Audhu billahi min ash shaytanir rajeem! Bismillah ir Rahmanir Raheem! Al hamdu lillahi rabbil alameen.

Was salaatu was salaamu alaa ashrafil anbiyaee wal mursaleen. Sayidinaa wa nabina wa moulanaa Muhammadin waala aalihee wa askhabihee wa sallim. Glory and Majesty belong to Allah, Supreme Sovereign of the universe. Peace and salutations on our illustrious Master, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) who was sent as a universal mercy and guide.

O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.

Allah swt says in Surah Ta-Ha 20v14: "Verily! I am Allah. None has the right to be worshipped but I, so worship Me, and perform Salat for My Remembrance. Brothers and sisters: A human being is primarily a servant and a slave of Allah. Therefore Allah has programmed in mans innate nature to worship Him and fulfil the covenant that he has made with Allah. To solidify this concept in the hearts and minds of people, Allah the Almighty has made Salah compulsory. Ibn `Umar (ra) narrated that: The Messenger of Allah said, "Islam is based on five pillars: testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His slave and Messenger; establishing of Salat; the payment of Zakat; performing Hajj; and fasting during the month of Ramadan.'' (Recorded by Bukhari)

In another Hadith the Prophet (pbuh) says that: Salat is the pillar of Deen and the foundation of Islam. He who upholds Salah has upheld Islam and he who leaves Salah has left behind religion. (Recoded by al-Bayhaqi) The importance of this pillar of Islam can be established from the fact that there are hundreds of Ayats in the holy Quran alone, which are directly or indirectly instructing us to establish it. The primary call of the Holy Quran to human beings is to submit to their Creator. The manifestation of this submission is through Ibada which means worship and obedience. This call for submission is proclaimed in many places in the Holy Quran.

Allah swt says in Surah al-Baqara v21:O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious).

Allah says in Surah al-Dhariyat, 51:v56: And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone). The purpose of Salah is to establish an intimate relationship between the servant and his Creator. This is renewed five times a day and it continues throughout ones life. Thus, it creates a very intimate bond with the Creator. Again its importance can be judged by the fact that it is the only Ibada which was made compulsory directly by Allah talking to the prophet (pbuh) during the Miraj (i.e. meeting with Allah). It is mentioned in a Hadith narrated by Abu Huraira (ra) that: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,

"The first of man's deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be the Salat.'' (Recoded by At-Tirmidhi) Salah plays a very important role in our lives as it brings us into direct communion with Allah, our Creator. It is really an intimate conversation with our Creator. Being a conversation it is not a monologue. We read surah al-Fatiha in every rakat. In a Hadith qudsi, the prophet (pbuh) relates from Allah how He responds to what we say: I have divided the prayer (Salah) between Me and My servant, half is for Me and half for him, and My servant shall have what he asked for. For when my servant says: All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds, Allah says: My servant has thanked Me and praised Me. When the servant says: The most Merciful, the Beneficent, Allah says: My servant has extolled Me. When the servant says: Master of the day of judgment, Allah says: My servant has glorified Me ... This is My portion. When he says: You alone we worship and from You alone we seek help, Allah says: This is between My servant and Me. He will be given what he will ask. When he says Guide us on the straight path... Allah says: This belongs to My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for. (Muslim, Tirmidhi, Ahmad). Neglect of Salat has dire consequences for us in the hereafter. Its neglect will lead us into Hellfire. In Surah al-Muddaththir a conversation is narrated in which the sinners will be asked: "What has caused you to enter Hell?" They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer their Salat. Indeed, we are nearest to Him when we are in prostration: Allah swt says in Surah al-Alaq 96: 19: Nay! (O Muhammad pbuh) Do not obey him (i.e. Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah! It is narrated in the Ahadith that by performing Wudu and offering Salah we wipe our minor sins; and regular Salah brings us into the presence of our

