Worship In Islam 4

Prayer

Prayer is the second pillar upon which Islam rests, the first pillar being the testimony of faith. Islam stresses this act of worship and sternly warns against neglecting it. Prayer is the central pillar of faith. It is the key to Paradise and the first thing to be accounted for on the Day of Judgment. It is also the first of the religious obligations brought by the Prophets after faith in Allah. Allah says, addressing Moses (peace be upon him):

Verily I am Allah. There is no god but Me, so worship Me and establish prayer to celebrate My praises.

Allah relates to us the supplication of Abraham (peace be upon him) as follows:

My Lord, have me and my descendants establish prayer. My Lord, accept my supplication.

Likewise, Ishmael (peace be upon him) used to order his family to pray. Allah says:

He used to order his family to pray and pay Zakâh, and he was pleasing to his Lord.

The Messiah (peace be upon him) mentioned prayer when he was in the cradle. Allah relates to us his words:

And He enjoined prayer and Zakâh (alms) upon me as long as I live.

Some benefits of prayer:

1. It enriches the soul and fulfills its yearning to connect with its Lord. This gives the soul peace and contentment.

2. It purifies the heart from the effects of indolence and sin by providing a continuous opportunity for communication with Allah and for repentance. The Messenger (peace be upon him) indicated this when he said to his Companions: “Consider if one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They responded in the negative. He said: “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.”

This stresses the meaning of Allah’s words:

Verily prayer forbids licentiousness and wrongdoing. And the remembrance of Allah is the greatest thing.

3. It emphasizes the proximity between religion and daily life. Life, from an Islamic standpoint, is to be directed to Allah. Life is an opportunity for worship and the remembrance of Allah. Praying repeatedly throughout the day, interrupting the daily activities, brings about the realization of this concept. The believer, through prayer, acquires a spiritual awareness that he takes with him throughout all of life’s endeavors.

4. It teaches a Muslim punctuality. Prayer shows how important time actually is. Allah says:

Prayer is enjoined upon the believers at prescribed times.

5. It teaches the Muslim the virtues of constancy and perseverance. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “The best of deeds with Allah are the ones performed most regularly, even if it is small.”

6. It cultivates brotherhood, equality, and humility between the Muslims.

taken from Islamway.com