The Importance of Salah in Islam

Salah is the 2nd and most important pillar of Islam. The second you say the 1st Kalima,
salah is mandatory on every Muslim. There are no excuses, not even when you are ill,
on a journey or even in war.

Allah (s.w.t.) has said in the Holy Qur’an: "I have not created the jinn and humankind for
any other purpose except that they should worship me."

Salah strengthens the foundations of our faith. It prepares a person to live the life of
goodness and obedience to Allah (s.w.t.), and it builds courage and determination.
Every time we perform salah, we renew our commitments to Allah (s.w.t.) and we rid
ourselves from worldly pressures 5 times a day.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said "The person that observes prayer properly, the prayer
itself, blesses him with good wishes."

According to a hadith a companion of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) came to him one day
and asked him "What is the thing that Allah (s.w.t.) loves most?" Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.) replied "The thing that Allah (s.w.t.) loves most is when his people pray salah on
time."

A muslim who does not move from his place after hearing the call for prayer even if his
intention is to read it at home or at the masjid in fact proves that either he does not even
understand what his duty is, or if he does understand it he is so stupid and worthless,
that he is quite unfit to remain in the army of Allah (s.w.t.).

Salah is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah (s.w.t.). Its importance
has been emphasized about 500 times in the Holy Qur’an.

Once Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) shook a dry branch of a tree so that all of the leaves
of the branch fell off than the Prophet (s.a.w.) said "The sins of those who pray Salah,
drop off as the leaves of this branch fell off."

Before salah, we make Wudu. Wudu is a unique way of cleansing certain parts of our
body so we are clean before bowing down to the one who created us, who created the
universe the one and only Allah (s.w.t.).

The Rasulallah (s.a.w.) once asked his companions "Tell me if there was a river at the
door step of one of you in which you washed 5 times a day would any of your dirt
remain?" When he received the reply that none of it would remain he then said "That is
like the 5 times Salah, with which Allah (s.w.t.) wipes out sin.
The last thing that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) emphasized at his deathbed was
SALAH. He also said the first thing we will have to answer about on the day of
judgement is SALAH.

It is said in the Holy Qur’an: "And truly Salah is hard save for the humble minded."
Meaning, that Salah is hard only on those who are not ready to lead a life of obedience
to Allah (s.w.t.), and on whom Salah is hard, provides himself proof of not being fit for
the servitude and obedience to Allah (s.w.t.).

Salah improves and helps us to attain high moral qualities and to build a strong defense
against evils which exist around us.

It is said in the Holy Qur’an, surely, Salah keeps you away from indecency and evil. This
is why the prayer is described as "remembrance" to Allah (s.w.t.).

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said the bond man is nearest to Allah (s.w.t.) at the
moment when he is lying in prostration before him.

Salah reminds you of Allah (s.w.t.), when you get up in the morning, it reminds you three
more times when you are busy during the day, and once again before you go to bed.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) once said, "The worst form of theft, is the theft of prayer."
"How can one commit theft in prayer?" his companions asked, The Holy Prophet
(p.b.u.h.) replied "By skipping on the complete performance of bows and prostration’s."

While in salah one communicates with Allah (s.w.t.) and experiences his presence.
That’s why a hadith says: Salah is the Meraaj of a Momin.

The Rasulullah (s.a.w.) also said "The key to HEAVEN is SALAH. The key to SALAH is
PURIFICATION.

Salah is so important that a hadith says: Salah is the only distinction between a believer
and a non-believer. So brothers and sisters, if we know salah is obligatory, and we know
we have to read it, Why not read it on time?