Why Muslims Pray?

After Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was chosen for Prophet hood, the first thing he was commanded to do by Allah was to pray. The angel Jibrail (Gabriel) came to him, and a spring of water gushed out from the rocks in front of them. Jibrail then showed the Prophet (peace be upon him) how to do ablution (purify himself). He then showed him how to offer prayers to Allah. The Messenger (pbuh) of Allah began to pray two Raka (2 Units of prayer) twice a day; once in the morning and once in the evening. He then went home and showed his wife Khadija (his first wife) what he had learned from angel Jibrail. Since that time, the Prophet never went through a day without praying.

 Just before his migration (Hijrah) to Al-Madinah, Allah's Messenger (pbuh) was taken by night to Jerusalem and then to the heavens (Miraj by spirit). During this journey, Allah almighty commanded him to pray five times a day. This prayer was a gift given to every believer to enable him/her to experience a spiritual ascension five times in every day. The Prophet (pbuh) explained that "The prayer is the Miraj of the believer." It gives every Muslim the opportunity to communicate with his Lord.

During each prayer, the worshipper recites Surah Al Fatiha (the first verse of the Quran). This recitation is not a dull monologue (speaking to himself) by the believer, but Allah promises that it is a conversation between Him and the worshipper. The Messenger (pbuh) reported that Allah Almighty says:

"When My slave says (in his prayer): 'All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds', I say: 'My slave has praised Me.' when he says: ' the Merciful, the Compassionate, Master of the Day of Judgment', I say: 'My slave has praised and glorified Me'. When he says: ' You Alone we worship, and Your Aid we seek, ' I say: 'This is between My slave and Myself.' When he says: 'Show us the Straight Path, the path of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not of those who earned Your anger nor of those who went astray.' I say: 'This is for My slave, and I give My slave what he wants." (Hadith Qudsi)

The number of prayers in a day have been set at five by Allah almighty. The believer has no choice in the matter but to obey. To reduce the number of prayers would not only be disobedience, it would also lose the benefits of prayer.

For example, a room is only good for residence if it has four walls and a roof. If only one wall or the roof were to be removed, what use could it be? Similarly, the prayer will only achieve its purpose and be of use on the Day when nothing except one's deeds will be of use, if it is observed in the prescribed manner.

Prayer is an obligation upon every Muslim, man and woman.

"...Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours." (4:103)

Surah Anas narrated that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: "Whoever forgets a prayer, he/she should offer it whenever he/she remembers. There is no explanation for it except this."

May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet and upon his family and upon all his followers, Ameen.