Salah; An Obligation or A Recommendation?
This is according to religious expert Seyed Hamid Hosseini who discussed Salah in an article for IQNA, experts of which are as follows:
One of the best and most effective ways that keep us on the path of goodness and protect us from deviations is praying to God. A heart that is thinking about the Creator of beauties all the time is unlikely to fall into the trap of wrongdoing.
The first and most important spiritual recommendation of all prophets of God and leaders tasked with inviting people to goodness and showing them the path of perfection was about Salah and prayer.
In the religion of the last messenger of God, too, Salah has a prominent position. God, who has created human beings and know them more than anyone else, warns us to be careful about our characteristics and about selfishness, impatience, etc, and the first thing He offers to help us in this area is saying prayers.
One’s relationship with God is an internal and spiritual matter that is based on choice and keenness of heart and, therefore, there is no compulsion in it. Compulsion comes into place when others’ rights are involved and in that case, imposition of laws is required. However, when it is a question of heart, any compulsion will have an adverse effect.
It may be said that sometimes we have to accept compulsion or impose something on ourselves in personal issues as well. For example, when we are ill, we will take a bitter medicine even though unwillingly because it will cure us.
But this is not the case in spiritual matters because they have to do with one’s keenness and enthusiasm. Instead of insisting on compulsion in Salah or determining a punishment for not saying prayers, the Quran talks about the benefits of remembrance of God and pointing to the blessings of God, tries to create a relationship based on compassion.
The commandment on Salah is not a compulsion on people. God, who says what He and His angels do is helping people to ascend on the path of perfection, does not want to put a burden on people’s shoulders. However, He knows that without a permanent plan one cannot reach perfection and that is why He recommends Salah.
The difference between recommendation or compulsion in Salah should not be considered based on fact that in Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Salah is an obligatory act because no judicious person fails to do what God, the Almighty, recommends.
Translated by Seyed Hossein Beheshti Shakib
