The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Allah does not look at the outward appearance or wealth of any one of you; rather he looks at your hearts AND DEEDS."
(Narrated by Muslim, 2564)
Some of us tend to forget the last 2 words of this Hadith. Of course Allah does not judge us according to our physical appearance because Allah made us the way we are. But the clothes we wear, the hair style and other similar things are based on our choices and are a manifestation of our deeds. So we will be held accountable for all that.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The two rak'ahs of Fajr are better than this world and everything in it.”
[Narrated by Muslim, 725]
"The two rakah's of Fajr" here refers to the sunnah (recommended) prayer before the obligatory Fajr prayer.
Now imagine the whole world and everything in it. All the money and gold in the vaults and the bank accounts around the globe. All the jewelries, valuables and advanced technological gadgets with the diverse functions. The vast areas of lands, buildings, structures and huge mansions that everyone wished they possessed…
The two units of SUNNAH prayer before Fajr are MORE PRECIOUS, higher in status and more valuable than all of these worldly possessions! Then imagine the value of the OBLIGATORY prayers. Yet most of us not only neglect the sunnah of Fajr prayer but the obligatory Fajr prayer as well!! Are not our hearts affected by the Muezzin's call in the Azaan when he says "as-Salaathu khairun minnannaum" (Prayer is better than sleep)??
Let us strive our utmost to grasp the rewards of not only the 5 obligatory prayers but the sunnah (naafil/ recommended) prayers as well in order to be amongst those who are successful in this life and in the hereafter.
