|
|
|
|
The Importance of Prayer"O man, what has made you careless concerning your Lord, the Most Generous. Him Who created thee. Fashioned thee in due proportion and gave thee a just bias. In any form He willed, He put you together". Qur'an 82: 6-8 Allah the Almighty, Creator of the Heavens and Earth addresses mankind, reproaching them: What has seduced you, O man, into such a state that you neglect the One who created you in love and mercy, including you to disobey Him and feel secure from His punishment, neither admitting His right upon you nor showing gratitude for the countless blessings bestowed upon you … ? "O my people, worship Allah. You have no other deity but Him" Qur'an 11:84 That was the message of every prophet sent to mankind. It was not a new message, but a reminder of the inherent truth that all men carry deep in their souls, that Allah the Creator, alone is worthy of worship. No other form of worship can be compared to Formal prayer or "Salat". It is the basis of religion, without which there is no religion. Prayer was practiced in some form by the earlier prophets and their followers as an essential part of the religion of God. Prophet Ibrahim asked Allah's support in this duty: "O my Lord! Make me one who establishes regular Prayer and also (raise such) among my offspring O our Lord! And accept my invocation". Qur'an 14:40 Allah spoke to Prophet Musa saying: "Verily I am Allah: there is no deity except Me, so worship me and establish prayer for my remembrance". Qur'an 20:14 Prophet Isa says of his Lord: "And He has made me Blessed wheresoever I be and has enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;" Qur'an 19:31 And Allah orders Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): "Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish Prayer. Indeed, Prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater and Allah knows that which you do". Qur'an 29:45 Islam, which is the final religion, the completion and confirmation of monotheistic religion, considers prayer essential. The denial of prayer removes one from the ranks of Islam. Prayer was the first duty ordered of the Muslim community, having been made obligatory upon them in Makkah about three years before the Hijra (emigration) to Madinah. All Islamic obligations were revealed to Prophet Muhammad upon the earth, while prayer alone, due to it's importance, was ordered in heaven on the night of Israa' and Mi'raj. This is proof enough of the Creator's great care that this communion between Himself and His slaves be established. Prayer is expected of every Muslim (and Muslimah) who is sane and of age. It is reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The pen has been lifted (i.e. does not registered) for three: for the sleeping one until he awakens, for the young until he reaches puberty and for the insane until he becomes sane" Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and At-Tirmidhi. All others are responsible for their duties before Allah, and the foremost of these duties is prayer. Prayer is ordered continuously throughout Qur'an. Allah, in His mercy emphasizes it's importance over and over so there can be no doubt. He tells us: "Guard strictly the Prayers, especially the middle prayer and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind)." Qur'an 2:238 And He says: "When you have finished the (congregational) Prayers, celebrate Allah's praises standing, sitting down or lying down on your sides; but when you are free from danger, set up regular Prayers: for such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times." Qur'an 4:103 It should be noted as well that in Islam, the establishment of prayer is emphasized: The Qur'an does not tell us: "pray", but it tells us: "establish prayer". Prayer should not to be merely a series of words and movements practiced in the heart, if it is to give the desired result. Prayer is to be established for the individual at it's proper times and according to it's definite conditions. It is to be established in the home, in the family, and finally in the community as a whole. This is because the prayer, when established and practiced in the proper fashion ties the individual (and the group) to Allah in a positive and fruitful way
|
Islamic Educational Foundation, 1421 AH
|
