Second Pillar of Islam: Salah (Prayer)

Salah (Prayer) is the first pillar of Islam after the shadah, testifying that there is no God worthy of worship except Allah (SWT) and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His Messenger. The Muslims are obliged to offer their salah five times a day ⁽¹⁾. The Salah is one of the many types of worship in Islam. It is a practical sign of obedience of Allah (SWT). By doing so, the Muslims are always focused on their religious duties and never let worldly desires get in their ways to forget their Creator, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, and what He has provided to all mankind. Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an (interpretation of the meaning): "And He has subjected to you, as from Him, all that is in the heavens and on earth: behold in that are Signs indeed for those who reflect" [45:13]. Since we agree with the fact that our purpose of existence is to worship Allah (SWT), and Him alone, there must be a way to worship him. He (SWT) must have told us how to worship him. Otherwise, everyone would come up with their own ways. The Salah consists of physical actions: standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting. These actions are symbols of obedience, humbleness and gratefulness.

A Muslim turn his full focus and heart to Allah (SWT) by standing in fornt of Him while facing the qibla (the direction of prayer). This is indeed a sign of humbleness and defeat in front of Allah (SWT), the One True God worthy of worship. Salah also reminds Muslims of day of Judgement as all humans will stand in front of Allah (SWT) to answer what we did in this world. Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "And they will be marshalled before thy Lord in ranks (with the announcement), 'Now have ye come to Us (bare) as We created you first: aye, ye thought We shall not fulfil the appointment made to you to meet (Us)!' And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say 'Ah! woe to us! what a book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!' They will find all that they did, placed before them: and not one will thy Lord treat with injustice" [18: 48-49]. Salah also makes us acknowledging our shortcomings and weaknesses in front of the all-Powerful Lord, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, who is Most-Perfect. When a Muslims bows he says: “How perfect is my Lord, the Most Great”. Then when a Muslim prostrates, placing his head on to the ground, it is an extreme sign and the end result of humbleness and gratefulness. Whilst in this position a Muslim says: “How perfect is my Lord, the Most High”. The salah constantly reminders everyone, whether a poor or rich, black or white, that we need to submit ourselves to one true God, and we are powerless without His help, mercy and blessings.

The five daily prayers have many benefits for humans. For example, the ablution ⁽²⁾ keeps a Muslim physically clean for the whole day. In Islam, there is great emphasize on cleanliness and keeping yourself pure from any kind of impurity. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "Cleanliness is one-half of faith". The salah must be performed during their specified times; therefore, it developes self-discipline in people. For men, the salah must be pefromed in congregation. In congregation, the Muslims stand side by side and thus it creates unity among people in the community. The salah also keeps people away from shameful and unjust deeds as Allah (SWT) says (interpretation of the meaning): "Verily, prayer prevents from shameful and unjust deeds" [29:45].

Other Kinds of Prayers

Beside the five daily prayers, thee are other prayers which are offered collectively. The Juma'h (Firday) prayer is performed every week and Juma'h is as minor celebration day for Muslims. There are two 'Eid (celebration) prayers, 'Eid ul-Fitr and 'Eid ul-Adha'. The 'Eid prayers are performed after sunrises and it is obligatory upon everyone. 'Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated when the month of Ramdan (Fasting month) ends and 'Eid ul-Adha' is celebrated after the day of hajj (pilgrimage). Muslims also perform collective prayers at the occasion of lunar eclipse, when the rain stops and when a person dies, the funeral prayer.

wallahu a'lam (and Allah knows best)

Footnotes:

(1) The five daily prayers are performed at dawn, afternoon, late afternoon (couple of hours before sunset), sunset, night (couple of hours after sunset).

(2) This consists of washing the hands, the face, the mouth, the nose, the arms and elbows, wiping over ones head, and washing the feet and ankles.