Islam has five pillars. The first one is testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger. The second one is Salah. Salah is the prayer of Muslims. It is how Muslims get closer to Allah, communicate with him, and worship him. Salah is the proof of our faith in Allah and our commitment to Islam.

Salah is very important. In fact if you ignore your prayers then it is as if you had left Islam. The prophet said, “He who leaves the Salah has left Islam.” This is because Islam is like a structure with five pillars, if you get rid of one of them, the whole structure will collapse due to lack of support. Also Salah is the only act of worship in Islam that Allah required Muslims to perform under any circumstance. We are ordered to pray while we are well, sick, traveling, and even in battle. This shows that it is the most important act of worship.

Salah is one of the keys to Jannah. If you perform it sincerely and precisely, then you will go to heaven. It also makes you a better Muslim, and it keeps you away from doing bad deeds and getting sins. Salah also brings you closer to Allah and helps you to remember him more and thank him for all of his provisions.

Allah says in the Quran, “And they will ask the sinners, “What led you into the Hell fire?” They will say, “We were not of those who prayed…” This tells us that those who neglect the prayer will have a great punishment on the day of judgement. They will be thrown into the blazing fire. So pray your Salah right now when you are able to. Don’t say “I have time or I’ll pray later.” Because you never know, you might die the next second. “Pray now before the people pray on you (When you die).”- Imam Malik.

Salah is the only pillar that highlights the other four pillars. During Salah we proclaim the Shahadah. We also donate our time, during the time of Salah, for the sake of Allah (charity). We fast from food, drinks, and sin during the time of Salah, and just as the people who are performing Hajj, we face the Qiblah.

Allah has prepared for those who pray a great reward. He says in Surah Al-Mu’minoon, “And those who strictly guard their prayers. Those indeed are the inheritors. Who inherit the Firdaus. They shall dwell therein forever.”