By Haroon Balogun

Salat is the best among all acts of worship. If it is accepted by the Almighty Allah, other acts of worship are also accepted. And, if prayers are not accepted, other acts are also not accepted.

Offering of prayers five times during day and night purifies us of sins in the same manner as bathing five times during day and night makes our body clean of all filth and dirt. The act of purification which is ablution or ghusl precceds establishment of a valid salat. We have dealt with that extensively in our last edition. In establishment of salat after our ablution however, one important thing to be noted is the Qibla.

The Qibla is the holy Ka’bah, which is situated in Makkah, and a Muslim should offer his prayers facing it. The Qibla is important as most of our of if Ibadaat are done facing the Qibla. For example, salughtering an animal, positioning the dead in the grave among others.

Th masjid are built facing the Qibla, but if a traveller is far away and could not locate any masjid and yet it is the time for salat; he should make frantic effort to ascertain the direction of Qibla, and for that, he has to either be absolutely sure, or acquire such information as may amount to certainty, like testimony of two reliable persons.

Satellite dishes

If that is not possible, he should form an idea from the graves of the Muslims, or by other ways, and act accordingly. These days, especially in Nigeria, it has been established that satallite dishes are positioned facing the Qibla, albeit inadvertently, for receiving signals.

So, at a time we cannot locate the Qibla, we can rely on this or find out the grave of a Muslim which must also be facing the Qibla or better still, rely on any scientific method. In fact, if a non-Muslim who can determine Qibla by scientific method, indicates Qibla satisfactorily, he can be relied upon.

Nevertheless, if a person does not possess any means of determining the direction of Qibla, or in spite of his efforts, he cannot form an idea about it, it will be sufficient for him to offer his prayers facing any direction. The recommended precaution is that, if he has sufficient time at his disposal, he should offer the same prayers four times, each time facing every one of the four directions.

It is befitting that one should offer prayers punctually. A person who considers prayers to be something ordinary and unimportant is just like one who does not offer prayers at all. The holy Prophet has said that a person who does not attach any importance to prayers and considers it to be something insignificant deserves chastisement in the hereafter.

Again, we should never be in a hurry to offer our salat. Once we entered the masjid, we should be humble and give reverence to Allah by offerring our salat with patience, humility and submission.

Humility and submission

Once, while the holy Prophet was present in the Mosque, a man entered and began offering prayers but did not perform the ruku’ and sajdah properly. The holy Prophet said: “If this man dies and his prayers continue to be this way, he will not depart on my religion”. Hence, one should not offer one’s prayers hurriedly. While offering prayers one should remember Allah constantly and should offer the prayers humbly and with all solemnity. One should keep in mind the greatness of Almighty Allah with whom one communes while offering prayers and should consider oneself to be very humble and insignificant before His grandeur and glory. Of what use is the salat of a person who is unmindful and oblivious to himself during salat?

Furthermore, one who performs prayers should be repentant and should refrain from all sins and especially those things which are could hinder the acceptance of his prayers. You cannot go into salat with heavy heart of sins, wickedness against your fellow man, backbiting or backsliding, extreme jealousy among other bad acts. Again, of what use is the prayers of a person who his mindset is only on how to kill or do any kind of harm to another? In fact, he should refrain from all sins. Similarly, he should avoid acts which diminish the reward for prayers like praying when one is drowsy or restless because of an urge to urinate, and while offering prayers he should not look up towards the sky but look downwards in humility.

There are several ways to which a Muslim can achieve concentration in his salat. First, try to dentify the factors that distracts you in prayers, then try to eliminate them. For example, if you are always distracted by the noise outside of your house, go to the nearest Masjid (mosque) instead of praying in your own home.

Muslims in congregation

Learn the meaning of prayer. Try to find out what the exact meaning of the words that you are reciting. Think the meaning as you recite the verses. This will definitely keep your mind on your prayer. What you are saying won’t just be a bunch of Arabic words anymore; it’ll have meaning to it.

Try your best to pray together with other Muslims in congregation. You will ultimately feel a sense of togetherness. Take a time out from this world and relax, relieve yourself of stress when in a Masjid. Learn to perform your prayer according to the sunnah of the Prophet.(s.a.w) You may fold your hands to the chest. Capture calmness in your mind. Prepare the mind by thinking about your salat. Intend that you are praying to Allah Almighty and only for His sake. Focus on the nature of the prayer you are making.

The clearer you are in your intention, the better your attention and concentration will be. Instill discipline in yourself. Stand upright with a softened heart. Think of your prayer as your last prayer, as how one hadeeth says. Believe that Allah is by your side. Be as quiet and still as possible.

Continues next week.