The Importance of Salah (Prayer) in Islam
Salah is the second pillar of Islam and the direct connection between the believer and Allah. Learn why the Prophet ﷺ called it the pillar of religion.
Salah (prayer) is the second pillar of Islam and the most important act of worship after the declaration of faith (Shahada). It is the direct, unmediated conversation between a believer and Allah — no intermediary, no priest, no distance.
Why Salah is Obligatory
Allah commands the believers to establish prayer in numerous verses of the Quran. It was made obligatory during the Night of Ascension (Isra wal Mi'raj), where the Prophet ﷺ received the command directly from Allah — the only pillar given directly without an angel as a messenger.
And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].
Quran 2:43
The Five Daily Prayers
- Fajr — before sunrise, 2 rak'ahs
- Dhuhr — midday, 4 rak'ahs
- Asr — afternoon, 4 rak'ahs
- Maghrib — after sunset, 3 rak'ahs
- Isha — night, 4 rak'ahs
The Pillar of Religion
The head of the matter is Islam, its pillar is the prayer, and the peak of its hump is jihad in the way of Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ also said: "The covenant that distinguishes us from them (non-believers) is the prayer; whoever abandons it has committed kufr (disbelief)." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi — Sahih)
Benefits of Establishing Salah
- Purifies the soul and keeps one mindful of Allah throughout the day
- Five times daily the believer stands before the Lord of the Worlds
- Protects against indecency and wrongdoing (Quran 29:45)
- Expiates minor sins between prayers
- Keeps the heart connected to the Hereafter
Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.
Quran 29:45
May Allah grant us the ability to establish Salah with khushu' (humility and focus) and make it the coolness of our eyes, as the Prophet ﷺ described it: "The coolness of my eyes has been placed in Salah." (Nasai — Sahih)