There are five pillars of Islam, out of which namaz is the second pillar.
Namaz is a form of worship, and there is no one but Allah who is worshipped.
In Qur’an, Allah (SWT) says,
“Surely the Salah at fixed hours (of the day and night) has been enjoined upon the believers.” (Quran 4:103).
Namaz is obligatory for all Muslims.
It has countless benefits for our souls as well as our bodies.
It is also physically and psychologically very beneficial for our bodies.
Allah (SWT) says:
“Verily, Salah restrains (oneself) from shameful and unjust deeds….” (Quran 29:45)
It is a form of worship for all Muslims. All Muslims around the globe must pray five times a day.
Our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) emphasized the importance of namaz and said no Muslim should ever skip namaz.
Namaz is also a way for a Muslim to talk to his Lord.
Our prophet Muhammad (SAW) advised us to pray our namaz as if we are standing in front of Allah (SWT) and He is watching and listening to us.
In this article, we will see all the benefits that namaz offers us, whether physical, psychological, spiritual, or scientific.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Psychological Benefits of Namaz
Among all the other benefits we get from namaz, psychological benefits are at the top of the list.
We are blessed that Allah (SWT) has also provided us with many benefits in worshipping.
Namaz not only benefits us in life hereafter but also in this life.
Psychologically we tend to release anxiety and depression when we pray namaz. We feel more relaxed mentally.
When we pray, we only focus on the relationship between our Lord and us. We get cut off from all the things of this world and concentrate just on life hereafter.
We temporarily change our perspective from this world to life hereafter. In this way, we feel relaxed because we realize that all the burdens and hardships of this world are temporary. Only the life after this life is the real one.
People who do not neglect their namaz are more obedient, affectionate, social, and cautious in their affairs when dealing with anyone.
They are also more patient. This is because psychologically, they are more relaxed and deal with others with patience.
Allah (SWT) says in Qur’an, “O you who believe! Seek help with patience and prayer; indeed, Allah is with the patient.” [Al Baqarah, 2:153].
Namaz strengthen our hearts and brighten up our souls.
Many doctors prescribe people to do yoga for their physical and mental health.
Amazingly, so many of the positions that are included in yoga are already present in namaz.
Our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) already told us about the benefits of namaz fourteen hundred years ago.
Scientific Benefits of Namaz
Science has proven by so many of its researches that namaz is full of benefits.
Science proves that a namaz is a form of stretching, and it includes isometric contractions that directly affect your whole body.
Namaz enhances blood flow and also improves our respiratory system when we take a good amount of oxygen inside.
So many scientific studies have proven that namaz has mental and physical benefits on our bodies.
Sajdah, or in other words, prostration, is one of the positions in namaz about which we are told that a person is closest to Allah (SWT).
Science has proved that this position of sajdah is very beneficial for human health, physical and psychologically.
When a person is in sajdah, he feels relaxed, and all his anxieties begin to fade.
The blood circulation also increases in this position. This helps in getting a better glow on your face skin. Respiratory functions are also improved in this position.
Namaz has more benefits than yoga. All the negative energies are emitted from the body, and positivity is filled in. Most health issues get resolved.
When we know all the scientific facts about the benefits of namaz, we know that we are so blessed to be Muslims.
Allah (SWT) has been so kind to us in many ways.
Allah (SWT) says that He does not need our worship; it is us who need Him. Our worship benefits us only.
Spiritual Benefits of Namaz
Namaz is an essential practice for all Muslims. Muslims pray regularly, five times a day. This religious act has so many benefits for us physically, mentally, and spiritually.
This way, we get closer to our Lord. The bond becomes even stronger if we perform namaz regularly with discipline.
Some of the spiritual benefits of namaz are:
a) Namaz increases our willpower
Standing in namaz five times daily and repeating this every day needs willpower.
Allah increases that person’s willpower that is steadfast in his namaz.
As Allah says in the Quran, “Be watchful of your prayers…and stand in obedience to Allah” Quran (2:238)
b) Namaz fill our hearts with peace
Hearts only find peace in the remembrance of Allah (SWT).
When a person opens his heart in front of Allah and asks for help and guidance, Allah (SWT) fills his heart with tranquillity and peace.
“Behold! The hearts find rest in Allah’s remembrance!” Quran (13:28)
c) We gain confidence
Amazingly, Allah (SWT) knows everything, whatever is in our hearts.
Still, we share whatever problem we face in our duas. Allah is so kind that He listens to all that we have to say over and over again.
This gives us so much confidence that Allah (SWT) is always there to hold us no matter the situation.
“Your Lord has said, ‘‘Call Me, and I will hear you!’”’” Quran (40:60)
d) Namaz keeps us away from sins
Namaz keeps us away from all evil thoughts and actions.
