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Islam is a complete and comprehensive code of life, It doesn't give merely a few beliefs to its followers but to mould their whole life into these beliefs, it fixes a system of worship which constitutes prayer, fasting and hajj. Its vital and foremost part salah has teen emphasized in Quran and hadith. Allah says in Quran:
واقيموا الصلوة ولا تَكُونُوا مِنَ المشركين ) ( سورة الروم - 31)
Translation: "And establish prayer and do not be of those who associate others with Allah,
رَأْسُ الْأَمْرِ الإِسْلَامُ وَعَمُودُهُ الصَّلوةُ
Translation: The real foundation of deen is to surrender to Allah J and His Prophet and the pillar of this building is prayer.
Literal meaning of Salah:
The word 'namaz' is a persian language word. In Arabic, it is called 'salah' which means to pray.
Explanatory meaning of Salah:
In Islamic terms prayer means that physical worship that should be performed with special manners and condition during fixed timings according to the method described by Prophet Muhammad.
i. The Emphasis of Salah in Quran:
Although, prayer is an integral part of religious training, it has been obligatory for every ummah and all messengers of Allah advised their ummahs regarding prayers. Holy Quran tells us that those who offer prayers will succeed and those who give up salah will be humiliated and punished. It is said in a verse of Quran that when angels of punishment. will ask the hell dweilers that reason for being doomed to hell, they would give one reason also for being thrown in hell, as Allah J says in Quran”
قالوا لم نك مِنَ الْمُصَدِّينَ (سورة المتر 43)
Translation: They will say, "we were not of those who prayed".
وَاقِيمُوا الصَّلوةَ وَأتُوا الزَّكوة (البقره:43)
Translation: And establish prayer and give Zakah.
وَاسْتَعِينُوا بِالصَّبْرِ وَالصَّلوة (البقره: 45)
Translation: And seek help through patience and prayer.
ii. Advice of Salah in Ahadith:
The Prophet has strongly advised about offering prayers and some of his sayings regarding salah are given below. After truly believing in Allah as Lord; not offering His utmost order of salah is like disbelieving in Him as our creator. therefore, Prophet Muhammad said.
Translation: Anyone, who leaves prayer deliberately, adopts the attitude of disbelief.
Offering prayer is the most effective source of closeness. to Allah.. Prophet Muhammad said:
إنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا صَلَّى يُنَاجِي رَبِّهِ (هادي)
Translation: When someone prays among you, actually talks to His Lord secretly.
Due to this significance, there will be accountability about offering prayer on the Day of Judgement. The messenger of Allah
said:
اولُ مَاسُئِلَ ، سُئِلَ عَنِ الصَّلوة ( ندى)
Translation: On the day of Judgement, first of all, there will be accountability about prayers (salah).
iii. Spirit less prayers (salah):
The real aim of prayer is to get closeness to Allah by avoiding immoral and evil acts. Those prayers which do not stop us from immorality and evil acts are regarded as spiritless prayers.
ان الصلوة تنفى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاء وَالْمُنكَرِ (سورة الكبوت (45)
Translation: Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrong doing.
In reality, prayers are aimless these days such as a flower without fragrance or a heart without soul.
