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Prayer (Namāz)
is the name of that special worship in which man can directly communicate and
establish a relationship with his Creator. Prayer
is such a pillar (of the five pillars of Islam) that no Muslim in their conscious senses can deny or abandon in any state. The establishment of Prayer
has been stated in the Holy Quran
approximately one hundred times. From this we can appreciate the importance,
excellence and greatness of this
important pillar of Islam. In
worship, Prayer holds a central position. It acquaints a person with
such a spiritual state in which one
negates himself and all else existing in his
surroundings to witness Allah. Prayer provides a great guard and protection to the hidden and innermost senses of man and also forms a social network
amongst people. Prayer brings many benefits, morally,
physically, spiritually, to the
way of life and on a civil basis. Collective prayer creates strength and
solidarity in social relationships.
Salāt (Prayer)
is an Arabic word. Its meanings include glorification of Allah, asking for
forgiveness, blessings, complimenting Allah, and desire for blessings or grace.
Prayer also means to obey, honour and respect Allah. In other words, Salāt is
the name of the worship in which it is necessary to declare the greatness of
Allah. To perform Prayer in its proper manner is a fundamental pillar of Islam.
A Prayer that has been accepted can enable man to achieve all heights in
religious and worldly affairs.
Allah
clarifies in the Holy Quran:
‘This is
the Scripture whereof there is no doubt, a guidance unto those who ward off
evil. Who believe in the unseen, and establish Prayer, and spend of that We
have bestowed upon them’
(Sūrah Baqara, 2)
According to Allah's statement, Prayer prevents
you from sinning. Regarding Prayer, the Creator of the universe states:
‘Ah, woe unto worshippers who are heedless of
their prayers’ (Sūrah Ma’un, 3) The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Allah
states: ‘I have made obligatory on the followers of this faith (Muslims) five
Prayers and I have taken responsibility that if one performs these five Prayers
at their appointed times, it becomes My duty to enter him into heaven’ ”
When a
person stands to perform Prayer the
doors of Heaven open up to him. Between
the worshipper and Allah all veils are lifted. Prayer is the Light of the believer. In the state of prostration the worshipper’s
head is at the feet of Allah. Prayer is the Ascension of the believer.
In every
religion that came to this world through revelation, Allah's remembrance has
been ordered. Also existing are the laws and guidance for this remembrance.
Just as there is praise and glorification of Allah for Muslims, there is Mazmoor
for the Jews, supplication for Christians, Zamzama for the Persians, and Bhujan
for the Hindus, and each has determined times to offer these obligatory
Prayers. This is the reason why Prayer is an act which all religions agree
upon. According to the teachings of the Holy Quran, each messenger gave its
followers instructions to establish Prayer and emphasised it. The followers of
Hażrat Ibrahim give great importance to this. When Hażrat Ibrahim settled his
son Hażrat Isma'il on the deserted grounds of Makkah he gave the following
reasoning:-
رَبَّنَا
لِیُقِیْمُوا الصَّلٰوۃ
(Sūrah
Ibrāhīm, 37)
‘Our Lord, that they may establish Prayer’
Hażrat
Ibrahim supplicated to Allah for himself and for his descendants, the following
supplication:-
رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِیْ مُقِیْمَ الصَّلوٰۃ وَ مِنْ
ذُرِّیَّتِیْ
(Sūrah
Ibrāhīm, 40)
‘Oh my Lord! Make me one who establishes
regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring’
About
Hażrat Ismā'il, the Holy Quran states:-
وَکَانَ یَامُرُ اَھْلَہٗ بِالصَّلوٰۃِ
(Sūrah
Maryam, 55)
‘He used to enjoin on his people Prayer’
Regarding Hażrat Lut, Hażrat Is'haq, Hażrat
Yaqoob and the messengers of their descendants the Quran states:-
وَ اَوْ حَیْنَا اِلَیْھِمْ فعلَ الْخَیْرتِ وَ
امَّامَ الصَّلوٰۃَ
(Sūrah
Anbiyā, 73)
‘and We inspired in them the doing of good
deeds and the establishment of Prayer’ Hażrat Luqman gave the following
guidance to his son:-
یَا
بُنَیَّ اَقِمِ الصَّلوٰۃَ
(Sūrah
Luqmān, 17)
‘O my dear son! Establish Prayer’ Allah
commanded to Hażrat Mūsa (Moses):-
وَاَقِمِ
الصَّلوٰۃَ لِذِکْرِیْ
(Sūrah
Tā-Ha, 14)
‘Establish Prayer for My remembrance’ It was
commanded to Hażrat Mūsa, Haroon and Bani Israeel:-
وَاَقِیْمُو الصَّلوٰۃ
(Sūrah
Yūnus,87)
‘and
establish Prayer’
Hażrat Isa (Jesus) used to say:-
وَ اَوْ
صٰنِیْ بِالصَّلوٰۃِ
(Sūrah
Maryam, 31)
‘And the
Lord gave command of Prayer’
It is evident from the Quran that even in the
days of Islam certain Jews and Christians were establishing Prayer. It states:-
مِنْ اَھْلِ الْکِتَابِ اُمَّہٌ قَاءِمَۃٌ
یَتْلُونَ اٰیْتِ اللّٰہِ اٰنَآءَ الَّیْلِ وَھُمْ یَسْجُدُوْنَ
(Sūrah
Al-Imrān, 113)
‘Of the
People of the Scriptures there is a staunch community who recite the
revelations of Allah all
night long, and they prostrate themselves (before Him)’
وَالَّذِیْنَ یُمَسِّکُونَ بِالْکِتٰبِ
وَاَقَامُوا الصَّلوٰۃَ اِنَّا لَانُضِیْعُ اَجْرَالْمُصْلِحِیْنَ
(Sūrah
A'rāf, 170)
‘And as for those who hold fast by the Book and
establish regular Prayer, — never shall We suffer the reward
of the righteous to perish’
KHWAJA SHAMSUDDIN AZEEMI
Mehrāj means to enter the world of the unseen. When a believer attains Mehrāj through prayer, Angels appear in front of him. He travels through the Heavens, and through the blessings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) he comes to know his Lord.
