Supreme Importance of Salat

Supreme Importance of Salat

According to a tradition of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), the first thing made obligaroty on his followers by Allah was Salat, and that on the Day of Judgment the first thin a man shall have to answer for is Salat. The first duty enjoined on the Holy prophet (peace be upon Him) him self was Salat. The word ''As-Salat'' occurs 67 times in the Qur'an ; and there are a large number of derivatives. The Holy Qur'an has laid the greatest emphasis on the keeping up of prayers ; and no other injunction has been repeated so many times as the one relating to Salat. The injunction regarding the payment of Zakat is frequently mentioned along with that relating to prayers ; but Salat in the Holy Quran it would edifice of Din (religion) rests. Zakat in not payable by each and every one ; nor is the performance of Hajj obligatory on every Muslim. Fasting is obligatory only during the month of Ramadan and that too if a man is not traveling or is  not ill. But the saying of prayers five times a day is absolutely compulsory for all adult males and females, whether at home or traveling, whether  in good health or ill, in peace or at war.