It is an obligation, mandatory for Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam. It needs to be offered five times a day, but why do you need to offer it? What is the goal behind Salaat or Prayers. There are many who just ignore it, I mean its ok right! Why should anyone offer it if they don’t feel like.  I didn’t…

The connection between man and the Lord Almighty is a mandatory relation for successful survival in this world. A believer’s faith is apparent when he willingly submits to the will of Allah SWT.

When I was in my undergrad course, I came across all the accomplishments I dreamed of. I scored good GPAs I was many teacher’s favorite and I understood what I was doing in life. Until one day I was stepped upon and I couldn’t imagine why. The accomplishments were not up to the level I wanted and suddenly the downfall was unbearable. What could go wrong, I imagined. In situations of grief and trouble a helpless person tends to seek help from only one source, his Creator. That is what I did. I prayed to Allah and cried while calling for help. Things got better with time but I learned a valuable lesson then – “Do I only seek help from Allah SWT when I’m in trouble? What about the times when I’m happy and found it sufficient to mumble an Alhamdulillah?”

“Verily, I am Allah. There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise” (20:14)

The importance of Salaat is realized when we believe that the sole connection between us with the Almighty is through obligations we have towards Him. This religious obligation required by all Muslims to perform five times a day is our strongest connection with our Creator. We forget that Allah SWT surrounds us and is always there through thick and thin. The only effective way to thank Him for all the blessings is through the Salaat or Prayers. The Quran is loud in the mention of Salaat over and over.

And not just to thank Him there are many reasons why one should perform Salaat. First because it is fardh i.e. mandatory upon us. It is a form of remembering him physically and mentally. Following Salaat is a surety that the believer is constantly turning to Allah SWT for guidance to the right path and wants to live in the light of Allah’s commandments.

The blessings of Islam are so that it offers every Muslim a chance to thank and seek Allah SWT 5 times a day and for some even more. The best thing is that the call for Salaat is a constant reminder of the presence of Allah SWT and that He is there and listening.

“When you pass (Congregational) prayers, celebrate Allah.s praises, standing, sitting down, or lying down on your sides; but when you are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times” (4:103)

With every change in the movement of earth the time for Salaat is designated which gives more chances to a person to perform this obligatory duty. More chances to worship, more chances to thank, more chances to ask for help, more chances to refrain from sitting idle, more chances to ask forgiveness from sins, and this is such a great blessing for us! If He has provided us countless blessings, this is yet another blessing in disguise that not many realize until they are in trouble and there is no one else to help but the Supreme Power.

[pullquote_right]Once Prophet SAW shook a dry branch of a tree so that all of the leaves of the branch fell off than the Prophet SAW said “The sins of those who pray Salah, drop off as the leaves of this branch fell off.”(Bukhari)[/pullquote_right]

If we think of it this way that one can remember Allah SWT while just sitting on a sofa, reading a book or doing some other work, there is nothing wrong with it. No, absolutely not but we Muslims have to live a life that actually shows we are Muslims. We have to follow the mandatory duties laid down upon us to differentiate us from the rest. We have been blessed with a pure form of worship that does not have to be performed only when someone has time or when someone has committed a sin. We are offered to come to Allah SWT in a mandatory 5 times a day and a few other times willingly. If you realize this than the first question on the Day of Judgment is sure to be passed with flying colors.

“Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to you, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that you do“ (29: 45)