[46]. Surah Al-Ahqaf [The Curved Sand Hills]: Ayat 003

৩. নভোমন্ডল, ভূ-মন্ডল ও এতদুভয়ের মধ্যবর্তী সবকিছু আমি যথাযথভাবেই এবং নির্দিষ্ট সময়ের জন্যেই সৃষ্টি করেছি।  আর কাফেররা যে বিষয়ে তাদেরকে সতর্ক করা হয়েছে, তা থেকে মুখ ফিরিয়ে নেয়।

Ayat 3. We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned.

Tafseer of Surah Al-Ahqaf Ayat 3. We created not the heavens and the earth and all between them but for just ends, and for a Term Appointed: But those who reject Faith turn away from that whereof they are warned. Cf. 45:22- Many things may appear to us in the present world as strange and inexplicable. But everything made by Allah has a just purpose which must be fulfilled. Nothing in this world is permanent: everything is for an appointed term. The Word of Allah alone abides. All else will pass away after it has fulfilled its purpose. But Unbelievers refuse to face the danger of which they are warned. 

Hazrat Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah  [SAWW](PBUH) said, "That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.''

[At-Tirmidhi Hadith # 2621]

Lesson: as mentioned above in Surah Al-Ahqaf Ayat 03. “those who disbelieve turn away from that whereof they are warned'” This Hadith makes the importance of Salat in Islam abundantly clear. The opinion of the Companions of the Prophet   [SAWW](PBUH) was based on the information contained in the Ahadith which have been mentioned above. They did not take the Ahadith which interpreted the leaving of Salat as Kufr mere scolding or reproof. They considered slackness and negligence in Salat as Kufr and apostasy and regarded Salat a symbol of Islam.