'Today’s lecture will cover the following aspects; importance, timing, and method. Let us start with the importance of the five daily Salah. The Prophet (PBUH) said "Verily, the diference between a muslim and a polytheist is the abandoning of As-salah." The five daily prayers are Subh, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha.'

Ibrahim sat in the audience with his father, reluctantly listening to the lecture. He had planned to go to his friend’s house to watch a football match, but his father had dragged him along and collected his phone. So he had no choice but to listen.

The lecturer went on 'Salah is the second pillar of Islam. The first is Iman, which means faith. Thus, it is the major form of worship for a Muslim. It is the first deed about which we would be questioned on the Judgement Day. Qur’an 2:238 says ‘guard strictly the As-Salawah (the five obligatory prayers), especially the middle Salah (i.e. the best prayer- ‘Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience and do not speak to others during the Salah.’

'It is not enough to go through the motions of Salah, a Muslim has to perform Salah the right way. Sometimes, out of laziness, we might perform Salah without thinking of the importance of our actions, like the way we carry out other mundane daily tasks.'

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'But, that period is meant for you as a Muslim, to bond with your Creator, five times a day. You should try to stop your mind from wandering, ponder upon the verses you recite, and the dua you make during Salah. It is not meant to be a robotic task you perform and then tick off your to-do list. When you perform Salah with khushu’ (humbleness and sincerity), there’s nothing in the world like it.'

'Qur’an 2:45 says "seek help in patience and As-Salah and truly it is extremely heavy and hard except for Al-Khashi’un [i.e. the true believers in Allah- those who obey Allah with full submission, fear much from His Punishment, and believe in His Promise (Paradise) and in His Warnings (Hell)]."

Ibrahim thought about the conversation he had with his brother earlier that day.

“Ibrahim, it’s time for Zuhr,” Adam said.

“Please Adam, stop disturbing me. I heard you the first three times. Go and pray! When I’m ready, I’ll pray.” he replied.

“Ibrahim, that’s what you kept saying until you ended up not praying Subh this morning.”

“I said you should leave me alone.” he responded, already getting annoyed with his brother’s persistent whining.

“Alright, I pray you’ll stop being so nonchalant with your prayers.” Adam frowned and left the room. Ibrahim rolled his eyes and went back to his phone.

Ibrahim cringed as he remembered how dismissive he had been when his brother had just been trying to help him. He tried to focus on the lecturer’s words.

'The reward of a Salah in congregation is twenty-five times superior in degrees to that of a Salat offered by a person alone. Men should endeavour to perform their Salah in the mosque when possible. For women, it is more rewarding to pray at home, but they can pray in the mosque if they wish.'

'Salah should be performed at the right time, that cannot be overemphasised. Prayer times alter with the weather, so it is important to stay updated. If one delays Salah for no good reason, the Salah will not be valid.'

'There are many aspects to Salah, but we cannot cover all of them in this lecture. After listening to the Adhan (call for the prayer) one who says O Allah, the Lord of this complete call and of this prayer, which is going to be established! Give Muhammad Al-Wasilah and Al-Fadilah and raise him to Maqam Mahmud, which You have promised him’, will be granted Allah’s intercession for him on the Day of Resurrection.'

'Al Wasilah is the highest position in Paradise which is granted to the Prophet (PBUH) particularly; Al-Fadilah is the extra degree of honour which is bestowed on him above all creation. Maqam Mahmud is a station of praise and glory. We should endeavour to learn this dua (supplication) in Arabic so that we can say it after each Adhan.'

'Before Salah, one should be in a state of purity. Perform wudu (ablution) following the right steps. If there is no water, perform Tayammum (dry ablution). Perform Ghusl if you are in a state that requires it before Salah. One cannot approach Salah while intoxicated. You cannot be drunk and then go to pray. After the prayer, there are recommended dua for one to perform. You don’t just say the tasleem at the end and jump up and leave. Dua is a way to remember Allah, and also ask Him for things you want.'

'Let us remember that we would be accountable before Allah on judgement day. Our good deeds will help to lead us to Jannah (paradise). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." Performing all the obligatory Salah, and extra ones (nawafil) will fill our scales with good deeds. Good deeds ward off evil deeds.'

'We should try to perform nawafil to supplement our prayers. Also, memorising verses of the Qur’an and repeating those verses in Salah help them stick, and also make Salah more engaging. May Allah make this easy for all of us. And may He unite us in Jannah.'

'Brothers and sisters, let us strive to perfect Salah. It is an obligation if you truly believe in Islamic monotheism. Performing your five daily prayers doesn’t automatically make you a religious person, it just makes you a Muslim! May Allah make this easy for all of us. And may He unite us in Jannah.' The lecturer concluded his speech.

Ibrahim joined the rest of the congregation in saying “Amin” to the prayer. He resolved to apply what he had been reminded of in his life, and say his Salah as he was supposed to. He asked Allah to forgive him for the times he had done otherwise and to make it easy for him.

This article was written by Muhammad-Salisu Safiyyah, a 5th year medical student at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos.