The Beauty of Islamic Religion

The religion of Islam and the Muslims feature prominently in the media nowadays; unfortunately, they are often depicted as fanatical or extreme for simply following the basic tenants of Islam. The information that is circulated is often incorrect or inadequately explained. Basic practices and pillars of Islam begin to take on strange connotations when the reality is that they are acts of worship that denote piety and God consciousness. Muslims testify with certainty that there is none worthy of worship except God alone. They believe that Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, is His messenger. They fast, they give in charity, and they perform pilgrimage once in a lifetime for those who can afford the journey. Muslims also pray five times a day. Five times! When some hear this, they throw their hands up in horror and wonder about the amount of time this must take and how it can be slotted into one 24 hr period. Others, who are used to communicating with God in their own form of prayer will often question the rules and regulations that are attached to prayer in Islam. God, they say, is accessible at any time. According to Muslim belief that is correct. God is accessible at anytime and in any place. Muslims call on God frequently throughout the day and night. They raise their hands in supplication and ask for His help, mercy, and forgiveness. This, however, is not the act that Muslims refer to as prayer. This is called making dua (supplications) and it is similar to Christian prayer in that it is calling on God, asking for His help and acknowledging His greatness. For Muslims prayer denotes a set of ritual movements and words said throughout fixed times in a day and night. God says in Quran, “Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours”. (Quran 4:103) Muslims pray in the early morning before sunrise, in the middle of the day, in the afternoon, at sunset and at night. Muslims pray in obedience to God because they believe God created humankind for no other purpose except to worship Him. “And I did not create man...except to worship Me Alone” (Quran 51:56) Consequently, for a believer, worship is a way of life. Prayer at fixed times serves as a reminder of why we are here and helps to direct a person’s thoughts and actions away from sin and onto remembrance of God. Prophet Muhammad emphasized the importance of prayer when he explained its ability to remove sin. He said, “What would you think if there was a river by the door of any one of you and he bathed in it five times a day, would there be any trace of dirt left on him?” They said, “No trace of dirt would be left on him.” He said, “That is like the five daily prayers, by means of which God erases sin.”[1] Prayer is just one act amongst many acts of worship however; it holds a very special status in Islam because of the way it was enjoined. It was not brought down to earth by an Angel rather it was bestowed upon Prophet Muhammad during his unique ascension into the heavens. Fifty prayers were first enjoined upon the believers but this was eventually reduced to five, while the reward for prayer remains as if it were still fifty.[2] This reduction shows just how great God’s love for humanity is, a few minutes throughout the day is rewarded as if it were continuous worship. Muslims pray five times per day. If possible men should pray in a mosque or in a congregation of men. Women have the option of praying at home. The believers stand alone, or surrounded by others, they stand in their homes and workplaces, the parks and the mosques. They stand, bow, prostrate, and sit. Their voices are sometimes raised and sometimes silent, but the words remain the same. When a Muslim prays they address God in the Arabic language and use the same words and movements as every other Muslim across the globe. Muslims unite in the ritual and language of prayer. For prayer, Muslims stand facing the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, where the Holy House of God, know

Source: Yusuf Momoh Shima'u's Timeline