Namaz (Salat) is one of the 5 most important pillars of Islam, that needs to perform five times a day. Salah is an Arabic word that means “worship”, a major act of worship that is obligatory on every Muslim. Salah or prayer is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah Almighty, the proof of our faith in Allah (SWT) and religion Islam. Salah is a source of direct communication with Almighty Allah. Moreover, it also refrains a person from evil deeds and bad habits.

There are five daily prayers Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha that need to perform daily at their specified times. The ritual prayers prescribed by Islam to be observed five times a day.

  • Salat al-Fajr: dawn, before sunrise
  • Salat al-Zuhr: midday, after the sun passes its highest
  • Salat al-‘Asr: the late part of the afternoon
  • Salat al-Maghrib: just after sunset
  • Salat al-‘Isha: between sunset and midnight

Blow mentioned are few of the Sayings of Prophet of Islam, Muhammad SAW related to the importance of Prayers. The following is reported from Abdullah bin Qurt (May Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “On the Day of Judgment, a slave will be questioned about his prayers first. If his prayers are good, his other deeds will be good, too. If his prayers are bad, his other deeds will be bad, too.” (Tabarani, Targhib)

The following is reported from Jabir Ibn Abdullah (r.a): The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Between faith and unbelief is abandoning the prayer.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Musnad)

An offering of Namaz 5 times during day and night cleanses us of sins in a similar way as washing multiple times during day and night makes our body clean of all rottenness and soil. 

Allah Almighty stated in the Holy Quran about the Salah in these words: “O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).” (Quran, 2:153)

Allah the Exalted said: “And seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer) and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi’un [i.e. the true believers in Allah – those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise, etc.) and in His Warnings (Hell, etc.)” (Quran, 2:45)

Benefits of Salah (Prayers)

Prayers that we perform have many benefits to our body, soul, and social life. Following are some of the benefits that prayers brings us:

  • Prayer is the shield against evil deeds and bad habits. Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran: “Verily, prayer restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds…” (Quran, 29:45)
  • Prayer is the preferred means of invoking Allah Almighty. When a person worships Allah he or she develops a connection with Him and any invocation within that or after that connection is bound to be accepted by Allah more compared to invocation done in any other circumstance.
  • Islamic equality shows through prayers. When Muslims offer prayer in the congregation, rich and poor, high and low, all stand shoulder to shoulder. It is the best scene of mankind’s equality in the religion Islam.
  • Prayer satisfies our spiritual needs to be in contact with our Creator. This gives the soul peace and pleasure.
  • Those who pray five daily prayers become humble that Almighty Allah loved and associated its success. Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran: “Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers.” (Quran, 23:1-2)
  • Muslims become pious and moves on the righteous path. In this regard, prayer has a great role to play as it promotes Taqwa or piety among believers.
  • Prayer safeguards one’s physical and spiritual health.
  • Those who offer five daily prayers their heart strengthens with the faith of Allah Almighty.
  • Performing prayers is a means of developing a connection with Allah Almighty and when a Muslim does so five times a day, then the consequent relationship is to naturally grow strong.
  • Prayer saves Muslims from the Hellfire. The daily five prayers are a source of comfort for the Muslims.
  • By offering prayer, a Muslim’s misdeeds are forgiven, his good deeds duplicated and then get closer to the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth.
  • Those who offer prayers daily can easily get rid of laziness.
  • Salah brings on the blessings and mercy of Allah (SWT).
  • Salah is the nourishment for the soul.
  • Salah keeps us away harmful things.
  • Salah strengthens the heart.
  • Salah increases one’s physical strength.
  • Prayer brings on blessings from Allah SWT.
  • Salah keeps away the Shaitan.

The Prophet (SAW) said: “The key to Paradise is prayer; the key to prayer is wudu (ablution).” (Musnad Ahmad) A Muslim must realize that above anything, Salah is an obligation and every Muslim has to fulfill this obligation and get blessings from Almighty Allah.