Importance of Offering Salah in its Time- The Second Pillar of Islam

Salah is the 2nd Pillar of Islam. When someone prays, he/she is known to be Muslim because of worshipping Allah Almighty who is his Creator and the Lord of everything in this world and the Hereafter too. Salah is an Arabic word its basic meaning is to worship or praying. It’s obligatory on every Muslim to pray five times a day on time. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers… If you fear, pray on foot, or riding.” (Quran 2:238-9)

The prayers spread throughout the day at dawn, around noon, afternoon, sunset, and in the evening. Salah has to be offered at the specific times mentioned above. Prayer times are announced by a daily call to prayer known as Adhan. Adhan is a call made from the local Mosque by the designated caller of prayer, known as a Muezzin.

It is an obligation upon a Muslim. The establishment of Salah is one of the major topics upon which the Quran has emphasized more than anything else. Salah establishes a direct relation of the believer to the creator Almighty Allah.  When Muslims pray no matter alone or in the congregation, they are standing in front of Allah SWT without any discrimination.  When Muslims pray in the congregation, they all stand together, and at that time all are equal no matter how rich or poor is the one.

Allah Almighty says in Holy Quran: “Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish Regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without the doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do.” (Quran, 29:45)

Daily prayers remind us to be faithful to Allah Almighty and provide opportunities for us to seek His forgiveness and guidance. Muslims must observe five prayers throughout the day, each based on the positioning of the sun.

• Fajr Prayer: The first prayer to start your day is performed before sunrise at true dawn in remembrance of Allah Almighty.
• Dhuhr Prayer: A prayer to remember Allah SWT and seek His guidance is performed either shortly before or after noon, depending on the time of year.
• Asr Prayer: A prayer to reflect on the greater meaning of our lives takes place in the late afternoon.
• Maghrib Prayer: The fourth daily prayer takes place not long after the sun has set in order to remember Allah Almighty before the day finishes.
• Isha Prayer: The final prayer of the day, before going to bed and resting, you must take time to pray and show gratitude for Allah’s presence, mercy, guidance and forgiveness.

One who missed his prayer has to suffer in this world and hereafter too. Allah Almighty says to those who are abandoning the prayer in a way: “O Mankind, What has deceived you concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?” (Quran 82:06)

In another verse of Holy Quran Allah says about those who missed prayers:“( the people in Hell will be asked) What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: We were not of those who used to pray…” (Quran 74:42-43)

We should pray on time instead of making lame excuses. Prayer is obligatory for us so we should try to Offer Salah on its due time. We can get blessings of Almighty Allah by offering Salah. May Allah helps us to fulfill this obligation in its due time, Ameen!