ALLAH (SWT) has said in the Noble Qur'an: "I
have not created the jinn and humankind for any other purpose except that they
should worship Me." (Noble Qur'an 51:56)
It is clear from the above verse of Noble Qur'an that the purpose of our birth
and of our life is no other than that of the worship of ALLAH (SWT). There are
many acts of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat) in Islam, and Salah is one of the most
important obligatory acts.
Salah (Salat, Namaz) is the ritual prayer practiced by Muslims in supplication
to ALLAH (SWT). The term is commonly used to refer to the five daily prayers,
which are compulsory upon all mature Muslims. Salah (Salat, Namaz) is considered
the most important act of worship (Ibadah, Ibadat) in Islam and its importance
is such that under very few circumstances it can be omitted.
Salah (Salat, Namaz) strengthens the foundations of our faith. It prepares a
person to live the life of goodness and obedience to ALLAH (SWT), and it builds
courage and determination. Every time we perform Salah, we renew our commitments
to ALLAH (SWT) and we rid ourselves from worldly pressures five times a day.
According to a Hadith a companion of Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) came to him
one day and asked him "What is the thing that ALLAH (SWT) loves most?" Holy
Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) replied "The thing that ALLAH (SWT) loves most is when
his people pray Salah on time."
Salah (Salat, Namaz) is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of ALLAH (SWT).
Its importance has been emphasized about 500 times in the Noble Qur'an.
Once Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) shook a dry branch of a tree so that all of
the leaves of the branch fell off than the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) said
"The sins of those who pray Salah, drop off as the leaves of this branch fell
off."
Before Salah, we make wuzu (ablution). Wuzu (Ablution) is a unique way of
cleansing certain parts of our body so we are clean before bowing down to the
one who created us, who created the universe the one and only ALLAH (SWT).
The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) once asked his companions "Tell me if there was
a river at the door step of one of you in which you washed five times a day
would any of your dirt remain?" When Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) received the
reply that none of it would remain he then said "That is like the five times
Salah, with which ALLAH (SWT) wipes out sin.
The last thing that Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) emphasized at his deathbed was
Salah. He also said the first thing we will have to answer about on the day of
judgment is Salah.
While in Salah one communicates with ALLAH (SWT) and experiences his presence.
That's why a Hadith says: Salah is the Meraj of a Momin (Namaz is called as
Meraj-ul-Momineen).
The Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) also said "The key to Heaven is Salah. The key
to Salah is Purification."
"Namaz is a pillar of Religion. If Namaz is accepted all other deeds are
accepted. If Namaz is rejected then all other Deeds are rejected" Holy Prophet
Mohammad (pbuh)