DAY OF RESURRECTION -No:13 - The Punishment for not Offering Prayers

The Punishment for not Offering Prayers;

The Quran does not explicitly state a specific punishment in terms of several lashes or a particular torment for failing to pray the five daily prayers. However, it strongly emphasizes the importance of prayer and warns of severe consequences for neglecting it, describing such neglect as a characteristic of the condemned. The Quran highlights that good deeds, including prayer, can erase evil deeds. Therefore, neglecting prayer would mean missing out on opportunities for spiritual growth and potentially facing Allah's displeasure and negative consequences in the Hereafter.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

While the Quran does not explicitly detail a specific punishment for neglecting the five daily prayers, it strongly emphasizes their importance and the consequences of abandoning them. Verses like [Quran 19:59], for example, speak of a "loss" or "perdition" for those who neglect prayer and follow their desires. Other verses highlight the importance of prayer for believers and its connection to success in this life and the hereafter. [Quran 23:2] [Quran 70:23]

Here's a more detailed explanation:

۞ فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا ٥٩

But they were succeeded by generations who neglected prayer and followed their lusts, and so will soon face the evil consequences.1

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, The Clear Quran

[Surah Maryam/19: Ayat 59]

Tafsir Ibnu Kathir:

They were succeeded by Wicked People and Good People

After Allah mentioned the party of blessed ones -- the Prophets and those who followed them by maintaining the limits set by Allah and His commandments, fulfilling what Allah ordered and avoiding His prohibitions -- then He mentions,

(خَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ) 

(there has succeeded them a posterity.) 

This means later generations.

أَضَاعُواْ الصَّلَـوةَ

(who have lost Salah) Losing their prayers is when they do not consider the prayers obligatory. Therefore, they lose, because the prayer is the pillar and foundation of the religion. It is the best of the servants' deeds. Thus, these people will occupy themselves with worldly desires and delights, and they will be pleased with the life of this world. They will be tranquil and at ease in the worldly appetites. Therefore, these people will meet with Ghaiy, which means loss on the Day of Resurrection. Al-Awza`i reported from Musa bin Sulayman, who reported from Al-Qasim bin Mukhaymirah that he said concerning Allah's statement,

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُواْ الصَّلَـوةَ

(Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have lost the Salah) "This means that they will not keep up with the proper times of the prayer, because if it meant complete abandonment of the prayer, this would be disbelief." It is also reported that it was said to Ibn Mas`ud, "Allah often mentions the prayer in the Qur'an. He says,

الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَن صَلَـتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ

(Those who neglect their Salah.) 107:5 And He says,

عَلَى صَلَتِهِمْ دَائِمُونَ

(Those who remain constant in their Salah.) 70:23 And He says,

عَلَى صَلَتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ

(Who guard their Salah.)" 23:9 Then, Ibn Mas`ud said, "This means at its designated times." The people said, "We thought that this was referring to the abandonment of the prayer." He replied, "That would be disbelief." Masruq said, "No one who guards the five daily prayers will be written among the heedless. In their neglect is destruction. Their neglect is delaying them past their fixed times." Al-Awza`i reported from Ibrahim bin Zayd that Umar bin `Abdul-`Aziz recited the Ayah,

فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُواْ الصَّـوةَ وَاتَّبَعُواْ الشَّهَوَتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقُونَ غَيّاً

(Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have lost the Salah and have followed lusts. So they will meet Ghayy.) Then, he said, "Their loss was not their abandonment of the prayers, but it was by not offering them during their proper and prescribed times." God said,

فَسَوْفَ يَلْقُونَ غَيّاً

(So ​​they will meet Ghayy. ) `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas that he said,

فَسَوْفَ يَلْقُونَ غَيّاً

(So ​​they will meet Ghayy.) "This means loss." Qatadah said, "This means evil." Sufyan Ath-Thawri, Shu`bah and Muhammad bin Ishaq all reported from Abu Ishaq As-Sabi`i, who reported from Abu `Ubaydah, who reported from `Abdullah bin Mas`ud that he said,

فَسَوْفَ يَلْقُونَ غَيّاً

(So ​​they will meet Ghayy.) "This is a valley in the Hellfire which is very deep and its food is filthy." Al-A`mash reported from Ziyad, who reported from Abu `Iyad, who commented Allah's statement,

فَسَوْفَ يَلْقُونَ غَيّاً

(So ​​they will meet Ghayy.) He said, "This is a valley in Hell made of puss and blood." God said,

إِلاَّ مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَـلِحاً

(Except those who repent and believe and work righteousness.) This means, "Except those who recant from giving up the prayers and following the desires, for verily, Allah will accept their repentance, give them a good end and make them of those who inherit the Garden of Delight (Paradise). " For this reason Allah says,

فَأُوْلَـئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ وَلاَ يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْءً

(Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught.) This is because repentance wipes away that which was before it. In another Hadith, the Prophet said,

«التَّائِبُ مِنَ الذَّنْبِ كَمَنْ لَاذَنْبَ لَه»

