In Ramadan I realized we have some very misguided attitudes towards Salah. Many of us just think of prayer as something that we need to do and get it out of the way. Its a chore that needs to be get over with. (i) finish everything first so I can pray in peace? Usually this means, by the time I am done everything, my body is in pieces - too tired, aching and drowsy to stand or think at all. Salah time is probably also qada.
(ii) pray early and get it out of the way? In other words, I have too many things to do so I rush through my Salah as fast as I can so I don't feel guilty and keep thinking later.
(iii) pray early and get Salah in the way! I have a lot of tasks to complete. I am really stressed out, fatigued and freaking out. I need to pray right now so I can ask Allah to intervene, guide, help, bless and perfect everything.
We pray Salah because we are commanded to but it is also about building a relationship with Allah by remembering Him throughout the day and making everything we do about Him, for Him. Prayer allows us to cry in front of Allah - heal, tell Him how we are feeling, ask for guidance, make exaggerated/impossible requests, get our batteries charged. These benefits only materialize when we savour our Salah. Try it.
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