Prayer is a unique training and development program that, if performed well and with devotion, can provide a Muslim with many valuable spiritual, physical, and ethical benefits.
The importance of prayer in Islam can not be underestimated. It is the first pillar of Islam that the Prophet, (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), mentioned after mentioning the Testimony of Faith, with which one becomes a Muslim. It was made compulsory for all the prophets and for all peoples. God has declared his obligatory status under majestic circumstances. For example, when God spoke directly to Musa (Moses), he said:
“And I have chosen you; Listen, then, what I will reveal to you. Certainly I am Allah, and there is no more divinity than I. worship me, and pray, that I may be present in your heart. “(Quran 20: 13-14)
Similarly, the prayers were mandatory for the Prophet Muhammad during his ascension to heaven. On the other hand, when God praises believers, as at the beginning of the chapter titled ‘Al Muminún’ (the Believers), one of the earliest descriptions He makes is his attachment to prayers.
Once a man asked the prophet about the most virtuous work. The prophet declared that the most virtuous work is prayer. The man asked again and again and the first three times the prophet replied, “Prayer,” and the fourth said: “Jihad for the cause of God.”
The importance of prayer is demonstrated in many ways in the Prophet’s statements. For example, the Prophet said:
“The first thing on which the servant will be accountable on the Day of Judgment is prayer. If it is correct, then your other works will be correct. And if it is incomplete, then his other works will be incomplete.”
The importance of prayers lies in the fact that no matter what one does in life, the most important aspect is one’s relationship with God, that is, one’s faith (imaan), God’s consciousness (takua) , Sincerity (ijlas) and the worship of God (ibddah). This relationship with God is demonstrated and put into practice, as well as improved and enhanced, by prayer. Therefore, if the prayers are correct and appropriate, the other works will be correct and appropriate, and if the prayers are not correct or appropriate, the other works will also be neither correct nor appropriate, as the Prophet himself said.
In fact, the prayer that is rightly done – with the true remembrance of God and turning to Him for forgiveness – will have a lasting effect on the person. After the prayer ends, your heart will be filled with the remembrance of God. He will be fearful and hopeful in God. After such an experience, he will not want to move from that elevated position to one in which he disobeys God. God has mentioned this aspect of prayer when He says:
“Surely prayer preserves from committing immoral and reprehensible acts.” (Quran 29:45)
Nadwi has reported this effect in the following eloquent way:
Its purpose is to generate within the subliminal self of man such spiritual power, light of faith and knowledge of God, that allows him to successfully fight against all sorts of evils and temptations and to stand firm in moments of trial and adversity, and protect himself To himself against the weakness of the flesh and the malice of immoderate appetites.
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The overall effect that correctly performed sentences should have on humans is described in other verses of the Qur’an:
“Surely man was created impatiently; He despairs when he suffers from evil, and he becomes petty when fortune favors him, except the praying ones, who are persevering in prayer … “(Quran 70: 19-23)
As for the Other Life, God’s forgiveness and pleasure are closely related to prayers. The Messenger of God said:
“God has established five prayers. Whoever performs his ablutions excellently, prays in his proper times, completes his obeisances, prostrations and Jushu .
Prayers are a type of purification for a human being. He turns to his Lord and meets with Him five times a day. As mentioned above, the repetition of this encounter with God should keep the person from performing sinful acts during the day. Moreover, it must also be his moment of remorse and repentance, so that he asks God to forgive those sins he has committed. Moreover, prayer itself is a good work that erases some of the evil deeds it has done. This point can be observed in the following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, may the peace and blessing of Almighty Allah be upon him;
“If a person has a river in front of his door and bathes in it five times a day, do they believe that there would be some dirt on him?” The people said, “there would not be any dirt left.” Same are the five daily prayers, God blots out sins for them.’ (Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
In another hadith, the Prophet said:
“The five daily prayers and the Friday Prayer until the next Friday Prayer are an atonement for what is between them.’ narrated [Sahih Muslim]