(The one who repents from sin is like him who has no sin.) Because of this, those who repent will not lose anything from the (good) deeds that they did. They will not be held accountable for what they did before their repentance, thus causing a decrease in their reward for deeds that they do after their repentance. That is because whatever they did before repenting is lost, forgotten and not taken into account. This is an honor from the Most Generous and a kindness from the Most Gentle. This is an exception that is made for these people, similar to Allah's statement in Surah Al-Furqan,

وَالَّذِينَ لاَ يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـهَا ءَخَرَ وَلَ يَقْتُلونَ النَّفْسَ الَّتِى حَرَمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّ بِالْحَقِّ

(And those who invoke not any other god along with Allah, nor kill such person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause...) until Allah's statement,

And God bless him

(and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.) 25:68-70

Ma'arif Al Quran;

Commentary

فَخَلَفَ (Khalf) means bad successors, while فَخَلَفَ (Khalaf) means good successors. (Mazhari) Mujahid (رح) has reported that when the Day of Judgment would be near and the pious people would all be dead and gone, people will lose interest in prayers and indulge in all sort of vices and evil deeds.

Offering prayers outside fixed time or not with congregation (جَمَاعَت) is a default and of no avail, and is a great sin.

Most exegetes / commentators are of the view that offering prayers after its time has lapsed is a default of prayers (اضَاعُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ ). Among them are Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Masud, Nakhai, Qasim, Mujahid, Ibrahim and ` Umar Ibn ` Abdul ` Aziz. While others consider that any lapse in the form and conditions of prayers is اِضَاعتِ صلٰوۃ and includes the lapse of time as well. Still others believe that offering of prayers at home and not with the congregation (جَمَاعَت) is اِضَاعتِ صلٰوۃ (Qurtubi, Bahr ul-Muhit).

Sayyidna ` Umar al-Faruq ؓ ، had sent out a circular to all his governors saying:

إن أھم امرکم عندی الصلوٰۃ، فمن ضیعھافھو لما سواھا اضیع (مؤطا امام مالک)

"In my view, the most important among your tasks is prayer. So, whoever defaults in this will default in discharging his other obligations all the more."

Once Sayyidna Hudaifah ؓ saw someone offering his prayers without observing the prescribed rules, and was going through the rituals rather hurriedly without pausing. He asked the man how long he had been offering his prayers like that. The man replied for the last forty years. 'Then Sayyidna Hudaifah ؓ said:

"You have not offered a single of your prayers correctly."

He further remarked:

"If you die offering your prayers like this then remember you will die without following the course given by The Holy Prophet ﷺ .

Sayyidna Abu Mas’ ud ؓ has been quoted in Tirmidhi that the Holy Prophet ﷺ had said that the prayer of a person is lost who does not observe اِقَامَت i.e. does not stand upright in his prayers. It means that if one does not pause while bowing down (رُکُوع) and prostrating (سَجدَہ) in his prayers or who does not stand straight up after bowing down ( رُکُوع) or does not sit up in between two prostrations (سَجدُوں) his prayers would be considered as not performed. Similarly, if one is not careful about ablution (وُضُو) and his cleanliness (طَھَارَت) his prayers will also be lost.

Sayyidna Hasan-al-Basri (رح) has observed that leaving the mosques unattended and being over involved in business and enjoyments of life is included in the meaning of this verse.

Imam Qurtubi' (رح) after reproducing these sayings had said that even knowledgeable people ignore the prescribed rules of prayers and merely go through its motions. He made this observation in the 6th century Hijrah when such people were few. Presently the position is worse, and there are many more people who disregard the rules of prayers. 

نَعُوذُ بِاللہِ مِن شُرُورِ انفُسِنَا وَ اَعمَالِنا 

(and pursued desires - 19:59)

 (شَھَوَات ) refers to all such wordly pleasures which make people negligent of their duty to Allah making them lose interest in Prayers. Sayyidna Ali ؓ has said that palatial houses and luxurious carriages which attract people's eye, and wearing dresses which distinguish a person from the common man all fall within the category of worldly pleasures. (Qurtubi)

فَسَوفَ یَلقَونَ غَیِّاً 

(So they will soon face[ the outcome of their ] perversion - 19:59) 

The word غَیّ in Arabic language is the opposite of رشاد . All virtues and good things are رشاد and all vices and evils are غَیّ. Sayyidna ` Abdullah Ibn Mas’ ud ؓ has reported that there is a cave in Hell by the name غَیّ which houses various types of severe punishments, more numerous than all the punishments of Hell.

Ibn ` Abbas ؓ has remarked that even Hell seeks protection from غَیّ , which is the name of a cave in the Hell. Allah Ta` ala has prepared it for habitual adulterers who persist in adultery, and for the drunkards who do not give up drinking, and for the usurers who do not stop taking interest and for those who disobey their parents, and those who give false witness and for the woman who declares someone else's child as her husband's. (Qurtubi)

Tazkirul Quran:

A distinctive trait of those whose characters are moulded by the preaching of the prophets, is that they are no longer slaves of their base desires but rise above them. They turn into individuals who always remember God; indeed, the essence of religion is remembrance of God, the organized expression of which is prayer (salat). If the generations that come after the prophets become negligent of God and start following their base desires, they will figure, in the eyes of God, as people who have gone astray. Being affiliated to a prophet shall be of no use to them. 

