Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah - Naib Amir USA & Chairman Markazi Al Islam Team
August 19, 2025
Today, I invite you to reflect on a profound truth:
"Jo dum ghaafil, wo dum kaafir"
Whatever occupies your mind most, frequently becomes your God;
This saying from the Promised Messiah (as) reminds us that heedlessness—ghaflah—leads to spiritual loss, and whatever dominates our thoughts can become an object of devotion.
The world tempts us with distractions, material pursuits, and fleeting moments of self-reliance. We check our phones during salat. We chase after success, wealth, and technology while neglecting the One who grants all sustenance.
But Allah, in His infinite mercy, has given us a remedy—a way to guard against heedlessness: Salat.
Allah commands us in the Quran:
"Keep Me, therefore, constantly in mind, I shall keep you in mind. Be grateful to Me and be not unmindful of
My bounties" (Quran 2:153)
"Faz korooni azkurkum wush kuruli wala takfuroon"
This remembrance is not merely a ritual; it is a lifeline. Salat is our opportunity to recalibrate our hearts and remind ourselves of our dependence on Allah. It replenishes our faith at least five times a day, guarding us from the unconscious shirk that creeps into our daily lives.
That is why the word "raabetoo", as referenced in Quran chapter 3 verse 201 is used to caution us to be on the guard and protect our salat. After one salat, think and look forward to the next salat and how and when you are going to say it.
We need to repeatedly reflect on whether we truly structure our lives around Salat, or do we fit Salat around our lives?
When asked about the deed most beloved to Allah, our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"As Salaato ala Waqteha" that is "To perform Salat at its appointed time"
The companions of the Prophet (sa) guarded their prayers as if their very survival depended on them—because in reality, it does.
The greatest barrier to mindful Salat is heedlessness. When we allow distractions to erode our remembrance, we unwittingly commit shirk—not by worshipping idols, but by placing worldly concerns above our devotion to Allah. and habits like staying up late, which can lead to neglecting prayers
The Quran warns:
"And observe Prayer, and be not of those who associate partners with God"
(Chapter 30 verse 32) "Aqimusalata wala takoo noo
minal mushrikeen"
The Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
"The one who didn't offer salat intentionally has committed kufr. Whoever abandons salat intentionally has disbelieved."
This is why the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) so profoundly stated:
"Jo dum ghaafil, wo dum kaafir"
If every breath we take is consumed by distractions instead of remembrance, we move away from true faith.
In every moment, we need divine guidance. While Salat is our scheduled (online and time limited) communion with Allah, nuwafil prayers and dhikr serve as continuous (offline unlimited) opportunities to draw closer to Him.
Sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) further strengthens this bond, it is like an all access pass making facilitating closeness to Allah and helping us become "muqaraboon" and "muqarrabeen"—the honored servants of Allah, drawn near to Him. as mentioned in chapter 83 verse 22 and chapter 56 verse 89 of the Holy Quran.
Let us resolve to make Salat the center of our existence. Let us eagerly anticipate the next prayer, build our schedules around its sacred timings, and approach each salat with mindfulness and devotion.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the people of Paradise (Jannah) will have no regrets except for the moments in their worldly life when they did not engage in the remembrance of Allah.
May Allah grant us the discipline to uphold our Salat with sincerity and protect us from heedlessness, so that every breath we take is filled with remembrance.
