The Centrality of Prayer in Islam

Prayer (“salah” in Arabic) stands as the fundamental act of worship in Islam. What could better convey its significance than the saying, “Prayer is the pillar of religion; whoever upholds it upholds the faith and whoever demolishes it demolishes the faith”? The Quran mentions prayer more frequently than any other practice, and hadiths describe it as “the distinguishing feature of a Muslim.” In Prophet Muhammad’s sayings, faith in God is most commonly paired with prayer, highlighting its unique importance.

Unlike other acts of worship, prayer allows for no postponement or substitution. While other religious obligations may accept legitimate excuses or alternative fulfilment, prayer remains non-negotiable. For instance, fasting permits exceptions based on illness, travel, pregnancy or other justified reasons, with Islam providing alternatives in such cases. This exemplifies Islam’s principle of ease. Prayer, however, follows a different rule – it is the one worship for which Islam accepts no excuse.

To accommodate this strict requirement, the manner of prayer can adapt to one’s circumstances. Those unable to stand may pray sitting; those who cannot sit may pray lying down; and those with severe limitations may pray through simple gestures – even through blinking eyes or slight head movements. No other religious obligation receives such careful accommodation while remaining absolutely mandatory.

A notable discrepancy exists between how religious practices are classified by societal customs versus religious doctrine. In Türkiye, for example, people often prioritise fasting while being more relaxed about prayer. While this trend may have psychological or sociological explanations, such explanations do not constitute religious justification. In Islam, prayer takes precedence and allows no concessions, while fasting accommodates legitimate excuses. The message seems clear: “Fast if your circumstances permit, but never abandon prayer!”

Why does prayer hold such paramount importance? While most acts of worship align with the principle of secrecy, prayer serves as Islam’s visible manifestation. More profoundly, Islam in its entirety – both visible and invisible aspects – finds expression through prayer, making it the embodiment of complete religious devotion.

Consider fasting – a hidden act of worship that remains invisible unless declared, lending itself naturally to sincerity. Similarly, zakat (almsgiving) remains private; no one need know whether someone has fulfilled this obligation. Even if a person fails to pay zakat, whilst the community might demand it, public disclosure isn’t necessary. Hajj (pilgrimage) represents an exceptional case where the pilgrim sheds worldly identities, making secrecy irrelevant. Prayer, however, stands apart as a completely visible act of worship.

Another crucial distinction: prayer belongs exclusively to Islam. Both in form and meaning, prayer is unique to the Islamic tradition. No other religion prescribes anything comparable, particularly the structured five-times-daily ritual. This consistent, structured worship represents one of Islam’s greatest gifts to humanity.

Other religious practices find parallels across cultures. Fasting, in its outward form, exists in various societies as a means of moral refinement, spiritual growth or health improvement. Charitable giving similar to zakat appears in all societies as an expression of social solidarity. Sacred times and places, characteristic of pilgrimage, feature in numerous religious traditions. Prayer, however, from beginning to end, remains distinctive to Islam.

Furthermore, prayer incorporates multiple acts of worship into a single practice. Each component of prayer could stand as an independent form of devotion, making it a comprehensive religious experience.

For all these reasons, prayer truly serves as the pillar of Islam. During Ramadan especially, believers should reflect on this foundation of faith – the pillar that upholds religion.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​