Thought-provoking Friday sermon at Masjid Nahar Wali highlights the importance of Salah, arrogance and the whispers of Satan
Agra: Khateeb Mohammad Iqbal of Masjid Nahar Wali delivered a thought-provoking Friday sermon, highlighting the importance of Salah (prayer) and the significance of prostration (Sajdah). He said that Iblis was cursed until the Day of Judgment because of his arrogance and disobedience to Allah Almighty. This incident carries a powerful lesson and serves as a reminder for humanity.
Khateeb Mohammad Iqbal explained that the Holy Quran mentions Allah’s command to prostrate before Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). All the angels obeyed the command, but Iblis refused out of arrogance. Considering himself superior, he disobeyed Allah’s command. As a consequence, he was condemned and destined for punishment.
Addressing the worshippers, he asked: “When Iblis faced such a severe consequence for refusing a single prostration, have we ever reflected on how many times we neglect Allah’s command in our daily lives?”
He explained that the five obligatory daily prayers consist of 17 Rak’ahs and a total of 34 prostrations. Anyone who neglects these obligatory prayers deprives themselves of an essential act of worship.
Referring to a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), he said that the Messenger of Allah stated that abandoning Salah distinguishes a person from Shirk and Kufr. (Sahih Muslim: 82)
He further questioned whether people really lack enough time in 24 hours to offer five obligatory prayers. “We make time for our worldly responsibilities, but often neglect to bow before our Creator. This is a matter that demands serious reflection,” he said.
Speaking about arrogance, Khateeb Mohammad Iqbal also referred to another Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said that a person with even an atom’s weight of arrogance in their heart will not enter Paradise. (Sahih Muslim: 91)
He urged people to examine their thoughts and actions and consider whether worldly engagements, self-pride and the whispers of Satan were keeping them away from Salah. He appealed to Muslims not to become followers of Satan but to strive to become obedient servants of Allah Almighty.
Concluding his sermon, he appealed to all Muslims to remain regular in their prayers, avoid arrogance and bow before Allah Almighty with humility and sincerity.
He prayed that Allah Almighty grants everyone the ability to offer all five daily prayers regularly, perform every Sajdah and remain protected from arrogance and disobedience.
*Ameen, Ya Rabb-ul-Alameen.