The correct answer is the 10th Nabvi.
The obligation of the five daily prayers, known as Salah, marks one of the most spiritually significant turning points in the Prophetic mission. This divine mandate was not sent down via the Angel Jibril...
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The correct answer is the 10th Nabvi.
The obligation of the five daily prayers, known as Salah, marks one of the most spiritually significant turning points in the Prophetic mission. This divine mandate was not sent down via the Angel Jibril (AS) in the same manner as other revelations; instead, it was bestowed upon the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during the miraculous night journey of Isra and Mi’raj. This event took place in the 10th year of Prophethood, a period historically referred to as Am-ul-Huzn or the "Year of Sorrow."
The Context of the Year of Sorrow
To understand why the gift of prayer was given at this specific time, one must look at the immense personal hardships the Prophet (SAW) was facing. In the 10th year of his mission, he suffered the loss of his beloved wife, Hazrat Khadija (RA), and his protective uncle, Abu Talib. These two figures were his primary emotional and social supports in a hostile Meccan society. It was during this time of profound grief and intense persecution by the Quraish that Allah (SWT) invited His Messenger to the heavens to provide him with comfort, strength, and the ultimate gift for his Ummah: the five daily prayers.
The Journey of Isra and Mi’raj
The event is divided into two distinct parts. The first, Isra, involved the night journey from the Kaaba in Makkah to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. There, the Prophet (SAW) led all previous Prophets in prayer, symbolizing his leadership over the Abrahamic lineage. The second part, Mi’raj, involved his ascension through the seven heavens.
During this ascension, the Prophet (SAW) met various prophets—including Adam, Isa, Yahya, Yusuf, Idris, Harun, Musa, and Ibrahim (AS)—before reaching Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary). It was in this divine proximity that Allah (SWT) directly addressed the Prophet (SAW) and prescribed the daily prayers.
From Fifty to Five
Initially, the divine command was for the believers to perform fifty prayers a day. On his descent, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) met Prophet Musa (AS), who advised him that the Ummah would not be able to sustain such a heavy burden. Following this advice, the Prophet (SAW) returned to the Divine Presence multiple times to request a reduction. Each time, the number was reduced until it reached five. Despite the reduction in number, Allah (SWT) decreed that those who perform the five prayers with sincerity would receive the spiritual reward of fifty. This negotiation highlights the divine mercy and the unique relationship between the Prophet (SAW) and his followers.
Theological and Historical Significance
The establishment of Salah in the 10th Nabvi fundamentally changed the daily life of the early Muslim community. It provided a structured discipline that distinguished the believers from the polytheists of Makkah. Unlike other pillars of Islam, such as Zakat or Fasting, which were legislated later in Madinah, the prayer was established in Makkah to serve as a spiritual anchor during times of trial.
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