Page 60 - Quick Grasp of Faith 1

58 QUICK GRASP OF FAITH - 1

The believer who stands in the presence of Allah ready to per-
form the prayer establishes a powerful spiritual bond with our
Lord. One verse describes how the prayer reminds a person
of Allah and prevents all forms of wickedness:
Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and
perform prayer. Prayer precludes indecency and wrong-
doing. And remembrance of Allah is greater still. Allah
knows what you do. (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 45)

62. Were other prophets commanded to
perform the prayer?

The prayer has been made obligatory for all believers,
from the prophets on down. All the prophets sent to mankind
throughout the course of history have preached this obser-
vance, made obligatory by Allah, and have been role models
for all believers by performing that obligation in the finest and
truest manner possible.
The Qur’an contains several verses regarding the
prophets being commanded to perform the prayer, the
scrupulous way they performed and maintained it, and the
way they passed that command on to their own societies.
Some of these verses read:
- For the Prophet Ibrahim (as):
“My Lord! Make me and my descendants people who
perform prayer. My Lord! Accept my prayer.” (Surah
Ibrahim: 40)
- For the Prophet Isma‘il (as):
Mention Isma‘il in the Book. He was true to his promise
and was a Messenger and a Prophet. He used to com-