The Five Daily Salah (Prayers) and It’s Benefits In Islam
In Islam, the five daily prayers, known as Salah (or Salat), are considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. From a young age, a male and female son or daughter is prepared by their mother or father to go to the local mosque to learn the Qaida, which is the first stage of learning the Arabic text, like ABC. Then as they get older and get more familiarised with the text, they move on to praying the Quran, learning the various surahs that come with it, and reciting them by heart. This goes hand in hand in learning to pray the five daily prayers. It’s not obliged upon a child until they reach the adolescent age of 6-7 yrs. Most parents do tend to make it their objective and goal to make sure a young Muslim learns the namaz and the Quran from a young age, as they feel this will only help them going on in life and the hereafter, they sincerely believe this is a trait that is essential on the parent and is their duty to pass on to their children, so not only can they learn but also pray when the parent is no longer living, which will only help them in the hereafter and be a part of their Sadaqah Jariyah, (act of charity) if a child prays for the deceased and passes it on to the parent that is no longer living. They form an essential part of a Muslim's daily routine and spiritual life and the prayers are obligatory for all Muslims and are performed at specific times throughout the day.
The Five Daily Prayers
Fajr- this is the very first salah of the day, which is known as the dawn prayer, performed before sunrise. It consists of four units (Rak'ahs). 2 sunnah and 2 Farz, this namaz is important as Muslims believe if you pray your fajr namaz, you are starting off the day on the right path, and everything will go smoothly and it brings Noor (light) to your face if observed every day.
Dhuhr-the second salah of the day which is the midday prayer, performed after the sun passes its zenith. It consists of 12 rakahs, which are 4 sunnah and 4 farz, 2 sunnah and 2 nafl. A lot of men try and pray this at their local mosque and the jummah (Friday) prayers are read in congregation which is an even bigger reward, and is rarely missed.
Asr-the 3rd salah of the day which is the afternoon prayer, performed in the late afternoon, it consists of 8 rakahs, which consist of 4 sunnah and 4 farz. And Muslims believe this namaz brings good things in this life and the hereafter and if observed religiously is very beneficial.
Maghrib- the 4th salah of the day is the evening prayer, performed just after sunset, it consists of 7 rakahs, which are 3 farz, 2 sunnah, 2 nafl. This is another important namaz, and Muslims believe it has a lot of beneficial factors providing it is not missed. It also symbolizes the end of the day and the start of the evening, where in the month of Ramadan your iftar is opened with the Maghrib Azaan (call to prayer).
Isha-this is the final prayer of the night, which is he night prayer, performed after the twilight has disappeared. It is the longest namaz of them all consisting of 17 rakahs, which are 4 sunnah, 4 farz, 2 sunnah, 2 nafl, 3 vitar, 2 nafl. This namaz marks the end of the night and can be prayed after the Isha Aazaan at anytime of the night, Muslims believe if this is prayed just before you sleep, you will get a peaceful rest.
Benefits of Praying in Islam
Spiritual Benefits
It brings you connection with Allah, prayer is the direct communication between the worshiper and Allah, strengthening the bond of faith and the purification of the soul, the Salah serves as a means of purity, helping to cleanse the soul of sin and drawing the believer closer to Allah. Spiritual awareness, prayers remind Muslims of their purpose in life, ensuring that they stay focused on their spiritual and moral goals.
Psychological Benefits
It brings peace of mind, the regular act of prayer provides a break from daily stress, offering a sense of calm and inner peace and it also brings stress relief, the act of bowing and prostrating can help reduce anxiety, offering a moment of pause and reflection. It also brings self- discipline, the daily routine instils discipline and mindfulness in one’s life, promoting consistency and balance.
Social Benefits
Salah brings unity and brotherhood, praying together in congregation, especially at the mosque, strengthens the sense of community and promotes social cohesion among Muslims. And also has a sense of equality, during prayer, all Muslims stand in rows, regardless of their social status, ethnicity, or wealth, demonstrating the equality of all believers before Allah.
Physical Benefits
When praying your daily 5 salah’s, it brings exercise and movement, the physical actions of prayer (standing, bowing, prostrating) provide a form of low-impact exercise that helps improve flexibility and circulation. It also helps with your health and hygiene, salah encourages cleanliness, as Muslims must perform ablution (Wudu) before praying, ensuring regular hygiene.
Moral and Ethical Benefits
The regularity of the prayers instils a sense of accountability, as Muslims are reminded five times a day of their duties to Allah and others, through the recitations during prayer, Muslims seek guidance and strength to make morally sound decisions in life. Salah encourages a sense of gratitude and empathy, as Muslims reflect on Allah’s blessings and the needs of others.
In summary, the five daily prayers are a fundamental aspect of a Muslim's life, offering a wide range of spiritual, psychological, physical, and social benefits and they help maintain a strong connection to faith and Allah, while also promoting well-being and personal discipline.