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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Islamic Correspondence Course (book 3) Lesson 26 : Islam’s Spirtual Program (2) (B) THE DAILY SPIRITUAL TRAINING Islam has also provided its followers with a program for spiritual training on a daily basis. This program is known as salat. Salat is not a “prayer” in the sense of talking to God whenever, wherever and however you like. Salat is an act of worship which must be done in a prescribed manner.

Whenever we use the words “ritual prayer” it refers to salat and not to “prayer” in the sense explained above. In appearance, salat is just an act of worship; but with further insight into the philosophy of salat, you will realize that it is also a program which trains the Muslims to spiritually strengthen themselves and to become the masters of their own lives rather than be slaves of their desires. It is this aspect of salat which has made it the pillar of Islam.

The Prophet says: “The salat is the pillar of religion.” While describing the effect which salat should have on the lives of Muslims, Allah says: “Establish the salat; surely the salat prevents [the doer] from the indecencies and the forbidden facts]. And surely the remembrance of Allah is great.” (29:45) This verse clearly says that a true salat would help the doer in staying away from sins.

It is in the light of this verse that the Prophet of Islam (s.a.w.) said, “The first deed to be checked [on the Day of Judgment] will be the salat: if it is accepted, then other deeds will also be accepted; but if it is rejected, then other deeds will also be rejected.” What the Prophet meant was that the salat plays a pivotal role in the life of a Muslim: if his salat was a true salat and had affected his behaviour, then there is a great chance that his other deeds will also be good; but if his salat was just a ritual without any impact on his life, then there is a lesser chance that his other deeds would be good.

The five daily prayers, provided done with understanding, will not just be rituals but a program for spiritual upliftment of the Muslim. The salat will constantly remind him to keep the purpose of life in focus and work towards it.