ESTABLISHING THE PRAYERS

The word Prayers has been used in the Glorious Qur’an 98 times. Mostly the phrase “Establish the prayers” is used. Allah did not use the word “Perform the prayers”

What is the difference between “Establishing” and “Performing”?

                One should realize that Sala’t is the pillar of faith and on the Day of Judgment, if Sala’t is                   accepted other acts will also be accepted and if Sala’t is rejected then other acts will also be                 rejected.

                Sala’at keeps us away from vices and indecency as mentioned in Surah al-Ankabut Ayah                45: “(Muhammad),  recite to them what has been revealed to you in the Book and be                    steadfast in prayer; prayer keeps one away from indecency and sins. Allah’s paying                      attention to the worshipper is (indeed) the greatest (reward for worshiping Allah).                        Allah knows what you do.”

                Performing the prayer is only in form, not from our heart. Establishing the prayers means                 reciting prayer  properly and completely, paying attention to the prayer’s segments                     like bowing, prostration etc.

                Prayer is the “Mai’raj” of a believer. He is talking to his Creator and Sustainer.

                The intention (Niyyah) must be clear in our hearts.

                The clothes must be pure and clean, purchased with the lawful sustenance.

                The ablution (wuddu) should be performed properly as advised by the Noble Messenger                       (s.a.w.a.s.) and his Pure Progeny (a.s.) with pure water obtained lawfully.

                The prayers must be performed at the earliest time, reciting every zikr calmly and                                 peacefully, if possible understanding the meaning of the Arabic words. We should not be in                 hurry to finish the prayer.

                The prayer must be performed with our heart and soul, not mere physical movements of                       sitting and standing.

                It should be performed with full attention and fear of Allah, remembering that Allah is                         watching us.

                After completing the prayers, read “Tasbih-e-Fatima Zahra (s.a.), seek Du’a from Allah for                 its acceptance and for other Muslims, ourselves and our family.

                The performance of prayers should affect our character, way of life, piety should increase.                   If there is no change, it means we did not understand the Zikr. The Commander of the                         Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.) had said that a believer’s two days should not be the same. That                     means we should learn something from yesterday and change our today.

                We should not pray to show-off to other people e.g. reciting deliberately longer zikr if                         someone is watching us.

                We should not take prayers lightly meaning praying at the last minute of the particular                         prayer. There is a tradition from the Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.): “Our intercession                 will not be available to those of followers who take Salat lightly.”

                At the end, a couple of the great philosopher and thinker of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal (r.a.)                     may be appended below:

                                “Ye aik sajdah jisay tu giran samjhta hai * Hazaar sajdaun say deta hai                                           a’dmi ko naja’t”

                                It means “O Muslim! You feel difficulty to prostrate once, but this saves you                                 from being humble one thousand time before unworthy beings.”