Importance of Salah- The Second Pillar of Islam

Salah is the second pillar of Islam after Shahadah (Faith). Muslims are required to pray five times a day. Being a Muslim, it is obligatory for us to offer Salah five times a day regularly. 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.

Salah is the major form of worship that a Muslim offers five times a day regularly. It is an obligation upon a Muslim and a Muslim is to offer no excuse when it comes to offering Salah. The establishment of Salah is one of the major topics upon which the Quran has emphasized more than anything else. In Quran Allah Almighty has stressed upon Muslims to learn to offer Salah regularly.

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)

The Salah plays the role of reminder throughout the day to help keep believers mindful of Allah Almighty in the daily stress of work, family, and distractions of life. Prayer also strengthens faith, dependence on Allah, and puts daily life within the perspective of life to come after death and the last judgment that will not be going to end ever.

The importance of Salah can also be emphasized by the different hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). In one of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) hadith, the compensating nature of prayer is described in these words: “The five daily prayers and the Friday Prayer until the Friday prayer is an expiation for what is between them.” (Sahih Muslim)

There is no constraint upon a Muslim on how to invoke Allah Almighty, however, prayer is the preferred means of doing so as when a person worships Allah he/she develops a connection with Allah, and any invocation within that or after that connection is bound to be accepted by Allah more compared to invocation done in any other circumstance. In Quran, Allah Almighty says: “O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (Quran, 2:153)

Muslims who realize that Allah Almighty is their Lord and the Giver of everything, try to develop a relationship with Him and wish to stay connected with Him as much as possible so that their relationship grows strong. Salah can effectively help in achieving so, as Allah says in the Quran: “And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.” (Quran, 4:103)

A Muslim must realize that above anything, Salah is an obligation and every Muslim has to fulfill his or her obligation.