The importance of prayer in Islam

Prayer, called “Salat” in Arabic, is the second of the five pillars of Islam, after the profession of faith (Shahada). It is a fundamental act of worship, a sacred obligation for every adult Muslim man or woman of sound mind [4][5]. Salat is not simply a series of gestures and words, but a moment of deep connection with Allah, an intimate dialogue between the believer and his Creator. It is the beating heart of the Muslim’s spiritual life, punctuating his day and nourishing his faith.

Definition and Importance of Salat

In Islamic terminology, Salat is defined as a codified set of words and deeds, beginning with the Takbir (the proclamation “Allahu Akbar”, meaning “God is the greatest”) and concluding with the Taslim (the greeting of peace) [1]. It is performed with a sincere and pure intention, focused on seeking God’s pleasure. Salat is much more than a simple ritual; it is a means of expressing gratitude to Allah for His countless blessings, asking forgiveness for sins and seeking His help and guidance in all aspects of life [4].

The Five Daily Prayers: A Sacred Rhythm

Islam prescribes five obligatory prayers a day, at specific times determined by the course of the sun [3][5]. These prayers are :

Fajr (Dawn): Consisting of two Rak’at (prayer units), it is performed before sunrise. It marks the beginning of the day and places us under divine protection from the first light of dawn.
Dhuhr (Midday): Comprising four Rak’at, it is performed after the sun has passed its zenith. It offers a spiritual pause in the middle of the day, a moment to recharge one’s batteries and renew one’s intention.
Asr (Afternoon): Consisting of four Rak’at, it is performed when the shadow of an object becomes equal to its size. It reminds the believer of the importance of constancy and perseverance in worship.
Maghrib (Sunset): Consisting of three Rak’at, it is performed just after sunset. It marks the end of the day and allows us to thank God for the benefits of the past day.
Isha (Evening): Consisting of four Rak’at, it is performed when night has fallen completely. It is an opportunity to entrust oneself to God before resting, to ask Him for protection and forgiveness.

These five daily prayers punctuate the Muslim’s life, constantly reminding him of his relationship with his Creator. They structure the day, offering moments of meditation and communication with the divine.

Preparation for Prayer: Purification of Body and Spirit

Before performing Salat, the Muslim must prepare himself physically and spiritually. This preparation comprises several stages:

Ablutions (Wudu): Wudu is an act of ritual purification that involves washing certain parts of the body with water, in a precise order: hands, mouth, nose, face, forearms, head and feet [3][6]. Wudu symbolizes the physical and spiritual purity required to appear before God. It is also an opportunity to symbolically purify oneself of one’s sins.
Purity of place: Prayer must be performed in a clean, decent place. The place of prayer must be free of impurities and conducive to meditation [3].
Orientation towards the Qibla: Muslims must turn towards the Qibla, the direction of the Kaaba, the cubic structure located in the Great Mosque of Mecca [3]. The Qibla symbolizes the unity of Muslims the world over, who all turn to the same point to worship God. It is also a reminder of the historical link with the prophet Abraham, considered to be the builder of the Kaaba.
Intention (Niyya): Before beginning prayer, the Muslim must have the sincere intention of performing Salat for the love of God, and not out of ostentation or habit [3][6]. Intention is an essential element in the validity of prayer. It must be pure and directed solely towards seeking God’s pleasure.

Prayer: A Dialogue with the Divine

Salat consists of a series of postures, recitations and invocations, forming a prayer unit called Rak’at. The number of Rak’at varies according to the prayer. Here are the main stages of a Rak’at:

Standing position (Qiyam): The Muslim stands with his hands on his chest or along his body, and utters the Takbir (“Allahou Akbar”, God is the greatest), marking the beginning of the prayer and the entry into a state of sacralization [3][6]. He then recites the Fatiha, the first sura of the Quran, which is an invocation and praise to God. He may then recite another sura or a few verses from the Koran of his choice.
Bowing (Ruku’): The Muslim bows forward, hands on knees, back straight, uttering words of glorification of God[3][6]. This posture symbolizes humility and submission to divine greatness.
Prostration (Sujud): The Muslim prostrates himself, forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes touching the ground, uttering words of glorification of God [3][6]. Prostration is the deepest and humblest act of worship. It symbolizes total submission to God and recognition of one’s own smallness in the face of His greatness.
Sitting position (Jalsa): Between prostrations, the Muslim sits briefly with hands on thighs, uttering invocations [3][6]. This pause allows you to catch your breath and meditate.
Final Salutation (Taslim): At the end of the last Rak’at, after the last prostration, the Muslim sits down and turns his head to the right and then to the left, pronouncing the greeting of peace: “As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” (May God’s peace and mercy be upon you) [3][6]. Taslim marks the end of the prayer and the return to the profane state.

