❖ The Obligation, Virtue, and Importance of Salah — In Light of Qur’an and Sunnah ❖
✍ Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Introduction
Salah (prayer) is the most essential pillar of Islam after the declaration of faith (Shahādah). It holds a central position in the life of a Muslim and is a direct command from Allah, revealed during the miraculous night of Mi‘rāj (ascension). Its obligation, virtues, and significance are clearly outlined in both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
❖ The Background of Its Obligation
Salah is the only act of worship that was obligated directly by Allah during the night journey (Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj) — unlike other commands that were revealed through Jibrīl (عليه السلام).
◈ Initially, fifty daily prayers were made obligatory.
◈ Prophet Mūsā (عليه السلام) advised the Prophet ﷺ to request a reduction, fearing the burden on the Ummah.
◈ After several appeals, the number was reduced to five daily prayers.
Allah said:
“O Muhammad! These are five daily prayers, and each carries the reward of ten, thus making them equivalent to fifty.”
[Muslim: Kitāb al-Īmān, Bāb al-Isrā’: 162]
📌 SubḥānAllāh! This is a profound mercy from Allah — performing five prayers but rewarded for fifty.
❖ Virtues of Salah in the Qur’an
➊ Prevents Immorality and Sin
﴿إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ﴾
“Indeed, Salah prevents indecency and wrongdoing.”
[Al-‘Ankabūt: 45]
➋ A Means to Salvation and Success
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكّٰى وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلّٰى﴾
“Indeed, successful is the one who purifies himself, mentions the name of his Lord, and prays.”
[Al-A‘lā: 14–15]
➌ A Sign of True Believers
﴿قَدْ أَفْلَحَ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ ﴿١﴾ الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ ﴿٢﴾﴾
“Successful indeed are the believers — those who are humble in their prayer.”
[Al-Mu’minūn: 1–2]
➍ Inheritors of Paradise
﴿وَالَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَاتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ ﴿٩﴾ أُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْوَارِثُونَ ﴿١٠﴾ الَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ الْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ ﴿١١﴾﴾
“And those who are constant in their prayers — they are the inheritors who will inherit al-Firdaus and abide therein forever.”
[Al-Mu’minūn: 9–11]
❖ Obligation of Salah in the Sunnah
Narrated from Muʿādh ibn Jabal (رضي الله عنه):
When the Prophet ﷺ sent him to Yemen, he said:
“Call them to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah. If they accept this, then inform them that Allah has obligated upon them five prayers in a day and night.”
[Bukhārī: 1395; Muslim: 19]
❖ Those Exempt from the Obligation of Salah
Certain individuals are exempt from the obligation of Salah, as clarified in the following ḥadīth:
Narrated from ʿAlī (رضي الله عنه), the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The pen is lifted from three people:
➊ The one who is asleep until he wakes up
➋ The child until he reaches puberty
➌ The mentally ill until his sanity returns.”
[Abū Dāwūd: 4398]
📌 These exemptions are based on lack of accountability due to absence of intellect, awareness, or maturity.
✅ Summary
Salah is:
✔ A divine command revealed in the heavens
✔ A distinction between belief and disbelief
✔ A means of success, salvation, and Paradise
✔ The hallmark of true believers
✔ Obligatory upon every sane, mature Muslim
Neglecting Salah is spiritual ruin, while establishing it is the key to Allah’s mercy and eternal reward.
