1. Salah is an act of worship:
It is not a custom. It is not a ritual.
It is very special. It has no equal.
It has no alternative.
There are no excuses,
even when you are ill,
on a journey or even in a war.
2. Salah is the second and most important pillar of Islam.
3. Salah is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah. It is the practical proof of our faith in Allah and Islam.
4. Salah is the only distinction between a Mo’min and a non-Mo’min.
5. Salah reminds you of Allah (SWT), when you get up in the morning, it reminds you three more times when you are busy during the day, and once again before you go to bed.
6. Salah is a direct contact or link between the worshipper and Allah with no earthly intermediaries. It is the Me’raaj of a Mo’min.
7. Salah builds a strong defense against evils which exist around us. It is said in the Holy Qur’an that, surely, Salah keeps you away from indecency and evil. This is why the prayer is described as “remembrance” to Allah (SWT).
8. Salah wipes out our sins: Prophet Muhammad (SAAWS) once asked his companions “Tell me if there was a river at the door step of one of you in which you washed 5 times a day would any of your dirt remain?” When he received the reply that none of it would remain he then said “That is like the 5 times Salah, with which Allah (SWT) wipes out sin.
9. Salah was the last will of the Prophet (SAAWS). As his soul departed he said with his last breaths: As-Salah, As-Salah.
10. Salah is the first thing that a person is judged by on the Day of Judgement. If it was good, the rest of all his deeds will be good. But if it was poor, the rest of all his deeds will be poor.
Concept about prayer
Prayer is the basis of all good actions. Below are quoted two passages of the Quran, both of which list a number of good actions. Prayer comes before and after all good actions:-
Quran says:
(But after them there followed future generations who lost the Prayers and followed after lusts. Soon, then, will they face destruction)
(S19, A59).
And establish regular prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger, that you may receive mercy]
(S24, A56)
[And be steadfast in prayer; give zakah and bow down your heads with those who bow down 'in worship] (S2, A43)
[They are those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give zakah, enjoin the right and forbid the wrong. With Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs]
(S22, A41)
The Prophet (SAAWS) also says when you witness a person that regularly attends to the mosque for prayers it is a testimony of his faith.
[The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by those who believe in Allah and the Last day, and establish regular prayer] (S9, A18)
Allah almighty says:
"Say (O Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) to mankind): 'If you (really) love Allah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins.' And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (3:31)
"Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness. And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehoods and all that Allah has forbidden). And those who pay the Zakat. And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts). Except from their wives or (the captives and slaves) that their right hands possess, -for then, they are free from blame. But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors. Those who are faithfully true to their trusts and to their covenants. And those who strictly guard their Salat (five compulsory congregational prayers at their fixed stated hours). These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever."
Surah al-Muminun (23:1-11)
Verily, man (disbeliever) was created very impatient; irritable (discontented) when evil touches him; and niggardly when good touches him. Except those devoted to Salat (prayers), those who remain constant in their Salat (prayers), and those in whose wealth there is a known right, for the beggar who asks, and for the unlucky who has lost his property and wealth, (and his means of living has been straitened). And those who believe in the Day of Recompense, and those who fear the torment of their Lord. Verily! The torment of their Lord is that before which none can feel secure. And those who guard their chastity (ie, private parts from illegal sexual acts), except with their wives and the (women slaves and captives) whom their right hands possess, -for (then) they are not to be blames. But whosoever seeks beyond that, then it is those who are trespassers. And those who keep their trusts and covenants, and those who stand firm in their testimonies, and those who guard their Salat (prayers) well; such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise) honored."
Surah Al-Maarif: (70:19-35)
Allah Almighty says in the Quran:
"O you who believer! Seek help in patience and Salat (prayer). Truly! Allah is with the patient." (2:153)
In Hadiat:
Allah's Messenger Peace Be Upon Him once said:
"Prayer is the pillar of religion." (Al-Baihaqi)
The Prophet Peace Be Upon Him also said:
"Islam is erected on five pillars: to testify that there is no God but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger; to establish prayer; to pay Zakat; to perform Hajj to the Sacred House, and to fast in the month of Ramadan."
(Bukhari, Muslim)
The prayer is of such vital importance that the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him said:
"Verily, between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer." (Muslim)
Benifites of prayer
There is a great reward when Salah is offered in Jama’ah.
Salah gives us both Worldly and Spiritual benefits;
1. ISLAMIC EQUALITY:
In the congregation, rich and poor, high and low, all stand shoulder to shoulder. It is the best scene of mankind’s equality.
2. UNITY:
In this Salah all have one Niyyah, one language and identical actions. All kneel together, all go to Sajdah together.
This teaches us the lesson that we, as Muslims, should be united at all times.
3. LOVE AND CO-OPERATION:
People meet with one another in the Jama’ah Salah. They know the hardships and worries of one another and try to help each other. New things are known there. Mutual love develops. Circle of friendship is widened. We get an opportunity to perfect our life in the light of others experiences.
4. DISCIPLINE:
While offering Salah in Jamat we stand in rows, follow the Imam of Jama’ah and practice obedience to Allah, this forces discipline in us, which is the essential feature of a community’s life.
5. PRESTIGE OF ISLAM:
Our Mosques remain thriving – due to Salah in Jama’ah. It enhances the prestige of Muslims, and the Unity of Muslims affects greatly the enemies.
6. LIMITLESS REWARD:
Allah has put a big reward for Jama’ah Salah. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) has laid great emphasis on Jama’ah Salah.
Therefore we should offer Jama’ah Salah as often as possible. We should know also know that if there are more than 10 people in Jama’ah, then nobody can estimate its limitless reward except Allah.
My last point is that we must all strive to maintain and protect our mosque, for it is this establishment that will hopefully look after our children and their children. Please invest in this mosque, both financially and with your efforts.
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