Solat(salah) and its Virtues:

Solat is the second important pillar of Islam. It stands for 'attending to Allah', praying to Him, seeking nearness to Him or invoking Him.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has said,

"Man is nearest to Allah when he has prostrated himself before Him."

He also said,

"When one of you is observing the solat, he is in fact invoking Allah."

As soon as a person has affirmed belief in Islam, the first duty he is required to observe is to perform Solat five times a day. The Quran has emphasized it as a basic Islamic practice. Allah declares in the Holy Quran (Surah Taha):

Surely I am Allah: there is no god besides Me: so worship me alone: and establish Solat for My remembrance."

Solat is the sign and symbol of Islam. It brings comfort to the heart. It is a source of peace and strength It is a strong and unbreakable rope, stretched out between Allah and the Believer. It is the comfort of his soul. It is a remedy for his ills - a remedy that never fails.

Solat is the (hall mark) that is an indication of good quality of a Muslim. It is an act full of virtues. When a Muslim sincerely performs Solat, Allah forgives his sins on account of it. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said,

"When a Muslim performs Solat with attention and devotion, he sheds his sins just as the trees shed their leaves in autumn."

Solat is the shelter of a Believer. He who performs solat regularly and at its proper time remains in the shelter of Allah. Allah loves him as it is the best thing in His sight.

Solat is a key to heaven. The prayer of the person who observes it regularly will serve him as a light on the Day of Judgment. It will be a means of his salvation, and a proof of his faith.

Solat is the only distinction between the believer and the unbeliever. The one who does not recognize the obligatory status of the Prayer cannot be a Muslim at all. Solat enables man to hate all kinds of evil and indecency. It makes him intensely eager and keen to adopt good ways in life and attain higher degrees of excellence and righteousness.

By: Perihatin