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Similarly, the prayers were made obligatory upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during his ascension to heaven. Furthermore, when Allah praises the believers, such as in the beginning of surah al­ Muminoon, one of the first descriptions He states is their adherence to the prayers. Once a man asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the most virtuous deed is the prayer. The man asked again and again. The first three times, the Prophet (peace be upon him) again answered, "The prayer," then on the fourth occasion he stated, "Jihad in the way of Allah."1 The importance of the prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet's statements. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad."2 The importance of the prayers lies in the fact that no matter what actions one performs in his life, the most important aspect is one's relationship to Allah, that is, one's faith (imaan), God-consciousness (taqwa), sincerity (ikhlaas) and worship of Allah ('ibaadah). This relationship with Allah is both demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the prayer. Therefore, if the prayers are sound and proper, the rest of the deeds will be sound and proper; and if the prayers are not sound and proper, then the rest of the deeds will not be sound and proper, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself stated. In reality, if the prayer is performed properlywith true remembrance of Allah and turning to Him for forgivenessit will have a lasting effect on 1 This is from a hadith recorded by Ahmad and ibn Hibbaan. According to al-Albaani, the hadith is hasan. Muhammad Naasir al-Deen al-Albaani, sahih al-Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb (Beirut: al­ Maktab al-Islaami, 1982), vol. 1, p. 150. 2 Recorded by al-Tabaraani. According to al-Albaani, it is sahih. Al-Albaani, sahih al-Jaami, vol. 1, p. 503. Hadith #3: Islam Has Been Built Upon Five [Pillars] the person. After he finishes the prayer, his heart will be filled with the remembrance of Allah. He will be fearful as well as hopeful of Allah. After that experience, he will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein he disobeys Allah. Allah has mentioned this aspect of the prayer when He has said, "Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds" (al-Ankaboot 45). Nadwi has described this effect in the following eloquent way, Its aim is to generate within the subliminal self of man such spiritual power, light of faith and awareness of God as can enable him to strive successfully against all kinds of evils and temptations and remain steadfast at times of trial and adversity and protect himself against the weaknesses of the flesh and the mischief of immoderate appetites. 1 The overall affect that the properly performed prayers should have upon humans is described in other verses in the Quran: '.ଛ:. i"1 ) ;;; : \: I/ * 1 -'.: ' / d"'୐ (1 ' ;;; / I: \ ै 1 -:.. . . '1 -;.. /- IL / / . ,j"'I + I ࢴ ......... :.J Q;J; u.-J.r.- .r ࢵ ::. ଜu.-rଝଞ:.i 0 [ ; ,,. ; ; "Verily, man was created impatient, irritable when evil touches him and niggardly when good touches him. Except for those devoted to prayer, those who remain constant in their prayers ... " (al-Maarij 19-23). As for the Hereafter, Allah's forgiveness and pleasure is closely related to the prayers. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, /. ,,.. /. /. "' ....: / / / • "' ..-". ,, • r5r) ôõ )  !) ör ;; JW aJ1 4:;;1 fJ1}LP :_,..:.;:. ,,, / // 0 ,,.. / 0 ,,., ;;; ,,, ,,, ,,, ,,,. ,,,, ,,,._ J J>- " # $ % ;;) " & 0r DZ '1 J>- " 0l5' de) d§'a ;;; ,,,. ,,,. ,... ,,,, ,,. ;;; ଘଙ G 01) " ଗ G 01 DZ 'I / / "Allah has obligated five prayers. Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, prays them in their proper times, completes their bows and khushoo '2 has a promise from Allah that He will forgive him. And whoever 1 Nadwi, p. 24. 2 Khushoo' in the prayer is where the person's heart is attuned to the prayer. This feeling in the heart is then reflected on the body. The person remains still and calm. His gaze is also lowered. Even his voice is affected by this feeling in the heart. For more details on this concept (as well as the difference between it and khudhoo '), see Muhammad al-Shaayi, Al-Furooq al-Laughawiyyah Commentary on the Forty Hadith of al-Nawawi does not do that has no promise from Allah.