Value of prayer

PRAYER IS the soul of fasting. The importance of prayer in Islam cannot be understated. It is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned after mentioning the Testimony of Faith, by which one becomes a Muslim.

The importance of prayers lies in the fact that no matter what actions one performs in his life, the most important aspect is one’s relationship to God, that is, one’s faith (Imaan), God-consciousness (Taqwa), sincerity (Ikhlas) and worship of God (Ibaadah). This relationship with God is demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and increased, by the prayer. Therefore, if the prayers are sound and proper, the rest of the deeds will be sound and proper; and if the prayers are not sound and proper, then the rest of the deeds will not be sound and proper, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself stated.

In reality, if the prayer is performed properly – with true remembrance of God and turning to Him for forgiveness — it will have a lasting effect on the person. After he finishes the prayer, his heart will be filled with the remembrance of God. He will be fearful as well as hopeful of God. After that experience, he will not want to move from that lofty position to one wherein he disobeys God.

In regular prayers, Sajdah has a unique position or stance. Sajdah in which the forehead touches the earth is exclusively associated with the Muslim form of prayer. It is the climax of a Muslim’s prayer and as mentioned in a Hadith, a Muslim is nearest to Allah in this position. Hazrat Abu Huraira reported that the messenger of Allah said: “The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication (in this state) — [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa narrates that Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to prolong the prostration to such an extent that one could recite fifty verses (of the Holy Quran) before he would lift his head — [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

In another Hadith narrated by Hazrat Anas bin Malik the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) advised Muslims to perform Ruku (bowing) and Sajdah properly. In another Hadith he advised to perform Sajdah and bowing calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease.

In supplication for the victory, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also performed long bowing (Ruku) and Sajdah in the special prayers at the time of eclipse.

Hence the first positive effect upon a person who prostrates or does Sajdah is that he comes nearest to Allah and hence in that condition he can supplicate.

Salaat does not ordain one simply to do the exercise of standing and sitting. The main gist of its observance is
Remembrance of Allah. It all depends on the individual how far he feels Allah’s presence, and how far he is attentive by heart and soul while reciting the Holy Quran, then only Salaat can stop him from indulgence in sins, else Salaat performed sans all these qualities, is like exercise in futility performed by a hypocrite.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) says, “The type of Salaat performed by (hypocrites) is devoid of Allah’s remembrance or very little of it.” What one (the hypocrite) gets out of this Salaat is nothing else other than widening of the gulf between him and Allah. The Holy Quran testifies, “…And keep up the prayers for My remembrance” -- 20:114.

Remembrance of Allah is the gist of all prayers and Jihad is a constant remembrance of Allah, or else these are all exercises in futility. It was Allah’s remembrance, which one should always do and duly controlled by wisdom.

The development of sublimity in the human character, quite averse to instinctive qualities, is generated in human nature by Allah’s remembrance quite often and very regularly five times a day. Sometimes some good acts excel over remembrance of Allah, but Allah’s favour should always be sought after. Anywhere, anytime if one inclines towards committing a sin he should immediately divert his thoughts towards Allah. The Holy Quran and Hadith are very explicit on this matter.

“Whenever a believer remembers Allah he gets a response. This is great honour which one should always seek.” Someone asked the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) about an effective way among so many commandments to desist from indulging in sins. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told him: “keep your tongue wet with Allah’s remembrance i.e. one should always pronounce Allah’s greatness.”

Shah Waliullah, an eminent Islamic scholar, in one of his treatises wrote: “The time spent in performing Salaat is well spent because one is away from committing sins.” This is an appropriate interpretation of the Quranic verse: “And indeed, remembrance of Allah is the greatest (virtue). And Allah knows what you do” — 29:45. It means Allah knows who is honest in his act and who is not.

— Special to Khaleej Times

• UAE