Importance of Salah in Islam

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Importance of Salah in Islam


Allah (SWT) has said in the Noble Qur'an: "I have not created the jinn and humankind for any other purpose except that they should worship Me." (Noble Qur'an 51:56)

It is clear from the above verse of Noble Qur'an that the purpose of our birth and of our life is no other than that of the worship of Allah (SWT). There are many acts of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat) in Islam, and Salah is one of the most important obligatory acts.

Salah (Salat, Namaz) is the ritual prayer practiced by Muslims in supplication to Allah (SWT). The term is commonly used to refer to the five daily prayers, which are compulsory upon all mature Muslims. Salah (Salat, Namaz) is considered the most important act of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat) in Islam and its importance is such that under very few circumstances it can be omitted.

Salah (Salat, Namaz) strengthens the foundations of our faith. It prepares a person to live the life of goodness and obedience to Allah (SWT), and it builds courage and determination. Every time we perform Salah, we renew our commitments to Allah (SWT) and we rid ourselves from worldly pressures five times a day.

According to a Hadith a companion of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) came to him one day and asked him "What is the thing that Allah (SWT) loves most?" Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied "The thing that Allah (SWT) loves most is when his people pray Salah on time."

Salah (Salat, Namaz) is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah (SWT). Its importance has been emphasized about 500 times in the Noble Qur'an.

Once Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) shook a dry branch of a tree so that all of the leaves of the branch fell off than the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said "The sins of those who pray Salah, drop off as the leaves of this branch fell off."

Before Salah, we make Wudu. Wudu (Ablution) is a unique way of cleansing certain parts of our body so we are clean before bowing down to the one who created us, who created the universe the one and only Allah (SWT).

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) once asked his companions "Tell me if there was a river at the door step of one of you in which you washed five times a day would any of your dirt remain?" When Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received the reply that none of it would remain he then said "That is like the five times Salah, with which Allah (SWT) wipes out sin.

The last thing that Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) emphasized at his deathbed was Salah. He also said the first thing we will have to answer about on the day of judgement is Salah.

While in Salah one communicates with Allah (SWT) and experiences his presence. That's why a Hadith says: Salah is the Meraj of a Momin (Namaz is called as Meraj-ul-Momineen).

The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) also said "The key to Heaven is Salah. The key to Salah is Purification."

"Namaz is a pillar of Religion. If Namaz is accepted all other deeds are accepted. If Namaz is rejected then all other Deeds are rejected." (Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)

Sayings on Salah (Salat, Namaz)


Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Almighty Allah (SWT) has set the light of my eyes in Salah (Salat, Namaz) and made it the most desirable thing for me, like the food for the hungry and the water for the thirsty. The hungry is contented after the meal and the thirsty is satisfied after drinking water. But my thirst for Salah (Salat, Namaz) is never quenched."

Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said: "Everything has a face and the face of your religion is Salah (Salat, Namaz); none of you should stain the face of his religion."

Commander of the Believers Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (pbuh) said: "Almighty Allah (SWT) has ordained the obligation of faith for purification from polytheism and the obligation of Salah (Salat, Namaz) for refraining from pride and arrogance."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (pbuh) said: "The superiority of Salah (Salat, Namaz) performed in the earliest moments over the one offered in the last moments of its specified time is the same as the superiority of the Hereafter over this world."

Imam Jafar Sadiq (pbuh) said: "It is quite possible that a person lives for fifty years and not even a single prayer of his is accepted. Is there anything harder and more painful than this? There are some people ... whose prayers ... will not be accepted ... because they belittle Salah (Salat, Namaz), while nothing but good is admitted to Almighty Allah (SWT). How can Almighty Allah (SWT) accept that which is considered to be of little worth?"

Imam Ali bin Moosa Al Ridha (pbuh) said: "When it is time for Salah (Salat, Namaz), perform your prayers; you never know what will happen afterwards ... Nothing is dearer to Almighty Allah than Salah (Salat, Namaz). Worldly affairs must not detract you from the prayer timings. Do not delay your prayers (from the prescribed timings) for no reason. Always perform your Salah (Salat, Namaz) on its best time."

Imam Ali bin Moosa Al Ridha (pbuh) said: "When you are praying, avoid being drowsy, slumberous, playing and hastening. Pray with solemnity, gravity and soberness. It is up to you to remain attentive, humble and submissive in Almighty Allah's presence. Stand in front of your Lord as a slave appears before his master. Keep your feet in order and your stature firm. Do not look here and there. Be as if you could see Him; for, if you do not see Him, He sees you.

May ALlah(swt) guide us all and make us steadfast in our prayers...ameen
 
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