The word salah or salat means, “To worship or pray”. It means to express humbleness or gratitude toward allah almighty through specific actions and words. It is the second pillar of islam (arkan al islam). Muslims are obligated to offer five prayers a day: fajar, zuhar, asar, maghrib and isha. However, they can offer supplementary prayers (nafal), too. It has huge significance in islam that it will be the first question to be asked about In grave. It has many spiritual and physical benefits. It connects a believer to his master, the Allah almighty. [20:14] “I am God, there is no other God but Me, you shall worship me and observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) to commemorate me.” The holy quran and hadith emphasize the importance of salah. It is a blessing for all the muslims as it not only connects them to their master but also improve their social relationships when they congregate five times a day in mosque for salah. It increases sense of tolerance and love for others and keeps away from indecent acts.Quran states: “Salat indeed prevents a person from indecency and evil.” (29:45).
Spiritual importance
A Muslim gets this opportunity of seeking forgiveness from Allah, five times a day upon call for prayer, the adhan. It increases spirituality in man. He remembers and bow down to Allah. It inculcates the sense of responsibility towards good deeds and feeling of accountability that there is a great God watching over him. He refrain from wrongdoings and stays away from haram or forbidden acts.it increases the level of Iman because of repetitive remembrance of Allah. It purifies and refreshes soul.
[29:45] “Observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) for it prohibits evil and vice.”
Significance in akhirah
There are various verses of Quran and hadith proving the importance of Salah in akhirah. It will protect one from hellfire that once holy prophet said that “the one who offers prayer before sunrise and before sunset will not enter the gate of hell”. When one maintains punctuality in Salah, he is less likely to commit sins and ultimately it will lead to his success in hereafter.
Worldly success
Salah is the most important element for success whether it is worldly success or in hereafter. Quran says [23:2] Successful indeed are the believers, who are reverent during their Salat (Contact Prayers). A Muslim gets call to success five times a day through words of adhan “come to success (falah). Those who regularly offer five obligatory prayer become more disciplined and punctual in their daily lives that ultimately leads to success in worldly matters alongside, too.
Physical health
Salah involves reciting certain verses in specific postures like qayamah, ruku and sajdah, etc and it is some sort of physical activity and exercise that keeps a man fit and healthy. Scientists have also proved physical benefits of Salah for body .the gentle movement of various muscles of body keeps away all diseases and regulates proper gut movement.
Mental health
Salah is peace of mind. It makes one more focused and thoughtful. It eradicates anxiety and depression that results from daily hectic lifestyle. It gives senses of purpose and responsibility in life.
Hence, one should offer Selah with punctuality to gain inner peace and success in life.
