Tujuan Shalat Ustadz Ahmad Zarkasih, Lc Bag 05

Summary

In this episode, the speaker discusses the true purpose of salat (prayer), emphasizing that it is primarily an act of worship and obedience to Allah, rather than a means to attain physical health. While salat may provide benefits like emotional stability and physical health, these should not be the primary focus. The speaker warns against reducing salat to a form of exercise or meditation, comparing it to practices like yoga. Ultimately, salat's purpose is to demonstrate spiritual submission to Allah, and its rewards, including health and well-being, are secondary.

Takeaways

• 😀 Salat (prayer) is a form of worship that cannot be logically explained by health benefits or other worldly outcomes. Its primary purpose is to show obedience to Allah.
• 😀 Some people believe salat has health benefits, such as improved circulation, emotional stability, and overall well-being, but this is not the true purpose of the prayer.
• 😀 Salat is often compared to physical exercises or practices like Yoga, but it is fundamentally a ritualistic act of worship, not an exercise for health.
• 😀 The primary goal of salat is not to improve health or to gain physical benefits but to express devotion and submission to Allah.
• 😀 There are misconceptions about the benefits of salat, such as the idea that it can guarantee a long, healthy life, but these are not the purpose of the practice.
• 😀 Health benefits from salat are incidental, and the focus should be on the act of worship itself, rather than expecting specific physical outcomes.
• 😀 The idea that salat has health benefits is similar to arguments about other religious prohibitions, such as the prohibition of pork, which is based on divine commands, not necessarily on scientific findings.
• 😀 Emphasizing the worldly benefits of salat could lead to a misunderstanding of its true purpose, which is to please Allah, not to achieve specific physical results.
• 😀 The purpose of salat is to maintain discipline and spiritual connection with Allah, not to seek personal gain or health.
• 😀 Believers should not try to alter the purpose of salat or other religious obligations to fit their own desires or expectations, as doing so distorts the intended purpose of these acts of worship.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of salat according to the speaker?

The primary purpose of salat is to serve as an act of worship (ta'abbudi) to Allah, demonstrating obedience and submission to His will, not to achieve physical health or other worldly benefits.

Why do some people mistakenly view salat as a form of exercise?

Some people mistakenly view salat as a form of exercise because they associate its physical movements with health benefits, similar to practices like yoga or meditation. They believe that performing salat can improve physical well-being.

Does the speaker acknowledge any physical benefits of performing salat?

Yes, the speaker acknowledges that there can be incidental physical benefits from salat, such as improved blood circulation and emotional stability. However, these are not the purpose of salat.

What does the speaker say about the potential physical benefits of salat?

The speaker clarifies that while physical benefits may arise from performing salat, these benefits are not the intended goal. The true goal of salat is spiritual – to worship and submit to Allah.

What caution does the speaker offer regarding the focus on physical benefits of salat?

The speaker warns that focusing too much on the physical benefits of salat can lead to misunderstanding its true purpose. Salat should be practiced as a form of worship, not for achieving personal goals like health or wealth.

How does the speaker explain the Islamic prohibition of pork in relation to salat?

The speaker compares the prohibition of pork in Islam to the practice of salat, explaining that such prohibitions are not based on scientific reasoning but are divine commands that test one's faith and obedience to Allah, just like salat.

Why does the speaker emphasize the spiritual purpose of salat?

The speaker emphasizes the spiritual purpose of salat to ensure that followers understand that salat is about obedience to Allah and not about seeking personal benefits. This helps prevent the misapplication of salat for worldly goals.

What does the speaker say about people who might perform salat to become healthy?

The speaker cautions that people should not perform salat with the primary intention of becoming healthy. While health benefits might occur, the main focus should be on fulfilling the religious obligation and seeking Allah's mercy.

How does the speaker describe the role of salat in the life of a Muslim?

Salat is described as an essential ritual that helps Muslims demonstrate their submission to Allah. It is a spiritual practice meant to strengthen their relationship with Allah, rather than a tool for achieving physical or material outcomes.

What should Muslims focus on instead of looking for physical benefits from salat?

Muslims should focus on performing salat for the sake of obedience to Allah, seeking spiritual growth, His mercy, and the reward of entering Paradise, rather than seeking physical benefits such as health or fitness.