The Gift Of Salaat
Thereafter
the salaat was enjoined upon me. Daily, fifty salaat were made compulsory.
when I returned, I passed by Moosaa alayhis salaam. He inquired, "what have you been ordered
to do? ''I answered, "I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers." Moosaa
alayhis salaam said, "Your followers will not bear fitly salaat a day. I have tested people
before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israa’eel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask Him for a reduction (in the number of salaat) for your followers." I went back and Allah reduced this number
by ten. I then returned to Moosaa alayhis salaam but he repeated his earlier suggestion to me. (Rasulullah
sallallahu alayhi wasallam continued to heed the advice of Moosaa alayhis salaamand continually returned to Allah
Ta’aala to request reductions. when there remained only five salaat, Moosaa alayhis
salaam once again suggested that Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam should return and request a reduction. Nabi
sallallahu alayhi wasallam replied, "I have requested so much from My Lord that I feel ashamed (to ask for a
further decrease). However, I am now satisfied and I submit myself to Allah's order."
(Bukhaari)
In another narration it is reported that after the number of compulsory salaat were reduced to five, Allah Ta'aala said, "O Muhammad, there are five salaat daily, the reward of each being multiplied ten times.
Hence the reward (for performing five salaat) equals (the reward of) fitly salaat".