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Salat
Salat is one of the five pillars of Islam, it is a most
important constituent of the faith. It is prayer of a very high level. The Holy
Quran repeatedly enjoins the offering of salat and indeed declares it to be a
fundamental trait of a believer. The benefits of salat are countless. The Holy
Quran says:
"And enjoin Prayer on thy people, and be constant therein. We ask thee
not for provision; it is We that provide for thee. And the end is for the
righteous".
Salat strengthens man's spiritual faculties. It is the best way to form a
relationship with one's Creator. It purifies one's spirit, and through it,
constant remembrance of Allah delivers one of the self that incites to evil.
God created man to worship Him and salat is the most excellent kind of worship.
The Holy Quran also says:
"Recite that which has been revealed to thee of the Book, and observe
Prayer. Surely, Prayer restrains one from indecency and manifest evil, and
remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest virtue. And Allah knows what you
do." (29:46)
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he heard the Holy
Prophet, peace and blessings be on him, say:
"Tell me if one of you had a stream running at his door and he should
take a bath in it five times every day would any dirt be left upon him? He was
answered: No dirt would be left on him. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be
on him) observed: This is the case of the five prayers. Allah wipes out all
faults in consequence of them." (Bukhari)
As for the punishment of not observing the salat, all matters of reward and
punishment rest solely with Allah.
Jabir, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he heard the Holy Prophet,
peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say:
"Giving up prayer is tantamount to disbelief and associating partners
with Allah." (Muslim)
Five Daily Prayers
Salat, the obligatory Muslim prayer, is said at appointed time fixed in relation
to the sun's position. The time of Fajr, the morning prayer begins at dawn and
ends just before sunrise. The time of Zuhr, the midday prayer, begins after the
sun has crossed the zenith point and has begun to decline. The Asr prayer is
said when the sun has further advanced in decline, in the late afternoon. The
time of the Maghrib prayer begins immediately after sunset. It lasts till dusk.
The Isha prayer can be said after dusk has finally disappeared, giving way to
darkness of the night.
Fajr Zuhr Asr Maghrib Isha'
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