The Importance of Salah

* This is an entry for the June Blog of the Month Competition

Prayer is one of the central elements of Islamic practice. Indeed, it is the 2nd of the five pillars of Islam. As a Muslim we believe that there is none worthy of worship except Allah (SWT) alone yet when it comes to following HIS (SWT) commands of offering prayers five times a day, we’ll throw our hands up and wonder about the time this must take we forget the purpose of our creation as in the Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says:

“And I did not create man…except to worship Me Alone”
(Quran 51:56)

Prayer is first and foremost response to this divine directive to worship Allah (SWT).Prayer is also called “SALAH” .one of the origin of Salat is root word “silat” which means “connector “or “contact” as it connects the servant with HIS Creator. Prayer at fixed times serves as a reminder of why we are here and helps to direct a person onto the remembrance of Allah (SWT).

Once a man asked the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ abut the most virtuous deed. He ﷺ stated the most virtuous deed is prayer. Then asked again and again and for the first three times, The Prophet ﷺ answered.” THE PRAYER,” then on the fourth occasion He ﷺ stated, “Jihad in the way of Allah (SWT)”

The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many of the Prophet’s ﷺ statements, i.e. The Prophet ﷺ alleged,

“The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is prayer. If it is sound, the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is incomplete, then rest of his deeds will be incomplete “

In reality, the prayer that is performed properly with true remembrance of Allah (SWT) will have a lasting effect on the person. IT gives you peace and tranquility. It fills your heart with the love of Allah (SWT) and you will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein you disobey ALLAH (SWT). Furthermore, it should also be a time of remorse and repentance, such that he earnestly asks Allah (SWT) for forgiveness for those sins that he committed. The Messenger ﷺ of Allah (SWT)said,

“God has obligated five prayers. Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, prays them in their proper times, complete their bows, prostrations, and khushu has a promise from God the He will forgive him. In addition, whoever does not do that has no provided from God. He may either forgive him or punish him”

So make a habit of praying five times a day. In the times of hardship, pain, and loss the temporary comforts we seek, all of them always break us again. But the thing which is going to help us out to come out of this is our prayer! As the Quran says

“And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed. it is difficult except for the humbly submissive to Allah (SWT)”
(Quran 2:45)

- Mariyum Ijaz (Class of 2017)