THE PURPOSE OF SALAT

When one believes in God, and His almightiness and grace, His omnipotence and mercy, he/she feels the need and aspiration to communicate with Him and pray for His guidance and help. Salat or prayer aims at nourishment and strengthen one’s consciousness of God – Faith.

This form of worship not only nourishes the spirit and faith but, it also keeps the body clean, healthy, and organized.

The submission to God in all human activities is the essence of worship. It brings all the humans to same ground no matter the king or the slave, black or white, young or old, men or women; everyone bows down to God, and prays for His mercy.

Prayers are connected with patience, endurance and perseverance. These factors naturally support one another and are cohesive with each other. Patience radiates stability, and thus provides a situation for communicating with God. This itself nurtures patience through the peace that it develops in the depth of their heart.

The believers have been commanded in the Quran to seek help through patience and prayer:

“You who believe, seek help through patience and prayer; surely, God is with the steadfast.” (2:153)

We come to know from the hadith that when faced with a difficult situation, the Prophet stood for prayer.