Other Types of Prayer: Diversity and Spiritual Richness

In addition to the five obligatory daily prayers, Islam includes other types of prayer that enrich the believer’s spiritual life:

Salat al-Jumu’a (Friday Prayer): This is an obligatory prayer that replaces the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays. It is performed in congregation at the mosque and is preceded by a sermon (Khutba) delivered by the imam [2]. The Friday prayer is an important moment of gathering and cohesion for the Muslim community.
Salat al-Eid (Holiday Prayers): Two obligatory prayers celebrated on two Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, commemorating the sacrifice of Abraham [2]. These prayers are performed in congregation and followed by a sermon.
Salat al-Janazah (Funeral Prayer): This is a prayer performed for the deceased before burial. It is considered a community obligation (Fard Kifaya), i.e. if a sufficient group of Muslims perform it, the rest of the community is discharged [2]. The funeral prayer is an invocation in favor of the deceased, a request for mercy and forgiveness for his or her sins.
Salat al-Tarawih (Supererogatory prayers of Ramadan): These are supererogatory (non-compulsory) prayers performed during the nights of the month of Ramadan, after the Isha prayer [2]. They are generally performed in congregation at the mosque, and consist of the recitation of long portions of the Koran. Tarawih are a way of enjoying the blessings of the month of Ramadan and drawing closer to God through increased devotion.
Salat al-Duha (Morning Prayer): This is a recommended supererogatory prayer, performed between sunrise and mid-day [2]. It’s a way of expressing gratitude to God for the blessings of the new day, and asking for His blessing.
Salat al-Witr (Odd Prayer): This is a supererogatory prayer performed after the Isha prayer, consisting of an odd number of Rak’at (usually one or three). It is a nocturnal invocation, an intimate conversation with God before resting.
Salat al-Istikhara (Prayer of Consultation): This is a supererogatory prayer performed when faced with an important decision and wishing to ask God’s help in making the right choice.
Salat al-Hajah (Prayer of Need): This is a supererogatory prayer performed when one has a particular need and wishes to ask God’s help in satisfying it.

Spiritual Importance and Benefits of Salat

Salat is considered the path to the Creator, the most important act of worship in Islam after the Shahada [4]. It offers the Muslim a privileged moment of recollection, spiritual purification and deep connection with Allah. Salat is not a mere formality, but an act of love, devotion and submission to God.

Spiritual benefits

Connecting with God: Salat enables the believer to get closer to God, to converse with Him, express gratitude, ask forgiveness and seek His help.
Purification of the soul: Salat is a way of purifying oneself of sins, getting rid of bad thoughts and refocusing on what’s essential.
Inner peace: Salat brings inner peace, serenity and peace of mind. It allows you to let go of everyday worries and recharge your batteries spiritually.
Strengthening faith: The regular practice of Salat strengthens the believer’s faith, his trust in God and his dependence on Him.
Development of discipline: Salat, through its regularity and rigor, develops personal discipline, self-control and perseverance.

Social benefits

Community unity: Salat, especially the Friday and holiday prayers, brings Muslims together and strengthens the bonds of brotherhood and solidarity within the community.
Equality before God: In prayer, all Muslims are equal, whatever their social status, origin or wealth. They stand side by side, humble and submissive before God.
Promoting peace: Salat, with its message of peace and submission to God, helps to promote peace and harmony in society.

Conclusion

Salat is a fundamental pillar of Islam, an essential act of worship that structures the Muslim’s life and nourishes his faith. It is a sacred link between the believer and his Creator, a moment of recollection, purification and communication with the divine. Through its regularity, discipline and spiritual depth, Salat guides the Muslim on the path to righteousness, inner peace and closeness to God. It is the beating heart of the believer’s spiritual life, a constant reminder of his or her submission to God and commitment to living in accordance with the precepts of Islam.

References :

[1] https://salafislam.fr/definition-de-priere-sheikh-abdoullah-al-bassam/
[2] https://islameduc.fr/rappels/adorations/types-priere/
[3] https://www.superprof.fr/blog/faire-ses-prieres-en-langue-arabique/
[4] https://www.caminteresse.fr/societe/comment-faire-la-priere-dans-lislam-11191368/
[5] https://taslym.com/combien-de-rakat-par-priere/
[6] https://www.assalat.org/uploaded/2016/01-17/esdaratmawke3/%D9%83%D9%8A%D9%81%20%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%84%D9%8A%20-%20%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A-/Al%20Salat%20Fr.pdf
[7] https://al-dirassa.com/fr/apprendre-la-priere-en-langue-arabe/
[8] https://neyssa-shop.com/blog/quelles-sont-les-prieres-obligatoires-en-islam/
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK_29jqmavA