Understanding Salah (Prayer): Second Pillar of Islam
adminWhat is Salah (Prayer)?
One of the most fundamental acts of devotion in Islam (Salah) or (Salat) makes up the second pillar of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims worldwide must offer prayer five times a day. Muslims can have a direct interaction with Allah, the Great Creator, through Salah (prayer).
This consists of a given pattern of physical actions with recitations that include verses from the Holy Quran. These prayers are observed or performed at certain periods of the day:
- Fajr (Before sunrise)
- Dhuhr (At noon)
- Asr (Mid-Afternoon)
- Maghrib (Immediately after sunset)
- Isha (At night)
Salah is more than a ritual. It is rather an intense spiritual experience by which Muslims increase their nearness to Allah, seek guidance, and thank Allah. Salah is performed in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, which is considered Islam’s holiest site, and thus unifies and submits the will of Allah.
What does Salah mean?
The word “Salah” is derived from the Arabic root word “صلاة” (S-L-A), which means “prayer” or “blessing” In Islamic terminology, it refers specifically to a particular set of actions and recitations prescribed by the Shariah. Prayer is one of the five pillars of Islam, and its status can be gauged from the several verses in the Holy Quran urging and directing people toward this duty and its regularity.
One of the key verses that underline the importance of Salah is found in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43):
“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].”
The verse does not only make an injunction to the Muslims for the establishment of Salah but couples this act of worship or obedience with others like giving zakah.
Why is Salah Important?
There are many reasons why Prayer forms an important part of the religion of Islam:
Spiritual Resolve:
It is thus one of the reasons that prayer instills some forms of discipline into Muslims by organizing his/her day around the five daily prayers. This helps the practicing believer in keeping a constant consciousness and remembrance of Allah throughout the day.
Direct Communication with Allah:
Prayer is an act of worship in which a servant communicates with Allah directly. It means guidance, forgiveness, and gratitude; these are the things that Muslims ask for from Allah. Direct communication is part of the cardinal principles of the Islamic creed to testify to the proximity of Allah to His creation.
Faith and Accountability Reminder:
Salah offers constant reminders to the Muslims on faith and final accountability in Allah. Regular observation of prayer keeps the believer tied to religious obligations and responsibilities.
Community and Unity:
The congregational aspect of Prayer, more so in the congregational prayers done in mosques, arouses brotherhood in the hearts of Muslims. It is implemented such that all worshipers, regardless of their status or background, stand shoulder to shoulder and thus demonstrate equality and brotherhood in Islam.
Five Facts about Salah:
Detailed facts about Salah are below:
Five Daily Prayers:
Salah is performed five times a day at prescribed times: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. These times are determined per the position of the sun, and each prayer includes a certain number of units, rak’ahs.
Physical and Spiritual Components:
Salah contains a good amount of physical movements: standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting, all associated with specific recitations. These recitations include verses from the Holy Quran, different forms of praises of Allah, and personal supplications.
Congregational Prayers:
While Prayer can be performed individually, it is highly recommended to perform it in the congregation, especially for the Friday prayer (Jummah). Congregational prayers are typically held in mosques and led by an imam.
Ritual Purity:
Before offering Salah, the Muslim must be ritually pure. Ritual purity is obtained by ablution, which means washing some of the parts of the body. In the absence of water, one may purify with clean dust or sand, called Tayammum.
Importance in a Muslim’s Life:
Prayer occupies a central place in the daily life of a Muslim, and it is held to be a test of one’s faith and dedication to his creed. It is said that Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) has stated, “The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the Salah” (Sunan Ibn Majah).
