4. Position and purpose of Prayer in Islam

Position of Prayer:

The position of prayer is very important and unequalled by any act of other worship. It is the basic feature of the faith and the pillar upholding it. Like the pole of a tent without which it cannot stand straight, Islam cannot stand without prayers.



Prayer is the first duty imposed by Allah upon mankind after that of belief in the oneness of Allah. Prayers are also an act to be accounted for on the Day of Judgement among other deeds carried out by servants of Allah. The Prophet (pbuh) said: "The first thing of the slave to be reckoned on the Day of Judgement will be his Prayer. If it is good, the rest of his deeds will be (accounted as) good. And if it is rotten, the rest of his deeds will be rotten". (Tabarani)

The Purpose of Prayer:

Prayer constitutes one pillar of Islam and is considered the foundation of religion. Any Muslim who fails to do his prayers and has no reasonable excuse is committing a grave offense and a heinous sin. This offense is so grave because it is not only against Allah, which is bad enough, but also against the very nature of man. It is an instinct of man to adore the great beings, and to aspire to lofty goals. The best way for man to cultivate a sound personality and to actualize his aspirations through a mature course of development is through Islamic prayer. To neglect prayer is to oppress the good qualities in human nature and unjustifiably deny it the right to adore and love, the right to aspire and ascend, the right to excel in goodness and achieve noble aims. Such oppression and denial constitute a very serious and destructive offense. Herein lies the significance and vitality of prayer in the life of man.


It should always be borne in mind that Allah does not need man's prayer, 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 prayer and charges us with a duty, He means to help us, because whatever good we do is for our own benefit, and whatever offence we commit is against our own souls. Here, too, man is the center of gravity, and his common interest is the main concern. The benefits that man can derive from the Islamic prayer are immeasurable, and the blessings beyond imagination. This is not just a theory or conventional assumption; it is a fascinating fact and a spiritual experience.

The following is an explanation of the effectiveness of the Islamic prayer :

1. It strengthens the belief in the existence and goodness of Allah 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 man to realize his natural and instinctive aspiration 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 elements in man, and suppresses the evil and indecent inclinations.

When we analyze the Islamic prayer and study its unique nature, it is apparent that it is not merely a physical motion or a void recital of the Holy Book. It is a matchless and unprecedented formula 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. It is difficult for anyone to impart in words the full meaning of the Islamic prayer, yet it can be said that it is:

1. A lesson in discipline and willpower.


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


3. A vigilant reminder of Allah and a 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 indecency and evil, against deviation and stray.


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


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


9. A course of inner peace and stability.


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

Prayer (Salat) - A Medical Viewpoint:


Prayers are essential ways to worship Allah. In fact in the short period the worshipper spends in praying, he is in complete devotion and submission to Allah. This direct relation with his creator, the source of truth, goodness and justice can make the worshipper feel happy and satisfied.


From a medical aspect these physical movements during prayers strengthen the muscles and joints and stimulate the circulation of blood. Consequently, stagnation of blood in the veins of the legs, which may lead to coagulation and possibly the passage of a clot to the pulmonary veins, is prevented.


A remarkable advantage of prayers is the strengthening of the muscles of the back and the maintenance of the mobility of vertebral joints. Consequently, kyphosis (an abnormal backward curvature of the spine) and disc protrusion may be prevented.


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