“Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says: ‘My slave has a promise from Me, if he establishes prayer on time, that I will not punish him, and that I will admit him to paradise without reckoning.’” Narrated from ‘Aa’ishah.

 

Solah, also known as prayer, stands as the essence of religion. It constitutes the second pillar of Islam, mandatory for all mature Muslims on a daily basis. Within the Islamic faith, Solah holds significant importance, serving as a cornerstone. Without prayer, the purification of the soul remains unattainable. Remove prayer from the world, and religion loses its essence, for it is through prayer that humanity attains consciousness of God, fosters selfless love for others, and cultivates inner piety. Prayer is, therefore, the first, the highest, and the most solemn phenomenon and manifestation of religion.

 

The significance of prayer in Islam cannot be overstated. It is the initial pillar of Islam, emphasized by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) immediately after affirming the testimony of faith, marking one's entrance into the Muslim community. According to the Hadith of the Prophet (Solallahu alayhi wasalam):

 

Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu’anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: "The first thing a person will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is his Solat. If they are complete, it will be written for him that they are complete, but if there is a deficiency in them, Allah would say: "See if My Slave has any supererogatory prayers." Allah would also say: "Make up the deficiency in My Slave's obligatory prayers from the supererogatory prayers;" and then other actions will be accounted for accordingly." This is recorded by An-Nasa’ie and others.

Be ever mindful of prayers, and of praying in the most excellent way; and stand before God in devout obedience. [Qur’an 2:238]

Truly, to a happy state shall attain the believers: those who humble themselves in their prayer, and who turn away from all that is frivolous, and who are intent on inner purity. [Qur’an 23:1-4]

 

Likewise, the obligation of prayers was established upon Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) during his miraculous journey to heaven. Moreover, when Allah commends the believers, as seen in the opening of Surah al-Muminun(Qur’an 23), one of the foremost attributes mentioned is their commitment to prayers.