What is Prayer?
Prayer means bow down head towards Allah (God) with modesty and simplicity keeping faith in mind that Allah (God) is the creator of everything including human being and jines.Allah ( God) says in the holy Quran “There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Beneficent (Allah) as a slave.” ( Surah Maryam, Verse-93)
When a human being surrender himself to Allah( God) with humble submission, gently and with modesty than this called prayer. Prayer means to show gratitude towards Allah at all conditions. To fear Allah, Love Allah, comply with his rules and regulations described in the holy book, the Quran at all things of life such as personal life, family life, social life as well as country life.
The aim of doing everything to satisfy Allah (God) is prayer. Allah (God) has taken commitment from human being only to pray him no one else. As Allah says in the holy quran
“(It will be said): “And O you Al-Mujrimun (criminals, polytheists, sinners, disbelievers in the Islamic Monotheism, wicked evil ones, etc.)! Get you apart this Day (from the believers).Did I not ordain for you, O Children of Adam, that you should not worship Shaitan (Satan). Verily, he is a plain enemy to you. And that you should worship Me(Allah) [Alone Islamic Monotheism, and set up not rivals, associate-gods with Me]. That is a Straight Path.” (Surah Ya-Sin Verses 59-61)
Establishing Salat,Keef Fasting during Ramadan,Giving Jakat,Going For Hajj, remembering Allah via jikir, Durud and salam for Muhammad Sm(peace be upon him) etc are some prayer that train human being for practicing prayer in whole life to acquire satisfaction of the almighty Allah(God). Allah says in the Quran
“Say (O Muhammad Sm: “I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilah (God) is One Ilah (God i.e. Allah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.” Ref:Sura Al Kahf verse:110)
“The Messenger (Muhammad) believes in what has been sent down to him from his Lord, and (so do) the believers. Each one believes in Allah, His Angels, His Books, and His Messengers. They say, “We make no distinction between one another of His Messengers” – and they say, “We hear, and we obey. (We seek) Your Forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the return (of all).” (Ref: Surah Al Baqara Verse 285)
“Jins and Insaans are created only to pray none but me(Allah) nothing else” (Ref: Surah Jariat verse:51)
27. And proclaim to mankind the Hajj (pilgrimage). They will come to you on foot and on every lean camel, they will come from every deep and distant (wide) mountain highway (to perform Hajj).
28. That they may witness things that are of benefit to them (i.e. reward of Hajj in the Hereafter, and also some worldly gain from trade, etc.), and mention the Name of Allah on appointed days (i.e. 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th day of Dhul-Hijjah), over the beast of cattle that He has provided for them (for sacrifice) (at the time of their slaughtering by saying: Bismillah, Wallahu-Akbar, Allahumma Minka wa Ilaik). Then eat thereof and feed therewith the poor who have a very hard time.
29. Then let them complete the prescribed duties (Manasik of Hajj) for them, and perform their vows, and circumambulate the Ancient House (the Ka’bah at Makkah).
30. That (Manasik prescribed duties of Hajj is the obligation that mankind owes to Allah), and whoever honours the sacred things of Allah, then that is better for him with his Lord. The cattle are lawful to you, except those (that will be) mentioned to you (as exceptions). So shun the abomination (worshipping) of idol, and shun lying speech (false statements)
31. Hunafa’ Lillah (i.e. to worship none but Allah), not associating partners (in worship, etc.) unto Him and whoever assigns partners to Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.
32. Thus it is [what has been mentioned in the above said Verses (27, 28, 29, 30, 31) is an obligation that mankind owes to Allah]. And whosoever honours the Symbols of Allah, then it is truly from the piety of the heart.
(Ref: Surah Hajj Verses:27-32)
Personal and Collective Impact of Prayer:
Performing Fundamental prayers to the point purify soul.
Allah Says in the Quran “Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success. And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord (worships none but Allah), and prays (five compulsory prayers and Nawafil additional prayers).” (Reference:Surah A’la Verses:14-15)
Fundamental prayers bring peace in mind.
Allah Says in the Quran” Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah, Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest .” (Ref: Surah Ar Rad Verse:28)
By Fundamental prayers a person may be benefited both in spiritual and material life.
Allah Says in the Quran” O you who believe! If you obey and fear Allah, He will grant you Furqan a criterion [(to judge between right and wrong), or (Makhraj, i.e. making a way for you to get out from every difficulty)], and will expiate for you your sins, and forgive you, and Allah is the Owner of the Great Bounty.” (Ref Surah Anfal Verse:29)
By Fundamental prayers human and jins remember Allah and Allah also remember them.
Allah Says in the Quran” Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me.”(Ref:Surah Al Baqara Verse:152)
“ O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance. And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon [the early morning (Fajr) and ‘Asr prayers]. He it is Who sends Salat (His blessings) on you, and His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive you), that He may bring you out from darkness (of disbelief and polytheism) into light (of Belief and Islamic Monotheism). And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.”(Ref: Surah Al Ahjab Verses:41-43)
Fundamental prayers definitely brings help from Allah and give victory to the believers over the world.
Allah Says in the Quran” Those who have been expelled from their homes unjustly only because they said: “Our Lord is Allah.” – For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, wherein the Name of Allah is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down. Verily, Allah will help those who help His (Cause). Truly, Allah is All-Strong, All-Mighty.
Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat. [i.e. to perform the five compulsory congregational Salat (prayers) (the males in mosques)], to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) [i.e. they make the Qur’an as the law of their country in all the spheres of life]. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures). (Ref:Surah Al Hajj Verses:40-41)
Fundamental prayers increases collective relationships, brotherhood etc among the believers.
Allah Says in the Quran” The believers, men and women, are Auliya’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma’ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give the Zakat, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.(Ref:Surah At Taubah:71)
Islamic Culture and Philosophy 