An article by the late Dr. Mustafa Mahmoud
The Divine Appointment
A Profound Reflection on Prayer in Its Appointed Time
“I do not believe I have ever read in my life a description of prayer in its time more eloquent than this.” What follows is a profound reflection by Dr. Mustafa Mahmoud (may Allah have mercy on him) about delaying prayer—words that shake every heart.
The idea that embarrasses me about delaying prayer from its time lies in the fact that I am not the one who set the appointment for this prayer. Nor am I the one who chose the timing. The Creator Himself is the One who determined this. Allah, who created this universe in all its greatness—He is the One who wants me to stand before Him, to speak to Him, to converse with Him intimately.
“And when My servants ask you concerning Me, indeed I am near.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:186)
The Shameful Reality
And what do I do? In many instances, I make this appointment my last priority until its time nearly expires, placing before it every trivial matter. Allah calls me—me, a mere particle without weight in His magnificent universe—to stand before Him, while I am engrossed in the trivialities of life!
“Which deed is most beloved to Allah?” He said, “Prayer at its proper time.“
— Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim
The Divine Invitation
He invites me to a closed meeting between me and Him. I am the one in need, and He is the Self-Sufficient. Yet I turn it into an open meeting for all kinds of thoughts. I attend with my body while my mind is absent.
“And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you.'”
— Surah Ghafir (40:60)
He wants it to be a special meeting, and I turn it into a cold recitation session and empty exercises. What misery could be greater than this?
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”
— Surah An-Nisa (4:103)
“The first matter that the servant will be brought to account for on the Day of Resurrection is the prayer.“
— Reported by al-Tabarani
Every prayer is a divine appointment. The Creator of the universe has requested your presence. Will we continue to treat this invitation with indifference? Or will we finally recognize this for what it is: the greatest honor we could ever receive?
“Certainly will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive.”
— Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:1-2)
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