Bismillah Irrahman Irrahim
Prayer or Salah or Namaz is one of the five basic pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakat, Haj and Saum) of Islam that are obligated on every single believer on the earth under the decree of the Allah (swt), the most merciful and most gracious. Unlike other four pillars of Islam, which are revealed to Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) on the earth, as described in the Holy Quran, the Prayer is given a special status. To command the five times prayers in a day (initially commanded for ~fifty prayers and later reduced to 5 prayers), Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) has been invited to the seventh heaven by the Allah (swt). This divine event happens on the night of Meraj that shows to how much degree the five time prayers are important, significant, valuable and worthy in the sight of the Allah (swt).
It is interesting and necessary to know that not only Muslims (in the Holy Quran) but other people of the divine books (e.g., Ingeel (Bible) and Torah) are also ordered to pray and supplicate by bowing and prostrating to the Allah (swt) as mentioned in the Surah Fath (The Victory - Chapter 48, Verse 29) as follows;
“Muhammad is the apostle of Allah. and those who are with him are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. Thou wilt see them bow and prostrate themselves (in prayer), seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure. On their faces are their marks, (being) the traces of their prostration. This is their similitude in the Taurat; and their similitude in the Gospel is: like a seed which sends forth its blade, then makes it strong; it then becomes thick, and it stands on its own stem, (filling) the sowers with wonder and delight. As a result, it fills the Unbelievers with rage at them. Allah has promised those among them who believe and do righteous deeds forgiveness, and a great Reward” (Chapter 48, Verse 29)
Benefits of Prayers
* Establishing prayer (salah) develops taqwa (fear and awareness of Allah (swt) (Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2: Verses 2-3).
* Prayer (Salah) is the sign of a believer (Surah Tawba, Chapter 9: Verse 71). * Allah’s help comes through salah (Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2: Verses 45 & 153). * Establishing Salah leads to Allah’s eternal blessings (Surah Ash-Shura, Chapter 42: Verses 36-38). * Those who pray shall have nothing to fear on the day of judgement (Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2: Verse 277). * Remain in Allah’s remembrance after prayer Surah Nisaa, Chapter 4: Verse 103). * Prayer protects against evils (Surah Ankaboot, Chapter 29: Verse 45).
Commands to Pray
* Command to pray with congregation (Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2: Verse 43). * Special command regarding punctuality of prayer. (Surah Baqarah, Chapter 2: Verse 238). * Special emphasis on Friday prayer (Surah Jumuah, Chapter 62: Verses 9 & 10). * Friendship should be with those who pray (Surah Maeda, Chapter 5: Verse 55). * Allah’s special order to women (Surah Ahzaab, Chapter 33: Verse 33).
Detriments of Neglecting Prayers
* Shaytaan tries his best in finding ways to take you away from salah (Surah Maeda, Chapter 5: Verse 91). * Hypocrites are lazy in salah (Surah Nisaa, Chapter 4: Verse 142). * Laziness in salah leads to rejection of sadaqah (Surah Tawba, Chapter 9: Verse 54). * Leaving salah leads to shirk (Surah Room, Chapter 30: Verse 31). * Previous nations are corrupted when salah is left (Surah Maryam, Chapter 19: Verse 59).