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prayer, and devote yourselves totally to GOD. [2:239] Under unusual circumstances, you may pray while walking or riding. Once you are safe, you shall commemorate GOD as He taught you what you never knew.
2:238 gives us the reminder to observe and consistently do so. 2:239 reminds us the importance of observing Salat, even if we’re stuck in a car and cannot get out safely or in any unusual situation. We should consistently do our Contact Prayers, because it’s that good for us; it’s that important.
The Contact Prayer is a basic requirement for Submission, along with worshiping God alone and giving Zakat. [98:5] All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.
As submitters, when God asks us to do something, we respond and say we hear and obey. Specifically, for Salat we see:
[42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).
Salat keeps coming up when submitters or believers are described. For example, in sura 23, The Believers, the first thing God tells us:
[23:1] Successful indeed are the believers; [23:2] who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat). [23:3] And they avoid vain talk.
The importance of Salat is highlighted by being repeated in this same sura: [23:9] And they observe their Contact Prayers (Salat) regularly.
This repetition or double occurrence also is seen in sura 70: [70:22] Except for the worshipers.
[70:23] Who always observe their contact prayers (Salat). … [70:34] They consistently observe their contact prayers (Salat), on time. [70:35] They have deserved a position of honor, in Paradise.
In describing the True Believers in sura 8, God again underlines the importance of Salat: [8:2] The true believers are those whose hearts tremble when GOD is mentioned, and when His revelations are recited to them, their faith is strengthened, and they trust in their Lord. [8:3] They observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity. [8:4] Such are the true believers. They attain high ranks at their Lord, as well as forgiveness and a generous provision.
Salat is part of the definition of righteousness contained in 2:177: …. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets….and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat)…. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.
We have many examples of righteous believers doing Salat.
[10:87] We inspired Moses and his brother. “Maintain your homes in Egypt for the time being, turn your homes into synagogues, and maintain the Contact Prayers (Salat). Give good news to the believers.”
[19:30] (The infant spoke and) said, “I am a servant of GOD. He has given me the scripture, and has appointed me a prophet. [19:31] “He made me blessed wherever I go, and enjoined me to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat) for as long as I live.
[19:54] And mention in the scripture Ismail. He was truthful when he made a promise, and he was a messenger prophet. [19:55] He used to enjoin his family to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat); he was acceptable to his Lord.
[21:73] We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.
[5:55] Your real allies are GOD and His messenger, and the believers who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they bow down.
We also have examples of the unrighteous who do not do Salat.
Losing the Contact Prayers (Salat)
[19:59] After them, He substituted generations who lost the Contact Prayers (Salat), and pursued their lusts. They will suffer the consequences. [19:60] Only those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life will enter Paradise, without the least injustice.
[5:58] When you call to the Contact Prayers (Salat), they mock and ridicule it. This is because they are people who do not understand.
[74:42] “What brought you to this retribution?” [74:43] They will say, “We did not observe the contact prayers (Salat).
[75:30] To your Lord, on that day, is the summoning. [75:31] For he observed neither the charity, nor the contact prayers (Salat). [75:32] But he disbelieved and turned away.
[68:42] The day will come when they will be exposed, and they will be required to fall prostrate, but they will be unable to. [68:43] With their eyes subdued, humiliation will cover them. They were invited to fall prostrate when they were whole and able.
68:42-43 remind us we need to do our worship practices here and now. Otherwise we’ll be physically unable to prostrate. The soul will just be too weak on the Day of Judgment.
There are also people who observe Salat but are heedless of it:
[107:1] Do you know who really rejects the faith? [107:2] That is the one who mistreats the orphans. [107:3] And does not advocate the feeding of the poor. [107:4] And woe to those who observe the contact prayers (Salat)― [107:5] who are totally heedless of their prayers. [107:6] They only show off. [107:7] And they forbid charity.
The most important objective of Salat
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