“…and who establish prayer…”[1]

 

The word ‘salat’ can mean both supplication and the five daily prayers, and should be examined in both ways. That is, salat has personal and communal roles. The application of the five daily prayers can also be in a number ways. It can be performed, established, centralized or experienced continually.

Whether we take it as supplication or the five daily prayers, in both cases the activity transpires as thoughts in the brain. As I explained in The Power of Prayer, supplication or verbal prayer is directed brainwaves. Since it is not mandatory to know the meanings of the recited verses, daily salat is also an activity of the brain.[2]

This being the case, even the simplest performance of salat triggers and activates the Names and qualities of Allah comprising the brain via the recited verses, and hence directs and transmits waves to its surroundings, while also uploading them to the spirit.

When this individual practice is done in a congregation, its effects are much greater, for, when all the brainwaves of the congregation are directed towards a specific target, the resulting force is obviously more profound than when it’s only through a single brain. Thus, we can say to establish salat means to channel powerful brainwaves to produce beneficial outcomes for society… Congregational prayers done for rain or the millions of people praying during pilgrimage are such examples.

Daily prayers that are done in a congregation are also more powerful than individual ones, as can be seen in the words of the Rasul of Allah (saw):

 

“Salat done with a congregation is twenty-five times more profitable than one that is done alone.”

 

As for the individual application of salat…

The ‘performing’ of salat is what we generally do every day. We stand for prayer, recite the necessary verses – most of us without knowing what they mean – perform the necessary actions and complete our worship. During this many different thoughts may cross our minds and we may inadvertently engage in them… This kind of salat is the act of simply complying by Allah’s command; transforming faith from a sense into an action…

Nevertheless, even if one doesn’t know the meanings, the energy (nur) of the recited verses is converted into radial energy and uploaded to the person’s spirit, increasing his nur. Thus, to claim, “I don’t know what I’m reciting so I might as well not pray at all” and to abandon salat based on this will be the person’s greatest loss.

Sadly today, the establishment of salat has been reduced only to performing salat, not establishing it.

Whereas, the establishment of salat leads to ascension (miraj)!

The Rasul of Allah (saw) says:

“Salat is the believer’s ascension!”

That salat is the ascension of a believer means salat is union with Allah!

It is to observe the nothingness of your assumed identity and realize Allah is the Ever-Living One.

If you can’t duly apply salat, it means you cannot yet establish salat, for the lowest degree of establishing salat is ‘ihsan’ (divine favor).

The Rasul of Allah (saw) explains ihsan as:

“Ihsan is to do your salat conscious of the fact that Allah can see you even though you can’t see Allah!”

In simple terms, this has been described as entering the presence of Allah.

But we are always in Allah’s presence! To not realize this and to think we’re in His presence only during salat is nothing but a serious deviation that will eventually lead one to disbelief! The assumption that you’re not in His presence when you’re not doing salat implies He isn’t present in that place; that He can’t see you because He’s somewhere beyond! Absolute nonsense!

This absurd view leads to the assumption of a god far in space or to deny His existence altogether.

Thus, it’s imperative that we understand this well, for the Rasul (saw) says “Salat is the pole of religion.” What kind of salat is he referring to?

A salat that is established is one that is done in a state of awe and reverence, which does not denote fear by the way, as fear is felt when one feels in danger as opposed to awe, which is felt in the presence of grandeur and magnificence. It is when one feels his nothingness in the sight of an extraordinary greatness and sublimity. Contemplating the word ‘Allahuakbar’ is sufficient for one to feel awe during salat!