The one who died in Sujood
"Get up and pray"
Our parents barking these words every day, all day. "its only takes 5 minutes of your day", even though we know that its true we still delay it until... 'its already too late, ill just pray tomorrow'.
we all know this is wrong, we all feel guilty and yet even though we stay up in our bed at night thinking 'what if I die in my sleep and I didn't pray', we still don't get up the next day.
We all do it.
Doesn't make it right but we do, maybe its laziness maybe its a lack of knowledge or maybe its just too much effort and we use Gods promised mercy as an escape from doing what he has ordered us to do.
Now the question is... how do we break this cycle?
In my own experience I can tell you its hard and that no matter what people say and the lectures we hear about the importance of Salat and how the Prophet (PBUH) and the Imams (AS) used to pray even in the middle of a battlefield. It doesn't make a difference unless WE want it too.
‘If one of you performs the obligatory prayer in its early time and does not reach high stations, let him curse me!’
Ayatullah Bahjat quoting the late Ayatullah Qadi
The best we can do in order to help ourselves is to learn. To understand what each action in prayer signifies, what each word means (See below link). If we understand then maybe just maybe we'll be able to reap the real benefits and in turn WANT to pray.
Ultimately, its up to us. Its our duty to strive for that knowledge, to know that god doesn't command us to pray for his own needs but for our own. The most simple way I can put it is... We just have to get up!
To make it a bit easier I have a few tips that have helped me climb out of the rut that I was in.
First download an app on your phone that plays the Athan e.g. Shiatoolkit. Secondly, before you leave the house, do Wudhu and stay on it and Lastly, as soon as you hear that Athan, go pray.
The more you delay it the more likely your not going to get up. As bad as this sounds get it out of the way then it'll become second nature like a weight on your shoulders that wont go until you pray.
If done correctly, you'll fall in love with it. you'll wait till the time Athan comes and you can detach yourself from the fast paced world we live in. Its a type of meditation sort of like those Mindfulness videos our teachers make us listen too.
You are not the only one fighting this battle but you are alone with your choices.
I'll leave you with a quote by Imam Ali (a.s) 'when the world pushes you to your knees, you find yourself in perfect position to pray'.
Yours Truly
That Muslim Girl
Disclaimer: All my writings are aimed at myself first and foremost, I am but a servant of my Imam (a.s) trying to seek knowledge.