Dear listeners, Welcome to the 9th weekly episode of the series Mohammad, Radiant Sun of Guidance.

Daily prayers are the main pillars of the sacred religion of Islam and a means for establishment of a bond between mankind and God Almighty. One of the teachings of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) has been his call for observance of daily prayers. Today, we become familiar with the benefits of prayers and the efforts of the Prophet of Islam for encouragement of the community to observe daily prayers.

One of the strongest connections is the connection with God, which is tantamount to establishment of a bond between mankind and source of divine revelations. The divine religion of Islam, in order to reinforce and cement this in-depth spiritual relationship has adopted a number of approaches such as servitude of God; worship of God; and connection with God via observance of mystical prayers, establishing this culture through presentation of a precise, logical, principled, and purposeful plan. One of the most prominent manifestations of this approach is observance of daily prayers.

One, who observes daily prayers and bows down to God Almighty prostrates before God in order to show his multiple needs. Such a human being, in the light of this continuous connection, gradually develops and grows spiritually and reaches a stage of growth, in which he never bows down before anyone other than God, conquering the pinnacles of honor and dignity, which God has bestowed upon him. He bows down before the one and only creator of the world, God Almighty, who obliged mankind to observe daily prayers in order to maintain and reinforce man’s connection with God.

In the 14^th ayah of Surat Taha in Holy Qur’an, God notes: “Indeed I am Allah- there is no god except Me. So worship Me, and maintain the prayer for My remembrance.”

One of the important and constructive missions of the divine prophets and Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) has been to establish a bond between mankind and God. Divine prophets have been instructed to refresh the memory of God in people, upon calling on them to observe prayers, thereby cementing mankind’s relationship with God Almighty.

In the 45^th ayah of Surat Al-Ankabut of Holy Qur’an, God instructs the Prophet of Islam: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and maintain the prayer. Indeed the prayer prevents indecencies and wrongs, and the remembrance of Allah is surely greater. And Allah knows whatever deeds you do.”

The important point which has been emphasized in these ayahs is the remembrance of God, which is one of the main goals of prayers. In fact, if one wholeheartedly observes prayers, he remembers God in all moments of his life. In this manner, daily prayers which is the main means of man’s connection with God, prevents us from carrying out ugly deeds, and narrows the gap between us and God Almighty.

But, if one’s prayers would just consist of a series of apparent deeds, they will not play a constructive and preventive role and will not refresh the memory of God within him. Prophet of Islam notes the individual, whose prayers would not prevent him from commitment of sins and ugly deeds, will not be able to narrow his gap with God Almighty.

Hence, God has urged us to observe prayers, which purifies our souls and instills ethical virtues within us. Worshippers, in addition to cementing and reinforcing their bonds with God in their entire lives, consider establishment of a bond with the community, and endeavor to meet their material and spiritual needs as a means to please God, and also try to form a permanent and solid bond with people, who are the creatures of God.

In the Islamic and Qur’anic culture, and the tradition of the Prophet of Islam and all religious figures, these two features are clearly evident. On one hand, they try to reinforce their bond with God Almighty via the observance of daily prayers, and on the other hand, they don’t neglect the sufferings and hardships of people and make every effort to reinforce social relations via humanitarian assistance, Those, who maintain true faith in God cover this righteous path, which is the path of heavenly leaders.

According to the 31^st ayah of Surat Ibrahim in Holy Qur’an, God instructs the Prophet of Islam: “Tell My servants who have faith to maintain the prayer and to spend out of what We have provided them with, secretly and openly…”

Obviously, in order to observe daily prayers, the related culture should be established. The most effective step is taken to this end within the family. This is because if parents, through a sense of responsibility, establish the culture for observance of prayers, this culture will undoubtedly turn into a public culture within the community. For this reason, in the 132^nd ayah of Surat Taha in Holy Qur’an, God instructs the Prophet of Islam: “And bid your family to prayer and be steadfast in its maintenance.”

Meanwhile, establishment of the culture related to observance of daily prayers is in need of precision, emphasis, and patience. This is because if these parameters are not complied within, the possibility of revival of the culture of prayers within the family would be slim.

The related plan should be such that it would institutionalize love of observance of prayers within mankind. If such a development takes place in man’s soul and body, there would be no need for compulsory approaches. The sense of need to establish a relationship with God should be revived in mankind to compel him to join worshippers and to enjoy praying to God.

The wholehearted observance of daily prayers brings about several accomplishments for the worshipper.

One of the important topics, which the Prophet of Islam stayed focused on, in observance of prayers, was prudence and wisdom and avoidance of ignorance. In other words, if prayers to God would not be rooted in insight and an in-depth understanding, and if tasks would be carried out based on ignorance, irreparable losses will be inflicted upon mankind.

A  prime example of the individuals who carry out measures based on ignorance are the operatives of Daesh terrorist outfit, who baselessly claim to be committed to Holy Qur’an and Prophet’s tradition, but murder and plunder others with the support of the US, the West, Zionist regime, and some Arab reactionary regimes.

Hence, the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) notes avoid the ignorant individuals who claim to pray to God, and the knowledgeable individuals who commit sins.

MR/SS