What is Salah?
Salah means Islamic prayer. And it is the second pillar of Islam. The Islamic faith is based on the belief that individuals have a direct relationship with God. Salah can he performed alone; it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group. It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors; however it is recommended that Muslims perform salah in a mosque.
Important of Salah (Islamic Prayer)?
a). Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ
(العنكبوت:45)
Meaning in English:
Certainly does Salaah prevent great sin and evil deeds.
[Surah Al-Ankaboot (29):45]
b). Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ (المعارج: 34)
Meaning in English:
(such shall dwell in the gardens honored) [Surah Al-ma-‘ari: 34]
And,
أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ فِى جَنَّـٰتٍۢ مُّكْرَمُونَ (المعارج: 35)
Meaning in English:
(such shall dwell in the gardens honoured) [Surah Al-ma-‘arij: 35]
c). Anas bin-Malik (RA) said:
فرضت على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم الصلوات ليلة أسري به خمسي ثم نقصت حتى جعلت خمسا ثم نودي يا مَمد إنه لا يبدل القول لدي وإن لك بُذه الخمس خمسي
(رواه احَد والترمذي)
Meaning in English:
“salaah was made obligatory on the prophet () the night of His ascension to the heavens (israa & m’iraaj) 50 in number, But were reduced (several times) until they were 5. Then it was proclaimed: o mohammed, for there is no change In my order, for these 5 you will have 50 (in reward).”
(Collected by Ahmad & At-Tirmidhi)
d). Abu-Hurayrah reported that the messenger of Allah (SWT) said:
أرأيتم لو أن نهرا بباب أحدكم يغتسل منه كل يوم خمس مرات هل يبقى من درنه شيء قالوا لا يبقى من درنه شيء قال فذلك مثل الصلوات الخمس يمحو الله بُن الخطايا
(رواه البخاري ومسلم)
Meaning in English:
“what do you think if one of you had a river running past his door and he bathed in it 5 times a day, would any dirt remain on him?” They replied: “no dirt would remain on him.” The (the prophet) said: “likewise is the 5 times of salaah by which Allah erases sins.”
(Collected by Bukhari & Muslim)
e). Abu-Hurayrah reported that the messenger of Allah (SWT) said:
أول ما يُاسب به العبد يوم القيامة من عمله صلاته فإن صلحت فقد أفلح وأنجح وإن فسدت فقد خاب وخسر
(الترمذي وابن ماجه)
Meaning in English:
“The first thing a person will be taken to account for on the day of judgement from his deeds will be his salaah. If it is satisfactory, he will be successful and pass. And if it is not satisfactory, he will have failed and lost.”
(collected by at-tirmidhi & ibn-maaja)
f). Buraidah reported that the prophet (SAW) said:
العهد الذي بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفر
(رواه الترمذي)
Meaning in English:
“What is between us and them is Salaah. Whoever abandons it has disbelieved.”
(collected by At-Tirmidhi)
May Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) accept all our good deeds and help us in the cause, forgive our mistakes and make us amongst the Muntaqeen & By His Mercy make us all Inhabitants of Jannah. Ameen ya rabbal’alameen.
Jazakkallahu khairan!
