PILLAR OF RELIGIOUS LIFE

Introduction Importance of Prayer The times of the Five Daily Prescribed Prayers Kinds of Prayer Adhan ( The Call to prayer ) Prophetic Sayings on SALAT Verses from the Holy QUR’AN

Pillars of Islam Shahadah (Declaration of Faith) (explained

previously)

Salat (Prayer)Zakat (Charity)Sawm (Fast)Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)

Since there is just the Creator and the Creation, there can only be one type of relationship between them ;

this relationship is worship and prayer…

The prescribed prayer prevents one from committing indecencies and other kinds of evil deeds (29:45).

"The seven heavens and the earth and all that is therein, glorify Him and there is not a thing but glorifies His Praise. But you understand not their glorification. Truly, He is All-Clement, Most Forgiving." (17/44 )

Salat is the name for the Salat is the name for the daily prescribed prayers daily prescribed prayers performed five times a day performed five times a day and the Jumu’a (Friday) and the Jumu’a (Friday) prayer. prayer.

It is the most important type of It is the most important type of worship, for it displays a worship, for it displays a

person’s person’s sincerity and loyalty to God. sincerity and loyalty to God.

In the words of God’s In the words of God’s Messenger, it is the pillar or Messenger, it is the pillar or main support of religious life.main support of religious life.

In prayer, there is In prayer, there is comfort for the soul and comfort for the soul and mindmind. .

Nor is it difficult for the bodyNor is it difficult for the body With the right With the right intention, all the deeds and conduct of one intention, all the deeds and conduct of one who prays become like worship. In this way, who prays become like worship. In this way, his little lifetime is spent for the sake of the his little lifetime is spent for the sake of the eternal life in the other world eternal life in the other world

An hour is enough for the prayers in a day.An hour is enough for the prayers in a day. 23 hours for this world and 1 for here after 23 hours for this world and 1 for here after and it is very profitable trade…and it is very profitable trade…

By saying “You alone do we worship” and By saying “You alone do we worship” and repeating “God is the Greatest” one becomes repeating “God is the Greatest” one becomes universaluniversal

Importance of Prayer

To understand better, let us listen this To understand better, let us listen this parable.parable.

A mighty rulerA mighty ruler gave each of gave each of two of his servantstwo of his servants twenty-four twenty-four (24) gold pieces(24) gold pieces and and sent them to settle on one of sent them to settle on one of his rich, royal farmshis rich, royal farms two months’ distance away two months’ distance away

““Use this money for your Use this money for your ticketstickets”, he commanded them, “and ”, he commanded them, “and buy buy whatever is necessary for your housewhatever is necessary for your house there with it. there with it.

There is a There is a stationstation one day’s distance from the farm. And there is both road- one day’s distance from the farm. And there is both road-transport, and a railway, and boats, and aero-planes. They can be benefited transport, and a railway, and boats, and aero-planes. They can be benefited

from from according to your capitalaccording to your capital.”.”

The two servants set off after receiving these instructions. The two servants set off after receiving these instructions. One of themOne of them was was fortunatefortunate so that he spent a small amount of money on the way to the station. so that he spent a small amount of money on the way to the station. And included in that expense was some business so And included in that expense was some business so profitable and pleasing to profitable and pleasing to

his master that his capital increased a thousandfoldhis master that his capital increased a thousandfold. .

As for the other servant, since he was luckless and a lazy, As for the other servant, since he was luckless and a lazy, he spent 23 pieces of he spent 23 pieces of goldgold on the way to the station, on the way to the station, wasting it on gambling and amusements.wasting it on gambling and amusements. A single A single

gold piece remained. gold piece remained.

A single gold piece remained. A single gold piece remained.

““Spend this Spend this last gold piecelast gold piece on a on a ticketticket so that you will not have to walk the long so that you will not have to walk the long journey and starve. Moreover, our master is generous; perhaps he will take pity journey and starve. Moreover, our master is generous; perhaps he will take pity

on you and forgive you your faults, and put you on a plane as well.on you and forgive you your faults, and put you on a plane as well.

