An Illuminated Portal: Reflections on Salah (Prayer)

There is a spiritual warfare going on inside each of us, the nafs (ego) wants something tangible, present, and satisfactory. The qalb (heart) yearns for the intangible, the unseen world, and an intimate connection with God. The world around us awakens our need to carry on under any circumstances, to chase, and to make us feel like we are constantly behind and unable to catch up.

Many of us find that Salah can be an anxiety-inducing practice, you might have thought " I have x amount of minutes to pray, and then I have to…" However, as I grew spiritually I learned to love salah for what it offered me, not how I perceived it as a time-sensitive obligation. I started praying under different conditions than what I am used to, I prayed outside, near big sunny windows, at the mosque, etc. I realized that Salah is guidance, an illuminated portal that is seen from seven heavens, that transcends time and space. I began to feel waves of relief wash over me, I didn't need to present my best emotional self to be with God. Exalted is He, knows me better than I know myself. Salah allowed me to leave this world even for a few minutes, and be with my Beloved. That everything on Earth is not permanent and our lives have so much more meaning than working or studying or being in service of others. The fixed times provide us with a reminded purpose, we are in synchrony with the Universe, and when it bows we bow.

Salah combines both body and spirit, similar to Yoga. The soul & body are both our most binding attributes to Allah (Exalted is He). They both enter a purification process for this ritual, wudu (ablution) for the body and salah for the spirit. While Salah is not an easy ritual, it requires concentration, khusu(humility), emptying the mind, and enjoining the heart to be with Him. Its benefits to your life are endless. I urge others to hone into this calling, this deeply profound practice that will illuminate both your spirit and body. Salah is a journey to the Beloved, every journey will come with new lessons..