Effects of Salat on Health

Effects of Salat on Health

Abstract

From past few years, medical researchers have studied the effects of certain Muslim religious practices in promoting well- being. One of the most important and central religious practices among Muslims is Salat (Islamic Prayer). The practice of performing Salat can be argued as one of the comprising elements of body and mind, due to its positive effect on psycho–neuro immunological response. The aim of this paper is to review the health benefits of Salat and the correct ways of performing Salat based on previous studies. The article is concluded with future work.

Keywords— Salat , Effect of Salat , Health, Psycho-physical well-being, Islam.

I. INTRODUCTION :

According to the Quran "Beware! In remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace" (13:28) [1]. The importance of prayer in Islam is the highest as it is the foremost duty of Muslims and one of the pillars on which the structure of Islam stands. It is one of the distinguishing factors for Muslims from non- Muslims. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), said: "What stands between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer. Knows that among your duties, prayer is foremost". The American Cancer Society "TLC" web site reports that studies have found that spirituality and religion are very important to the quality of life for many people with cancer [2, 3]. Some studies have found that prayer may be an effective addition to conventional medical care. In addition, the Society comments, "Prayer can provide an active means of coping with the stress of illness [2, 3]. In the face of suffering, belief in Allah and prayer can provide purpose, meaning and hope. Sometimes answers come from prayer when medical science has none [2]." This Arabic word "Salah or Salat," does not only mean "prayer," because "pray" basically means to address a prayer to Allah or another deity, according to the Oxford Dictionary, "Salat" is a word with a broad meaning, which does not only mean prayer, but also means goodness, righteousness and godliness. According to Barks [4], no single word in English fits for the Arabic word Salat, which is "a devotional heart surrender" that incorporates prayer, supplication, grace, and blessing. Salat, in the true sense is programming or conditioning. The prayer conditions us to stay away from forbidden and shameful actions, and encourages us to do righteous and sensible actions. Since we humans have free will, this conditioning will help and enable us to stay away from forbidden things, and enjoin on what is not forbidden. A healthy body requires 3 meals a day. Similarly, the spiritual soul requires 5 times Salat a day. It is very calming and relaxing , because in the Salat, there are no actions which require a strength and power. The Prophet, peace be upon him (PBUH), instructed and strongly reminded us in Salât to meditate upon the presence of Allah who is watching the devotee. A state of trance is reached when he really meditates upon it. Some of the research studies that focused on understanding the effects of different religious practices on health of an individual are mentioned below. There has been expanding restorative enthusiasm for the investigations on brain/body medicine in the course of the most recent 30 years. Such consideration has been sped up by enhanced understandings of mind and therapeutic innovation, for example, cerebrum imaging. Besides, numerous therapeutic anthropological studies have shown keen interests on improving the desired results of traditional healing by incorporating certain emotional states in their therapy. Besides, numerous therapeutic anthropological studies have shown keen interests on improving the desired results of traditional healing by incorporating certain emotional states in their therapy [5]. Significant research has been done to know the relationship between mental states and neuro endocrinological capacity in humans [6-9]. Different personality/body systems are right now being examined for the treatment and administration of different ailments and maladies, for example, cardiovascular infection, tumour, psychiatric disarranges, and different sclerosis [10, 11]. A key thought of brain/body pharmaceutical is that human mental states can illuminate psychophysical well-being [9]. In early twentieth century in Western medicine, the link between affectivity and predisposition to diseases was known. However, this link was dominated by the mechanistic paradigm of medicine. Besides, there has been impressive research studies being conducted to inspect the viability of religious based strategies in upgrading prosperity of human well-being. These research studies have resulted in positive findings related to human health like increase in brain derived neurotrophic factor and decrease in cortisol emission in prolonged Buddhist meditation [12]. While Hindu-and Buddhist-based care contemplation have been investigated as a potential clinical mediation [13, 14], there have been few studies led on Muslim-based religious practices and their medical benefits on life-improving qualities. Chishti [15] was one of the primary studies that focused on Sufi rehearses and their restorative adequacy. His study examines both the otherworldly and physical improving parts of Muslim custom supplication to Allah (Salat) and reflection (dhikr). A later study perceives Salat and dhikr for their remedial qualities, however does not examine how such strategies can be executed by present day Muslim clinicians [16] (Al-Rawi and Shackles 2012). While Salat and dhikr might be seen as consolidating components of psyche/ body solution, there should be more research into this range. Hence, this article will inspect the overall performing of Salat and its effects on brain and body. The main motivation is to try make Muslims to be aware of what are the health benefits of offering Salat, and how to perform it correctly according to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) teachings. This paper aims to clarify and investigate, how to derive full benefits while offering Salat and how it can influence our behavior, attitude, moral character, thinking, health, way of living and much more by adapting or practicing this meditation regularly. The paper also aims to implement some ideas of making appropriate arrangements in schools, colleges, offices that can encourage children, parents, employees, to look and explore the ways of making this medication, our first, compulsory and primary goal of life in order, to live healthier and stronger, thus making life better in this world and hereafter. It is noted from the work presented in [17] which focuses on effect of Quran on mental health, and work presented in [18] which focuses on Islamic healing for cancer patients that the work is done to analyze and understand health benefits of recitation of Quran. Inspired by these work, we propose to develop understanding of health benefits of Islamic prayer i.e. Salat on an individual. The rest of this paper is organized as follows: Section 2 presents overall health merits of offering Salat. Way of performing Salat correctly in the light of hadiths (sayings of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and health benefits for each major physical movement in Salat is presented in section 3. Section 4 presents measures to be taken to implement this beautiful meditation of remembering Allah in schools, colleges, offices and so on. Future work is mentioned in section 5. Finally, article is concluded in section 6