Then we shall reach where we are going to live in one day. Otherwise Then we shall reach where we are going to live in one day. Otherwise you will be compelled to walk alone and hungry across a desert which you will be compelled to walk alone and hungry across a desert which

takes two months to cross.” The most unintelligent person can takes two months to cross.” The most unintelligent person can understand how foolish, harmful, and senseless he would be if out of understand how foolish, harmful, and senseless he would be if out of

obstinacy he did not spend that single remaining obstinacy he did not spend that single remaining gold piece on a ticket, gold piece on a ticket, which is like the key to a treasurywhich is like the key to a treasury, and , and instead spent it on vice for instead spent it on vice for

passing pleasure.passing pleasure. Is that not so? Is that not so?

And so, O you who do not perform the prescribed prayers! And O my own soul, And so, O you who do not perform the prescribed prayers! And O my own soul, which does not like to pray! Think carefully.which does not like to pray! Think carefully.

The ruler in the comparison is our Sustainer, our Creator. And of the two The ruler in the comparison is our Sustainer, our Creator. And of the two travelling servants, one represents the devout who perform their prayers with travelling servants, one represents the devout who perform their prayers with

passion, and the other, the heedless who neglect their prayers. The 24 pieces passion, and the other, the heedless who neglect their prayers. The 24 pieces of gold are life in every 24 hours day. And the royal domain is Paradise. As for of gold are life in every 24 hours day. And the royal domain is Paradise. As for

the station, that is the grave.the station, that is the grave.

While the journey is man’s passage to the While the journey is man’s passage to the gravegrave, and on to the , and on to the ResurrectionResurrection, , and the and the HereafterHereafter..

Men cover that long journey to different degrees Men cover that long journey to different degrees according to their actionsaccording to their actions and and the the strength of their fear of Godstrength of their fear of God. Some of the truly devout have crossed a . Some of the truly devout have crossed a

thousand-year distance in a day like lightening. And some have traversed a fifty-thousand-year distance in a day like lightening. And some have traversed a fifty-thousand-year distance in a day with the speed of imagination. thousand-year distance in a day with the speed of imagination.

The The ticketticket in the comparison in the comparison represents the prescribed prayersrepresents the prescribed prayers. . A single hourA single hour a a day is sufficientday is sufficient for the five prayers together with taking the ablutions. for the five prayers together with taking the ablutions.

So what a loss a person makes who spends 23 hours on this fleeting worldly life, So what a loss a person makes who spends 23 hours on this fleeting worldly life, and and fails to spend 1 hourfails to spend 1 hour on the long life of the Hereafter; how he wrongs his on the long life of the Hereafter; how he wrongs his

own self; how unreasonably he behaves. For would not anyone who considers own self; how unreasonably he behaves. For would not anyone who considers himself to be reasonable understand how contrary to reason and wisdom such a himself to be reasonable understand how contrary to reason and wisdom such a

person’s conduct is, and how far from reason he has become, if, thinking it person’s conduct is, and how far from reason he has become, if, thinking it reasonable, he gives half of his property to a reasonable, he gives half of his property to a lotterylottery in which one 1000 are in which one 1000 are

participating and the possibility of winning is 1 in 1000, and does not give one participating and the possibility of winning is 1 in 1000, and does not give one twenty-fourth of it to an twenty-fourth of it to an eternal treasuryeternal treasury where the possibility of winning has where the possibility of winning has

been verified at been verified at 99%99%??

Approximately Approximately

350 thousand350 thousand people die everyday.people die everyday.

In our worldIn our world

Approximately Approximately

15 thousand15 thousand people diepeople die

in every 1 hour.in every 1 hour.

Approximately Approximately

250 people 250 people people diepeople die

in every 1 minute.in every 1 minute.

Most people do not expect dying Most people do not expect dying and most of us are not ready.and most of us are not ready.

Moreover, the spirit, the heart, and the mind find great ease in prayer. And it is Moreover, the spirit, the heart, and the mind find great ease in prayer. And it is not tiring (hard) for the body. not tiring (hard) for the body.

Furthermore, Furthermore, with the right intentionwith the right intention, all the other acts of someone who performs , all the other acts of someone who performs the prescribed prayers become like worship. He can make over the whole capital the prescribed prayers become like worship. He can make over the whole capital of his life to the Hereafter in this way. of his life to the Hereafter in this way. He can make his transient life permanent He can make his transient life permanent

in one respectin one respect……

Who is it applicable to?

