(B) The Daily Spiritual Training
Islamhasalsoprovideditsfollowerswithaprogramforspiritualtrain-
ing on a daily basis. This program is known as salāt. Salāt is not a
“prayer” in the sense of talking to God whenever, wherever and
howeveryoulike.Salātisanactofworshipwhichmustbedoneinapre-
scribedmanner.Wheneverweusethewords“ritualprayer”itrefersto
salāt and not to “prayer” in the sense explained above.
Inappearance,salātisjustanactofworship;butwithfurtherinsight
into the philosophy of salāt, you will realize that it is alsoa program
whichtrainstheMuslimstospirituallystrengthenthemselvesandtobe-
comethemastersoftheirownlivesratherthanbeslavesoftheirdesires.
ItisthisaspectofsalātwhichhasmadeitthepillarofIslam.TheProphet
says: “The salāt is the pillar of religion.”
While describing the effect which salāt should have on the lives of
Muslims, Allah says:
“Establishthesalāt;surelythesalātprevents[thedoer]fromtheinde-
cenciesandtheforbidden[acts].AndsurelytheremembranceofAllahis
great.” (29:45)
Thisverseclearlysaysthatatruesalātwouldhelpthedoerinstaying
awayfrom sins.Itis inthelightofthisversethatthe ProphetofIslam
(s.a.w.)said,“Thefirstdeedtobechecked[ontheDayofJudgment]will
bethesalāt:ifitisaccepted,thenotherdeedswillalsobeaccepted;butif
itisrejected,thenotherdeeds willalsobe rejected.”Whatthe Prophet
meantwasthatthesalātplaysapivotalroleinthelifeofaMuslim:ifhis
salātwasatruesalātandhadaffectedhisbehaviour,thenthereisagreat
chancethathisotherdeeds willalsobegood;butifhissalātwasjusta
ritualwithoutanyimpactonhislife,thenthereisalesserchancethathis
other deeds would be good.
The five daily prayers, provided done with understanding, will not
justberitualsbutaprogramforspiritualupliftmentoftheMuslim.The
salātwillconstantlyremindhimtokeepthepurposeoflifeinfocusand
worktowardsit.ThatiswhytheProphetonceaskedhiscompanions,“If
thereis a stream outsideyour houseand you washyourself in itfive
timeeveryday,thenwouldanydirtremainonyourbody?”Whenthe