SECOND POINT - SALAAT (Prayer)

The first and most important among the commandments of Allah Tabarak Ta’ala is SALAAT. (E-badat).

        Some are enquired the Holy Prophet, “Rasulullah (S.A.S), Which act (of man) is dearest to Allah?”

Rasulullah (S.A.S) replied: Firstly Salaat, Secondly Kindness of Parents and Thirdly Jihaad. Salaat is the best E-badat after Imaan.

·        Salaat is the mark of Islam.

·        Salaat is the Pillar of islam and light of Mo’men.

·        It is the key of Zannat.

·        A person in sajdah becomes nearest to Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala.

·        Allah likes most the posture of a man when he is in sajdah, pressing his forehead on the ground in humility. 

Aim of Salaat

The aim of salaat is to obey Allah Subhanahu Ta’ala for his pleaser and highest satisfaction. Ibn Sereen writes that “if I be allowed to choose between Zannat and Salaat of two rakaats, I would prefer Salaat. Because Zannat is for my own pleasure while Salaat is for the pleaser and satisfaction of my dear Lord, Almighty Allah.

        Secondly, the aim of salaat is to spend 24 hours daily life according to the qualities of Salaat.

How to perform Salaat

We should perform salaat in a manner Rasulullah (S.A.S) performed it. He said: “perform salaat as you see me performing it.”  Salaat is in fact, a supplication to and Speech with the Lord with thorough concentration of mind. Hadhrat Abul Aaliyah (R) explains that “there are three essentials of Salaat”:

a.       Sincerity i.e Ikhlas heralds virtuous deeds.

b.      Fear of Allah – expels vices, and

c.       His remembrance – recitation from Holy Quran.

Rasulullah (S.A.S) says that “the best salaat is one with prolonged rakaats, Mujahid explains that, It is standing up with Qunoot which comprises – proper bowing, devotion. long rakaat, keeping the eyes down, lowering shoulder in submission and fear of Allah.

Benefits / Virtues of Salaat

·        Rasulullah (S.A.S) says, the first thing to be taken into account on the Day of Kiyamat is Salaat. If it is good and correct all his actions and deeds’ would be good if it is bad all his actions would be bad.

·        When a Muslim takes wudhu properly and then observes his Salaat five times a day, his sins fall off just as the leaves have fallen off.

·        “When a person performs wudhu with right performance and then says his fardh Salaat, Allah forgives him all the sins committed that day by his feet in going towards evil, by his hands in doing evil, by his ears in listening to evil, by his eyes in looking at evil, and by his heart in thinking of evil.”

·        In another Hadith, Allah Ta’ala says : “O Mohammad, I have ordained five times daily Salaat for thy followers. I have made a covenant with myself that whosoever is regular in performing his salaat at its fived time, he shall be admitted into the Zannat. Those of thy followers who do not guard their salaat are not included in this covenant.”

·        Allah bestows five favours on a person who is mindful (careful) of his salaat ;

1)    His daily bread is made easy for him,

2)    He will be saved from punishment in the grave,

3)    He shall receive his record (A’mal nama) in his right hand on the Day of judgment.

4)    He shall cross the Sirrat with the speed of lightning and

5)    He will enter Zannat without reckoning.

·        Salaat abases the Devil.

·        Wadhu is key of Salaat and Salaat is the key of Zannat.

·        Allah keeps relenting towards a person so long as he is engaged in Salaat.

·        Fire (of Zahannam) has been forbidden to touch those parts of the body which touch the ground while performing the Sajdah.

·        Allah accepts the prayer of a person who prays to Him after performing two rakaats of Salaat. Allah Tabarak Ta’ala grants him who he prays for, sometimes immediately and sometimes later.

However Salaat is an important asset guarantee for all that is desirable and protection against all that is undesirable for both the body and soul equally, in this world and in the Hereafter, Akhirat.

How to achieve benefits

1.     The Male have to pray daily fardh Salaat in the Masjid with jamaat (with takbire ula).

Female have to perform Salaat at their won residence soon after beginning time (waktu).

2.     We have to be particular in Sunnah and bitir (wajib).

3.     If anybody missed salaah of Jamaat he should make it up.

4.     We have to perform salaat lonely in long long rakaat even in Tahajjad.

5.     In day time, we have to invite others to attend Jamaat and in the night make du’aa to Allah for the betterment of salaat.