Prayer is the link between Allah Most High and us. Prayer is the way to be near to Allah. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A joy of my eye is in the Prayer.”

We read that he (peace and blessings be upon him) spent the night praying until his feet swelled, and he was unaware of any pain. So, whoever chooses this spiritual path will consequently never feel any pain.

Prayer is a renewed source of spiritual energy. It is divided through night and day to be a continual source of provision. Allah Most High makes its performance easy to be a provision in every state and time, in peace and war, in traveling and settling down, in health and illness; and this is the favor and mercy of Allah upon us.

Prayer is our outlet from the difficulties of life. We stand between Allah’s hands in solemnity and submission. We bow and prostrate, read and listen to the Words of Allah, and praise and glorify Him. We ask Him to forgive us. Prayer is what makes our souls ascend to Allah, and it is what raises them above being fascinated and taken with life, especially since the Most High gave the order of Prayer in the night of Al-Israa’ and Al-Mi`raj.

Whoever prays with a pure heart and intention will be guided by Allah, and He will bring His mercy upon him, which will help him face difficulties of life with stability and peace without fear, disturbance, fright, or weakness. Prayer protects Muslims from going astray, from committing evil and obscenity, and from being snared by whispers of Satan. Then worshipers are under the care of Allah, and they feel that Allah is with them wherever they go. A Muslim feels that Allah supports him. He trusts in Allah and obeys Him in every order with no hesitation. As a result, any Muslim will have complete happiness and perfect satisfaction, and this is only for those who fear Allah.

The worshiper feels that he was standing between the hands of Allah a short while ago and that he will stand there again after a short period of time. So, he must not forget Allah between the two Prayers. Thus, the Muslim who performs Prayer at its time is still under the divine influence of Prayer. Therefore, Satan cannot deviate him from the right path. Allah Almighty says,[For such Prayers are enjoyed on believers at stated times](An-Nisaa’ 4: 103).

When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) faced a difficult situation, he used to resort to Prayer, and then he felt comfort, peace, safety, and reconciliation. He always said to Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him), “Let us feel comfort by it, Bilal.” So, Prayer to a believer is like the green oasis in the desert of our life.

Submission and bowing to Allah in Prayer provide Muslims with all meaning of honor. The person who prays does not bow or prostrate to or fear anyone but Allah: [(It is the practice of those) who preach the messages of Allah, and fear Him, and fear none but Allah] (Al-Ahzab 33: 39).

Whenever we glorify Allah, we insist on obeying Him; we feel peace and also hate to disobey Him.

Prostration to Allah in Prayer is the high grade of slavery and pure humiliation to Allah. It is the time to be near to Allah. We see the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) prostrated for a long time during Tahajjud (optional Night Vigil Prayer) until `A’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, thought that he had died. Our Messenger made us aware of this desire and motivated it in us. He said, “The servant of Allah feels that he is as close as he can be to Allah when he is prostrating.”

The worshiper feels during his prostration that this is the noblest position for him in this world, because he feels that he is near to Allah and this is the sublime happiness.

In our Prayer, when we say Tashahhud and the good meanings and feelings it includes, we become near to Allah by blessed greetings. Then we say the greeting of Islam upon our Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): “May peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings.” Then we greet all worshipers of Allah and say the two testimonies of faith, and then seek Allah’s blessings on our Messenger. These are beautiful moments spent between the hands of Allah, and in the company of the worshipers of Allah from the nation of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) while Allah Most High is looking upon us with acceptance and satisfaction. We finish our Prayer after this blessed time to face life with satisfied souls.

Moreover, the movements of Prayer are useful for the body of a Muslim. When we perform Prayer as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did, there are in every rak`ah two sujuds (prostrations) and one ruku` (bowing); this signifies complete slavery to Allah and our obedience to His orders.

Preparing for Prayer by purifying the body, the garment, and the place of prayer teaches a Muslim to be clean and pure, and makes him abandon dirt and impurity. This purity should be accompanied with the purity of the heart from whatever Allah does not like. The heart is considered to be the place which Allah looks upon during Prayer. So there should be no envy, spite, and so on. This is very important for Muslims generally, and especially for the path of da`wah.

Offering Prayer at its due time teaches the Muslim to be accurate in his appointments and also to be careful about his time. Times of Prayer awaken him from his forgetfulness. As a result, there will be no affair of this life that can prevent any Muslim from mentioning Allah, performing Prayer, working and striving for the sake of Allah. These qualities are important for everyone who chooses the path of da`wah and has business, appointments, and meetings.

When a Muslim directs his face towards the qiblah, he realizes that Muslims all over the world turn their faces towards the same qiblah. This makes him feel the unity between him and his Muslim brothers. This feeling is important for Muslims to be able to face the enemies of Islam. Also, when Muslims turn their faces towards the qiblah, the action must be accompanied with pure intention free of hypocrisy and polytheism.

There is a sort of strife in answering the call to Prayer after hearing it. It gives the Muslim strong will and determination, which can help him to overcome the temptation of his soul. This is a spiritual provision, which has a great effect on the life of people of da`wah.

In Prayer, people stand in one row between the hands of Allah. There is no disparity between rich and poor. There is no haughtiness; all are equal to Allah. Sometimes we find a rich person prostrating to Allah and putting his forehead near the foot of a poor person in the row in front of him with no aversion.

The gathering of Muslims for Prayer in the mosque five times a day and in Friday Prayer and the two `Eids helps Muslims get to know and help each other. They share mutual feelings in illness, happiness, and sadness.

When Muslims are careful to perform Prayer in the mosque, they become attached to it, and this way the mosque retrieves the importance it had at the dawn of Islam. In his mosque, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prepared armies. The Messenger also discussed the affairs of Muslims in it. Nowadays, Muslims have to bring this importance back to mosques.

Thus, Prayer is a mainspring of spiritual provision and everything related to it is important nourishment for the worshiper.