A prayer is a form of worship done with the body, consisting of certain words and actions. It is obligatory for every Muslim, male and female.[1] It is the essential principle of Islam after the shahadah[2] used to enter Islam.[3]
There are many verses in the Quran that express the importance of prayer. Some of them are: ” O my dear son! Establish prayer, encourage what is good and forbid what is evil, and endure patiently whatever befalls you. Surely this is a resolve to aspire to.” [4] “My Lord! make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication!” [5]
Angel Gabriel (AS) taught Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to make wudu and pray. Muhammad (PBUH) taught his wife, one of the first Muslims, Khadija. He showed Khadija what he had learned. In the early days of Islam, prayers were performed twice, in the morning and evening. However, the Miʿraj event extended the prayer five times [6].[7]
According to the religion of Islam, the worship of prayer purifies the soul from spiritual impurities and ugliness.[8]
In the Qur’an, those who do not understand the importance of prayer and pray for other reasons, not because Allah has ordered them, have been criticized.[9]
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Prayer is the pillar of religion,” and the state of prostration in prayer is the closest time one can be to Allah.[10]
Islam stated that minor sins committed by those who perform their five daily prayers would be forgiven.[11]
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said about the five daily obligatory prayers like the river flowing in front of a person’s door and compared praying to bathe in this river five times a day. He stated that no dirt will remain in a person who bathes in this river five times and that Allah will erase the sins of those who consistently perform their five daily prayers.[12]
According to Islam, leaving one’s prayer without an excuse is a great sin. Allah has expressed this situation in the Qur’an: “Then, after them, came a generation that did not pray anymore and followed their desires. Of course, they will be punished for their transgressions.” [13] “Who will be in Gardens, asking one other about the wicked [Who will then be asked]: What has landed you in Hell? They will answer, “We were not of those who prayed.” [14]
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated that prayer is the first thing Muslims will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment.[15]
Those who perform prayers in the way Allah wills will attain salvation in the hereafter is stated in the Qur’an as follows:
“Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves prayer.” [16] Coming into the presence of Allah with prayers five times a day, a person knows that Allah is watching him at all times and everywhere and that he is not alone; Despite the hardships he has experienced, he can maintain the awareness that his return is to Allah.
It is stated in the Qur’an that prayer has a feature that protects people from all kinds of evil: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Undoubtedly, [genuine] prayer should deter [one] from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is [an] even greater [deterrent]. And Allah [fully] knows what you [all] do.” [17]
Performing the obligatory prayer without interruption also accustoms the person to be disciplined, focus on his mind, and live an orderly life. Performing the prayers in congregation (behind an imam) also reinforces the shared values of Muslims to be servants to Allah, regardless of race, language, color, or status.[18]
[1] An’aam, 92; Al-Muminoon, 9; Al-Ma’aarij, 35.
[2] “Ashadu an la ilaha illa illa-ilah, wa ashadu anna muhammadan rasul ullah. (I testify that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger).”
[3] Muslim, Faith (Iman), 137.
[4] Luqman, 17.
[5] Ibrahim, 40.
[6] Fajr (Morning), Duhr (Noon), Asr, Maghrib (Evening), Isha.
[7] Muslim, Faith (Iman), 259.
[8] Baqarah, 43, 83, 110, 277.
[9] Al-Maa’un, 5.
[10] Muslim, Salat, 215.
[11] Hud, 114.
[12] Sahih Bukhari, Mawaqit as-Salat, 6.
[13] Maryam, 59.
[14] Al-Muddaththir, 40-43.
[15] Abu Dawud, Salat, 144- 145.
[16] Al-Muminoon, 1-2.
[17] Al-Ankaboot, 45.
[18] “When there is more than one person, prayer should be performed in congregation.” Bukhari, Adhan, 49; Muslim, Masâjid, 26.