II. HEALTH BENEFITS OF SALAT

There are multiple physical and physiological benefits of Salat. Most of the body muscles and joints are exercised during Salat. In the most noteworthy movement of prostration besides the limb muscles, the back and perineum muscles as well, are exercised repeatedly [19]. Prayer is a kind of psychological therapy that helps in calming and soothing the soul as well as relieving all tension [20]. Among the five pillars of Islam, Salat is the second most one and it is the fundamental requirement of every Muslim to offer it by heart, true faith and correctly. Salat has got several benefits as Allah in Holy Quran Itself says, “innas Salata tanha anil fahsha'i” Surely Prayer restrains one from indecency (29:46). Also, in verse no (31:8) i.e. Surah Lukman, Luqman (PBUH) advices his son “Ya Buna yya aqimus Salat” which means "O my dear son,! Observe Prayer." In one of the hadiths of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), He has reported to said “inna fis Salati shifa'a", which means “verily there is cure in Salat ". Recently, it has been reported that a person, who offers Salat regularly has seldom chances of suffering from arthritis as due to Salat, almost all main bones and joints get exercised [21]. In one of the studies by Doufesh [22], found that parasympathetic activity increases and sympathetic activity decreases, thus regular Salat practices help in promoting relaxation, minimizing anxiety, and reducing cardiovascular risk. In one of the most recent studies has found that the standing and prostration positions of Salat produced the highest and the lowest heart rates (HR) respectively. A lower HR may be of potential benefit to an individual’s health. The systolic and the diastolic blood pressure (BP) decreased significantly after performance and mime of Salat, and a greater reduction in BP was observed during performance of Salat [23]. In fact, for each action in Salat, there is health benefit associated along with spiritual benefit as well. Before Muslim brother or sister performs his/her prayers, he/she carries out the ablution as Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) commanded to perform ablution which comprises of washing the hands, arms right up to the elbow, face, mouth, nostrils, and feet up the ankle, all three times each before going for prayers [21]. The inside and behind the ears, as well as the part of the head above the forehead is wiped once. When ablution is done 5 times a day, besides cleaning vital parts of body from dust, dirt, and other things, it softens and refreshes body. According to many yoga experts, washing important motor and sensory organs such as the hands, arms, eyes, legs, mouth and genitals before going for sleep using cool water relaxes the body preparing it for a deep sleep [24]. It has been proved also by Magomedov, in his article “Muslims Rituals and their Effect on the Person’s Health” [25] that how ablution stimulates the biological rhythms of the body and specifically Biological Active Spots (BASes), very much like the idea behind Chinese reflex-therapy. From each phase of preparing to offer Salat till its completion, it has numerous benefits i.e. right from the wudhu to the physical movements like Takbir, Qiyam, Ruku, Sajda (Sujood), Jalsa, and Tasleems in Salat. Salat results in moderate exercise to each part of the body. Although contraction of muscles depends on many factors like some muscles contract isotonically i.e. with same tension and some muscles contract isometrically (same length) [21]. The process which is responsible for the contraction of muscles is known as Glycogenosis. During Salat, the metabolism rate increases which causes relative oxygen deficiency and deficiency of nutrients. Due to this phenomenon, vasodilatation takes place, which means increase in calibre of blood vessels and this allows blood to flow back easily to the heart. This temporary phase, during which heart has to do more work, strengthens the heart muscle and thus improves the circulation within the muscle of heart [26]. In the month of Ramadhan, all Muslims have to pray additional rakaat ranging from 8-20 with minimum gap of almost 2 minutes of rest after every 4 rakaat. What actually happens in Ramadhan, before breaking of fast, the blood glucose and insulin levels remain at the lowest levels due to hunger and after breaking of fast, the ingested foods blood glucose level continues to rise and with it plasma insulin also rises. Within