WHY DO WE PRAY?
The purpose of prayer is set forth in the Quran in the following verses, and the Quran reminds us, as with all acts of worship, that the first and foremost requirement in our prayer is to purify ourselves from polytheism.
- Since everything we have belongs to and is dedicated to Allah, our prayer (salat) is also solely for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Say: "Verily, my Salat (prayer), my sacrifice(acts of worship), my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).
- The primary reason for performing Salat (prayer) is stated as remembering, mentioning, and recalling Allah.
Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Congregation Day(Friday-Jumu'ah), hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and drop all business. That is better for you, if you only knew.
238. Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.
239. And if you fear on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allah [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.
14. Successful is he who purifies himself.
15. And remembers the Name of his Lord, and prays.
And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
Satan only wants to cause between you animosity and hatred through intoxicants and gambling and to avert you from the remembrance of Allah and from prayer. So will you not desist?
Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little,
Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing (in prayer) during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the Mercy of his Lord (like one who disbelieves)? Say: "Are those who know equal to those who know not?" It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allah's Signs and Verses).
And when the prayer is finished disperse through the land and seek Allah’s grace, and remember Allah much so that you may be felicitous.
When you have finished the prayers, remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down, and when you feel secure, perform the [complete] prayers, for the prayer is indeed a timed prescription for the faithful.
36. In houses Allah has allowed to be raised and wherein His Name is celebrated; He is glorified therein, morning and evening,
37. [Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] turn about -
- Another purpose of Salat appears to be seeking help from God.
And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allah]
152. So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.
153. O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.
- It is shown that a person can restrain himself from evil and wickedness through prayer.
Recite what is revealed to you of the Scripture, and perform the prayer. The prayer prevents indecencies and evils. And the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows what you do.
- It is also emphasized that a person should regard prayer as valuable because they should know that its reward will be given by God.
O my son, observe the prayer, advocate righteousness, forbid evil, and be patient over what has befallen you. These are of the most honorable traits.
29. Those who recite the Book of Allah, and perform the prayer, and spend of what We have provided for them, secretly and publicly, expect a trade that will not fail.
30. so that He may pay them their full reward and enhance them out of His bounty. Indeed He is All-Forgiving, All-Appreciative.