IMPORTANCE OF SALAT

Salat or prayer constitutes the second pillar of Islam. It should be borne in mind that Allah does not need our prayer, because He is free of all needs. Allah is only interested in our prosperity and well being in every sense. When Allah emphasises the necessity of prayer or charges us with any duty, He means to help us; because whatever good we do is for our own benefit, and whatever offence we commit is against our own souls. The benefit which people can derive from daily prayer is immeasurable, and the blessing of prayer is beyond imagination.

It is difficult for anyone to impart in words the full meaning of prayer, yet it can be said that salat aims:

• to bring people closer to Allah;
• to keep human beings from doing indecent, shameful and forbidden things;
• to remind people constantly of Allah and His greatness;
• to develop discipline and will-power;
• to show equality, unity and brotherhood;
• to promote patience, courage, hope and confidence;
• to train people in cleanliness, purity and punctuality;