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 prayer not only helps in building individual
character but also assists in building the whole structure of community
organisation and social discipline. Daily prayer keeps this organisation alive
and working and prevents it from becoming ineffective. This is why performing
prayer in congregation is obligatory. Such regular meetings of individual
Muslims, helps to form a 'community centre'. When Muslims assemble in the
mosque, they have all come for one objective. These feelings unite them, despite
the differences in their race, language, colour or nationality. A strong sense
of brotherhood is created and kept alive by the institution of the five daily
prayers.
Some of the other benefits of the five daily prayers
that are performed in congregation include: mutual help and co-operation,
equality and brotherhood, tolerance, unity, respect for the rights of others,
love and affection, and unity. The prayer also prevents a Muslim from doing
unjust and shameful deeds as Allaah said:
Verily, prayer prevents from shameful and unjust
deeds. [Ankaboot 29:45]
There are also many instances and circumstances in which
the prayer is performed collectively, besides the five daily prayers. There is
the weekly Friday prayer which is considered as a minor form of a day of
celebration. Muslims bathe and dress well for this occasion and everyone is
encouraged to attend this prayer since a small sermon is given before prayer,
and which serves as a reminder for the Muslims.
Then there are the two Eed[3] prayers. The two days of Eed
are days of celebration and joy. An additional prayer is held on these two days
in the early morning and all Muslims are strongly encouraged to attend, along
with their families. This is a time when all Muslims meet each other, give
greetings to each other and also visit each other.
Muslims also perform collective prayer on the occasion
of an eclipse, both for lunar and solar eclipses. An eclipse is one of most
striking signs of Allaah, the One True God. It is quite a fearful and
awe-inspiring event and thus Muslims perform prayer while this phenomenon takes
place. Muslims do not believe that an eclipse is an omen or anything
superstitious as thought by many in both past and present times. Rather, it is
one of the clear signs of Allaah's power and so it is a time when Muslims
perform prayer to acknowledge this fact.
Another occasion of collective prayer is when there has
been a prolonged absence of rain. So Muslims come out into the open and perform
the pray for rain. Here they beseech and invoke Allaah, the One Who sends the
winds and the rains, that He blesses them and sends upon them, rain. This is at
a time when their livelihood may be at stake and so in mutual concern for
themselves and each other, they embark together to perform this prayer. Again
this instils the notion of brotherhood and mutual care and consideration amongst
the people.
Death is an inevitable reality and for this occasion
there is the funeral prayer. Attending the deceased Muslim's funeral and
performing the prayer over him is one of the many rights that a Muslim has over
another Muslim. All the Muslims come and take part in this prayer out of a sense
of respect and responsibility and after it, assist in the burial. This make them
remind themselves that they too, will be placed into the earth, ready to be
raised again to be held accountable for their deeds. Thus, helping them to not
lose track of their goal in life and become too heavily immersed the pursuits of
life.
So it can be seen how the prayer in Islaam is linked to
every sphere of the life of a Muslim and also to the life of Muslim community.
When one knows that human-kind has been created to worship Allaah - the One True
God - then it is understandable that the prayer should play a vital role in
daily life, in helping Muslims to fulfil their duty to their Creator and Lord,
in helping them to create love and affection between themselves, and in helping
them to seek assistance for their daily individual and collective needs as well
as constantly reminding them of what is yet to come - the Hereafter.
FOOTNOTES
1 The five daily prayers are performed at dawn,
immediately after mid-day, late afternoon, sunset and at night (a couple of
hours after sunset).
2 This consists of washing the hands, the face, the
mouth, the nose, the arms and elbows, wiping over ones head, and washing the
feet and ankles.
3 A day of celebration is known as Eed. Muslim have two
'Eeds' in their calendar. One is called 'Eed ul-Fitr' and marks the end of the
month of fasting, Ramadaan. The other, known as 'Eed ul-Adhaa' commemorates the
end of the rituals of pilgrimage which were performed originally by the Prophet
Abraham (peace be upon him) in Makkah.
The Second Pillar of Islaam: The Five Daily Prayers