They shall receive what they deserve. Of them, only those shall be spared who return to the original religion, and adopt a life of faith and virtuous deeds. Those who strive for the life Hereafter, do not immediately receive the fruits of their labours and sacrifices. For this reason, they may have misgivings that this is a path of pointless endeavour. But this is a mere misunderstanding. The fact is that, just as those who devote their efforts to worldly affairs achieve corresponding results, so also will those who strive for the life of the Hereafter be requited in full measure. Nobody need harbour any doubts about this.

"Who are constant at their prayers." This verse highlights the importance of consistency and perseverance in prayer.

Hadith:

Many hadiths (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) also reinforce the importance of prayer. For example, the Prophet said, "The covenant between us and them is prayer, so whoever abandons it has disbelieved." according to a hadith on iium.edu.my This hadith, if authentic, suggests that abandoning prayer can be a serious matter, potentially leading to disbelief.

While the Quran and hadith do not prescribe a specific punishment in this world for not praying, they emphasize that neglecting this pillar of Islam can lead to negative consequences in the afterlife and potentially indicate a lack of faith. According to iium.edu.my

Emphasis on Prayer:

The Quran repeatedly commands Muslims to establish prayer, emphasizing its importance in connecting with Allah.

Warning against Neglect:

While not specifying exact punishments, the Quran does warn against hypocrisy and the consequences of neglecting prayer.

Spiritual Loss:

The primary consequence highlighted in Islamic teachings is the loss of spiritual benefits and blessings associated with prayer. This includes missing opportunities for forgiveness, closeness to Allah, and spiritual growth.

Judgment in the Hereafter:

Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgment, actions, including prayer, will be weighed, and those who neglect prayer may face a more severe judgment.

Good Deeds Erase Evil Deeds:

The Quran also mentions that good deeds, like prayer, can erase evil deeds (minor sins). Neglecting prayer means missing out on this opportunity for cleansing and forgiveness.

In essence, while the Quran does not detail a specific earthly punishment for not praying, it emphasizes the severe spiritual consequences of neglecting this fundamental pillar of Islam.

A tradition* relates, “The person who observes prayers will be honoured by the Most Magnificent Lord in five ways: One, the scarcity of his means will be alleviated. Second, he is exempted from the torments of the grave. Thirdly, on the Day of Doom the Deed Scroll will be handed over to him in his right hand, the detailed account of which has been given in Surah al-Haq’qa 7. these to whom the scroll of deeds will be given in their right hands will go about merrily showing their deeds scrolls to other people

Fourthly, they shall pass over the bridge of heaven with lightning speed. Fifthly, they shall be exempted from rendering accounts. And he who shows reluctance in observing prayers shall be tormented in fifteen different ways. Out of these, he will experience five types of torments in the world, three types of torments at the time of his death, three types of torments in the grave, and three types of torments on arising from the grave. The worldly torments are the following :

Firstly, his life is devoid of blessings. 

Secondly, the glow that appears on the faces of the pure is removed from his face. 

Thirdly, all reward for his good deeds is cancelled out. 

Fourthly, his wishes are not granted. 

Fifthly, he loses his right to be remembered by the pious in their prayers. The three torments at the time of death are these :

Firstly, he dies in disgrace. 

Secondly, he dies in deprivation. 

Thirdly, he suffers from intense thirst at the moment of his death; and such is the intensity of his thirst that the whole sea cannot quench it.

The three torments of the grave are as follows :

Firstly, the grave contracts around him so that his breast bones break and pierce into each other. 

Secondly, a fire is lit in his grave. 

Thirdly, a snake is sent to overpower him. The appearance of the snake is such that its eyes are like fireballs; its nails are made of iron and in length so big that their extremity could be reached only in a day’s journey. This snake bites his corps and says, ‘I am the Dare-headed snake’. Its voice is thunderous like lightning. The snake says: ‘I have been appointed over you by my Lord in order to bite you till sunrise for having missed your morning prayers, and I am appointed to bite you till afternoon for missing the noon prayers, and then I am to bite you till sunset for having missed the afternoon prayers; and I am to bite you till night-prayer’s time for missing the evening prayers and for missing the night prayers I am appointed to bite you continuously till morning. When the snake bites him, but once the corpse sinks into the earth to a depth measuring the length of seventy hands. And in the same manner, he will continue to suffer this torment till Doomsday. And after arising from the grav,e he will suffer the following three tortures: ;

*Tirmidhi.

Firstly, he shall be severely called to account, 

Secondly, the wrath of the Most Just and Magnificent Lord will be upon him. 

Thirdly, he shall be thrown into Hell. 

All the above add up to fourteen tortures. Possibly the fifteenth torture has been omitted through lapse of memory.

In another tradition, it is related that three sentences will be writ large on the face of such a man: First sentence: O thou who wasted away thy obligation to Almighty God. Second sentence: O thou who art a special object of the wrath of God. Third sentence: As you wasted away thy obligation to God in the mortal world, so you are deprived of God’s blessings this day.