What is Salah? :

What Does Salah Mean ?

The second most significant pillar of Islam, after the shahada (testimony of faith), is the salah, a unique form of devotion. It is a type of prayer that is required to be done five times a day and was taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It was revealed in the Holy Qur’an.

Allah emphasizes the value of prayer in numerous verses throughout the Holy Quran. Here are two such verses:

But those who hold fast to the Book and establish prayer – indeed, We will not allow to be lost the reward of the pious.

Qur’an – Chapter 7, Verse 170

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.

Qur’an – Chapter 29, Verse 45

There are several bodily actions involved in the salah, including standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. Along with several dua, it also entails the reading of Arabic verses from the Holy Quran (supplications).

Every time a Muslim offers a prayer, they should face the Kaba, the Sacred House of Allah in Makkah. The purpose of these gestures, incantations, and bodily motions is to demonstrate humility and surrender to Allah.

Why do Muslims Pray Salah?

Muslims pray because they believe that worshiping Allah alone is the ultimate goal of life, which is why they pray at all. One of the first commands that Allah gave to Muhammad was to do salah (worship) as soon as he became a prophet.

The Holy Qur’an, according to Allah Almighty, states that the purpose of human creation was solely: to worship Him.

And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).

Qur’an – Chapter 51, Verse 56

The second pillar of Islam, the salah, is an essential component of a Muslim’s faith. The salah is one of the main distinctions between a Muslim and a non-Muslim.Our beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Between a man and polytheism and disbelief there stands his neglect of the prayer.”

Why Do Muslims Pray 5 Times a Day?

This is a frequently asked issue, and many people are unaware of the true origin of the number five. One of the first things taught to Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) when he became a Prophet at forty years old was how to pray. Allah sent Gabriel, also known as Jibreel, the angel, to instruct him in the sacraments of salah and wudu.

Eleven years after prophetic beginnings, Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) underwent a miracle voyage to the first heaven, escorted by the angel Gabriel. Allah gave him and the Muslims the special mandate to pray five times a day during this occasion. The Holy Qur’an describes this incident, and we also have reliable accounts from the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) stating that he made this travel.

Isra and Mi’raj is the complete account of the Prophet’s flight into paradise. We won’t get into the specifics of the long story here. But I will tell you the last portion of the story, the part where it says that you must pray five times a day. The Muslims would offer salah till that point in history, but there was no set number of times that was legislated.

Benefits of Salah

• We can communicate with Allah, our Creator and Sovereign Lord, directly through salah. Allah describes it as a conversation and exchange between Himself and His servant in a Hadith Qudsi. We can communicate directly with Allah through salah, bypassing any middlemen and intercessors. It gives us respect and does away with middlemen who devalue our spiritual worth.
• Since it distinguishes believers from non-believers, salah is the hallmark of faith.
• Salah is a beacon of light that guides us through the difficulties and ups and downs of life. It keeps us from giving in to temptations that lead us astray from our true calling in life. When we rise from the dead in the next world, it will be because of Salah’s effects that the light will radiate from our front, rear, right, and left, while others stumble around in fear and terror.
• Salah promises us heaven, sparing us the terrible destiny of despots such as Pharaoh, Nimrod, Qarun, Haman, and the wicked, who shall burn in hellfire for all eternity.
• As long as we abstain from the most significant sins, salah serves as a tool for atonement and redemption, helping to erase the little transgressions and errors we commit every day.
• Every step we take to enter the mosque for salah contributes to the eradication of sin and the elevation of our spiritual standing in Allah’s eyes.
• Teaching us to pray at the designated time also aids in time management, mindfulness, and productivity.
• Salah’s thoughtful performance keeps us from engaging in filthy or offensive behavior, which aids in the cleansing of our morals and character.
• Salah reminds us of our ultimate position before Allah on the Day of Reckoning, which instills in us a sense of accountability.
• Salah is a spiritual lift that strengthens our spirituality and guides us through the choppy waves of everyday life, which is full of hardships.

It makes sense that the Prophet (Peace And Blessings Be Upon Him) considered Salah to be the one thing in this world that brought him the most joy.

Conclusion

It fortifies your faith and motivates you to carry out more charitable activities. Muslims become closer to one another as a result of it, particularly when they pray together in a masjid. It is also a great way to relieve tension and anxiety.