On the Benefit of Prayer
The Islamic prayer has much benefit, both in this world but especially in the next:
- • The five prayers make good what happens between them, as long as major sins are avoided.
- • Sins burn and destroy a person, and therefore it is necessary to extinguish them with the help of prayer.
- • The Muslim attains the level of the righteous and the martyrs by virtue of his prayers, charity, and fasting.
- • Prayer is superior to the other deeds.
- • The first thing one will be asked about on the Day of Judgment is the prayer.
- • Allah granted one companion the favour of entering Paradise before his brother who died as a martyr, because he prayed more than the latter.
- • Prayer is a light that illuminates the servant's path in this world and in the hereafter.
- • A multitude of prostrations and prayers is the way to be at the side of the Prophet (s.a.w.) in Paradise.
- • Two Rakaat [prayer units] are loved more by a dead person than the [whole] world and what is in it.
- • The opening of the heart exclusively for Allah in prayer brings the person into the same state in which he was when his mother gave birth to him.
- • Should a person enter the Fire — may we be protected from it — then the angels will take them out and recognize them by the marks of the prostrations.
- • Prayer unties the knots that Satan ties at the end of the head.
- • Prayer in the night is, after the obligatory prayers, the best prayer.
- • One who prays in the night receives such a reward as most [other] people do not attain.
- • One shows one's gratitude toward Allah by praying the obligatory and the night prayer.
- • The prayer that Allah loves most is the prayer of Dawood (a.s.), which lasts a third of the night, and the other two thirds of the night one sleeps.
- • Allah grants His servant the favour through an hour in the night in which He answers the supplications. It behoves a Muslim to strive for it and try to find it [the hour], so that he obtains the good in this world and in the hereafter.
- • The [praying of the] night prayer is a proof of sincerity and Taqwa [God-consciousness], and this extinguishes sins and prevents one from committing them.
- • Allah azza wa jall protects the husband and the wife who encourage each other to perform the night prayer with His mercy. If one of them refuses [to perform it], then one sprinkles [a little] water on his or her face.
- • Two rakaat of the night prayer places a person among the men or women who often think of Allah.
- • Allah is pleased with a man who awakens from his sleep, leaves behind his wife and his longing for her, in order to perform the prayer. Allah smiles at him and informs the angels about him.
- • There is no jealousy or competition except with regard to two men. One of them prays and recites the Qur'an, the other gives charity from what Allah has granted him.
- • Whoever recites ten verses in the night (in prayer) will not be recorded among the negligent, and a Qintar [a unit of measure that depends on the product] of reward will be recorded for him. Allah the Exalted will say to him: "Recite and ascend one rank with each verse," until he reaches the last verse that he knows. Allah favours him by granting him eternity.
- • Whoever (at night) prays and thereby recites 100 verses will be recorded among the devout worshippers, and whoever thereby recites 1000 verses will be recorded as belonging to the Muqantarin [those who accumulate good deeds]. Whoever recites 200 verses in prayer will be recorded among the devout and sincere worshippers.
- • The one who goes to prayer (to the mosque) is raised by one rank and his sins are removed, both on the way to the mosque and on the way back.
- • For every step he takes he receives [the reward] that corresponds to 10 good deeds.
- • The Muslim is recorded as belonging to those who pray from the moment he leaves the house until the moment he returns.
- • A step that a servant takes toward the congregational prayer counts as charity for him.
- • The many steps one takes toward the mosque belong to Ar Ribaat (the frontiers that guard one) [against committing sins].
- • Every time a servant sets out for the mosque in the morning or evening, Allah prepares a feast for him in Paradise.
- • For the one who goes to the mosque in the darkness, Allah causes the light to shine fully and perfectly on the Day of Judgment.
- • The reward for the one who leaves his house in ritual purity in order to go to the obligatory prayers is [as high] as the reward for a pilgrim in Ihram.
- • To the one who sets out for the mosque, Allah guarantees that He will provide for his livelihood and suffice him in his affairs.
- • The one who goes to the congregational prayer after having performed his wudhu (ablution) well, in order to travel to Allah the Exalted and visit Him: to him [the servant] a great favour is granted, namely that Allah acknowledges those of His servants who visit Him. And whomever Allah distinguishes, his distinction is that their Iman increases. In this way He shows His goodness, rewards them [the servants], raises their station, removes their difficulties, and makes their hearts content and happy.
- • It is obligatory to pray in the congregation. The Prophet (s.a.w.) made no concessions for an old blind man to omit the congregational prayer. How then can such a concession be made to the physically healthy?
- • The one who omits the congregational prayer is regarded as heedless and his heart is sealed. Absence from the congregational prayer is a sign of hypocrisy.
The Islamic Prayer and its Positive Health Effects
The book "Fatimah Ibrahim / Wan Abu Bakar Abas / Ng Siew Cheok: Salat. Benefit from Science Perspective" summarizes the results of a research group from the 'Faculty of Biomedical Engineering' at the University of Malaya. Various measurements were taken in order to be able to demonstrate the effects of prayer on the body. The following measurements were carried out, among others:
- • BMI (Body Mass Index) measurement
- • DXA (Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry) measurement
- • BIA (Bioimpedance Analysis), etc.
Positive effects of prayer on the body were determined as follows:
- • Heartbeat: A lower position of the head (relative to the position of the heart) leads to a lower heartbeat. A positive benefit of prayer lies in the fact that the position of the head during ruku (bowing in prayer) and sujud (prostration during prayer) is at its lowest. The consequence is that more blood flows into the brain. It receives an increased supply of oxygen through the blood.
- • The prostration in prayer leads to a healthy heartbeat and increases the rest phase. This will prolong the life of the heart and prevent the narrowing of the blood vessels, which could normally lead to arteriosclerosis.
- • Less back pain: Certain body movements cause the lumbar muscles to contract and relax when the body is fully bent down. Prayer can help to restore the normal function of the musculus erector spinae, which is important for sufferers of lower back pain. One can therefore say that prayer helps to reduce lower back pain.
- • Brain: Prayer leads to a stage of calm. Therefore prayer can be useful for achieving mental and emotional stability in the individual. Furthermore, prayer leads to increased concentration.
- • Muscles: Prayer can be regarded as a gentle form of physical exercise: standing — bowing — prostrating. These are forms of movement that activate the muscles and strengthen the muscular system.
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