Explanation of a Hadeeth about Prayer
20-9-2003 | IslamWeb
Question:
Please go through the following Hadith: Abdullah bin Umar and Ibn Aas (R.A) narrated: 'One day while telling about prayer Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "For the person who adheres to the prayer, on the Day of Resurrection prayer will become a means for his Nur (light), Burhan (proof) and Nijat (salvation). For the person who doesn't adhere to it, there will be no Nur, no Burhan and no Nijat. Also on the day of resurrection he will be (resurrected) with Qaroon, Firoun, Hamaan and Ubay bin Khalaf". [Ibn Hibban, Ahmed, Darmi]. My question is: (1) What is meant by Nur, Burhan and Nijat and (2) Who are Hamaan and Ubay bin Khalaf.
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
Imam Ahmad reported in his Musnad (a Hadeeth book) that the Prophet talked about the prayer and said: “He who establishes regular prayer, his prayer will be turned into light, proof, and salvation on the Day of Judgement. Whereas he who neglects it, he will be deprived from light, proof, and salvation, and will be with Qaroon (Korah), Fir'awn (Pharaoh), Haman (Pharaoh's minister), and Ubay Ibn Khalaf (one of the fiercest enemies of Islam in its early days). [This Hadeeth is judged as Hasan (acceptable) by al-Arna'oot]
What is meant by "his prayer will be turned into light" is that his prayer will be a barrier or a shield from sins and acts of disobedience. It will guide him to the truth in the same way light guides man in the darkness of the night. It was also said that what is meant by this is that his prayer will give him light in his face in this life and in the Hereafter, contrary to the one who does not pray. What is meant by "proof" is that prayer is a proof of belief for the believer in this life and a true proof for him on the Day of Judgement. If he is to be asked about it (prayer) on the Day of Recompense, he will say: “I did establish prayer.” As for the meaning of “salvation”, his prayer will be a cause for his salvation from the Punishment of Allah on the Day of Judgement. It is, at the same time a means of salvation in the present life, for it protects and saves his blood (gives his life sanctity and immunity against being killed unjustifiably), and entitles him to all the rights given to Muslim people in the Muslim society where Tawheed (Monotheism/worshipping Allah Alone) reigns supreme.
Allah knows best.