and personal interests, which in turn leads to corruption on earth.

When a person’s spirit is severed from its Creator, the signs of depression soon appear. The prayer, however, brings tranquillity to the heart in times of affliction and relief to the conscience in moments of trial. Allah the Exalted says, “Seek help through patience and prayer” (Qur’an 2:45).

It is also a deterrent against immoral deeds: “Indeed, the prayer restrains from indecency and wrongdoing” (Qur’an 29:45). And it expiates sins: “Indeed, good deeds erase bad deeds” (Qur’an 11:114).

Thus, prayer stands at the head of all acts of devotion and is the crowning act of obedience, for within it lies true intimate discourse with Allah and the elevation of ranks.