The Importance of Salat in our Lives

Posted by Zoe Kent on September 2nd, 2019

Salat or in other words, prayer is the second most essential pillar of Islam, without which one’s faith is rendered incomplete. It is also the most frequently performed obligatory action in the life of a Muslim. While Zakat has to be paid once a year by answering Zakat appeal, for instance, and Hajj has to be performed once in a life, Salat has to be performed five times a day.

Let’s take a look at the five types of Salat and times they are offered before moving onto the importance of Salat in our lives:

Fajr – Before sunrise

Zuhr – Midday; after the sun passes its highest point

Asr – Late Afternoon

Maghrib – Just after sunset

Isha – Between sunset and midnight

Importance of Salat

A Muslim is closest to Allah – the Creator who is the most beneficent and merciful – while he or she is offering Salat. This alone leaves little doubt as to how important is Salat, which is a way of connecting as well as communicating with God. One can directly seek the blessings of the lord and ask for His mercy. What can be better than this?

By offering Salat at its prescribed times wholeheartedly, one can secure a place in Jannah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized this point time and again. He made it clear that the first question on the day of judgment will be about Salat. Those who are able to answer satisfactorily will find the gates of heaven open for them. However, the ones whose prayers are found to be lacking or incomplete will be dealt with severely. So, if you want to secure your afterlife, it is about time you start praying.

Salat protects man against evil. Surely, evil in this materialistic and temporary world is everywhere. Yes, it’s hard to avoid it when it is all around you. However, by praying five times a daily and standing in subjugation to Allah, one can protect themselves from the evil of all kinds.

Through it, one can repent for their sins and pray to Allah for forgiveness. Just as washing wipes away the filth, praying five times daily wipes away the sins.

Salat also nourishes one’s soul and washes away the sins. It is a source of contentment and peace. One can also sponsor an orphan as through it not only can one make a positive difference but also do something worthwhile that can provide him or her the satisfaction they long for.

Another essential feature of Salat is that it creates unity in the community as Muslims gather around in mosques to pray. By praying together and forgetting about the skin of one’s colour, nationality, race, wealth or social status, Muslims cultivate equality, unity, and brotherhood.

Last but not the last, Salat can also help Muslims seek the help of Allah. Each and everyone faces turbulent times in their lives, and difficulties can overburden even the best of us. This is where Salat can play a pivotal role. It can help cure the problems as, through it, one can seek help as well as the guidance of Allah. Is there a better solution than that?

Conclusion

Salat is of utmost importance, as is evident from the fact that one has to pray even during the time of war. Without Salat, the faith of the Muslims is incomplete.

Despite that, it is indeed quite disheartening to see that Muslims either do not pray altogether or fail to fulfil the conditions of the prayer.

It must be remembered that Salat is the nourishment of the soul, and one’s spiritual needs cannot be fulfilled without it.