few hours, this blood sugar level reaches its higher level and as soon one starts prayer, the glucose gets circulated in muscles, liver and so on. This circulating glucose gets metabolized into carbon dioxide and water due to physical movements involved in prayers. And this helps in improving flexibility, relieves anxiety, reduces stress and helps in burning calories and all these things are excellent for health. Moreover, taraweeh prayer also increases stamina as one has to pray 20 rakaat and has to do lot of physical movements continuously [27-30]. Moreover, as humans grow, we all suffer from disease known as Osteoporosis, which causes fracture of bones as in old age, bones become weaker and thinner and this happens due to loss of mineral content in bones and sponginess of bones. However, if one prays continuously, Salat prevents this disease as due to regular and repeated movements in Salat, tendon power, cardiovascular reserve, muscle strength and flexibility gets improved [31-33]. There is a hormone known as Adrenaline and this hormone is secreted by minor activity. The secretion outlasts the incitement. Taraweeh prayers are sufficient to activate sympathetic nervous system. This nervous system is supplier of motor nerves to smooth muscles of internal organs and to heart muscle. So, once adrenaline is secreted, it increases heart rate along with breathing rate, slows down digestive process and increases blood pressure, mobilizes glycogen to provide glucose to active tissues and diminished fatigue in skeletal muscles [34]. Similarly, other brief benefits of Salat are that it can reduce cholesterol as, best way to reduce cholesterol is to do regular exercise, and Salat is one of the best exercises. When reciting takbir, we have to move our hands and shoulders, thereby increasing flow of blood towards torso, this improves blood circulation. In sitting position, while tashah’hud, body gets relaxed and anxiety free. Besides, Salat prevents the body from many diseases like arthritis, painful joints, paralysis and so on. During Sujud when we touch the forehead, fresh supply of blood flows towards our brain. In many of the yoga exercises, same concept is implemented. Salat prevents varicosing also. It has been reported that with the meticulous observation of prayer movements, it was found that prayer is distinguished by a wonderful measure of smoothness, harmony and coordination, represented in standing, kneeling (ruku), prostration (sujud) and sitting between every two prostrations [19]. Consequently, the risks of having varicose veins, affects very rarely to those, who performs prayers regularly and properly [19, 34]. Also Sujud is that action of Salat in which the head is in a position lower than the heart and therefore, receives increased blood supply and due to surge in blood supply, this phenomenon has a positive effect on memory, concentration, psyche and other cognitive abilities [35]. Similarly, during sujud, there occurs drainage of sinuses, as a result of which person has less chances of getting sinusitis [20]. When a person breathes normally, only 2/3 of the capacity of the lung is exhaled out, the remaining 1/3rd remain in the lung as a residual air, now when you do sujud the abdominal visra, they press against the diaphragm and the diaphragm presses against the lower part of the lungs, the lower lobes, and when you breath during sujud even this one third residual air is aired out and that's very important for a healthy lung [20]. Thus, Salat keeps lungs in good shape also At the end of this section regarding benefits of Salat, we aim to conclude that one of the researchers from Harvard University, Benson [36] reported that recitation of Quranic verses with repetition of prayers like in taraweeh prayer has a great impact on body. According to him, this muscular activity coupled with passive disregard of intensive thoughts causes a "relaxation response" which leads to the lowering of Blood Pressure and decrease in oxygen consumption and a reduction in heart and respiratory rates [20]. So, from the above discussion, we can infer there are uncounted benefits of Islamic Prayer i.e. Salat. However, it needs more research efforts for revealing more health benefits of Salat. Praying regularly, will incur significant change in us, we will remain polite, calm, truthful and fit. However, before offering Salat, there is need to know how to perform Salat so that Muslims as well as non-Muslims can also practise it.

