During the week the presenters took a look at the various bounties of Allah which we need to be grateful for. From amongst the many favours that Allah has granted us, one such favour is that of Salaah. Only a Believer knows the beauty and the joy and the ecstasy one gets when he bows his head down in prostration and praises his Lord, Allah. This joy and this feeling of devotion to Allah can never be attained in any other act and in nothing else in this entire world.

The testament of five daily prayers was ordained to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during the night of His ascension to Heaven, whereas the rest of the rules of worship were given to Him ﷺ while back on earth. This has a great importance for Muslims for it denotes prayer as a special act of worship, a direct link to Heaven, a way to talk to Allah, to express your admiration and love for Him and to plead with Him for the forgiveness of sins and the granting of favours. Prayer comes first and ranks highest with Allah. Because of its lofty status, it can do a Muslim lots of good for it is the source of many virtues and rewards.

It reminds you of your Lord constantly, throughout the day. This reminder is an important profession of faith, your connection to Heaven. Waiving prayer is a grave sin, doing prayer is not a difficult burden, taking into account the enormity of God’s love poured on those who stay true. The five daily prayers come as a direct command from the Lord, therefore they are of cardinal importance.

حَـٰفِظُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا۟ لِلَّهِ قَـٰنِتِينَ
“Maintain with care the obligatory prayers and in particular the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” (2:238)

It is the only pillar of Islam that is repeated five times each day, and is never waived except for the woman during her menstrual period and post-partum bleeding.

It is the one of the most virtuous deeds, and most beloved to Allah as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Know that the best of your deeds are your prayers, and only a true believer maintains the state of ablution.” [Ahmad]

It is the backbone of one’s religion, and the coolness of the eyes of the righteous. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The most important of all matters is Islam, its spinal cord is prayer and the highest rank is Jihaad for the sake of Allah.” [Ahmad]

It is an indication of Islam and belief, and preserves a person’s blood from being shed, Allah the Almighty says:

فَإِن تَابُوا۟ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَإِخْوَٰنُكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ
“But if they repent [by rejecting Shirk (polytheism) and accept Islamic Monotheism], perform Salah and give Zakat, then they are your brethren in religion”} [Quran, 9: 11].

It is a sign of honesty and frees a person from hypocrisy. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whosoever prays forty days with the congregation, attending the initial (Allahu Akbar) of the prayer, will be free of two things: Hell Fire and hypocrisy.” [Ahmad]
It is the best issue to be occupied with, the most profitable dealing, and the most likely amongst all acts of worship to cause the person to become humble and submissive. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Prayer is the best thing to be occupied with, so perform as much of it as you can.” [Ahmad]

It elevates a person’s ranks and expiates sins, as the Prophet ﷺ said:
أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ أَنَّ نَهَرًا بِبَابِ أَحَدِكُمْ، يَغْتَسِلُ فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ خَمْسًا، مَا تَقُولُ ذَلِكَ يُبْقِي مِنْ دَرَنِهِ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالُوا لاَ يُبْقِي مِنْ دَرَنِهِ شَيْئًا‏.‏ قَالَ ‏”‏ فَذَلِكَ مِثْلُ الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ، يَمْحُو اللَّهُ بِهَا الْخَطَايَا
“Tell me, if there is an overflowing river in front of the house of one of you in which he baths five times a day, will there remain any dirt on him? They said, ‘No dirt will remain on him’. He then said: “That is the example of the five daily obligatory prayers by which Allah erases sins.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It rescues from Hell, protects against danger, and enables a person to win Paradise. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The one who prays before sunrise (Fajr prayer) and before sun set (Asr prayer) will not enter Hell Fire.” [Muslim]

It is a sign of success and victory, and an indication of being accepted. Allah the Almighty says:
“And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) prayers (at their fixed stated hours). These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaws (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever.” [Quran, 23: 9-11]

It is the first thing for which the slave will be held accountable. The Prophet ﷺ said: “The first thing for which the slave will be held accountable for on the day of Resurrection is his prayer; if it is good (by performing it properly and on time), then all his affairs will be good, and if it is ruined (by neglecting it), then all his affairs will be ruined.” [At-Tabaraani]

It is the provision on the way, relaxation for the soul, light for the heart, purification for the soul and a sign for salvation. The Prophet ﷺ said: “O Bilaal! Call the Iqaamah in order for our hearts to relax.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood].

It frustrates Shaytaan and disbelievers. The Prophet ﷺ said:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَرَأَ ابْنُ آدَمَ السَّجْدَةَ فَسَجَدَ اعْتَزَلَ الشَّيْطَانُ يَبْكِي يَقُولُ يَا وَيْلِي أُمِرَ ابْنُ آدَمَ بِالسُّجُودِ فَسَجَدَ فَلَهُ الْجَنَّةُ وَأُمِرْتُ بِالسُّجُودِ فَأَبَيْتُ فَلِي النَّارُ
“When the son of Aadam recites a verse which recommends him to prostrate and he does, Shaytaan starts crying, and says, woe to me, the son of Aadam was commanded and he did, and he will get Paradise as a reward, while I was commanded to prostrate and refused and will enter Hell.” [Muslim]

It is a form of expressing appreciation and gratitude, as well as being a treasure full of the exaltation of Allah the Almighty and glorification and praise to Him. When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about the reason behind his excessive prayer, he ﷺ said: “Should I not be a thankful slave?” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It protects against following desires, evil sins and cures from sicknesses, as Allah the Almighty says:
إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ ۗ وَلَذِكْرُ ٱللَّهِ أَكْبَرُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ
“Verily, Salah prevents from Al-Fahshaa’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)” [Quran, 29: 45].

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Pray the optional night prayer, because it is the way of righteous people before you, it brings you close to your Lord, prevents you from committing sins, expiates your sins and cures you from sicknesses.” [At-Tirmithi]

The numerous Quranic verses and Prophetic sayings all attest to the importance of Salaah and enlightens us on the uncountable rewards we stand to gain by being regular with it. It also proves that Salaah was not ordained as a burden upon us, but rather it was ordained to remove every burden and difficulty and grant us a direct connection with our Sustainer, Allah.
So the next time you hear the Athan, hasten towards your prayer, but silently also thank Allah for having granted us this great boon and favour.