We are reminded that a Muslim is prohibited from engaging in immoral acts.
Namaz is a great source to gain reward from Allah (SWT) and get evil deeds erased.
Benefits of Namaz e Fajr
Fajr is the very first namaz that we offer early in the morning.
This namaz is offered before dawn.
So this means a Muslim starts his day by worshipping Allah (SWT).
It is said that in whatever mood you are early morning, it would set the mood for the entire day.
When you start your day in the presence of angels, your whole day will be blessed with noor and barakah.
Allah says, “Indeed, those who believe and do righteous deeds and establish prayer and give Zakat will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Quran, 2:277)
There is also a hadith related to this;
“Whoever performs the Prayer before the rising of the sun and the Prayer before its setting will not enter Hell.” (Muslim)
We should make dua that Allah (SWT) helps us to be regular in our prayers.
Muslims who pray dawn namaz will be admitted to Paradise.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Whoever offers the two prayers (Asr and Fajr) will enter Paradise.” (Bukhari)
Allah (SWT) Almighty says in the Holy Quran:
“Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Quran of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed” (Quran, 17:78).
In another hadith, The Prophet (SAW) said: “Two Sunnah cycles of Fajr prayer are better than this world and everything in it.” (Muslim)
When a person is regular in his fajr prayer, he gets under the protection of Allah (SWT) all day long.
Prophet (SAW) said:
“Whoever prays the Fajr prayer, they are under Allah’s protection. So beware, O son or daughter of Adam, that Allah (SWT) does not call you to account for being absent from His protection for any reason.” (Muslim)
The reward of fajr namaz is immense.
In the Quran and different ahadith, we learn about the benefits of fajr namaz.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation then sits remembering Allah (SWT) until the sun rises, then prays two units of prayer has the reward like that of Hajj and `Umrah.” (Tirmidhi)
Benefits of Asr Namaz
Asr prayer is the third prayer a Muslim offers in a day.
It is referred to as the middle prayer in Qur’an.
It is performed when the sun is still bright.
The prophet Muhammad (PBUH) puts great emphasis on this prayer. It should be performed at all costs. Muslims should protect all their prayers.
Asr prayer is most beneficial when performed on time.
Allah says in Qur’an,
“Be guardians of your prayers, and the midmost prayer, and stand up with devotion to Allah (SWT).” (Verse 2: 238)
Prophet (PBUH) said;
“He will never enter hellfire whoever prays before the sunrise and before its sunset.”
At another point, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said;
“Whoever prays the two cool prayers (‘‘Asr and Fajr) will go to paradise.”
Asr prayer should always be performed on time. The one who gets deliberately late for asr prayer is among the hypocrites.
Prophet (PBUH) said;
“This is the prayer of the hypocrites: He sits watching the sun decline until it is between the two horns of Satan, then he quickly pecks the ground four times while he only remembers Allah (SWT) for a few moments.”
Asr prayer is of so much importance that whoever misses this prayer is at a significant loss.
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Whoever misses the Asr prayer, it is as if he has been robbed of his family and wealth.” (Al-Bukhari 552)
Benefits of Chasht Namaz
Chasht namaz is offered when the sun rises a quarter in the morning.
The time of this namaz ends before the zuhr prayer.
This is not an obligatory prayer, but it is a prayer that is offered voluntarily.
This prayer contains a lot of rewards.
Whoever offers chasht prayer is rewarded with barakah in his rizq.
He will find inner peace and tranquillity. Allah will remove in distress and pain.
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said;
“Whoever recites the twelve Rakat of the Chasht prayer; Allah (SWT) will remove his poverty and distress and make him happy in every way.”
This is a voluntary namaz that a person offers, which contains an immense reward.
Benefits of Namaz during Pregnancy
Namaz is obligatory for everyone.
Even during pregnancy, you cannot skip your namaz.
Namaz is very beneficial for a pregnant woman and the child inside her.
Namaz gives peace of mind and physical health. When a pregnant woman offers salah, she stays away from all the evil thoughts.
During pregnancy, light exercise is also essential. A pregnant woman would get the proper stretching by offering regular salah.
Her blood circulation will increase too. If there is any complication, she can provide her salah while sitting.
A pregnant woman is more likely to get stressed and depressed.
Suppose she stays in a depressed condition very often, the child may also get affected.
She must keep herself busy somewhere. If she offers her prayers at the right time, this would be the most productive way of spending time.
Whatever the mother feels, the child can also feel. The pregnant woman needs to keep herself happy. This way, the child would also be healthy.
So a pregnant woman should stay steadfast in her prayers and keep her tongue busy with the zikr of Allah (SWT). This way, her heart, mind, and soul will be at peace.
As Allah (SWT) says in the Quran,
“Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” 13:28