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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Culture and Religious Studies Book -4 Lesson 15 : Philosophy of Prayer Part 1 The most important act of ebadat (Worship) in Islam is Salaat (Prayer). It is an expression of total submission to Allah (S.W.T.) and a means of communication between the Creator and His servants.

Imam Ali ibn Abi Taalib (a.s.) has said about prayer: "Know that every action you do will depend on you salaat." From this we know for a fact that is our salaat is accepted then all other actions are also accepted and if our salaat is rejected then so are our other deeds. "The prayer is what differentiates Mo'meen from Unbeliever.

Whoever leaves it and claims to have belief, his own actions belie him and will be a witness against him." "Remind yourselves that every action from you must be from the mediator of Salaat." Salaat greatly affects the lives of those who perform it. It keeps the soul of a person free from idolatry and when carried out sincerely, it also helps to cure moral diseases such as infidelity, hypocrisy, pride, dishonesty etc.

By praying at the specified times, a person learns to be both disciplined and punctual. It gives a purpose to the lives of people and has a stabilising effect. In times of stress, salaat provides a oasis of peace where a person can forget all worries and cares and rest his weary head on the doorstep of Allah (S.W.T.). the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) used to say to Bilal, who was the mu'adhin of the Muslims, "Comfort me, O Bilal!" meaning that he should recite the adhaan and call out for prayer.

Salaat is a source of piety and perfection. Through is performance a person can discover the hidden secrets of his soul and its amazing relationship with Allah (S.W.T.). All those acts that surround it or are related to it also fall under its special influence. For this reason we shall look at the things connected to and performed within Salaat and study the philosophy behind each. This will help us better appreciate why we perform it in the manner we do. 1.

Qiblah During the first years of prophethood, Mecca was still the centre of idol worshipping and the Kuffar had filled the Holy Ka'aba with idols that they used to pray to. Thus, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) and the Muslims used to pray facing Baytul Muqaddas i.e. Masjidul Aqsa in Jerusalem. They did this for 13 years in Mecca and the first few in Medina.