The Prized Gift from Mi’raaj
Allah Ta’ala bestowed Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam the grand rank of Mi’raaj. This was indeed a privilege given to no one else. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was so close to Allah Ta’ala that even Jibreel Alaihi Salaam was not permitted there. At this point of nearness Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam asked Allah Ta’ala that his Ummah also be given a similar honour of nearness to Him. Thus the gift of Salaah five times a day was given to this Ummah.
We could never hope to ascend the seven heavens into the higher world and up to Sidratul Muntaha. But by virtue of the Dua of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam we are granted the Mi’raaj when we prostrate. This is why it is said: "Salah is the Mi’raaj of the believers."
A man is not as near to Allah in any situation as he is in prostration in Salaah. When a person prostrates before Allah Ta’ala, his entire body, every part of his being, is submitting to Allah.
There is no worship more pleasant than Salaah and there is no better way to attain nearness to Allah. Anas Radiyallahu Anhu narrates that Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam once said: “Perfume and women have been made beloved to me and the coolness of my eyes(my source of comfort and joy) has been kept in Salaah.” {Hayatus Sahaba V 3/P131}
While returning from a campaign, Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam happened to halt for the night at some place. He inquired: "Who would keep watch over the camp this night?" Ammar bin Yasir of the Mu-hajirin and Abbaad bin Bishr Radiyallahu Anhuma of the Ansar offered their services. Both of them were posted to watch from a hill-top against any possible night attack by the enemy.
Abbaad Radiyallahu Anhu said to Ammar Radiyallahu Anhu: "Let us keep watch and sleep turn by turn. In the first half of the night I shall keep awake, while you go to sleep. In the next half, you may keep watch while I go to sleep."
Ammar Radiyallahu Anhu agreed and went to sleep, and Abbaad Radiyallahu Anhu started his Salaah. An enemy scout made him out in the dark from a distance, and fired an arrow at him. Seeing that he made no movement, he shot another and still another arrow at him. Abbaad Radiyallahu Anhu drew out and threw away each arrow as it struck him, and at last awakened his companion. The enemy fled when he saw them both together, fearing that there might be many more of them. Ammar Radiyallahu Anhu noticed Abbaad Radiyallahu Anhu bleeding from three places. He said: "Subhanallah! Why did you not awake me earlier?"
Abbaad Radiyallahu Anhu replied: "I had started reciting Surah 'Kahf in my Salah. I did not like to cut it short, but when I was struck by the third arrow, I was greatly concerned that my death might jeopardize the safety of the Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. I therefore finished the Salah and awakened you. If it was not this fear, I would not have gone into Ruku' before finishing the Surah even if I had been killed." {Suwarum Min Haytus Sahaba}
Look at the devotion of the Sahaba Radiyallahu Anhu to Salaah and their love to. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam One arrow after another is piercing Abbaad Radiyallahu Anhu’s body and he is bleeding profusely, but is not prepared to sacrifice the pleasure of reciting the Qur'an in his Salah.
We may never be able to attain this condition in our Salaah. However, the minimum requirement is that we focus our thoughts from the beginning to the end of our Salaah.