Title: Missing Prayers Question: Missing Prayers... I've performed regular salat several months in my life, but now I just can't stick to the habit. It seems I've become very weak to fight the Satan and it is increasingly and extremely difficult for me to refrain from worldly temptations, please tell me how can I help myself. With all my effort I can't quit masturbation, and I can't stick to salat. It's like my heart and soul is moving away from what our Holy Prophet (PBUH) taught us. Please tell me what to do. Ahsan Farooq Pakistan Answer: The situation you are facing with is not peculiar to you; it is a problem of almost all human beings. Worldly temptations are the part of that scheme under which we are sent here for a test and we should try our utmost to overcome these allurements and it is also a fact that ultimate success usually follows this very continuous struggle of good and evil. First of all you should seek God's help, present your helplessness before Him having complete faith in His abounding mercy. It is the sunnah of the prophets that they would always call Him in a manner which would manifest not only their complete surrender but also their hope and faith. For example take a look at the supplications of Hazrat Adam, Hazrat Younas and that of Hazrat Ayub : قَالاَ رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَا أَنفُسَنَا وَإِن لَّمْ تَغْفِرْ لَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ They said : Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If Thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, surely we are of the lost! وَذَا النُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَاضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِر عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَى فِي الظُّلُمَاتِ أَن لَّا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنتَ سُبْحَانَك إِنِّي كُنتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ And (mention) Dhun Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no God save Thee. Be Thou glorified! I have been a wrong doer. وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَى رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَسَّنِيَ الضُّرُّ وَأَنت أَرْحَمُ الرَّاحِمِينَ And Job, when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! Adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art Most Merciful of all who show mercy. Besides these supplications I would like to suggest the followings: Man is a social being, consciously or unconsciously he is affected by his company and social circle. It has been said that whatever you want to be, trace and keep the company of like men, it will automatically mould you like them. You should prefer the company of such friends who offer their prayers regularly. It will exert a positive influence upon you inshaAllah . Always keep in mind the phenomenon of death - the ultimate reality. The remembrance of death keeps a man on the right track. You may consider regularly visiting graveyards to keep the memory of this ultimate reality fresh in your mind. As far as habits like masturbation are concerned talk to your inner self, remind yourself that soon a day is about to come when you will have to justify all your deeds before God all alone. Would you be able to justify your deeds before Him? If not, then it is high time you mended your ways. Remember, only purified souls will be allowed to enter Jannah and such deeds are against that very purification. As for the past, sincere repentance and " tawbah " will make you as innocent as a new born. The ups and downs of faith and deeds are a part of our life; you should begin with a life with a new enthusiasm, based on a rejuvenated trust in God's mercy. Regards, Siddiq Bukhary May 26, 2003