Salah is the primary form of worship that a Muslim performs five times daily. A Muslim must offer Salah, and a Muslim should make no excuses for doing so. The offering of Salah and expressing Muslims’ devotion to their Lord provides other benefits that every Muslim values highly.
The establishment of Salah is one of the most important themes addressed in the Quran. Allah Almighty has emphasized throughout the Quran the need for Muslims to learn to offer daily Salah, and while Allah discusses Salah, He also highlights its benefits.
Why do Muslims pray for Salah?
The reason Muslims pray at all is because Islam considers worshipping Allah to be the whole goal of existence. One of Allah’s first mandates to Muhammad once he became a Prophet was to practice salah (worship).
Allah Almighty teaches us in the Holy Qur’an that humanity was created for one purpose: to adore Him. The salah is the second pillar of Islam and an essential component of a Muslim’s beliefs. One of the most significant distinctions between Muslims and non-Muslims is the salah.
Salaah (Prayers) is one of Islam’s five compulsory pillars and a blessing from Allah SWT. It has many beautiful qualities since we pray for no one but ourselves and the reward is essentially for us.
Among the numerous benefits, several are listed below:
Brings you closer to Allah SWT.
This is our time to speak with our Creator. Most of us might discuss England with our friends and family; this precious time is set aside to converse with the Almighty. Not only that, but we ask Allah SWT for our haajat (wishes) after our prayers.
Nobody, not even our parents, loves us more than our Lord, who created us. Yet He asks for around 30 minutes of our entire day. This connection with our Lord can only strengthen and purify our character and spirit.
Leading to Taqwa:
Piety or righteousness is the primary goal that a Muslim must acquire in this life. All of Islam’s commands, limits, freedom, rights, and education are designed to help Muslims become pious and follow the straight path. In this aspect, prayer is essential since it builds Taqwa (piety) in the follower.
To achieve Taqwa, Muslims must practice Salah alongside generosity and faith in the unseen.
Reward in the Afterworld:
Every good or bad deed a Muslim commits in this life will be held accountable in the afterlife. Although all works are rewarded in the afterlife, the valid reward of Salah is when Allah Almighty shows unique blessings on that person.
As a result, prayer does not end in this life; instead, its valid reward will be revealed in the afterlife.
Staying Connected with Allah
Muslims who see AllahAlmighty as their Lord and the Giver of everything want to create a relationship with Him and keep as connected to Him as possible for their relationship to grow stronger. Salah can help achieve this goal, as the Quran states: “And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or lying on your sides.” But once you feel secure, resume [frequent] praying. Indeed, prayer has been decreed for believers at specific times. (4:103)
As a result, praying is a way of creating a connection with Allah Almighty, and when a Muslim prays five times every day, the bond naturally grows stronger.
Protection from Satan:
Satan is the enemy of believers, attempting to lead them away from righteousness and into darkness. Satan tempts people in every manner possible, and if they listen to him, he progressively leads them deeper into the pit of darkness. As a result, a Muslim must seek protection from Satan as well.
As a result, not offering prayer is falling into Satan’s trap, but those who try to provide and establish prayer are rejecting his temptation. When these temptations are fought for a long time, the effect is that one will never fall prey to Satan again.
Fajr & Ishaa (morning and evening prayers).
Fajr is considered the most important prayer of the day. It is set when the world is sleeping, and you have risen from your comfy bed to speak with your Lord. Similarly, with the Ishaa prayer, while most people are sleeping and tired, you have recalled your Lord before retiring for the night.
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said in a hadith, “And he who performs Salaah before sunrise and Salaah before sunset will not enter the gates of Hell.”
Most of us develop the habit of awakening for Fajr during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We should strive to maintain this practice to continue receiving our reward. After we recite Fajr Salaah, Allah SWT sends His Angels to protect and guide us throughout the day.
As a bonus, it enrages Shaitaan (the devil) when a believer gets up for Fajr!
Prevention of Evils:
A Muslim is exposed to various surroundings and individuals throughout life, directly impacting their personality. There is no doubt that the current predicament of the world’s people is unpleasant, with them being more prone to sicknesses and lewdness than goodness; consequently, if a Muslim begins to act like other people, they are on the wrong path.
Thus, to protect oneself from all of the evil prevalent in today’s world, a Muslim must seek refuge in Salah, which aids in battling evil. As a result, a Muslim must regard Salah as an efficient weapon in the struggle against evil and all forms of wickedness.
Jummah (Friday Prayer)
Jummah Prayers hold immense significance in Islam. It is a congregational prayer performed at Masjids to encourage Muslim togetherness. It is reported that Allah SWT accepts duas from any believer for one hour on the day of Jummah. On a Friday, Allah SWT created Prophet Adam, and on a Friday, the world will end.
Of course, Salaah has numerous more advantages, including the compensation in the Hereafter, the Barkah (blessed) in our homes, and the achievement while we are on this earth. However, SEarth is a powerful reminder that our time on Earth is fleeting and that we belong to the One and Only Allah SWT.
Conclusion:
In a word, those who learn and read the Quran daily understand the value of Salah and how firmly Allah Almighty emphasized and clarified it to the people in the Quran. A Muslim must know that Salah is, above all, an obligation that every Muslim must fulfill.