Salah

Salah comes from the word “silah” in Arabic, which means connection, contact, or communication.
Salah is the first pillar of Islam after the shahada, emphasizing its importance .
Salah is the number one thing that differentiates our religion from the other Abrahamic religions. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Between faith and unbelief is abandoning the prayer.”
Salah will be the first thing tested to us. Munkar and Nakir, the two angels, will bring us our book of deeds and will look at salah first in our grave.
But why do we pray? Allah doesn't need us to worship him. He doesn't need anything from anyone.

Why we pray salah:

I want to change the narrative some people may have about salah because many people view it as a task.

Salah is a gift from Allah that allows us to reconnect to him and take a few minutes out of the day to reflect, make dua, & just take some time away from any stress/ anxiety. it’s your personal time between you and Allah. Salah is a relief from the burdens we face connecting back to yourself & also to Allah. By saying “Allahu Akbar”, we are reminding ourselves that Allah is greater than anything we face in this world. Quran mention in Surah Al-Maarij 70:19-23: “Indeed, mankind was created anxious: When evil touches him, impatient, And when good touches him, withholding [of it], Except the observers of prayer – Those who are constant in their prayer.” This proves that salah is a source of peace and is an anxiety-reliever.
Means of connection between us and Allah and a reminder to always be mindful of Allah. Salah is Similar to hajj. In hajj, people leave their family, kids, country, worries, fears- everything- so that they can go to Makkah and for about 10 days focus on their connection to Allah. Hajj is a 24/7 reminder of Allah and increases our mindfulness and connection to him. Salah is a mini hajj because we leave work, homework, talking to people, etc., to pray and connect to Allah. It takes 5 minutes per salah, multiple times a day, rather than many days like Hajj.
The more you spend time in remembrance of Allah, the less you will do wrongdoing. In the Quran 29:45- “Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.”
Sins will be forgiven as you pray
Helps develop patience and discipline
Allah is simply worthy of being worshiped. “There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.” Quran 20:14

In your grave, – and — will bring a book to you with all the good deeds you have done. Salah will be the first chapter of the book, and if it is blank, they won’t consider anything else you have done. Any fasting, donations, anything at all.. Won’t be considered if you haven’t prayed first. This is bc salah makes sure you are constantly remembering Allah throughout the day and through everything you do

Salah

Why we pray salah:

Sunnah