|
The Salat is one of the commandments in the Quran and of course we want to uphold all the commandments the best we can. The word “salat” comes from the root word “Sila” which means connection or contact. When we observe the Contact Prayer, Salat, we make contact with our Creator. It’s more than just “pray”. God gives us an opportunity to make contact with Him 5 times a day.
We know that the Salat has many benefits for the real us, the soul. There are also benefits for the body. At a very simple level: getting up and moving every so often is good for the health, while sitting for long hours ironically causes the body more stress. Waking up at dawn is also shown to provide better mental health.
In soul terms, we see that righteous works strengthen and develop the soul.
[30:44] Whoever disbelieves, disbelieves to the detriment of his own soul, while those who lead a righteous life, do so to strengthen and develop their own souls.
Requirements of the Test
[6:158] Are they waiting for the angels to come to them, or your Lord, or some physical manifestations of your Lord? The day this happens, no soul will benefit from believing if it did not believe before that, and did not reap the benefits of belief by leading a righteous life.* Say, “Keep on waiting; we too are waiting.”
*6:158 After believing, the soul must grow and develop through the worship practices prescribed by God.
[7:8] The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners.
[23:102] As for those whose weights are heavy, they will be the winners.
[101:6] As for him whose weights are heavy. [101:7] He will lead a happy (eternal) life.
Let’s turn our attention to the verses about Salat and its importance in making us a “soul heavy-weight”, God willing.
Salat is mentioned more than 70 times in the Quran. It is associated with righteousness (2:3), seeking help (2:45), steadfastness (2:45, 2:153, 13:22, 22:35, 31:17), remembering God (4:103, 20:14, 29:45), God’s protection / God “being with us” (5:12), belief in the Hereafter (6:92), wiping out evil works (11:114), attaining God’s mercy (24:56).
We’re reminded or commanded to observe salat early in the Quran. The Quran starts with Al-Fãtehah, which we recite in Salat. Then we turn to Sura 2, and it says:
[2:1] A.L.M. [2:2] This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous; [2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.
This is reiterated in Sura 31.
[31:1] A. L. M. [31:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this book of wisdom. [31:3] A beacon and a mercy for the righteous. [31:4] Who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and as regards the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. [31:5] They are following the guidance from their Lord, and they are the winners.
We are clearly commanded to do the Salat. And to do so consistently.
[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down. [2:44] Do you exhort the people to be righteous, while forgetting yourselves, though you read the scripture? Do you not understand? [2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent,
You Shall Observe the Contact Prayers
[2:238] You shall consistently observe the Contact Prayers, especially the middle prayer, and devote yourselves totally to GOD.
The next verse reminds us the importance of observing Salat, even if we’re stuck in a car and cannot get out safely or in any unusual situation. We should consistently do our Contact Prayers, because it’s that good for us. It’s that important.
[2:239] Under unusual circumstances, you may pray while walking or riding. Once you are safe, you shall commemorate GOD as He taught you what you never knew.
Salat, along with worshiping God alone and giving our zakat charity, are “basics” for our religion. [98:5] All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.
As submitters, when God asks us to do something, we respond and say we hear and we obey.
Traits of the Believers
[42:37-38] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive. They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).
In addition to being in some sense one of the first reminders we see when we open the Quran, Salat keeps coming up when submitters or believers are described. In Sura 23, The Believers, the first thing God tells us: [23:1] Successful indeed are the believers; [23:2] who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).
This is also seen in sura 70: [70:22-35] Except for the worshipers. Who always observe their contact prayers (Salat). … They consistently observe their contact prayers (Salat), on time. They have deserved a position of honor, in Paradise.
The true believers are described in Sura 8 and they clearly observe the Salat: [8:2] The true believers are those whose hearts tremble when GOD is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited to them, their faith is strengthened, and they trust in their Lord.
Cont'd on page 4