Salah is the second most important part of Islam after Tawheed and Risalat. Salah is a spiritual and physical act of worship that is obligatory upon every adult male and female Muslim five times a day. Just as the body needs physical necessities such as food and water, the soul has spiritual needs. The needs of the soul are obtained by acts of worship, the most significant of which is Salah. Without worship, it could be that a person’s body is healthy but that person is spiritually dead. Salah contains a lot of rewards as well as benefits of this world and hereafter. Allah addresses several times to offer namaz. Allah says: “ Establish prayer and give Zakat(regular charity) and bow down with those who bow down”. [Quran 2:43].
A pillar of Islam:
Salah(Prayer) is the second most important pillar of Islam and it is the most regular obligatory act of a Muslim’s life. We only fast one month a year, pay Zakat once a year and perform Hajj only once a lifetime. However, Salah is a task that should be performed at least five times a day, regardless of the circumstances. Allah did not exempt Muslims from praying during the war. Allah says: “Observe all the Salah(prayer) and especially the middle Salah (Salah Aser) and stand before Allah with politeness.” [Quran 2:238]
Guarantee of Paradise:
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that Allah says: “ I have made Salah obligatory for your ummah. And I have made it my duty that whoever performs these five prayers at the proper time, it is my responsibility to send him to Paradise. Anyone who does not observe them, I am not responsible for them”. [Abu Dawud]
Allah helps through Salah
Offering salah regularly brings salvation in the Hereafter. But, even in this world, a lot of benefits come together because of it. Anxiety goes away, peace and comfort are found. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) always offered Salah in worries and troubles. Sayyiduna Hudhayfah (RA) reported that “ Whenever the Prophet (SAW) faced a serious problem, he turned post-haste to Salah”. [Abu Dawud]
Direct communication with Allah:
Abu Hurairah narrates that Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “ The servant comes closer to his Lord when he prostate”. Through Salah, you are able to communicate with Allah SWT. Salah is an Arabic word meaning “connection.” The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “When one of you stands up for Salah. So he is talking to his Lord, so pay attention to how He speaks to Him. Don’t cut this relationship between yourself and your Creator”.
Wipes away the sins:
Salah itself is a good deed that wipes away evil deeds. This point can be understood in the following hadith. Once Prophet(SAW) asked the people: “ If a person had a river in front of his home and he took bath in it five times a day. Do you assume he would have any dirt left on him?” The people said, “No dirt would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (SAW) then said, “That is like the five daily Salah: Allah wipes away the sins by them”. [al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Unites the Muslims:
When prayers are offered in the congregation, it promotes brotherhood, equality and humility among Muslims. The worshipers(Namazi) stand in a line, shoulder to shoulder, without difference of race, nationality, color, wealth, family or status, and pray together as one body. This process of unity helps to break down all barriers between men. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Salah(prayer) in congregation is better than offering Salah(prayer) alone by twenty-seven degrees.”
Success lies in the Prayer:
The Prophet (SAW) said: “The first of his matter for which a man will be called to account( virtue/sins) on the Day of Resurrection will be the Salah. If it is found to be good, he will be safe and successful. But if it is bad, he will be unfortunate and sad.”
Conclusion:
In the end, I conclude that Salah has great importance in Islam. Salah is a direct communication of man with Allah. Moreover, Salah has a lot of benefits in this world as well hereafter. Despite Salah has very important in Islam, it is sad fact that many Muslims don’t offer it properly. Muslims should offer their Salah on time so that Allah Almighty’s countless blessings can achieve.
