The Muslim's prayers are one of the many
types of worship in Islaam. They are an outward expression of a Muslim's belief
in Allaah. The prayer is also a practical sign of obedience to the command of
Allaah. As such it is something that is performed on a daily basis[1] so that a
Muslim is never unmindful of the One who created him and provided for him with
all that he can see and observe on this earth - all of which has been subjected
to him, for his use and benefit. Allaah said:
And He has subjected to you [for your use and
benefit] all that is in the Heavens and the Earth. It is all as a favour and kindness from
Him. Verily in this are signs for a people who think deeply. [Jaathiyah 45:13]
Since human-kind have been created to fulfil a purpose -
which is to worship Allaah - there must be a way to express this worship -
otherwise it would be meaningless - and this is why the Muslim's prayer consists
of physical actions: a number of different postures. So a Muslim stands, bows
and prostrates. And this is a sign of humility, gratefulness and obedience.
When a Muslim faces the qiblah (the direction of prayer)
he also knows that he must turn his heart away from all other things to Allaah,
the One True God. When a Muslim stands in front of Allaah, having folded his
hands and arms, it is a sign of humility and defeat in front of Allaah, the One
True God. In this posture a Muslim also brings to mind the Day of Judgement
where he will have to stand and account for his deeds. When a Muslim bends his
back and bows to Allaah, it is a sign of lowering oneself in obedience to
Allaah. It is a sign of acknowledging one's own shortcomings and weaknesses in
front of the all-Powerful God who is Most-Perfect. While in this position a
Muslim says: "How perfect is my Lord, the Most Great". Then when a
Muslim prostrates, placing his or her noble limbs upon the earth, it is an
extreme sign and the end result of humility. Whilst in this position a Muslim
says: "How perfect is my Lord, the Most High". In this posture a
Muslim returns his limbs to their place of origin: the dust from which they were
created.
The prayer is a constant reminder therefore, for all of
humanity - for the black or the white, for the rich or the poor, for the
powerful or the powerless, for the employer or the employee - of Allaah, the One
True God, that He is their Creator and Lord, that they have no privilege or
benefit - whether it be on account of wealth, power or status - except that it
has come from Allaah and so they have no reason to become proud or arrogant over
one another. Also, that they recognise their great dependence upon Him for all
their needs.
The five daily prayers have enormous benefits, both for
the individual and also for the society at large. Since a Muslim has to perform
ablution[2] for the prayers it ensures physical cleanliness for the duration of
the whole day. In Islaam great importance is given to cleanliness. The Prophet
Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Cleanliness is one-half of faith".
Then by the performance of prayer, at stated times and
in congregation (praying collectively in the mosque, where all the Muslims stand
shoulder to shoulder, feet to feet in straight rows) a Muslim learns to be
punctual, to develop and have a sense of duty, to have self-discipline,
self-control, patience, efficiency, and to build his character. It might seem
that repeating something five times a day is a bit repetitive and can get quite
tiresome. But this is far from the truth. This is because the prayer does not
consist of mere actions. Rather a Muslim is actually speaking to Allaah
throughout the whole prayer, while he is standing, bowing or prostrating:
speaking to the One who created him and fashioned him from a mere sperm drop to
a fully grown human being who possesses sight, hearing and understanding.
Say: He is the One who initiated the process of
your creation and then gave you the faculties of hearing, seeing and understanding. Little
thanks is it that you give [Mulk 67:23]
So this reminds him of his lowly origins. At the same
time, while standing in front of his Lord, a Muslim feels the emotions of love,
hope and fear. And every time a Muslim performs the prayer his faith and belief
in the One True God is increased and strengthened due to these feelings, which
are a result of the words and actions of the prayer.
The Second Pillar of Islaam: The Five Daily Prayers