Importance of Salah

Salah is amongst the many forms of worship conducted in Islam. Fasting, zakat, voluntary charity, performance of the pilgrimage, reciting the Qur’aan etc are all part of worship. However amidst all these acts of worship, salah is regarded as the highest form of them all; it is also the only act of worship that is required to be performed on a daily basis.

Salah is the second pillar of Islam, making it the corner stone of the Islamic faith. An invitation to salvation and a ladder of ascension to reach the nearness of Allaah, an act that was commanded to and carried out by all the prophets of Islam.

In Surah Ta Ha, Allaah instructed Musa (alayhis salam)

‘And I have chosen you, so listen to that which is inspired to you. Verily, I am Allaah! There is none worthy of worship but I, so worship Me and offer prayer perfectly for My remembrance.” [Ta-Ha 20:13-4].

Similarly the prayers where made obligatory to Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) on the night journey al-isra al-miraj. It is the only act of worship which Allaah Himself communicated to the prophet Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) without an intermediary. This alone signifies and illustrates the importance of salah in Islam. Addressing the community of Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam), Allaah says

‘Enjoin prayer on your people and be constant therein. We ask you not to provide sustenance; We provide it for you…’ [Ta-Ha 20:132].

So vital is its practice to the faith, prophet Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) demonstrated salah on the mimbar and after that addressed the congregation saying:

‘O’ people I have only done this for you to follow me, and learn my form of salah’ (Sahih Al Bukhari)

Salah is a defining characteristic of the believer, in surah Baqarah, Allaah says:

‘the pious who believe in the unseen, attend to prayer, give charity part of what We have granted them.’ [Al-Baqarah 2:3]

Thus belief in Allaah is demonstrated in the practice of salah. Imperativeness of salah in the sight of Allaah is so profound. For salah is the distinguishing perimeter for true belief in Allaah. Allaah says,

‘Shall we then treat the believers the same as the sinners? What is the matter with you that you should judge so ill?’ [Al-Qalam 68: 35-36].

For those who observe their salah are the inheritors and the inhabitants of paradise. Allaah says,

‘And they who carefully maintain their prayers-Those are the inheritors. Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally.’ [Al-Mu’minoon 23:9-11].

For an instance, let us consider a person who took on a role as a teacher but did not impart any knowledge, can they still be regarded as a teacher? The answer is no, same for salah, a person who convicts to the teachings of Islam must carry out its fundamental commands, in order to enjoy the title of being a Muslim; this is much stressed in the Qur’aanic ayah [Al-Baqarah 2:3] as true obedience to God requires the regular performance of salah- for it is inter-woven with belief in Allaah and it is the only means by which a servant may attain nearness to his Lord, Allaah says:

‘..prostrate and draw near to Allaah’[Al-Alaq 96:19].

The prayer has its prescribed time,

‘Prayer is prescribed for believers at fixed times.’ [An-Nisa 4:103],

This distinguishes the believers, for they leave the worldly matters to glorify and obey God, and it acts as a system of development of sound mindedness, discipline, humility and punctuality; all of which are fundamental for every sphere of human activity. Furthermore intimate aspect of salah lays in direct contact with God, without any barrier in between, allowing supplication to the One in Whose hand lay all power, gives the worshipper hope and joy in relating internal matters to God. Thus, sparing the worshipper the pangs of despair and uplifting the spirit to joy and hope. The salah contains an excellent provision for the nourishment of the soul thus providing for it a most valuable defence against the inroads of materialism and God-negligence.

Correct performance of salah and consistency therein facilitates good conduct. Allaah says,

‘Verily the prayer keeps one away from great sin and evil deeds.’ [Al-Ankabut 29:45].

Thus salah acts as a means of moral training for Muslims. Allaah says,

‘Attend to your prayers morning and evening and at the approach of night, for good deeds shall make amends for sins. That is an admonition for thoughtful people.’ [Hud 11:114].

It is a known fact that human beings are prone to make mistakes and fall into error. To amend damage caused by our fickle nature; salah is of paramount significance to ensure the smooth consistency of moral righteousness. Prophet Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said,

‘Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer’ (related by Muslim).

Moreover, salah is the manifestation of the true worship of God, obedience; fear and salvation are all elements of salah which the worshiper seeks throughout their life. Significant aspect of salah lay’s in striving to acquire true love for Allaah and longing for Him. This can only be expressed in the successful accomplishment of salah; completed in humility and sincere devotion. Salah is the hope which empowers the heart of the worshipper to actively seek salvation with form and heart, by enshrouding oneself in the garment of humility and sincerity before All- Mighty Allaah, since no barrier or interpreter is required to converse with Allaah during salah, one is able to develop and establish an intimate lasting relationship with God, which is fruitful and beneficial, a unique bond. As the Qur’aan says

‘Pray to Him with fear and longing (in your hearts): For the Mercy of Allaah is near to those who do good.’ [Al-‘Araf 7:56].

Therefore salah is a means by which man can request and receive God’s help.

Salah is a continuous reminder of God’s bounty to mankind; it is a means of attaining piety and taqwa. By leaving worldly activities for the sake of Allaah; the worshipper cuts himself from the worldly life and engages in a spiritual level of remembering God and seeking His Forgiveness. These actions remind one of the day when we shall account for all our deeds, regarding this the prophet Muhammad (salallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) said,

‘The first of his deeds which the slave will be asked is his salah’ (recorded by: Ahmed, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud and others)

Because, Allaah has extolled the virtue of salat in the Qur’aan as well as honouring and exalting those who perform it by singling it out as a virtuous act, it is regarded as the loftiest of deeds, Allaah says,

‘Certainly will the believers have succeeded; they who are during their prayer humble and submissive. [Al-Mu’minoon 23:1-2].

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