Salat (prayer) became obligatory during the miraculous event of **Miraj (the Night Journey)**. This remarkable journey took place in the 10th or 11th year of the Prophethood and is one of the most significant spiritual experiences in the life of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It was during this event that Allah directly ordained the five daily prayers for the Muslim Ummah.

The Miraj occurred in two parts: **Isra**, the night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem, and **Miraj**, the ascension from Jerusalem to the heavens. The Prophet (SAW) was taken from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem on the heavenly steed Buraq. From there, he ascended through the seven heavens and met several prophets including Adam (AS), Isa (AS), Musa (AS), Ibrahim (AS), and others.

It was in the Divine Presence beyond the seventh heaven, at a place called **Sidrat al-Muntaha**, that Allah directly addressed Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and prescribed **fifty daily prayers**. Upon the Prophet’s (SAW) return, it was Hazrat Musa (AS) who advised him to request a reduction due to the burden on the Ummah. After multiple returns, the number was reduced to **five daily prayers**, yet Allah declared them equal in reward to fifty.

This divine obligation became the **second pillar of Islam** and remains one of the most emphasized acts of worship in a Muslim’s life. Salat is not only a form of worship but also a means of spiritual discipline and direct communication with Allah.

Hence, the obligation of Salat is directly tied to the sacred occasion of **Miraj**, making it a unique commandment that was revealed in the heavens without any intermediary.