<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Every Muslim knows that there are 5 articles of Islam.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>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).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>After Salaat, fasting, Zakaat and Hajj come.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If the first basic article is not strong enough then all the later ones will be wasted.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It should be remembered that in the whole system of Islamic worship, the most important is Salaat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Innumerable distinctions and excellence of Salaat have been expressed in the Holy Quran and the Hadith.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Fasting, Zakaat and Hajj are obligatory only once in a year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For fasting, the body should be strong enough.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For Zakaat, owning the minimum amount of wealth is necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For Hajj, only the 5 days of Dhul Hijjah are fixed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The performance of this is also dependent on one’s monetary ability.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However, Salaat is obligatory 5 times in a day.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Salaat includes all the forms of remembrance of Allah.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has both audible remembrance of Allah and also inaudible remembrance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has the recitation of the Holy Quran as well as Durood.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is offered collectively as well as individually.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Salaat teaches us the manner of supplication.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a means of descent of mercy as well as a means of forgiveness.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana">“Salaat” is an Arabic word.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It means supplication, mercy and repentance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This form of worship is called “Salaat” that it includes all the above in it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Supplications are made in Salaat.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Divine mercy descends because of Salaat and in Salaat, a bondsman finds the forgiveness of his or her sins.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana">Salaat is the most excellent among all forms of worship.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a pillar of Islam. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If those who offer Salaat get a taste of the pleasure of Salaat, they will never want to end it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is a form of intimacy between the Lord Almighty and His slave.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Through this, a bondsman presents himself/herself before the Lord Almighty.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is an expiation of sins.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is distinguishing factor between a believer and a disbeliever.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is hard on the hypocrites.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It is the ascension (<i>Meraj</i>) for the believers.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Salaat is the solace of the blessed eyes of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It wipes away sins from the record of deeds.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It habituates one to cleanliness and purity.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It calms the wrath of Almighty Allah.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A person who offers Salaat will be given the status of the truthful and the pious.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>