DID PRAYER(SALAT) EXIST BEFORE ISLAM?
Prayer is as old as human history and is a universal act of worship that has been part of the religious life of all nations.
- The future of generations who abandon prayer after Prophets Adam, Noah, and Abraham,
But they were succeeded by an evil posterity who neglected the prayer, and followed [their base] appetites. So they will soon encounter [the reward of] perversity,
- The place where Prophet Zechariah prayed,
So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, "Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous."
- Jesus's reference to prayer
And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive
- It is stated that the command to pray was revealed to Prophet Abraham, as well as to Prophets Lot, Isaac, and Jacob.
And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakah; and they were worshippers of Us.
And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], "Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer]."
- Prophet Ishmael commanded his people/family to pray,
And he used to enjoin on his people prayer and zakah and was to his Lord pleasing.
- Prophet Luqman advised his son to perform prayer properly.
O my son, establish prayer, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, and be patient over what befalls you. Indeed, [all] that is of the matters [requiring] determination.
- Prophet Abraham prayed to his Lord to make him and his descendants among those who perform prayer correctly.
My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication.
- It is stated that Prophet Moses was commanded to perform prayer in order to remember Almighty God.
Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
- It is stated that Moses and his brother were commanded to make their houses face the qibla (direction of prayer) and to pray there.
And We inspired to Moses and his brother, "Settle your people in Egypt in houses and make your houses [facing the] qiblah and establish prayer and give good tidings to the believers."
- They asked whether it was the prayer of Prophet Shu'aib that influenced his people to abandon the things they worshipped.
They said, "O Shu'ayb, does your prayer command you that we should leave what our fathers worship or not do with our wealth what we please? Indeed, you are the forbearing, the discerning!"
- Among the duties that the Israelites promised to fulfill was prayer,
And [recall] when We took the covenant from the Children of Israel, [enjoining upon them], "Do not worship except Allah; and to parents do good and to relatives, orphans, and the needy. And speak to people good [words] and establish prayer and give zakah." Then you turned away, except a few of you, and you were refusing.
And Allah had already taken a covenant from the Children of Israel, and We delegated from among them twelve leaders. And Allah said, "I am with you. If you establish prayer and give zakah and believe in My messengers and support them and loan Allah a goodly loan, I will surely remove from you your misdeeds and admit you to gardens beneath which rivers flow. But whoever of you disbelieves after that has certainly strayed from the soundness of the way."
- Among the commandments directed to the People of the Book is the obligation to perform prayer.
4. Nor did those who were given the Scripture become divided until after there had come to them clear evidence.
5. And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion.