toppage1.htm_cmp_subterra110_bnr.gif (31840 bytes)

786

373-77

 

About this book:

Of the five pillars of Islaam, Namaaz (prayer) is, second only to Ieemaan (belief), the most important and the most essential form of adoration, which is absolutely obligatory on every Musalmaan. The Qur'aan and the Sunnat give clear commands and guidelines regarding it. No Muslim can afford to be remiss in performing Namaaz.

It should be fully grasped that Almighty Al-Laah Subhaanahu is in no need of us or of our prostration’s; they are of utmost benefit to men of faith only. By prostrating, they attain to the nearest with the Merciful Al-Laah and to His pleasure, that is to say, reach the highest point in devotion. A bondsman in prostration (Sajdah) is liked by Al-Laah all the more because while in this posture he describes the pleasing likeness of the blessed name of Muhammad written in Arabic (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam), the beloved of Almighty Al-Laah.

Prostration is the physically demonstrated acknowledgement and expression before Al-Laah of the bondsman's own utmost humility and lowliness and of His utmost greatness and exaltation.

The holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has said: Namaaz is the pinnacle of glory, which a Muslim can attain to." He has also said: "In Namaaz lies the cool of my eyes". How excellent, indeed, are the foreheads that prostrate before Al-Laah! Watching Al-Laah's bondsmen prostrating, even Shaitaan curses himself for turning himself into an accursed and rejected person by refusing to do this prostration even when Al-Laah commanded him to do so.

Many books on Namaaz small and large, detailed and in brief, are available today the world over. But the popularity of the book before us is due entirely to the mercy of Al-Laah and the grace of the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wa Sallam).

My respected father, Mujad-did-I-Maslak Ahle Sunnat, (reviver of the creed of Ahle Sunnat), Khateeb A'zam. Pakistan, (the greatest orator of Pakistan), Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Shafee Okarvi ('Alaihir Rahmah), wrote it some forty years ago, and, in Pakistan alone, nearly more than two million copies have been printed so far, and it is prescribed reading in schools and madaaris (religious schools) in this country. It has been translated into several languages, including an English translation in South Africa, which was later found to be erroneous on many counts.

Moreover, there are many a Musalmaan who does not have proficiency in reading Arabic. It was, therefore, considered absolutely necessary to bring out books for them with Arabic words in Roman transliteration. We have, however, given a key which could make it possible for readers to understand the Arabic words and to express them in correct tone and pronunciation. All the same, such people would do well to acquire proficiency in reading Arabic and not to remain content with reading it in Roman transliteration only.

Pakistan’s distinguished journalist and scholar of English, Mr. M.A. Qaadiri have translated this brief but comprehensive book on Namaaz. Readers are requested to kindly inform us of any errors they might find in the translation or in the book itself, so that they are rectified in future editions.

Maulana Okarvi Academy Al A'lami has, with the grace of Al-Laah, the distinction of publishing important religious books and also their translations. We will be looking forward to your co-operation in this task and to your du'aa (supplications).

1992,

Karachi

Kaukab Noorani Okarvi (Ghufira Laahu)

Chairman, Maulana Okarvi Academy Al A'lami.