The Importance of Daayemi Salah (Perpetual Prayer) and Why Allah Is Not Said to Be with the Worshipper – In Light of the Qur'an and Hadith

 

In Islam, salah (prayer) is the most important medium of communication with Allah. However, it is not merely a ritual limited to bowing (ruku) and prostration (sujood); rather, salah is a continuous (daayemi) state, which should be reflected permanently in a person's lifestyle.

Even figures like Ibn Ziyad, Marwan, Anas ibn Nakhai (aka Simar), and Yazid used to offer prayers. Many companions, and even hypocrites like Muawiyah, performed salah. Due to the broad-mindedness of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama'ah, Muawiyah has been accorded the status of a companion. Their form of salah often gave the impression of “sweet fakirs.”

Harun al-Rashid, Ma’mun, Mansur, and Mutawakkil also offered prayers. On the other hand, the blessed progeny of the Prophet (pbuh) also performed salah: Mawla Ali, Fatimah al-Zahra, Imam Hasan, Imam Husayn, Imam Zayn al-Abidin, Imam Ali Akbar, Imam Ali Asghar, Imam Qasim, Imam Baqir, Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, Imam Musa Kazim, and Imam Ali Rida. Also, Imam Ali al-Taqi, Imam Ali al-Naqi, and Imam Hasan al-Askari. Ghaus al-Azam and Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz also offered prayers. So, everyone prays.

The Significance of Daayemi Salah in the Qur'an

1. Command for Continuous Prayer:

“Those who are constant in their prayer.”
— (Surah Al-Ma’arij, Ayah 23)
Here, the word "Daa’imoon" implies those who not only pray at appointed times but maintain the spirit, mindset, and impact of prayer in every state of life.

Upon researching the Qur'an, it appears that the concept of perpetual or daayemi prayer is specifically mentioned in Surah Ma’arij, Ayah 23. However, nowhere in the Qur'an is it stated that Allah is with the one who prays (musalli). For instance, the Qur’an says:

"Indeed, Allah is with the patient." (إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ)
But there is no verse that says:
"Indeed, Allah is with those who pray." (إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَ الْمُصَلِّينَ)

Allah is with the patient, the God-fearing (muttaqeen), the righteous (muhsineen), and the believers (mu'mineen). However, it does not state that He is with the mere “mu’min” (those who claim faith or say "amanu") without qualification.

This raises a mysterious question: Why is Allah not said to be with the one who performs salah (prayer)?

Qur'anic Reference for Daayemi Salah:

In Surah Al-Ma’arij (70:17–23, 34), it is stated:

"It will call he who turned back and turned away. And collected wealth and hoarded it. Indeed, man was created anxious: When evil touches him, he is impatient. And when good touches him, he withholds [it]. Except the observers of prayer—those who are constant in their prayer. And those who guard their prayers."

Explanation:
This verse clearly mentions continuous prayer (daayemi salah). Human nature is restless, always drawn toward wealth, pride, jealousy, slander, and gossip. It does not easily incline toward Allah, the Prophet, the Ahlul Bayt, or spiritual mentors. Only true worshippers can discipline the self (nafs)—because they remain in a state of continuous connection with Allah through daayemi salah and guard their prayers sincerely.

2. Offering Salah Is Not Enough:

“So woe to those who pray, but are heedless of their prayer.”
— (Surah Al-Ma’un, Ayah 4–5)

This refers to those who perform salah but fail to establish a deep spiritual connection, thus making them not true worshippers.

Hadith References on Daayemi Salah

1. Salah and Closeness to Allah:

“Allah says: My servant continues to draw near to Me with voluntary acts of worship until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees...”
— (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 6502)

This hadith shows that the ultimate goal of prayer is spiritual proximity to Allah, achievable only through a daayemi (constant) state.

2. Daayemi Salah Is Lifelong Awareness:

“Worship Allah as though you see Him. Even if you do not see Him, know that He sees you.”
— (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 8)

This hadith defines ihsan, the highest level of worship consciousness, which is the very essence of daayemi salah.

A Special Verse: Surah Al-A'raf, Ayah 206

“Indeed, those who are near your Lord are not too proud to worship Him. They glorify Him and to Him they prostrate.”

This implies that the beings close to Allah are in constant tasbih and sujood. According to Nur Nabi (pbuh), perpetual prayer is superior to time-bound prayer.

Why Is Allah Not Said to Be with the Worshipper?

Many people pray regularly, yet their character, business practices, and behavior contradict Islamic values. Why?

“Indeed, prayer restrains from immorality and wrongdoing.”
— (Surah Al-Ankabut, Ayah 45)

If prayer does not prevent one from evil deeds, it becomes mechanical prayer, not daayemi prayer. A true worshipper is one whose mind, tongue, and actions reflect the spirit of salah.

Conclusion

Daayemi salah is a living connection, a continuous remembrance of Allah that operates 24/7. Simply offering salah does not mean Allah is with you—Allah is with those who are truly immersed in Him through sincere, living prayer.

Let us not just be performers of prayer, but become followers of daayemi salah—those whose lives are built upon constant awareness, discipline, and divine closeness.