Prayer is worship of God. It is obligatory for the believer to pray five times a day. These prayers are performed in mosques in congregation. But prior to the performance of prayer comes wudu, ablution. In ablution the hands, face, and feet are washed with water. This washing in order to cleanse awakens the feeling in man that he should always lead a life of purity. Then by uttering the words 'God is Great' he enters into the act of salat. This is to acknowledge that all greatness belongs to God. Thus the proper attitude for man is to lead a life of modesty and humility. By reciting some parts from the Qur'an in prayer, the devotee refreshes his memory about God's commandments regarding himself. Then he kneels and prostrates himself before God, in physical expression of the idea that the only course that befits him is to lead his life as a submissive servant of God. The prayer is concluded by turning the face first to the right side, then to the left, and uttering the words 'Assalamu-alaykum' (Peace and blessings of God be upon you). This is a demonstration of the fact that, spiritually conditioned by prayer, the devotees are now entering into the world with no other thoughts and feelings in their minds but those of mercy towards others, and peace for all mankind. Prayer turns their resolve to remain peaceful members of society, and to harbour no ill feelings towards anyone. Prayer in one respect is the worship of God, and in another it is an acknowledgement of the divinity of God. It is to surrender before God, attributing all kinds of greatness to Him alone. In yet another respect, prayer prepares the individual to lead a worthy life among people, adopting an attitude of modesty, sympathy and good-will in all his dealings. In short, prayer perfects man's relation with God as well as with other human beings.[Highlight1]
Related Articles
Article
The Sunday Guardian | March 31, 2024
Fasting is a kind of reminder to a sincere person. It reminds us that we are in the world of God, a world which has been created by God. Its owner is God, not us. Here we cannot…
Article
According to Islamic teachings, there are five pillars of Islam. One of these pillars is fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Every pillar of Islam, iman, salat, zakat, saum and hajj…
Article
Ramadan—the month of fasting, is the month that revelations of the Quran began to be made to the Prophet Muhammad, marking the commencement of Prophethood.
Ramadan is a month of restraint and worship; of caring and…
Article
Sunday Guardian | March 17, 2024
Ramadan, the month of fasting and self-purification, is a blessed spiritual period for believers, for it is during this month that they do their utmost to awaken and enhance their…
Article
According to Islamic teachings, Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijra calendar, is the month of fasting. The Quran mentions that fasting was a common practice in all the religions: “Believers, fasting has been…
Article
The Sunday Guardian | March 24, 2024
Fasting, a form of divine worship is observed for one month every year. During this period of fasting, man abstains from food and water from sunrise to sunset in obedience to the…