Creator frequently. Hence we try to be cautious not to commit acts of indecency and immorality. This characteristic of Salah is mentioned in Surah al-Ankaboot v45: where Allah swt says: Recite (O Muhammad pbuh) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Quran), and perform As-Salat. Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha' (immorality) and Al-Munker (wrongdoing), and the remembrance of Allah is greater indeed. And Allah knows what you do. We are encouraged to pray in the mosque and in congregation. Its reward is 27 times more than praying alone. This collective worship strengthens bonds of brotherhood among Muslims. When praying in the mosque, we all stand in a row, shoulder to shoulder, the rich and the poor, the black and the white of every race and nationality. This demonstrates the equality of all human beings. Well continue to talk about the virtues of Salat in the 2nd Khutba inshaAllah. Waakhiro dawana anil hamd Lillah e Rabbil Alameen 2nd Khutba Al Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil 'Alameen wa-s salaatu wa-s salaamu alaa sayyidinaa Muhammad wa 'ala Aalihi wa Sahbihi wa man wala There are a number of other Ahadith recorded by our noble scholars relating to the benefits and blessings of Salat. Narrated by Ibn Masood (ra) that: I asked the Messenger of Allah "Which act is the best?'' He (pbuh) said, "As-Salat at their fixed times.'' I asked, "What next?'' He (pbuh) said, "Being dutiful to parents.'' I asked, "What next?'' He (pbuh) said, "Striving in the way of Allah.'' (Recorded by AlBukhari and Muslim)

Narrated by Abu Huraira (ra) that: I heard Allah's Apostle (pbuh) saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" The Sahaba said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds." (Recorded by Bukhari) Thus, in the short time we spend in each prayer we converse with Allah and seek His guidance and help in all our affairs. Salah thus fulfils our spiritual as well as our material needs. It is only through the blessings of Allah that we can survive in this world. Let us pray that may Allah keep us steadfast in our Iman and that we regularly pray and enrich our souls with love of Allah (swt). Ameen ALLAHUMMAGH FIR LIL MUSLIMEENA WAL MUSLIMAAT WAL MOAMINEENA WAL MOUMINAAT AL-AHYAAY MINHUM WAL AMWAAT

INNAKAA SAMEEUN MUJIBUD DAWAAT Ya Allah, forgive all our Muslim men and women, Forgive the believing men and women, Those who are alive and those who died, You are indeed the One who listens and accepts all supplications. RABBANA LAA TUZIGH QULOOBANAA, BADA ITH HADAY TANAA WA HAB LANAA MILLA DUNKA RAHMA. INNAKAA ANTAL WAH-HAAB.

O Allah, do not let our hearts deviate from the Truth now that we have been guided , but grant us Mercy from Your very Presence, for You are the Grantor of bounties without measure. RABBI JAALNI MUQEEMUS SALAATI, WAMIN DUR-RIY-YATI, RABBANAA WATA QABBAL DUAAH. Ya Rabb, help us to perfect our salaat, and of our descendants, Our Lord, accept the duas of all these brothers. RABBIGH FIRLEE WALI WAALI DAYYA, WALIL MUMINEENA YAWMA YAQOOMUL HISAAB. Our Lord, forgive us, and our parents, and all Believers until the Yawm al Qiyamah. Ya Allah, accept our Ibadat and forgive us. Ya Rabb, have mercy on us. Help us obey you and praise you. Ya Allah, we make dua so please lead us to prosperity and growth, to success and solidarity, to unity and wealth beyond our imagination. May you forgive all our KHATAYAA, KABEERA WA SAGHEERAH. Ya Allah, accept all our duas, fulfil all our righteous wishes, fulfill our dreams,. Ya Allah, may your rehma and safety encompass all our families, wherever they may be. Ya Allah, make the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) intercede on our behalf on YAWM A QIYAAMAH. IBAA DAL LAAH:

Then you conclude by saying to the muazzin: WA AA QIMUS SALAAH