No PriestsNo Priests There is no hierarchical authority in There is no hierarchical authority in

Islam, and Islam, and no priests, so the prayers no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person (Imam) who are led by a learned person (Imam) who knows the Qur'an, chosen by the knows the Qur'an, chosen by the congregation. congregation.

These five prayers contain verses from These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the the Qur'an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but language of the Revelation, but personal supplication can be offered in personal supplication can be offered in one's own language.one's own language.

Prayer is obligatory upon every Prayer is obligatory upon every sane Muslim who has reached sane Muslim who has reached the age of puberty. Only women the age of puberty. Only women having their menstrual period or having their menstrual period or post-children bleeding do not post-children bleeding do not perform it.perform it.

Where is it performed?It is permissible to pray at home, at work, It is permissible to pray at home, at work, or even outdoors however , it is meritorious or even outdoors however , it is meritorious to perform it with another or with a group.to perform it with another or with a group.

Friday PrayersFriday PrayersThe noon congregational prayer of The noon congregational prayer of Friday afternoon is mandated to be a Friday afternoon is mandated to be a collective and must be said in a collective and must be said in a Mosque, and is preceded by a Mosque, and is preceded by a sermon (Khutba). sermon (Khutba).

The Meaning of SALAT (Prayer) Each salat stands for praising, glorifying, Each salat stands for praising, glorifying,

and feeling grateful to God. and feeling grateful to God. We glorify Him by saying We glorify Him by saying subhan Allahsubhan Allah

(Glory be to God) by word and action in (Glory be to God) by word and action in awareness of His Majesty. awareness of His Majesty.

We exalt and magnify Him by saying We exalt and magnify Him by saying Allahu akbarAllahu akbar (God is the Greatest) (God is the Greatest) through word and action in awareness of through word and action in awareness of His Perfection.His Perfection. We offer thanks to Him by saying We offer thanks to Him by saying al-al-

hamdu lillah hamdu lillah (All Praise be to God) with (All Praise be to God) with our heart, tongue, and body, in awareness our heart, tongue, and body, in awareness of His Grace. of His Grace.

From this we conclude that the heart of From this we conclude that the heart of prayer consists of glorification, prayer consists of glorification, exaltation, praise, and thanksgiving. exaltation, praise, and thanksgiving. Thus, these three phrases are present in Thus, these three phrases are present in every part of the prayers, in all the every part of the prayers, in all the actions and words.actions and words.

The times of the Five Daily Prescribed The times of the Five Daily Prescribed PrayersPrayers

Prayers are performed at dawn, Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall, and thus determine the nightfall, and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day.rhythm of the entire day.

Establish the prayer at the beginning and Establish the prayer at the beginning and the end of the day, and in the watches of the end of the day, and in the watches of night near to the day. Assuredly, good night near to the day. Assuredly, good deeds wipe out evil deeds. This is advice deeds wipe out evil deeds. This is advice and a reminder for the mindful who take and a reminder for the mindful who take heed. heed. (Qur’an 11:114)(Qur’an 11:114)

The time of The time of FajrFajr (the early morning) (the early morning)

was appointed for the morning prayer.was appointed for the morning prayer.

The time of The time of ZuhrZuhr (just past midday) (just past midday)

The time of The time of ‘Asr‘Asr (afternoon) (afternoon)

The time of The time of MaghribMaghrib (sunset) (sunset)

The time of The time of ‘Isha‘Isha (nightfall) (nightfall)

Five Times a Day

The Meaning of Different Prayer Times

Each prayer time is the opening of a significant turning point, so also is each a mirror to Divine disposal of power and to the universal Divine bounties within that disposal.

Thus, more glorification and extolling of the All-Powerful One of Glory have been ordered at those times, and more praise and thanks for all the innumerable bounties accumulated between each of the times, which is the meaning of the prescribed

prayers

Each prayer time is the opening of Each prayer time is the opening of a significant turning point, so also a significant turning point, so also is each a mirror to Divine disposal is each a mirror to Divine disposal of power and to the universal of power and to the universal Divine bounties within that Divine bounties within that disposal. disposal.

