Prayers in Divine Religions
Salah is one of the acts of worship in Islam but it is not exclusive to this religion as other divine religions also have a form of dialogue and worship and their followers have been invited to say prayers. Every divine prophet has stressed prayers among important issues.
For instance, when Moses migrated from his land and was suffering from difficulties and challenges, God Almighty invites him to say prayers in order to find peace: “Indeed, I am Allah. There is no god except Me. Worship Me, and establish the prayer of My remembrance.” (Surah Ta Ha, verse 14)
Or in verse 83 of Surah Al Baqarah, there is a reference to a promise given by Israelites about holding prayers: “(Remember) when We made a covenant with the Children of Israel, you shall worship none except Allah. Show kindness to your parents, to kinsmen, to the orphans, and to the needy, and speak of goodness to people. Establish your prayers and pay the obligatory charity. But, except for a few, you all turned your backs and gave no heed.”
This verse clearly refers to prayers, along with other obligatory acts, as a form of covenant.
Christianity, too, has pointed to the need to establish prayers. When Hazrat Maryam (SA) gave birth to Jesus upon the miracle of Allah, Jesus spoke while in the cradle: “He said: 'I am the worshiper of Allah. Allah has given me the Book and made me a Prophet. He made me to be blessed wherever I am, and He has charged me with prayer and charity for as long as I shall live.” (Surah Maryam, verses 30-31)
According to this verse, Jesus says he is a messenger from God and has a divine book before pointing to acts such as prayer and charity.
According to the Bible, prayers is an obligatory act in all religions which can be established individually or in congregation. The book also says prayer means speaking with God, asking Him for mercies, and appreciating His blessings.
