The Importance of Salah

Salat, namaaz, or prayer, is the second pillar of Islam and should be a very important thing in a Muslim's life. I'm sad to see that some people ignore the importance of salat, and do not pray, or they only pray when they remember to do it. The prayer should be performed 5 times a day, we are obliged to do it. It's our duty, and it's a mercy from Allah (SWT). Normally a prayer will only take 5-10 minutes to perform and there is no good reason to not do it, and make sure your wudu (ablution) is always valid.

Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said: "The key to Paradise is prayer and the key to prayer is cleanliness (Ablution.)" [Tirmidhi, narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah]


Wudu

Before you start washing your body, make the intention of performing wudu for prayer and say "Bismillah (ar-rahman ar-rahim.)"

Then follow these steps:

1. Wash hands: Wash the right hand three times first, followed by washing the left hand three times
2. Rinse water in the mouth and sniff water in the nose: This is done three times
3. Wash the face: Done three times
4. Was forearms: Wash the right arm up to the elbow first three times, followed by making the same on the left arm
5. Wipe water over head/hair: This should be done from the front of the head to the back, and then back to the front.
6. Wipe the ears inside to outside: Made one time, both at the same time
7. Wash feet: Wash the right foot first up to the ankle three times, followed by the left foot. Make sure that you get water between your toes as well.

After you finish you may say shahadah: "Ashadu anla ilaha ila allah, washadu anna Muhammedan rasolallah."

A prayer is only valid if the wudu is performed in the right way, and cleanliness is very important in Islam

What invalidates wudu?

1. Going to the toilet
2. Passing gas
3. Sexual relations
4. Touching one's private parts with no barrier (cloth)

What doesn't invalidates it?

1. People with unusual circumstances (can't control their urine, women with prolonged flows of blood etc.)
2. Vomiting
3. Drinking and eating
4. Kissing a mahram


Excempted from prayer:
1. Menstruating women
2. People that are ill
3. Travelers


Ghusl (bath)
Performing ghusl is mandatory for being able to pray, after women have had their menses or you have had sexual relations. Ghusl means you need to wash and clean all of your body.

Tayammum (dry wudu)

If there is no water available at all, you may perform wudu by using earth and/or sand, and the prayer will be accepted.


What do you need to do to have a valid prayer?

First you need to make wudu, after this you must find a clean place and stand facing the qiblah (direction towards Kaaba in Mecca). Your clothes must be clean and women must cover all their body except the hands and the face. The clothes should be loose. Men must (at least) cover the area between the navel and the knees, though covering more is preferable. You also need the intention to perform prayer, and which prayer you want to perform.

El fagr consists of 2 rakats (prayer units) and should be prayed at dawn.
El dhuhr consists of 4 rakats and is the noon prayer.
El 'asr has 4 rakats and is prayed in the afternoon.
El maghrib has 3 rakats and is prayed at sunset.
El 'isha has 4 rakats and is prayed in the night.

If anyone wonder how they can perform salat right, you can check this here.

Picture: Google

Hearing the azan

When a believer hears the azan (call to prayer), he should repeat what the muazzin says, except when he says "hayya 'alas-salah" and "hayya 'ala-al-falah". Upon hearing this the Muslim should say "Laa hawla w laa quwwata 'illa billaah. (There is no might and no power except by Allah.) After the azan has finished, you should recite Allah's blessings on the Prophet. Then you should perform wudu and offer the prayer. It is NOT good to delay the prayer, except when it's really necessary. You can read an inspiring story about this here.


Benefits of Salah

After a person has offered the prayer, he will feel comfortable and he will have peace and tranquility inside. He knows that he has performed his duty, he knows that he has shown his love for his creator, he knows that when he performs what Allah (SWT) has ordained for him, then Allah (SWT) will help him in his daily life, forgive him, bless him and give him what he wishes for. Prayer can help to strengthen a person, and increase his faith and awareness of the Hereafter. It reminds him that this world is only temporary, and that his deeds and actions will be judged. He will be reminded to act good and interact with other people politely. Salat is also a moment to forget worldly business and ask Allah (SWT) for help and guidance. Remember, your prayers are the first thing that will be counted on the Day of Resurrection. If you have prayed all your prayers, remembered Allah (SWT), tried to act good, and when a mistake has been made, asked for forgiveness, you will enter Jannah inshaAllah.

"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." [Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami vol 1, p. 503]

"Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds." - Quran al-ankaboot: 45

"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 (SAW) then said: "That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

These hadiths and the quote from the Quran kareem clearly states the importance of prayer. There is no excuse to not perform it five times a day. If you are one of those who pray, I'm happy for that and may you continue in this way and never leave the prayer inshaAllah, but are you of those who do not pray; Remember, it is never too late to repent to Allah (SWT) and ask for His forgiveness, and then start praying. Prayer is worship and worshiping your Lord is what is the most important in life. Then Allah (SWT) will stand by you and help you, both in this life and the Hereafter. Prayer is just a small thing we can do to show our gratitude to Allah (SWT).

Allah (SWT) knows best.