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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.
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