What is salat and what purpose does it serve?

Answer 1

THE PURPOSE OF SALAAH

Prayer constitutes one pillar of Islam and is considered 'the foundation of the religion'. Any Muslim who fails to observe his salaah without reasonable excuse is committing a grave offense and a heinous sin. This offense is so grave because it is not only against Allah swt, which is bad enough, but is also against the very nature of man. It is an instinct of man to be inclined to worship great beings, and to aspire to lofty goals. The Greatest Being and the loftiest goal of all is Allah swt. The best way to cultivate in an individual, a sound personality and actualize his/her aspirations in a mature course of development, is the Islamic salaah. To neglect salaah is to suppress the good qualities in human nature and unjustifiably deny it the right to worship and love, the right to aspire and ascend, the right to excel in goodness and achieve noble aims. Such suppression and denial constitute a very serious and destructive offense. Here lies the significance and vitality of salaah in the life of an individual. It should always be borne in mind that Allah I does not need man's salaah, because He is free of all needs. He is only interested in our prosperity and well-being in every sense. When He emphasizes the necessity of salaah and charges us with any duty. He means to help us; because whatever good we do is for our own benefit, and whatever offense we commit is against our own souls. Here, too, man is the center of gravity, and his general welfare is the main concern. The benefit which man can derive from the Islamic prayer is immeasurable, and the blessing of prayer is beyond imagination. This is not just a 'theory' or conventional assumption; it is a fascinating fact and a spiritual experience. Here is an explanation of the effectiveness of the Islamic salaah:

1. It strengthens belief in the Existence and Goodness of Allah swt and transmits this belief into the innermost recesses of man's heart.

2. It enlivens this belief and makes it constructive in the practical course of life.

3. It helps a person to realize his/her natural and instinctive aspirations to greatness and high morality, to excellence and virtuous growth.

4. It purifies the heart and develops the mind, cultivates the conscience and comforts the soul.

5. It fosters the good and decent element in man, and suppresses the evil and indecent inclinations.

6. It restrains from shameful and unjust deeds.

When we analyze the Islamic salaah and study its unique nature, it will reveal to us that it is not merely a sequence of physical movements or an empty recital of the Holy Qur'an. It is a matchless and unprecedented method of intellectual meditation and spiritual devotion, of moral elevation and physical exercise, all combined. It is an exclusively Islamic experience where every muscle of the body

joins the soul and the mind in the worship and glory of Allah swt. It is difficult for anyone to impart in words the full meaning of the Islamic salaah, yet it can be said that it is:

1. A lesson in discipline and willpower;

2. A practice in devotion to Allah I and all worthy objectives;

3. A vigilant reminder of Allah I and constant revelation of His Goodness;

4. A seed of spiritual cultivation and moral soundness;

5. A guide to the most upright way of life;

6. A safeguard against decency and evil, against deviation and going astray;

7. A demonstration of true equality, solid unity, and brotherhood;

8. An expression of thankfulness to Allah I and appreciation of Him;

9. A course of inner peace and stability;

10. An abundant source of patience and courage, of hope and confidence.

This is the Islamic salaah, and that is what it can do for man. The best testimony to this statement is to experience the salaah and avail oneself of its spiritual joys. Then one will know what it really means.

Answer 2

The second Pillar of Islam is Salat.It is also the daily ritual prayer.