The Meaning of Salah
Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam.
What does Salah mean to Muslims and how important is it?
- Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam. It ranks second in importance to the shahaadah. It is the first act of worship that a person will be questioned about on the Day of Judgment. If a person’s prayer is good and acceptable, then the person will be successful. If a person’s prayer is incorrect and corrupted in anyway, then the person will be a failure.
Salah must be performed on time.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan
“And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.” (Soorat an-Nisaa: 103)
- Allah ﷻ tells Muslims to be punctual with the five obligatory prayers. Muslims should perform all the prayers on time.
Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’aan
“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle [i.e. ‘Asr] prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” (Soorat al-Baqarah: 238)
- Salah is the link between a worshipper and Allah ﷻ . The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
“When one of you prays, he speaks to his Lord.” [Bukhaari]
The prayer consists of different parts of worship. Some of them are:
- Saying Allaahu Akbar (Allah ﷻ is the Greatest) to start the prayer.
- Standing to recite the Words of Allah ﷻ .
- Praising Allah ﷻ while bowing.
- Prostrating to Allah ﷻ and glorifying His greatness while supplicating to Him.
- Sitting to supplicate and saying the tashahhud.
- Saying the tasleem to end the prayer.
Discussion questions for comment
- What is the first act of worship that a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgement ?
- In which way should Muslims be mindful about Salah ?
- What link does Salah represent for a worshipper?
Ulama Institute #1
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