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1. Importance of Salah

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Salah (prayer) forms an essential part of our daily lives as Muslims. The importance of Salah is crucial, and is a way for us to communicate with Allah (SWT), through obligatory prayers 5 times a day at set times.

Our purpose in this life is to worship Allah, and Salah provides a means of communication with our Lord.

Why is Salah important?

As the second pillar of Islam, Salah is an important part of the foundation of Deen (religion), coming second to the Shahada (the declaration of faith).

It is one of the most virtuous deeds, as narrated by Ibn Masud – a companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him):

I asked Allah’s Messenger [which deed is most virtuous]. He said: “Salah at the beginning of its time.” I asked him: “What is after that O Messenger of Allah?” He said: “Being dutiful to one’s parents.” I said: “What is after that [O Messenger of Allah]?” He said: “Jihad in the Way of Allah.”

[Hadith | Tirmidhi]

It will also be one of the first things we are questioned on when we enter the grave, as narrated by Abu Huraira, the Prophet (PBUH) said:

The first action for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayers. If they are in order, he will have prospered and succeeded. If they are lacking, he will have failed and lost. If there is something defective in his obligatory prayers, then the Almighty Lord will say: ‘See if My servant has any voluntary prayers that can complete what is insufficient in his obligatory prayers. The rest of his deeds will be judged the same way.’

[Hadith | Tirmidhi]

Salah holds an important place in our lives, and therefore we must try our best to keep it at the forefront of all we do.

What are the benefits of Salah?

As well as fulfilling an obligatory act prescribed upon us, there are several benefits to performing our Salah. These include:

  • Gaining closeness to Allah: Salah can serve as a conversation between us and Allah, giving Muslims the opportunity 5 times a day to worship Him. In a state of Khushu (attentive humility) in our prayers, we are completely focussed on our connection with Allah, without distractions from the world around us.
  • Purification: Performing our five daily prayers are reported to wipe away our sins and help us towards the right path. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?” The people said, “No filth would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (PBUH) then said, “That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.” [Hadith | Bukhari & Muslim]
  • Positive effects on a person: In Surah Al-Ma’arij, Allah says: “Verily, man was created impatient, irritable when evil touches him and niggardly when good touches him. Except for those devoted to prayer, those who remain constant in their prayers…” [Qur’an | Surah Al-Ma-arij | 70:19-23] Therefore, Salah can help better our characters and remain tranquil in our lives.
  • Helps to fight temptations: In Surah Al-‘Ankabut, Allah says: “Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allāh is greater.” [Qur’an | Surah Al-‘Ankabut | 29:45] Keeping ourselves steadfast in our prayers helps to protect us from the temptations of the Dunya.

History of Salah

The history of Salah in Islam includes the story of Al Isra Wal Miraj, the miraculous night journey and ascension which took Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Makkah to Masjid Al-Aqsa in Jerusalem before ascending to heaven, all in one night around the year 621 CE.

It was on this night that he (PBUH) met with other Prophets and was given the five daily prayers, leading them in prayer.

This journey still shapes our lives today, forming our 5 obligatory daily prayers.

Find out more about the Prophet (PBUH)’s miraculous night journey here.

Why do Muslims pray Salah?

As mentioned, Muslims pray Salah because it is an obligatory act prescribed upon us, and forms one of the fundamental 5 pillars of Islam. We pray Salah to remain close to our Deen (religion) and gain closeness to Allah.

Praying Salah serves as a way to remember Allah, talk to Him, and connect with Him.

To find out more about Salah and its etiquettes, visit our Salah hub.

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Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.
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