The importance of Salaah

Q: At what age does salaah become compulsory upon a child?

Q: I was a Christian but now I converted to Muslim. I am living with a girl I didn't marry. I know its a big sin to commit zinaa but I did not have money to marry my woman who is a Muslim. My question is, can I still pray my five times salat in this situation?

Q: What is the ruling of the one who repents from kufr and fails to pray salaah?

Q: Is qadha prayers accepted by Allah?

If I go out shopping or to a wedding, can I pray qadha when I get home and is it accepted?

Q: My parents are forcing me to miss Salah for Education. Is it correct! I am admitted to a college where I am not allowed to pray salah. I am missing Asr and Maghrib Salah every day. On complaining this to my parents they are not listening to me and forcing me to go to the same college. I am not allowed to pray at my college or go out of the college. Every day I am praying Asr and Maghrib Salah at night after Isha Salah as Qaza Salah.

Is it correct that I miss Salah for Education? Should I obey my parents? They are blackmailing me emotionally. Should I change my college?

Q: Its been 7-8months since I’m not praying regularly like most probably 3-4 times a day. For the last 2-3 weeks I’m not getting any fear of Allah and not praying regularly. I’m also feeling bad about not praying but still I’m not getting that fear and praying. Please can you suggest some tips.

Q: I had sex last night and I did not pray because the weather was cold. It wasn't too cold because there is a source of warming the water but its usage is limited. I couldn't warm the water till 8:00 am so I prayed after 8:00 am. Was it correct?

Q: For as long as I can remember I've never prayed regularly. Now I'm starting to realize my mistake and I want to start praying regularly. Whenever I pray, I don't get the satisfactory feeling that I'm hoping to get.

Could you please tell me how can I start praying regularly? Is there any dua for it? How to get protection from Shaytan so that he doesn't hinder in my salah? I really want to start praying 5 times a day.

Q: I was in the car and going towards the mosque and it was me and the driver in the car. We were getting late for prayer in the mosque and got stuck in a alley in the car. To the best of memory I got out and asked the driver that just park towards the side of this alley and come as namaz is getting late. He said no no the car will get scratched. I made it to the mosque Alhumdullilah and got 1 rakah of prayer and prayed that he also makes it. Afterwards I found out that he missed the prayer and prayed alone in the mosque. Have I done someting bad or a sin?

Q: I read a hadith that, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever misses the Asr prayer, then it is as if he has been robbed of his family and his wealth.” (Al-Bukhari 552).

And... In another narration by Al-Bukhari and others: “Whoever abandons the ‘Asr prayer, his deeds of worship become void.”

I am 23 years old and a practicing Muslim since I was a kid. Recently I missed my Asr Salah. I didn't sleep all day/night, So I was very tired. During the afternoon time slept and missed Asr salah though I was aware that it was Asr time. I kept delaying the time and eventually missed it. Now I am scared if all of my deeds have been void. I prayed the Qada' Salah.

But there is also a hadith that says, Anas reported that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Whoever forgets a prayer should pray it when he remembers it, and there is no expiation (kaffarah) for it save that." Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

And... The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The Pen has been lifted from three: from the sleeper until he awakens, from the child until he reaches puberty and from the insane person until he comes to his senses -- or until he comes round.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (4403), al-Nasaa’i (3432) and Ibn Maajah (2041). Classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

So, is all my deeds/prayers/amals has been invalid or not? I am confused.