Prayer

Prayer is a type of worship consisting of specific statements and actions. It is begun by pronouncing the greatness of Allah, and is concluded with salutations of peace.  As prayer is the essence of Islam, we will discuss it here in detail.

To state it simply, prayer must exist, for without it Islam cannot stand. The  Prophet,  upon  whom  be  peace,  said,   "The   head   of the matter   is Islam,  its  pillar  is the  prayer,   and  the  top  of its  hump   is jihad   in the  way  of Allah."   It was the first act of worship   that   was made obligatory by Allah.  Its obligation was revealed directly to the Prophet, during his ascension to heaven.  Said Anas, "The prayers were made obligatory on the Prophet, upon whom be peace, the night of his ascension to heaven.  At first, they were fifty in number, but were reduced several times until they were five. Then it was proclaimed, ‘O Muhammad, the order is not changed.  These five are (equivalent) to the fifty."

As to the authenticity of the report, it is related by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i and at-Tirmidhi, who said it is sahih.

Salah is the first act that the person will be held accountable for. 'Abdullah ibn Qart  related   that  the  Messenger of Allah,   upon  whom be peace,  said  "The  first  act  that   the  slave  will be  accountable  for on the  Day  of Judgement  will  be prayer.  If it is good, then the rest of his acts will be good. And if it is evil, then the rest of his acts will be evil."   (Related by at-Tabarani) It is  the   last   thing    that   the Prophet,  upon  whom be peace,  recommended to his nation  before  he died,  saying,   "Prayer,   prayer   and  what  your  right  hand  possesses." It will   be the   last thing   taken   away   from the religion.  When it perishes, Islam will perish.   The  Messenger of Allah,  upon  whom  be peace,  said,   "If Islam  were   stripped   away,  piece  by  piece,  people would   hold  tight   to the  next  one.  The first thing taken would be ruling   and governance, and the last thing would be prayer."  (Related by Ibn Hibban from the hadith of Abu Umamah)

In many verses of the Qur'an, Allah follows up prayer with the remembrance of Allah.  "Lo! Worship preserves (one) from lewdness and iniquity, but verily, remembrance of Allah is more important;" (Surah Al-'Ankabut: 45) "He is successful who grows and remembers the name of his Lord, so pray.”  (Surah Al-A'la: 14-15); "So serve Me and establish worship for My remembrance." (Surah Ta-Ha: 74).  Sometimes He mentions prayer along with zakah:  "Establish prayer   and pay zakah." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 110) And at times, with patience: "Seek help in patience   and prayer." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 45), and with hajj: "So pray unto your Lord and sacrifice;” (Surah Al-Kauthar: 2) "Say:  Lo! my  worship  and  my  sacrifice and my  living   and  my  dying  are  for Allah,  Lord  of the  Worlds.  He has no partner. This am I commanded, and I am the first of those who surrender   (unto   Him)."  (Surah Al-An'am: 162-163) At other   times,  Allah begins  the  acts  of piety  with  prayers   and  ends  with  them,  as in the verses   about  the  ma'arij  (ascension to heaven): "Successful indeed are  the  believers  who are  humble   in their  prayers," and  the  verses, "And  who  pay  heed  to their   prayers.   These are the heirs who will inherit Paradise. There will they abide."  (Surah Al-Mu'minun:  1-2, 9-11)

The importance of salah is so great  that  one is ordered  to observe it while  travelling   or not, while  one is safe or in fear: "Be guardians of  your  prayers,    and  of the  mid-most prayer,   and  stand   up  with devotion to  Allah.   And if you go in fear, then (pray) standing or on horseback.  When   you are safe, remember Allah, as He has taught you that which (heretofore) you knew not." (Surah Al-Baqarah: 238-239)  Allah explains  how  to  pray  during   fear,  safety  or  wartime:  "And when  you  are   among  them  and  arrange   their  prayers   for them,  let only  a party   of them  stand  with  you (to worship) and  let them  take their  arms.   Then,   when  they  have  performed their  prostrations,  let them  fall  to  the  rear  and  let  another   party   come to pray  with  you, and  let  them   take  their  precautions and  arms.  They  who disbelieve long  for you  to neglect  your  arms  and your  baggage, that  they  may attack.   It is no sin for you to lay aside your arms, if rain   impedes you or if you are sick. But take your precautions. Lo! Allah prepares for the disbelievers shameful punishment. When you have performed your prayer, remember Allah, standing, sitting   and reclining.  And when you are in safety,   observe your prayer properly.  Prayer at fixed hours has been enjoined on the believers." (Surah An-Nisa': 102-103)

Allah also strongly warns those who tamper with their prayers or are heedless. Says Allah  in the  Qur'an,  "Now there  has  succeeded them   a  later   generation  who  have  ruined   their   prayers    and  have followed lusts.   But they will meet deception;” (Surah Maryam: 59) "Ah, woe unto worshippers who are heedless of their prayers."  (Surah AI-Ma'un: 4-5)

Prayer is one of the most important acts in Islam, and thus it requires a special   guidance.  Ibrahim asked his Lord to give him descendants who abided by their   prayers:   "My Lord! Cause   me and (some) of my offspring to remain constant in prayer.   And O our Lord! Accept my supplication." (Surah Ibrahim: 40)