The Purpose of Prayer
Why do we need prayer? How does prayer meet man’s need for divine guidance? What is the meaning behind that standing between the hands of God?
Dr. Hammudah Abdalati
The Power and Purpose of Islamic Prayer (Salah)
Why Prayer Is Foundational
Salah is one of the five pillars of Islam, the backbone of a believer’s faith.
Neglecting it without valid excuse is a grave offense, not only against God but against our own nature and spiritual well-being.
What Happens When Prayer Is Neglected
Denies the human soul its right to:
Adore and love
Aspire and ascend
Excel and grow morally and spiritually
This spiritual repression damages our inner potential.
Why God Commands Prayer
God is self-sufficient. He doesn’t need our prayer.
His commandments are for our benefit, helping us prosper and develop.
Whatever we do—good or bad—impacts us, not Him.
Immeasurable Benefits of Salah
Deepens belief in God’s existence and mercy
Makes faith active and life-changing
Awakens the soul’s aspiration for greatness
Purifies the heart, strengthens the mind
Suppresses evil, enhances noble traits
The Uniqueness of Islamic Prayer
Salah is not mere motion or recitation.
It’s a blend of:
Intellectual meditation
Spiritual devotion
Moral elevation
Physical discipline
It unites every part of the body and soul in worship.
What Salah Teaches and Offers
Discipline and willpower
Devotion to God and noble goals
Daily remembrance of divine mercy
Spiritual growth and moral strength
A path to upright living
Protection from evil and temptation
Unity and brotherhood
Gratitude and reverence
Inner peace and emotional balance
Hope, patience, courage, and confidence
Experience is the Ultimate Proof
Words cannot fully capture what Salah gives. Only living it—regularly and sincerely—will reveal its true power and beauty.
“Verily, the prayer keeps one from the great sins and evil deeds.”
(Qur’an, 29:45)
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The article is an excerpt from a book by the author titled ‘Islam in Focus’. Soucre Link
