Salah is the Pillar of Islam

The following hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) best describes the place and importance of salah among other acts of worship: “The head of the matter is Islam

 (submitting to Allah by reciting Kalimah al-Shahadah), and its pillar is salah and its peak is to strive on the path of Allah”. (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Iman 8; Ibn Hanbal, V, 231) Salah, in this hadith, is likened to a tent pole, which is widely used and known among Arabs. In this hadith, the tent represents the whole of Islam. Just as a pillar is needed for a tent to stand, Islam remains standing thanks to salah. Therefore, the foundation of Islam gains strength and matures with it. (Ali al-Qari, Mirqat al-Mafatih, I, 105) At the same time, this good deed is a veil that protects people from being engulfed in the vortex of shirk and the darkness of kufr. (Ibn Hanbal, III, 370; Tirmidhi, Iman, 9)  

Salah is not only the most favorite worship and the primary way to get close to Allah (swt), (Gazzali, Ihya Ulum ad-Din, I, 145) but also it is the first act of worship humanity will be questioned about on Day of Judgment. (Sunan an-Nasai, Muharaba, 2). Salah is a light that will lead us to salvation on the Day of Judgment. (Ibn Hanbal, II, 169)By the mercy of Allah (swt), this light makes us safe from fear in the dreadful environment of the Day.(Baqarah, 2/277; Tawbah, 9/71)Thanks to this valuable worship, the Muslim gets closer to Allah (swt) and at the same time acquires the key to Paradise.(Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Taharah, 1) The Prophet Muhammad (saw) gives the glad tidings of Paradise for those who perform salah: “Whoever performs the five daily prayers on time by observing its bowings, prostrations and ablutions –believing that it’s a true command from Allah - will enter Paradise.” (Ibn Hanbal, IV, 266) In another hadith “The five daily prayers and the Friday prayers expiate the minor sins between them”, (Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 14) He explains that salah is the way to purify sins and be cleansed. Salah protects people from falling into wrong ways and is an atonement for minor sins committed. (Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 14)