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The human being is
the only creature who has been distinguished from other
creatures with the instinct of knowing right from wrong.
He is, therefore, the only one who is expected to be the
perfect image of his Creator. That is why the objective
of his life is to know his Creator and become a perfect
image of his attributes, as Allah says in the Holy
Qur'an: "I have not
created jins and humans but, for my
worship"
SALAT
or the method of worship is the main media through which
a human can establish a relationship with his Creator
and it is one of the main doors which leads to his
complete submission to Allah's will.
Salat
also prevents him from wrongdoings. Allah
says: "Surely prayer restrains one from indecency
and manifest evil." Which shows that Salat or prayer
is a guarantee from Allah that if a worshipper observes
prayer with all its conditions, he will be safe from
evils, manifest or hidden, small or great. The Holy
Prophet (peace be on him) asked to the companions,
"if one of you had a stream running by his door and
he takes a bath in it five times a day, would any dirt
be left on him?." They replied! "No dirt would be
left on him". The Holy Prophet said: "This is the
case with Salat (the five daily prayers) Allah makes the
Salat wipe out his sins". When we reflect
on the creation of the universe and the law that governs
it and the design and variety that pleases our eyes, we
naturally are convinced of existence and greatness of
Allah.
Allah says in the Holy Quran: "In
the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the
alternation of the night and the day there are indeed
signs for men of understanding;" Those who remember
Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides,
and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the
earth: "Our Lord, Thou hast not created this in vain;
nay, Holy art Thou; save us, then, from the punishment
of the Fire." (Aal-e-Imran, v19l-192)
This
verse beautifully tells us that when a worshipper
reflects upon the structure of the Universe he becomes
overwhelmed with the greatness of its Creator. The
ENTITY Who created such an awe-inspiring structure with
such detailed arrangement and accuracy. He is alone to
be worshipped and so right for protection.
There
are five daily prayer services participation in which is
obligatory. This may seem a little too much, but it is
all a matter of comparative values. Those who realize
the true value of prayer through experience are
convinced that time spent in it is occupied much more
beneficially than that spent in other
pursuits.
There is no ordained priesthood in
Islam. Every Muslim can be Imam (who leads
congregational prayer) and can deliver a sermon. The
members of the congregation may select, and for this
purpose, they should choose one from among themselves
who knows the Holy Quran better than the others. No
vestment is prescribed for the Imam nor any special
dress for the congregation. All that needed is the body
and the head should be decently and cleanly
covered. |