The Rationale of Performing Salat

 
The performance of Salât (i.e., the five compulsory daily prayers) is the second pillar of Islam. It constitutes the physical, mental, and spiritual submission to God, which starts by pronouncing Allâh’s greatness and ends with Salâm (salutation of peace). The performance of Salât serves as the foundation of Islam. Without it there is no Islam. It is the concrete proof of our submission to Allâh. It fulfills our very purpose of creation. Allâh makes it very clear in the Glorious Qur’an that the very purpose why He has created us is to worship Him throughout our lives. He tells us:


“I have created not the jinn and men except that they should worship Me (Alone). I seek not any provision from them nor do I ask that they should feed Me. Verily, Allâh is the All-Provider, Owner of Power, Most Strong.” (51:56-58)

“So glorify the praises of your Rabb and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him). And worship your Rabb until there comes unto you the Hour that is certain (i.e., death).” (15:98-99)

The performance of Salât (prayer) was “the first act of worship” that Allâh made obligatory for all believers (in Allâh and His Messenger ). Prophet Muhammad received the revelation to perform Salât during his ascension to heaven. In a Sahîh (authentic) Hâdîth (teaching of the Prophet ) Anas 2 reported:

“The prayers were made obligatory on the Prophet the night of his ascension to heaven. At first, they were fifty in number, but were reduced several times until they were five. Then it was proclaimed, ‘O Muhammad, the order is not changed. These five are (equivalent) to the fifty.’” (Ahmad, An-Nasâi, and Tirmidhi)

Salât is obligatory to all Muslim believers who are sane and who reach the age of Tameez (begins at the age of seven years when a child is able to distinguish between right and wrong). The following Ahâdîth tell us:

'Aishah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said “The pen is raised for three (meaning: there is no obligation upon three): one who is sleeping until he awakens, the child until he becomes an adult, and one who is insane until he becomes sane.” (Abû Dâwûd, Ibn Majah Tirmidhi Ahmad, and Hakim taken from Fiq-us Sunnah 1.80)

Amr ibn Shu'aib narrated from his father on the authority of his grandfather that the Prophet said “Order your children to pray at the age of seven, hit them to do so at the age of ten, and separate them (the boys from the girls) in their beds.”
(Ahmad, Abu Dawud and al-Hakim taken from Fiq-us Sunnah 1.80)



Another important thing that we must know about Salât is that Allâh made it obligatory for us to perform them at their specified time. Our Creator says:

“When you have finished the prayers, remember Allâh, standing, sitting down, and lying down on your sides. But when you are free from danger, set up regular prayers, for such prayer, are enjoined on believers at stated times.” (4:103)

Aside from praying on time, our Creator commands us to guard our prayers and to pray with devotion. He also requires us to pray at all conditions whether we are traveling or not, or while we are in fear or in safe. He says:

“Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand before Allâh in a devout (frame of mind). If you fear (an enemy), pray on foot, or riding (as may be most convenient). But when you are in security, celebrate Allâh’s praises in the manner He has taught you, which you knew not (before).” (2:238-239)

Furthermore, Allâh guides us how we should pray even in times of war or in peace (4: 102-103). All these show how imperative for us is to worship Him. A person who abandons the prescribed compulsory prayers is not considered a Muslim. Why? Because a Muslim is one who peacefully and completely submits to the Will of Allâh and obeys His Law. The Prophet tells us in the following authentic Ahâdîth :

Jabir narrated that the Prophet said, “Between a person and disbelief is discarding prayer.” (Ahmad, MuslimAbu Dawud and Ibn Majah)

Burayda ibn Al-Hasib narrated that the Prophet said, “The pact between us and them is prayer. Whoever abandons it is a unbeliever.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawud Tirmidhi 574, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah)

It is also imperative that we pray regularly. Allah the Almighty has commanded us to be patient and constant in our prayers. Our Creator says:

“Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them: so worship Him (Alone), and be constant and patient in His worship. Do you know of any one who is similar to Him?” (19:65)

Likewise, the Prophet encourages us to be consistent in our Salât as it will serve as a light and as a means of salvation on the Day of Resurrection. The following Hâdîth tells us:

‘Abdullah bin Amr bin Al `As narrated that Allâh’s Messenger mentioned prayer one day and said: “He who observes it (prayer) constantly, it will serve for him as a light, as an evidence, and (as a means of) salvation on the Day of Resurrection. He who does not observe it constantly, it will not serve for him as a light, as an evidence, and (as a means of) salvation on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be with Qarun, Pharaoh, Haman and Ubayy bin Khalaf.” (Tirmidhi 578)


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