The Contact Prayers (Salat)

The Salat is one of the commandments in the Quran. The word “salat” comes from the root word “Sila” which means connection or contact. When we observe the Contact Prayer we are making contact with our Creator. It’s more than just “pray”. God gives us an opportunity to make contact with Him 5 times a day.

We know that the Salat has many benefits for us: the real us, the soul. The body as well. At a very simple level: getting up and moving every so often is good for the health, while sitting for long hours ironically causes the body more stress. Waking up at dawn is also shown to provide better mental health.

In soul terms, we see that righteous works help strengthen and develop the soul.

[30:44] Whoever disbelieves, disbelieves to the detriment of his own soul, while those who lead a righteous life, do so to strengthen and develop their own souls.

[7:8] The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose weights are heavy will be the winners.

[101:6] As for him whose weights are heavy. [101:7] He will lead a happy (eternal) life.

Let’s look at the ways Salat can help us become a “soul heavy-weight.”

Salat is mentioned more than 70 times in the Quran. It is associated with righteousness (2:3, 2:177, 11:114), seeking help (2:45), steadfastness (2:45, 2:153, 13:22, 22:35, 31:17), remembering God (4:103, 20:14, 29:45), God’s protection (5:12), belief in the Hereafter (6:92), wiping out evil works (11:114), attaining God’s mercy (24:56).

We’re reminded to observe salat early in the Quran. You open the Quran to Al-Fatehah, which we recite in Salat. Then we turn the page to sura 2, and it says:

[2:1] A.L.M  [2:2] This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous; [2:3] who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat),* and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.

This pattern is repeated in other suras as well, e.g. sura 27, sura 31:

[27:1] T. S.* These (letters) constitute proofs of the Quran; a profound scripture. [27:2] A beacon, and good news, for the believers. [27:3] Who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat),

and they are, with regard to the Hereafter, absolutely certain.

[31:1] A. L. M.* [31:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this book of wisdom. [31:3] A beacon and a mercy for the righteous. [31:4] Who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and as regards the Hereafter, they are absolutely certain. [31:5] They are following the guidance from their Lord, and they are the winners.

The above verses are reminders of what we should be doing. These next are commandments—”you shall” do it.

[2:43] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.

[2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent,

[2:238] You shall consistently observe the Contact Prayers, especially the middle

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