(ii) Salāt Helps in Spiritual Training
Thefivedailyprayershavedifferentnumbersofcyclesknownasrak‘ah.
Eachrak‘ahconsists of the act of standing while reciting two short
chapters from the Qur'ān, the act of bowing and two prostrations.
Thefajr(dawn) prayer consists of 2 cycles.
Thezuhr(noon) prayer consists of 4 cycles.
The‘asr(afternoon) prayer consists of 4 cycles.
Themaghrib(evening) prayer consists of 3 cycles.
The‘isha(night) prayer consists of 4 cycles.Onewonders whyIslam prescribed adifferent numberof cycles for
these prayers? Why could not they be the same for all ritual prayers?
Manypeoplehaveattemptedtoexplainitindifferentways,butIhave
alsolooked atthisquestionandcameto theconclusionthatthereisno
particularreasonforthisvarietyin thenumberof cycles. Itseemsthat
thisdifferenceinthenumberofcycleswasintroducedbyIslaminorder
tocreateasenseofdisciplineamongtheMuslimsandtocreatethespirit
of absolute obedience to the Divine laws.
AMuslimissomeonewhovoluntarilysubmitshimselftoAllah.This
isnotalwayseasykeepinginmindthetrialsandtribulationswhichwe
aregoingthrough.Prayingonadailybasisandfollowingthenumberof
cyclesprescribedbythesharī‘awithoutquestioningitsmeritisawayofin-
stillinginusthespiritofobediencetothelawsofIslam.Youmustpray
in the prescribed manner even if you do not understandthe merit of
someofitsrules; youshouldpraywiththe thought inyour mindthat
thisis howAllah,subhanahuwa ta`ala,wants you topray. Thiswill in-
deedhelp youinharnessingthe powerofdesires andemotionswithin
yourself,andhelpyouingettingclosertothepurposeoflife—tototally
submit ourselves to the will of Allah.