It is reported from Abu Darda (Radhi Allaho anho) that he said, "That may face be covered in dust for my Rabb (is most loved by me), for that is the best kind of worship for Allah." So let none of you fear the dust, nor find it distasteful to make sujud (prostrate) in it, for there is no doubt that every one of you comes from it (ie mankind was created from dust). Nor should any of you fear an excess of it, for verily, it is by this means that one attempts to attain freedom from slavery and salvation from the Hellfire, a fire before which the fixed lofty mountains which were placed as pegs (holding the earth) could not stand, nor the seven strong heavens, built one above another, which are placed as a well graded canopy over us, nor the earth, which was placed as a dwelling for us, nor the seven seas, of which none knows their depths or their size except the One Who created them. Then what about us, with our feeble bodies, our delicate bones, our flimsy skin?
We seek refuge with Allah from the Fire! So should any of you stand in prayers then let him be as if he sees Allah before him, for though he may not see Allah, verily, Allah sees him. It is narrated in a Hadith that Allah's Messenger (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) advised a man, saying: "Fear Allah as though you see Him, for verily, though you may not see Him, He sees you." [Something similar to this wording is quoted in the Hadith in which the Holy Prophet spoke to Jibril informing him about the meaning of 'ihsaan', as reported by Bukhari, Muslim].
This then, is the advice of the Holy Prophet (Sall Allaho alaihe wasallam) to the slave in all his affairs, so what about when he performs prayers, when he stands before Allah, in a particular place, a sacred place, desiring Allah and turning his face towards Him? Does not his standing, his situation in prayer merit the same Ihsaan as all his affairs? It says in a Hadith: "Verily, the slave, when he starts his prayers, should turn his face to Allah, and he should not turn it away from Him until he leaves or turns to right and left." [ie, when he recites Salaam in the end]. (Ahmad, Abu Dawood and Nasai). It is also narrated in a Hadith: "Verily, the slave, as long as he is in prayer, possesses three qualities: Blessings are showered upon his head from the heavens above, the angels sit around him, from his feet to the heavens and a caller says: 'If the slave knew the One Who hears his whispered utterances, he would never leave his prayer.'"
Allah showers His Mercy upon the worshipper who approaches prayer in a state of humility and meekness towards Allah, in fear and supplicating Him with desire (for His Pleasure), and in hope (of His Mercy), offering prayer to his Creator, his most important consideration, dedicating his whispered utterances to Him and his standing erect in worship and his Ruku` and his Sujud, poring out his heart and his feelings and struggling to perfect his acts of worship, for he knows not whether he will offer another prayer after it, or whether he will be overtaken (by death) before he can offer prayer again. He stands before his Creator, earnestly, with deep feelings, hoping for its acceptance and fearing its rejection, for verily, its acceptance is a cause for joy, while its rejection is a cause for misery and wretchedness.
Nothing could be more important to you in this prayer, or indeed in any of your actions [i.e. that Allah should accept them]. What is more deserving of your distress and misery, your fear -- indeed your terror -- you know not whether your prayer will find favour with Allah at all, nor whether any of your good deeds will be accepted. Do you know if your sins will be forgiven at all? After all this, you have no assurance that you will be spared from it (ie the punishment of the Hellfire). So, who is more deserving of your tears and sadness than Allah -- that He may accept from you (your deeds)?
In addition to this, you know not whether or not you will be awaken in the morning, nor if you will still be here in the evening, will you be given the good news of Paradise, or the bad news of the Hellfire? I only desire to warn you of this terrible danger. It is not fitting that you should be happy because of your family, your wealth or your children.
It is a most amazing thing that you should continue to be unmindful, chasing after vain desires, wasting your time in disregard of this most important matter, for you are being driven at a fierce pace (towards death) day and night, hour by hour, like the blink of an eye.
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