On the death of Imam Ja’fer As-Sadiq (pbuh), Abu Baseer – a
companion of Imam came to offer his condolences to Umme
Hamida (Imam’s wife). Both wept remembering Imam.
Umme Hamida then narrated something that had happened
in the last moments of the life of Imam.
She said that he asked for all his relatives to be present. After
they had all gathered there, Imam addressed them and said
his last words,
“Those who take salaa lightly will never gain our shafa’at
(intercession)”.
Imam did not speak of those who ignore salaa altogether, for
the consequence of this is obvious. What does ‘taking salaa
lightly’ mean? It means that in spite of having time and opportunity,
one postpones salaa until it is just getting qadha or
prays quickly without giving the mind and soul the necessary
tranquillity obtained through praying.
Excellent Stories Vol 1