Salah (Prayer)

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 that must be done correctly. After this the major question that arises is “What are the prescribed times for prayer in Islam?” The five daily salah are:

1. Fajr (Dawn Prayer) – Performed before sunrise, starting at the break of dawn. 
2. Dhuhr (Noon Prayer) – Performed after the sun has passed its zenith (you can think of this as its peak), in the early afternoon.
3. Asr (Evening Prayer) – Performed in the evening, when shadows of objects become twice their length.
4. Maghrib (Sunset Prayer) – Performed just after sunset.
5. Isha (Night Prayer) – Performed when the night has fully set in, after twilights disappears.

It is crucial to observe the prayers at their specified times. Through these prayers, Muslim nurture their connection with Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ, constantly remember Him, and remain 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 ذٰلِكَ فَأُوْلٰئِكَ 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:

1. Salah is a means of pleasing Allah  عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.
2. Salah is the coolness of the eyes of the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم
3. Salah is a Sunnah of the blessed Prophets عَلَيهمُ السّلام
4. Salah is a lamp in the dark grave.
5. Salah protects against punishment in the grave.
6. Salah is [a means of] shade from the sun on the Day of Judgement.
7. Salah brings ease on the Bridge of Siraat.
8. Salah is Noor [light].
9. Salah is the key to paradise.
10. Salah protects one from the punishment of Hell.
11. Salah brings down Allah's mercy.
12. On the day of Judgement, Allah  عَزَّ وَجَلَّ will be pleased with the person who offers Salah.
13. Salah is the pillar of Islam.
14. Salah brings about the forgiveness of sins.
15. Salah is a means of Du’as being answered.
16. Salah protects against diseases.
17. Salah provides comfort to the body.
18. Salah brings about blessings in sustenance.
19. Salah protects against indecency and bad deeds.
20. Satan dislikes Salah.
21. Salah provides companionship in the loneliness of the grave.
22. Salah makes the scale of good deeds heavy.
23. Salah is the Mi’raaj [ascension] of a believer.
24. Offering Salah on time is the most superior of all deeds.
25. The greatest blessing for the person who offers Salah is that he will see Allah   عَزَّ وَجَلَّ on the Day of Judgement.

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. The Holy Quran emphasizes the importance of Salah in numerous verses, highlighting it as a means of connecting with Allah and achieving spiritual growth and mindfulness.  The act of offering Salah 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
Salah, the second pillar of Islam, holds immense importance. The beloved and blessed Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم 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:

1. In verses 9,10 and 11 of Surah Mu’minoon, in the 18^th Juz, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ states:
   وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَى صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ {المؤمنون/9} أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ {المؤمنون/10} الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ {المؤمنون/11}
   “And those who guard their Salah. These people are the heirs. That (they) will attain the inheritance of Paradise; they will abide therein forever.”
2. In several places in the Holy Quran, Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ has commanded Muslims to offer Salah. It is stated in verse 14 of Surah Ta-Ha, in the 16^th Juz
   وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي {طه/14}
   “And establish Salah for My remembrance.”
3. Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ states in the 5^th Juz, in the 103^rd verse of Surah al-Nisa:
   إِنَّ الصَّلاَةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا {النساء/103}
   “Indeed, Salah has been made obligatory upon the Muslims at fixed times.”

Ahadis:
The Honorable Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم 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 صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم 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 صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم 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).

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.”

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!