Salah is the second pillar of Islam. The daily 5 prayers of Islam, symbolize a believer's submission to Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and serve as a public display of their commitment to Islam. This pillar holds immense significance, ranking after the Shahada. It is through this regular practice that Muslims acknowledge their dependence on Allah and their need for spiritual nourishment, seeking guidance, and seeking forgiveness.
What is Salah in Islam? – The Second Pillar
The obligation to perform the 2nd pillar of Islam is one of the most emphasized duties in Islam. Muslims, regardless of their gender, are required to perform these prayers diligently and sincerely at their designated times.
Before each prayer, Muslims must perform ablution (Wudu), a mandatory act of washing. It is essential to perform ablution correctly. After this the major question that arises is “what are the times to pray in Islam” The five daily namaz are known as Fajar (before sunrise), Zohar (midday, after the sun's highest point), Asr (evening), Maghrib (evening, after sunset), and Isha (night). It is crucial to observe the prayers at their specified times. Through these prayers, Muslim nurtures their connection with Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ, constantly remembers Him, and remains clear of sins.
The Quran and Hadiths mention numerous virtues of offering prayers and severe punishments for neglecting it. Therefore, the 9th verse of Surat al-Munafiqun in Para 28 states:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُلْهِكُمْ أَمْوَالُكُمْ وَلَا أَوْلَادُكُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَلِكَ فَأُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْخَاسِرُونَ {المنافقون/9}
“O believers! Let not your wealth or your children make you negligent from the remembrance of Allah and whoever does that, they are the losers.” (Kanzul Iman [Translation of Quran])
Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad bin Ahmad Zahabi رحمتہ اللہ علیہ narrates that the honourable Mufassirin state, "In this Holy Ayah, the remembrance of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ refers to the five daily Salah, therefore, the one who does not offer his salah at its specified time because of his preoccupation with his wealth (i.e. trading), cultivation and employment, goods and his children, is at loss." (Kitab-ul-Kabair, p. 20)
Virtues of Salah
Salah is also a comprehensive spiritual exercise that carries numerous virtues and benefits. In the following list, we explore 25 virtues of Salah:
Upon Whom Is Salah Fard?
The five prayers are Fard every day upon every male and female Muslim who is sane and Baaligh (i.e., who has reached puberty according to the Islamic law). It is disbelief (Kufr) to deny that it is Fard.
Salah - The Luminous Path
The significance of salah in Islam is highlighted by its central role in the daily lives of Muslims. There’s an importance of namaz in Quran in numerous verses, underlining it as a means of communication with Allah and a way to attain spiritual growth and mindfulness. The act of praying involves physical postures coupled with recitations of verses from the Quran, fostering a sense of discipline, humility, and devotion. It is through Salah that Muslims seek forgiveness, guidance, and blessings, while also purifying their souls and elevating their spiritual consciousness.
First Question in Afterlife
Although Salah is the second pillar of Islam but the beloved and blessed Prophet ﷺ said, “On the Day of Judgement, the very first question that will be asked to man out of his deeds will be about Salah; if his Salah is correct, he will succeed but if it is incomplete, he will be disgraced and will suffer loss.” (Al-Mu’jam-ulAwsat-lit-Tabrani, pp. 32, vol. 3, Hadis 3782)
Importance of Worship in Islam
Salah, also known as Namaz, holds profound significance in both the Quran and Hadith, forming a cornerstone of Islamic faith and practice. Through regular prayers, believers establish a deep connection and seek guidance and forgiveness.
Quranic Verses:
Ahadis:
The Honourable Prophet ﷺ stated:
“Salah is the light of a believer’s heart, face, grave, and resurrection,” (Sharh Muslim-lil-Nawawi, vol. 2, p. 101, derived from; Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 1, p. 232, derived from).
The Beloved Prophet ﷺ further clarified who will attain the light of Salah and who will not:
“Whoever safeguards his Salah, for him on the Day of Judgement will be a light, an open proof, and protection. And he who does not safeguard his Salah will not have light, an open proof, or any protection, and he will be resurrected with Qaroon, Fir’awn, Haman, and ‘Ubay Bin Khalf,” (Musnad Ahmad, vol. 2, p. 574, Hadith 6587).
He ﷺ added, “Glad tidings of a complete light be for those who walk to the masjid on foot, in darkness,” (Tirmizi, vol. 1, p. 261, Hadith 223).
Islamic Prayer - Nur for the Faithful
The Messenger of humanity, the serenity of our hearts and minds, the most benevolent and compassionate, ﷺ, stated, “The one who secures his Salah, the Salah will be Nur, evidence and salvation for him on the day of judgement; and the one who does not protect it, there will be no Nur, evidence or salvation for him on the Day of Judgement and such a person will be kept with Pharaoh, Qarun, Haman and Ubay bin Khalaf on the day of judgement.” (Musnad Imam Ahmad, pp. 574, vol. 2, Hadis 6587)
Washes Away Sins – Benefits of Prayer
Sayyiduna Usman رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا narrates that the Messenger of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ said: “Do you think if any one of you had a river in their courtyard and they bathed it in five times each day, there would be any dirt left upon him?”
The people responded, saying, “There wouldn’t be.”
He then declared, “Salah washes away sins, the way water washes away dirt.”
Salah - A Purifying Practice
Prophet Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام once walked along a seashore and noticed a bird rolling back and forth in mud on the shoreline, completely covering its body. The bird then entered the sea, washed itself, and became clean. It repeated this action five times—rolling in mud and washing in the sea.
Prophet Isa عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام was amazed by this sight, and Archangel Jibrail عَـلَيْـهِ الـسَّـلَام explained that “What you have been shown is an example of those from the Muhammadan ummah who offer Salah. This mud represents their sins and washing in the sea represents the five salah in Islam.”
In other words, just as the bird rolled in mud and cleansed itself, sinners from the ummah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ will be purified of their sins through the practice of the five daily salah.
O believers in salah! Let us truly comprehend the profound importance of prayer in Islam, recognizing the great fortune we possess as Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has made salah obligatory upon us. Through this act of worship in Islam, He bestows upon us immense rewards and forgiveness for our sins. How unfortunate is the person who fails to embrace this precious treasure from the mercy of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ!