Thus, more glorification and extolling ofThus, more glorification and extolling of the All-Powerful One of Glory have beenthe All-Powerful One of Glory have been ordered at those times, and more praise andordered at those times, and more praise and thanks for all the innumerable bounties thanks for all the innumerable bounties accumulated between each of the times, accumulated between each of the times, which is the meaning of the prescribed which is the meaning of the prescribed

prayers prayers

Obligatory.Obligatory. The five daily prescribed prayers and the The five daily prescribed prayers and the Jumu'aJumu'a (Friday) prayer. (Friday) prayer.

Necessary (wajib)Necessary (wajib). The . The 'Iyd'Iyd (religious festive days) (religious festive days) prayers and the with prayerprayers and the with prayer

Sunna (those performed or advised by the Prophet).Sunna (those performed or advised by the Prophet). Those performed before or after the daily prescribed Those performed before or after the daily prescribed prayers .prayers .Supererogatory and rewarded . Supererogatory and rewarded .

Salat al-ishraqSalat al-ishraq (performed some three quarters after (performed some three quarters after sunrise), sunrise),

Salat al-duhaSalat al-duha (forenoon or broad daylight prayer, (forenoon or broad daylight prayer,

Salat al-awwabinSalat al-awwabin (performed between the evening and (performed between the evening and late evening prayers), late evening prayers),

Salat al-tawbaSalat al-tawba (performed before asking God to forgive (performed before asking God to forgive us),etc…us),etc…

An Audience with God

Having faith, believers see in every event a door to the wealth of God’s Mercy, and knock on it via supplication. Realizing that their Lord and Sustainer controls everything, they take refuge in Him and place their trust in Him, and demonstrate their weakness and helplessness, humility and poverty by bowing humbly with the rest of the creation, saying: “Glory be to my Lord, the Mighty. ”.

Prostrating in awareness of the undying Beauty and Grace of His Essence, His unchanging sacred Attributes, and His constant everlasting Perfection, they proclaim, through detachment from all that is not Him, their love and servanthood in wonder and self-abasement.

The The AdhanAdhan calls Muslims to prayer calls Muslims to prayerEven if one is performing the prayer alone, he Even if one is performing the prayer alone, he or she is strongly advised to make it before or she is strongly advised to make it before beginning to pray.beginning to pray.

Words of Adhan;Words of Adhan;

Allahu akbarAllahu akbar (God is the Greatest) (God is the Greatest)Ashhadu an la ilaha illa’llahAshhadu an la ilaha illa’llah (I bear witness (I bear witness that there is no deity but God)that there is no deity but God)Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasululu’llahAshhadu anna Muhammadan Rasululu’llah (I bear witness that Muhammad is God’s (I bear witness that Muhammad is God’s Messenger); Messenger); Hayya ‘ala’s-salahHayya ‘ala’s-salah (Come on, to prayer) (Come on, to prayer)Hayya ‘ala’l-falahHayya ‘ala’l-falah (Come on, to salvation) (Come on, to salvation)Allahu akbarAllahu akbar (God is the Greatest) (God is the Greatest)La ilaha illa’llahLa ilaha illa’llah (I bear witness that there is no (I bear witness that there is no deity but God) deity but God)

Prophetic Sayings on SALAT

"The five (daily) Salat (prayers) and the Friday (prayer) to the Friday (prayer) expiate whatever (minor sins) may be committed in between, so long as major sins are avoided.''

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked his companions, "Say, if there were a river at the door of one of you in which he takes a bath five times a day, would any soiling (dirt) remain on him?'' They replied, "No soiling would left on him.'' He (PBUH) said, '' That is the five (obligatory) Salat (prayers). Allah erases all sins as a result of performing them.''

Verses from the Holy QUR’AN““Recite what is sent of the Book by Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deedsfrom shameful and unjust deeds; and ; and remembrance of God is the greatest remembrance of God is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt.(thing in life) without doubt. And God And God knows the (deeds) that ye do.” knows the (deeds) that ye do.”

(Qur’an 29:45)(Qur’an 29:45)

“Glory be to God whenever you reach evening and whenever you rise in the morning. All praise is for Him in the heavens and on Earth in the late afternoon, and whenever you reach the noon.” (Qur’an 30:17-18)