Salah and Science (Part 2)
 
A doctor from Pakistan (Dr Abd Al-Majid Zaman Usmani) went to study Psychotherapy in Europe. He studied the actions of Salah and was quite surprised. Thinking of Salah as just an obligation, not realising the benefits nor the fact that it was a cure for many major illnesses.

He has listed many illnesses that would be cured by Salah. These are mental illnesses, nerve diseases, restlessness, depression, anxiety, heart diseases, arthritis, stomach ulcers, diabetes and its complications, eye and E.N.T diseases.
 
Although the real purpose of Salah is worship, it has a large number of additional benefits. Salah keeps our body active, helps digestion and saves us from muscle and joint diseases. Through regular balanced exercise Salah helps the circulation of blood.

The human body is a combination of body and soul. The food for the body comes from the earth and the food for the soul is in remembrance of Allah (S.W.T). Islam has recognised both and prescribed the prayer. In the morning the body needs breakfast and after offering Fajr the soul gets its food, the body gains strength through dinner whilst the soul through Zuhr, the Asr prayer is offered when the day is coming to an end the body gains strength at this time too. Many people eat at night and the Isha prayer helps the digestion.

During the month of Ramadan an additional twenty Rakaats are prescribed which help to expand the additional calories consumed during the breaking of the fast.
 
When Allah (S.W.T) deems an act of worship for His servants, there is no doubt therein lies benefit for us. Whilst some benefits relate to the spiritual side, there are some that provide us with medical benefits.
 
The importance of Salah can never be underestimated. Salah guarantees a strong relationship with our Creator (S.W.T) and therefore is the key to Jannah (Paradise).

In the next segment we will try to highlight some of the health benefits of performing Salah.