Solat/Prayer… it is obligatory for a Muslim but one that most choose not to do… My story: I was having a difficult time in my personal and business life. I seeked to change my fate and wanting to become a good, obedient Muslim (I was a nominal Muslim then) has led me to the spiritual path.
عَسى رَبِّي أَنْ يَهْدِيَني سَواءَ السَّبيلِ
( ‘asaa Rabbiii ‘any-yahdiyanii sa-waaa’assabiil )
I do hope that my Lord will show me the smooth and straight path (Al-Qashash:22)
I sought Allah’s blessings for me and things happened almost immediately. I suddenly had an intense urge to pray. On the 1st of Ramadhan (2007), with a slight motivation from a very dear friend, I was suddenly praying five times a day as required, and adorning hijab. In other words, I was starting to understand what it meant being a Muslim. I became conscious of the need to know and obey Allah. Since then, much of my time is spent on reading and studying religion, studying the Quran, trying to understand most of all what Allah requires of us. The more I understand, the more I look forward to it… waiting in anticipation for the ‘time’, for the next solah, my time with Allah… besides that, if you really study the benefits of solat, you’ll regret not doing it from an early age…
Sharing some of what I’ve read:
Prayer is something that causes one to receive sustenance.
It delights, nourishes the soul and brightens one’s countenance.
It gets rid of laziness, makes the limbs active and increases one’s physical strength.
It keeps away harmful things and repels catastrophes.
It casts away illnesses.
It expands the chest (making one at ease and giving him insight).
It strengthens and illuminates the heart.
It is something that safeguards one’s physical health.
It brings and safeguards one’s blessings.
It keeps away the Syaitan (the devil).
It draws one close to Ar-Rahman (Allah, the Most Merciful).
The reason behind this is that prayer is one’s connection to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. So, based on the strength of a person’s relationship with his Lord, the Mighty and Majestic, the doors of goodness will accordingly be opened up for him, bad things and the reasons for them befalling him will be cut off, along with safety and good health, wealth and worldly riches, relaxation, bliss, enjoyment, and all types of joyful affairs will be brought to him, and in an expedient manner, too.
يا أَيُّهَا الَّذينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَ اسْجُدُوا وَ اعْبُدُوا,
رَبَّكُمْ وَ افْعَلُوا الْخَيْرَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
Yaaa ‘ayyuhallaziina ‘aamanur-ka-‘uu wasjuduu wa’-buduu
Rabbakum waf-‘alulkhayrala ‘allakum tuflihuun.
O ye who believe! bow down, prostrate yourselves, and adore your Lord; and do good; that ye may prosper.
Al-Hajj:77
This is another article I picked in the many read ups (my process of understanding why) on solat…
The solat or ritual prayer is the second pillar of Islam, after the syahadah (declaration of faith that there is no god other than GOD, and that Prophet Muhammad is HIS Messenger). This is because the solat is the embodiment of everything that is required of a Muslim in his attempt to know his Creator, and to obey HIM. It is a formal session of communion with GOD in which the servant expresses his love, faith, submission, obedience, gratitude, repentance and dependency towards his Creator, Master and Sustainer.
This is demonstrated in thoughts, words and actions through the prescribed movements and recitations, and the requirement for full concentration, understanding and “presence” (“khusyuk”) for the prayer to be valid. It is a physical, verbal, mental and spiritual exercise of remembrance that is beneficial for the mind, soul (self/ego or nafs) and body.
Done properly and regularly (five times a day, plus many non-obligatory prayers), it will cleanse the soul of selfish tendencies, sharpen the mind and allow the godly spirit within to take charge. The obedient Muslim (believer/submitter) will progress to a state of true faith (Mu’min), GOD-consciousness (Muttaqin) and finally live his life in the presence of GOD (Muhsin). This will be reflected in his character. He will be loving, compassionate, helpful and exhibit many other good attributes; and he himself will be loved and liked by those around him.
حَافِظُوْا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ و الصَّلاَةِ الْوُسْطَى وَ قُوْمُواِللهِ قَانِتِيْنَ
Haafizuu ‘alaa-Salawaati was-Salaatil-wustaa; wa quu-muu lillaahi qaanitiin.
Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers. Especially, the Middle Prayer, and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind)
(Al-Baqarah:238)
Reference:
Benefits of Solat by Zainol Abideen
Muslim prayers have physical benefits: study
Solat improves sex, impotency, health – study
Solat – one of the main pillars of Islam
