Salat: Our only hope

We need to know which category of water can be used for purification (taharah) and ablution (wudu’u) just as it is essential we know the status of every act we perform in ablution and in salat. While some are obligatory, others are prophetic traditions or acts instituted by jurists.  While wudu’u and salat may remain […]

We need to know which category of water can be used for purification (taharah) and ablution (wudu’u) just as it is essential we know the status of every act we perform in ablution and in salat. While some are obligatory, others are prophetic traditions or acts instituted by jurists.  While wudu’u and salat may remain valid even with the omission of a recommended act, their validity is threatened with the omission of any act that is classified as obligatory; signifying the importance of acquiring the knowledge of these acts.

Concentration (Tumaaneenah) is one of the compulsory acts of salat. Yet, many Muslims observe salat with their attention very much divided among many worldly matters including schedule of meetings and appointments, business proposals and trips, and the acquisition or consolidation of wealth and/or power. Mobile phones have become the most recent sources of distraction during salat. It is worrisome that some worshippers, Inspite of warning notices against such on walls within mosques, cannot switch off their phones for the short period of time it takes them to observe salat. Inattention affects the quality of our salat and thus places its validity under cross-examination.

Every act of salat particularly the obligatory and prophetic aspects must be observed with a sense of unreserved commitment and not in a speedy manner that sometimes makes it difficult for us to distinguish between the bending (ruku’u), prostration (sujud) and sitting (julus) positions of salat. The knowledge of things that vitiate (i.e. mubtilat) wudu’u and salat is crucial in the spiritual life of Muslims, and should therefore be sought. It is also of great consequence that we get acquainted with the rules governing the prostrations of Qabli and Ba’di .

The salat of a worshipper who lacks knowledge of mubtilat and of the imperatives of Qabli and Ba’di is certainly open to discussion. Our poor attitude to salat generally, could perhaps, explain why some of our prayers for a prosperous life are not being answered because Allah (SWT) reminds us in Qur’an 29:45 “…And establish regular prayer: for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds…”. May Allah (SWT) guide us to observe salat promptly and in the prescribed manner; giving it the seriousness it deserves, amin.