Salat (Praying)

Salat, as described by a new Muslim

Salah, the ritual Prayer, is the second pillar of Islam after testifying that there is no god but Allah (swt) and that Muhammad (saw) is his final Prophet. It is a concrete and practical manifestation of the faith of the Muslim. There are five different prayers that must be prayed daily, at dawn (fajr), mid-day (zuhr), late-afternoon (asr),  sunset (maghrib) and nightfall (ishaa). Because of their specific time, the prayers are meant to determine the rhythm of the day. 

Salah is begun by standing while facing the Ka'ba or the House of Allah and by addressing Allah (swt) directly. During Salat the worshipper will stands, bows, and prostates to Allah in a specific order while reciting verses from the Qu'ran and supplications in the Arabic language, the language of the Qu'ran. Each of these acts aims at bringing us closer and closer to Allah (swt).    

Salah is what I first learned after becoming a Muslim. It felt awkward at the beginning and the Arabic words were difficult to remember but I rapidly understood that even if being a Muslim means many different things, Salah is at the center of Islam. It is the best way for us Muslims to truly live our submission to Allah (swt). I realized that Salah is a unique an opportunity for me to meet with Allah (swt) five times a day, to show him that I try to be completely obedient to Him. It is a way to open my heart to my Creator and let him know that I am aware that I am nothing without Him. Every human being owe Allah (swt) this life and everything in this life and by worshipping him in Salah, the way he asked us in Qu'ran to do, I feel I am showing him my devotion and submission.  

Salah is a direct contact with Allah (swt) and because of that, it rapidly started to regulate my whole life. I began feeling that Allah (swt) was with me in my daily life. I know  that I will face Him 5 times each day, and that nothing in my heart can be kept away from him so I stay aware of all the sin I commit. Salah makes it easier for me to keep away from those sins by giving me more strength and helping me stay conscious of Allah (swt) at all times in my daily life.   

This special relationship that a Muslim has with Allah (swt) based on many aspects such as faith,  worship, submission, etc., is put into practice and even improved by Salah. When it is performed properly, Salah truly gives me strength to face any problem, both physically and spiritually and it also strengthen my faith in Allah and brings me closer to Him.  

The prayers are also about repentance. It is the time to sincerely ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness of our sins and to repent from them. Through Salah, you can also ask Allah (swt) about anything you want, showing him that you know that everything in this life comes from Him alone and by his will.  

For me, Salah is also about purification. When I finish praying, I feel very peaceful, I feel closer to Allah (swt) and I feel ready to face reality again. Through prayer, I realize the perfection of Allah (swt) and it gives me enough strength to face all the imperfection of my daily life and I learn greater humility. Salah has numerous beneficial effects, it is at the center of Islam and  It is a source of joy and happiness as well  as spiritual nourishment

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