IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH PRAYER I have

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER)

"I have only created Jinns and men that they may serve me“ (Surah Al-Dhariyat 51: 56) • As Muslims, one of the first things that we learn, after the Shahada, is that the purpose of our lives is to serve our Creator, Allah (swt) • Out of the five pillars of Islam we find that the word Salat is the most frequently mentioned of the five. The word Salat is mentioned a total of 67 times in the Quran. • The salat is a religious observance that believers are commanded to perform throughout the course of their lives, the times of which have been stipulated.

And remembrance of Allah is greater still. Allah knows what you do. (Surat al-‘Ankabut, 45) • Human beings are prone to forgetfulness and heedlessness. • They forget that Allah enfolds and surrounds them in all ways, that He sees and hears them at every moment, that they will have to account to Allah for all they do

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish salat. Salat precludes indecency and wrongdoing. And remembrance of Allah is greater still. Allah knows what you do. (Surat al-‘Ankabut, 45) • The salat performed five times a day eradicates that forgetfulness and heedlessness, and keeps the believer’s will and awareness alive. • It is revealed in one verse that the salat reminds people of Allah and keeps them from all forms of evil

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) "Throughout history the prophets have communicated the salat made compulsory by Allah to their respective peoples, and have been role models for all believers by abiding by this observance in the best and most correct manner. " - For Prophet Ibrahim (as): [Ibrahim said: ] “My Lord! Make me and my descendants people who establish salat. My Lord! Accept my prayer. ” (Surah Ibrahim, 40) - For Prophet Isma‘il (as): Mention Isma‘il in the Book. He was true to his promise and was a messenger and a prophet. He used to command his people to do salat and give the alms and he was pleasing to his Lord. (Surah Maryam, 54 -55) - For Prophet Musa (as): I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish salat to remember Me. (Surah Ta Ha, 14)

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) Maryam, obey your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow. (Surah al ‘Imran, 43) - For Prophet Isa (as): He said: “I am the servant of Allah, He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. He has made me blessed wherever I am and directed me to do salat and give the alms as long as I live. ” (Surah Maryam, 30 -31) "Jesus, in the garden of Gethsamne, took a few steps forward, fell on his face and prayed to God". (Matthew 26: 39) - Maryam, depicted as a role model for all women, was also commanded to establish salat

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish salat to remember Me. (Surah Ta Ha, 14) • The correct performance of these prayers is a great opportunity to remember our Lord, praise Him, and worship Him as one god in the knowledge He is free of all imperfections. • Indeed, in one verse Allah commands to do salat in order to remember Him

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) Narated by ibn Abbas: When the prophet sent Muadh to Yemen, he said to him, “You are going to a nation from the people of the scripture, so let the first thing to which you will invite them, be the Tawhid of allah. If they learn that, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them, five prayers to be offered in one day and one night. And if they pray, tell them that Allah has enjoined on them Zakat of their properties and it is to be taken from the rich among them and given to the poor. ” Bukhari(Hadith 2: 478)

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) The Salat provides the nourishment needed by our souls and is a sure method of attaining righteoussness and nearness to our Creator. The Quran lists a number of benifits attained from observing the Salat: 1 - The Salat protects believers from evil and vice: "Observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) for it prohibits evil and vice. " 29: 45 2 - The Salat strengthens our belief and make us attain certainty: "You shall glorify and praise your Lord and be with the prostrators, and worship your Lord until you attain certainty. " 15: 98 -99 3 - The Salat (along with charity) is the best investment in the hereafter: "Surely, those who recite the book of God, observe the Contact Prayers and are charitable both discreetly and openly can hope for an investment that never loses. He will recompense them generously and will multiply His blessings upon them. He is Forgiving, Appreciative. " 35: 29 -30

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) 4 - Above all, the Salat is to commemorate God: Surely, the most important objective of the Salat is to commemorate God. "You shall recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture, and observe the Salat (Contact Prayers), for the Salat prohibits evil and vice. But the remembrance of God (through the Contact Prayers) is the most important objective. God is aware of all that you do. " 29: 45 I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish salat to remember Me. (Surah Ta Ha, 14)

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) … 'Then Gabriel ascended with me to a place where I heard the creaking of the pens. " Ibn Hazm and Anas bin Malik said: The Prophet said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers? ' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them. ' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it. ' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it. ' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change. ' I returned to Moses and he told me to go back once again. I replied, 'Now I feel shy of asking my Lord again. ' Then Gabriel took me till we '' reached Sidrat-il-Muntaha (Lote tree of; the utmost boundry) which was shrouded in colors, indescribable. Then I was admitted into Paradise where I found small (tents or) walls (made) of pearls and its earth was of musk. "

