Q: I am 18 and currently studying in university. During Ramadhaan, I used to pray 5 times a day and would read Qur'an everyday. But ever since Ramadhaan ended, I haven't been praying my Salaah very often. I really want to start praying 5 times a day but I don't know how to start. Every time I think of starting to pray, I become lazy and delay my Salaah. Please tell me what I should do to start praying everyday and come closer to my Deen. I've wasted a lot of time doing useless things rather then praying my Salaah. If I start praying 5 times a day, will Allah Ta'ala forgive me for not praying my past Salaahs?
A: Salaah is the most important pillar of Islam. The first thing regarding which a person will be questioned on the day of Qiyaamah is Salaah. Severe, grave warnings have been sounded in the Qur'an and Ahaadith for the one who forgoes his Salaah. Make sincere tawbah to Allah Ta'ala for missing out your Salaah in the past and commence performing Salaah immediately. Similarly, it is compulsory upon you to make qadha of the past Salaahs that you have missed. Merely making tawbah will not absolve you of the obligation of performing all the past missed salaahs.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
فَخَلَفَ مِن بَعدِهِم خَلفٌ أَضاعُوا الصَّلوةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوتِ فَسَوفَ يَلقَونَ غَيًّا ﴿٥٩﴾ إِلّا مَن تابَ وَءامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صـلِحًا فَأُولـئِكَ يَدخُلونَ الجَنَّةَ وَلا يُظلَمونَ شَيـًٔا ﴿٦٠﴾ جَنّـتِ عَدنٍ الَّتى وَعَدَ الرَّحمـنُ عِبادَهُ بِالغَيبِ إِنَّهُ كانَ وَعدُهُ مَأتِيًّا ﴿٦١﴾ لا يَسمَعونَ فيها لَغوًا إِلّا سَلـمًا وَلَهُم رِزقُهُم فيها بُكرَةً وَعَشِيًّا ﴿٦٢﴾ تِلكَ الجَنَّةُ الَّتى نورِثُ مِن عِبادِنا مَن كانَ تَقِيًّا ﴿مريم: ٦٣﴾
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