CHAPTER 1
PRAYER

SEC. 1. — VALUE OF PRAYER

Importance of prayer in Islām

Five fundamental religious duties are recognized by Islām, viz., prayer, zakāt or poor-rate, fasting, pilgrimage and jihād, but while jihād is a national duty, the first four are, more or less, individual duties, though having an important national significance. Among these four, prayer undoubtedly occupies the most important position and is given the greatest prominence in the Holy Qur’ān, poor-rate coming next to it.

The importance of prayer may be judged from the following facts: that it was the first duty enjoined on the Holy Prophet; that, though prayer and zakāt are often mentioned together in the Holy Qur’ān, prayer always takes precedence; and that the keeping up of prayer is the most frequently repeated injunction of the Holy Qur’ān. It has also been generally recognized as the first and foremost duty of a Muslim. There are several reasons why prayer has been given this importance. It is really the first step in the onward progress of man and yet it is also his highest spiritual ascent (mi‘rāj). Prayer keeps man away from evil; it helps him to realize the Divine in him, and that realization not only urges him to do disinterested service for humanity but also makes him attain the highest degree of moral and spiritual perfection. Prayer is also the means of levelling all differences of rank, colour and nationality and the means of bringing about a cohesion and unity among men which is the necessary basis of a living civilization.

Self-development through prayer

What prayer really aims at is stated in the very beginning of the Holy Qur’ān. There we are told that a Muslim, who would tread the road to self-development, must accept certain principles and carry out certain duties: “This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to