Check out through this blog the meaning of Salah in Islam and why it is important for Muslims.
Here we will learn the following:
What Does Salah Mean?
In Islam, salah or Islamic prayer means spiritual worship, which contains a series of sayings and physical actions that build a connection with Allah.
Sayings in salah are certain statements such as Takbir and Tasbih. Actions in Salah like standing, bowing, and prostration.
Salah or prayer is the main worship that Muslims perform every day. In Islam, it’s the second of the 5 pillar of Islam as the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:
“Islam has been built upon five things – on testifying that there is no god save Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger; on performing salah; on giving the zakah; on Hajj to the House; and on fasting during Ramadhan.”
Salah is an obligatory worship in Islam that Muslims perform every day. It contains sayings and actions that represent a connection between the believer and Allah.
Salah became a compulsory deed after the Isra’ and Mi’raj journey. In Islam, it has great virtues for Muslims like protecting from the torment of the grave and strengthening the faith.
History of Salah in Islam
The history of salah comes back to the time of the miraculous night journey “Isra’ and Mi’raj” before immigration to Mekka in the second year of prophethood when Allah made praying obligatory in Islam.
In the beginning, the compulsory praying consisted of 50 prayers a day, then Allah reduced them to only five prayers to facilitate for Muslims.
Anas ibn Maalik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that prophet Muhammed (SAW) said:
Then Allah revealed what He revealed to me, and enjoined fifty prayers on me every day and night.
(Bukhari and Muslim).
I came back down to Moosa (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and he said: What did your Lord enjoin upon your ummah? I said: Fifty prayers. He said: Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce it
I kept going back and forth between my Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, and Moosa (peace be upon him) until He said: ‘O Muhammad, they are five prayers each day and night, for every prayer there will be a tenfold (reward), and that is fifty prayers.”
Is Salah Compulsory in Islam?
In Islam, salah is an obligatory act that Muslims do, whether they are men or women, they should perform daily.
Allah (SWT) indicated that praying is compulsory in Islam through this verse {Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times} (An-Nisa 4:103).
However, not all types of salah are obligatory in Islam, there is a non-obligatory or voluntary salah (nafl) like qiyam el layl.
Read: How to Pray Salah For Females?
What are the conditions of the validity of Salah?
The believer who is obligated to perform salah should be:
- Muslim not a disbeliever.
- Sane not insane.
- Adult not child.
- In the state of purity.
- Have the niyyah or intention of praying.
- Covered his or her awrah.
- Faced the direction of qibla.
Why Is Salah Important in Islam?
Here are many reasons tells you why is praying is important in Islam:
- Protects the prayer from the torment of the grave as it one of the virtuous deeds.
- Builds a strong connection between the believer and Allah, making them pray in reverence.
- Salah is the basis of virtuous deeds. Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said about salah:” If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful”.
- Prayer is the first deed that Allah counts on the judgement “The first of man’s deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat”.
- Helps the believers to deal with the hardships times {O believers! Seek comfort in patience and prayer.} (Al Baqarah 2:153)
- Salah is the best virtuous deed after the profession of faith (shahada).
- Gives the believers the feeling of tranquillity and reassurance as they are closer to Allah while praying.
- Praying is a reason for expiating and forgiving sins.
- Pefroming Salah every day strengthens the faith.
Read this article: How to Pray Salah In Islam?
