Significance of Salaat

Q 1: Which is the foremost pillar of Islaam?

A. You have already learnt about the pillars of Islaam in the previous chapter. After having embraced Islaam and corrected one’s beliefs consistent with the true Ahle Sunnat creed the foremost duty which in imposed upon the believers is Salaat (prayer). The importance of Salaat can be gauged from the fact that all commands of Allah were delivered to the Holy Prophet on the earth but Salaat was gifted to him on the night of ascension (Meraj).

Q 2: What is Salaat (prayer)?

A. A specified and pure lslaamic way of worship which Allah Almighty taught to the Holy Prophet who in turn taught to his Ummah (community) is Salaat (prayer). By offering prayer Muslims prove their humblest obedience and obeisance to Allah Almighty and submit to His Highest Magnificence and Grandeur. The praying believer is dear to Allah provided he offers prayer heart and soul.

Q 3: What things are essential for prayer?

A. Somethings are ”Sharaait” (conditions) for offering prayer and some are ”Faraaid” (obligatory prerequisites) during performance of prayer. Prayer will not be valid unless these conditions and prerequisites are met.

Q 4: How many kinds of ”conditional things” are there for prayer?

A. There are two kinds of conditional things for prayer ice. (1). About prayer’s becoming Waajib (essential) for one to offer (2) Soundness of prayer i-e how will the prayer be valid.

Q 5: What are the conditions of prayer’s being ”Waajib”?

A. There are four conditions for prayer’s being ”Waajib” i e. one must be Muslim, sane, mature and the time of prayer has arrived. Thus the prayer is equally incumbent upon every sane and matured Muslim irrespective of man and woman poor and rich, ruler and ruled and master and slave.

Q 6: What are the conditions for soundness of prayer i.e how will the prayer be valid?

A. There are six conditions for prayer to be valid or in order:
i)    ”Tahaarah” (Purification ofthe body).
ii)    Covering of the body (at least) from the navel to the knees.
iii)    Facing the Qiblah (Ka’bah).
iv)    Observance of due time.
v)    Expression of ”Ni-yat” (intention).
vi)    Takbir-e-Tahreema (utterance of words – ”Allah is the Most great) to commence the prayer.