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) it was a gift to him and his ummah. It was not given as a means of ‘rewarding’ or paying Allah back, since we can never pay Allah back whether through Salah or through any other deed. It was given to us for our own selves. Salah is more than just a pillar of Islam and an obligatory duty: it is a connection between you and Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) want. There to talkistono. Allah, Salah. And if you want I “If amyou Allah. god make but Me, so worship Me and Allah toto talk to you, recite Quran. ” establish salat remember Me. the (Surah Ta Ha, 14) • Salah can be likened to an emergency ‘hotline’ that you can pick up at any time. • Salah is a relief from your problems and an ease of your distress. • It is a means of calming you, relaxing you, reassuring you. • It is a way for you to seek Allah’s help in a matter, whether as significant as a battle or as insignificant as cooking a meal or removing a stain from a piece of clothing. • It is a means for seeking Allah’s guidance and advice on a matter.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF SALAH • Regular exercise reduces cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol causes heart failures, strokes, diabetes and many other ailments. It is a known fact that people in professions where exercise is required have less amount of cholesterol in their bodies. • Salat is an excellent form of exercise to prevent indigestion. In the morning when stomach is empty, a Muslim is required to offer fewer number of Rak'aat whereas in the evening after the dinner we offer an extra number of Rak'aat. • By offering Takbir at the beginning of salat, we move hand shoulder muscles thereby increasing the flow of blood towards torso.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) • The most important function in salat is sajdah where we touch the ground with our forehead. This posture increases fresh supply of blood to our brain. Needless to say in certain forms of yoga some adherents stand on their heads for the same purpose. • Heart is the most important organ in the body. It supplies fresh blood to all body tissues. These body movements performed during salat are an excellent source of exercise for our heart as well. According to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet, “There is an organ in the body, when it is healthy, the whole body is healthy, and when this is sick, the entire body becomes sick". It is the heart.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) • A remarkable tissue in our body is cartilage. It is unique in being a living tissue with no direct blood supply. The only way it receives nutrients and oxygen is by movements of the joints. The pumping effect forces blood into the joint area which would otherwise be bypassed. Those who sit at the terminals are in greater danger of ending up with dead cartilage tissues that will subsequently wear away. This will leave us with arthritis, painful joints and paralysis. Bacteria and viruses find safe haven in joints for this reason as no blood cell can get at them and in most cases neither can antibodies. Salat therefore, has many orthopedic benefits for all Muslims. Next time you offer salat, thank Almighty Allah that He made you a Muslim. Indeed, there is cure in salat.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) No reason. No excuse • there is a very severe penalty for leaving prayer. • If you are sick and you don’t fast there is no penalty. • If you are poor and you have no money to give zakat there is no penalty. • If you cannot afford to go to hajj there is no penalty. • But for leaving salat there is a very high penalty - hellfire.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) • So there is no way, no excuse for any sick person, for a person with or without money, he or she has to pray. • The sick person who cannot pray standing can sit and pray; who cannot pray sitting prays lying down, one who can’t pray lying down may pray with his eyes. • Salat has to be performed. • Oh Muslims don’t avoid giving salat its importance.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) "And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good ye send forth for your souls Before you, ye shall find it with Allah: for Allah sees well all that ye do. " (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 110) • • The five prayers at prescribed times every day are obligatory on every Muslim male and female who has passed the age of puberty. Salaah or prayer is one of the pillars of Islam and the most important after Iman (faith). "Alif Laf Mim, This is the Book, in it is guidance sure, without doubt, To those who fear Allah; Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, And spend out of what We have provided for them; “ (Surah Al. Baqarah 2: 1 -3)

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra) related that a man asked Rasoolullah (peace be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah, what action is dearest to Allah, the Most High? " Rasoolullah (peace be upon him) answered, "Salah at its proper time. The one who doesn't pray has no religion. Salah is the main pillar of the religion (of Islam). " (Baihaqi) "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad. " (Recorded by al-Tabarani) "O ye who believe! Seek help with patient Perseverance and prayer For Allah is with those who patiently persevere. " (Surah Baqarah 2: 153)

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) "Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration To thee, and establish regular Prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; And remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do. “ (Surah Al. Ankabut 29: 45) • In this age, when immorality is part of the dominant culture, and Shaytan has devised newer ways of entrapping the faithful, it is Salah that protects a Muslim and his Iman.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) "Their eyes will be cast down - disgrace will cover them; seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to prostrate in adoration, while they were in good shape, (And had refused)"(Surah Al-Qalam 68: 43) "(They will be) in gardens (of Delight) and will ask the Sinners 'What led you into Hell fire? ‘ They will say; ‘ We were not of those who prayed‘ Nor were we of those who fed the indigent But we used to talk vanities with vain talkers And we used to deny the Day of judgment“ (Surah Muddaththir 74: 40 -46)

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF SALAH (PRAYER) May Allah (swt) grant all of us the hidayah to be regular with our Salah, and to offer it in the correct manner and with Khushoo.