Salaat - Primary article of Islam

Every Muslim knows that there are 5 articles of Islam.  The most basic article among all of them is the belief in unity of Allah Most High and the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  After Salaat, fasting, Zakaat and Hajj come.  If the first basic article is not strong enough then all the later ones will be wasted.  It should be remembered that in the whole system of Islamic worship, the most important is Salaat.  Innumerable distinctions and excellence of Salaat have been expressed in the Holy Quran and the Hadith.  Fasting, Zakaat and Hajj are obligatory only once in a year.  For fasting, the body should be strong enough.  For Zakaat, owning the minimum amount of wealth is necessary.  For Hajj, only the 5 days of Dhul Hijjah are fixed.  The performance of this is also dependent on one’s monetary ability.  However, Salaat is obligatory 5 times in a day.

 

Salaat includes all the forms of remembrance of Allah.  It has both audible remembrance of Allah and also inaudible remembrance.  It has the recitation of the Holy Quran as well as Durood.  It is offered collectively as well as individually.  Salaat teaches us the manner of supplication.  It is a means of descent of mercy as well as a means of forgiveness.

 

“Salaat” is an Arabic word.  It means supplication, mercy and repentance.  This form of worship is called “Salaat” that it includes all the above in it.  Supplications are made in Salaat.  Divine mercy descends because of Salaat and in Salaat, a bondsman finds the forgiveness of his or her sins.

 

Salaat is the most excellent among all forms of worship.  It is a pillar of Islam.  If those who offer Salaat get a taste of the pleasure of Salaat, they will never want to end it.  It is a form of intimacy between the Lord Almighty and His slave.  Through this, a bondsman presents himself/herself before the Lord Almighty.  It is an expiation of sins.  It is distinguishing factor between a believer and a disbeliever.  It is hard on the hypocrites.  It is the ascension (Meraj) for the believers.  Salaat is the solace of the blessed eyes of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  It wipes away sins from the record of deeds.  It habituates one to cleanliness and purity.  It calms the wrath of Almighty Allah.  A person who offers Salaat will be given the status of the truthful and the pious.