Salaah - The Gift of Mi'raj

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​​It is reported in Al Bukhari that the obligatory Salah (5 times prayers) was gifted to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the night of Mi'raj (ascension). Initially Allah ﷻ commanded the Ummah to perform 50 salah but due to pleading that the Prophet ﷺ did at the door of His mercy, after ascending 5 times, they were reduced from 50 to 5. At the fifth instance it was finally reduced to 5 but the reward for each prayer is 10 times therefore even though we perform 5 prayers we get reward of 50! and this was due to special mercy of Allah ﷻ, in addition to the Prophet’s request. Additionally it has been reported in Muslim that it was on this night that Surah Al Fatiha (Opening Chapter) of the Quran, also called Ummul Quran (mother of the Quran), was revealed. Al Fatiha is most important part of the Salah, without which it remains incomplete. According to Sheikh Imran Hosein each verse of the Seven verses of Al Fatiha that we recite transports us spiritually through each heaven of the seven heavens that Prophet ascended to reach Allah ﷻ.

In Islam the obligatory salah is one of the major sources of food and water for the ruh (soul). Just as the body remains weak if deprived of food and water, our ruh remains weak if deprived of its most basic spiritual sustenance. The only difference being that the souls weakness becomes fully apparent after death. Salah comprises of three main things: zikr (praising) of Allah, qirat (recitation) of Quran and duas (supplications & invocations). Once we do these things five times a day with full concentration towards our Creator, we form a spiritual connection that is supposed to strengthen our souls and increase faith in our hearts. It is due to this reason Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "As salatu mi’raajul mu’mineen” meaning “in salah there is the ascension for the believers”. It was Mi'raj (ascension) that brought Prophet Muhammad ﷺ closest to Allah ﷻ, spiritually & physically. Similarly it is our ruh that carries the spiritual potential to come closer to Allah ﷻ, which is one of its primary purposes of existence.

​References:
[1] Sahih al-Bukhari 7517 Kitab Al Tawheed - Sunnah.com 

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