Let's Build Deen

Let's Build Deen

(Second Pillar of Islam) (Salah)

Shamsul Huda Qasmi

hudaqasmi@gmail.com

Once we submit our will to Allah (swt) and proclaim that there is no god except Allah, we build the first pillar of Deen and become the servant of Allah. We, then, require erecting the second pillar of Deen and it is establishing Salah (prayer). Islam attaches great importance to Salah as it is the manifestation of our strong faith and belief that we repose in the Supreme Being. It distinguishes the true believers from the followers of the other religions. It is a line of demarcation between Islam and all other ways of life. One, who establishes prayers five times a day at specific times ordained by Allah, builds Deen, and one who closes the eyes to it, pulls down Deen.

Salah is an obligatory duty on every believer, be he free or slave, healthy or sick, resident or traveller. It is required to be offered in all conditions. If a believer gets sick and becomes unable to stand upon his legs, he is required to perform his prayers while sitting. One who is not able to sit, should pray in his convenient postures, or with gestures. It is not negligible in any circumstances, even the prophet (saw) was not exempted from offering the prayers. Salah occupies great importance in the sight of Islam, even the children are guided to offer it when they reach at the age of seven. When reaching ten, parents are directed to be harsh on them if they skip Salah deliberately, though it is not obligatory on them.

Salah is a beautiful gift from Allah (swt) awarded to this Ummah when the prophet (saw) was up in the heavens for Meraj. All commandments were given to the prophet through the archangel Gabriel but Salah alone is a directive given to the prophet directly in Meraj. A number of verses of the Glorious Quran and numerous sayings of the prophet (saw) clearly speak about the significance of establishing prayers. We should, without a doubt, bear in our minds that the proclamation to be a true believer without offering salah would be termed baseless. Salah is a particular act which connects the believer to Allah (swt) and causes infinite mercy in his life. While praying, believers stand folding hands in rows and in congregation before the Supreme Lord, chant His glory, prostrate and bow down before Him, all these sincere practices lead to His profound love and deep affection, all ills and evils are wiped out, and the heart is enlightened. It's a kind of devotion to the Creator makes human being angel in actions and deeds.

The prophet of Islam was so deeply concerned about Salah that he advised the Ummah to establish it while leaving for heavenly abode. So, it's our duty to guard the final words of our prophet (saw) or else we would not be able to face him on the day of judgement. Finally let's pray to Allah (swt) with the words of Hazrat Ibrahim (pbuh): "My Lord, make me steadfast in Salah, and my offspring as well. And, Our Lord, grant my prayer. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and all believers on the day when reckoning shall take place." (Ameen)