III. MAIN MOVEMENTS CONSISTING OF SALAT WITH HEALTH BENEFITS

In order to gain more spiritual and health benefits, Salat must be performed correctly with full concentration. Following are the main steps as shown in Figure 1 related to offering Salat with description and health benefits: Figure 1: Main Elements in Salat (a,b) Quran recitation (c) ruku (d) sujood (e) tashahhud [37] A. Quran Recitation in standing posture Salat begins by making intention within oneself and raising both the hands to the level of the ears by reciting Allah u Akbar (Allah is great). ”Narrated by Wail Ibn Hujar (RA) that he saw at the beginning of Salat prophet (PBUH) used to start his Salat by saying Allahu Akbar and raise his hands up to the ears. (According to Hammam) (Sahih Muslim-1/401). For women, only upto her shoulders”. “Wa'il Ibn Hujr (R.A) states that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said to him, “O Ibn Hujr, when you perform Salat raise your hands till your ears while a woman should raise her hands up to the chest.” (Majmauz Zawaid 1/103). After Sana recite “Auzu Billahi minash shaitaanir rajeem”. In Quran: Allah says, “When you read the Quran, seek Allah’s protection from Satan the rejected one” (16:98) and after this recite “Bismillahir rahmanir raheem” at the beginning of every rakaat, before surah fatiha. The prophet (PBUH) would begin his prayer with Bismillahir rahmanir raheem (Maraky al Falah 147). After this, recite surah Fatiha. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever does not recite surah al Fatiha in his prayer, his Salat is invalid” (Bukhari 756). After Fatiha, recite any other surah from the Quran. Health Benefits: According to study conducted by Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, southeast of Iran discovered the effect of Quran listening without its musical tone (Tartil) on the mental health helps in achieving greater calm and improves mental health significantly [19]. B. Ruku After Quran recitation in standing posture, next step consisting of going ruku and place both the hands on the knees and keep the fingers spread out. Keep the legs vertical while the back is straight with the head and buttocks and recite “Subhana rabbial a’zeem” at least three times. If the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was in ruku he would straighten his back that if water was poured on his back it would remain. (Ibn Majah 872) While getting up from ruku say SamiAllahu liman hamidah and thereafter make your body upright and say Rabbana wa lakal hamd. (Bukhari, Muslim, Albani page 141) Recite Allahu Akbar when declining for sujud (prostration) and when rising from it. Prophet (PBUH) would recite Allahu Akbar for every incline and decline (Muslim 392). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would place his face between his hands when prostrating (Muslim 392). Health benefits of Ruku: As ruku involves bending lower back and keeping both legs straight, these results in stretching of all major muscles of lower back, thighs and calves. This continuous movement helps in strengthening of these core muscles [38]. Besides, in ruku blood is pumped in the upper torso and it helps in toning the muscles of stomach, abdomen and kidneys. Formation of right angle between legs and stomach helps stomach muscles to develop. This position also helps in greater flow of blood to upper most regions of body like head, eyes, ears, nose and lungs [20, 38]. C. Sujood Once Ruku is done, next step is to bow down in prostration known as Sujood. Recite Tasbih three times. (Subhana rabbial a’la). Abdullah ibn Masud (R.A) reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “When one of you bow, he should say three times Subhana rabbial a’zeem and when he prostrates, he should say Subhana rabbial a’la. This is the minimum number (Abu Dawud 885). Keep distances between stomach and floor while in sujud and keep both hands on the floor from their sides without spreading too much. Ibn Abbas (R.A) said, I came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from behind, I saw the whiteness of his armpits and he kept them far away from his sides and raised his stomach - from the ground (Abu Dawud 898). It must be noted here that women must place their arms flat on the ground in sujud. Yazid Ibn Abi Habib states that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) passed by two women who were performing their Salat. He said to them, “When you prostrate, make part of your body touch the ground because a woman is unlike a man in these aspects.” (Abu Dawud 118; Sunanul Kubra 2/223). Health Benefits of Sujood: As head remains in lower position than heart, this increases blood supply to head, thereby having positive effect on mental health like memory, concentration and other related mental factors. Besides, during sujud abdominal viscera press against diaphragm that presses lower part of lungs and lower lobes which is healthy for lungs [20] [35]. D. Tashahhud In the final phase of Salat i.e. sitting after completing two sujud’s of final rakaat or during recitation of tashahhud, it is sunnah for a man to lay down his left foot on its left side and sit on it while the right foot is allowed to stand upright with the heel in the air so that the toes are facing the direction of prayer. This hadith is related from Ibn Umar (R.A) in the hadith book An-Nasai1/248) and in case of women, they should sit on their left buttock and take out both her legs towards the right side. They should place both their hands on the thighs and keep their fingers close together. Health Benefits of Tashahhud: This movement involves extension of toes, knees with hips flexed, thus helps in strengthening of core muscles [38]. Finally, after reciting durood and dua, recite Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah together with a salam of Imam. Itban bin Malik (R.A) narrated, “We offered prayer with the prophet and used to finish our prayer with the taslim along with his (Bukhari 838)

V. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN FOR IMPLEMENTING SALAT

As already mentioned, given the medical and health benefits of offering Salat, it becomes our fundamental duty not to miss it at all, despite whatever the condition may be. Now, the question arises, how we can implement Salat in this modern and busy age. Below are the numbers of ways, we have proposed, if followed, can help in performing Salat on regular basis irrespective of the place, be it colleges, schools, offices, roads and so on. a. There must be separate subject/course on Salat, in which a student should be taught its significance right from the childhood and parents must make habit of waking children at fajr (dawn) time right from the childhood, so that they will become habitual to offer Fajr prayer. b. Muslim Companies as well Muslim Governments must adapt in its recruiting policies that Praying 5 times is compulsory for Muslims. There are terms and conditions mentioned in offer letters for pursuing a particular job, Salat can be made one mandatory condition for an employee. c. In each Muslim colleges and schools, there must be one course dedicated to Prayers and timing of that course must match timing of Dhur (afternoon) prayer and attendance must be made compulsory in that class, so that no one can miss that prayer during college hours. d. For marriage, praying 5 times must be considered first most criteria as compared to status, caste, and creed and so on and local Imam must give assurance to the parents of Bride that Groom prays 5 times. Furthermore, in case of Bride, her parents must give assurance. e. Muslim scholars and parents play key role in adapting this religious practice among their respective wards. They must highlight and motivate people to offer prayers regularly. Similarly, there can be many more factors which if implemented can make Muslim Ummah again the top and peaceful civilization, which used to be between 700-1300 AD.

V. HEALTH ISSUES FROM DIFFERENT ASPECTS

There are lot of issues and research needed to find the effects of Salat on health from different aspects. Future work with respect to health benefits of Salat are as follows: a. Practising Muslim: In order to carry out research, medical sciences need subject on whom study can be conducted. For knowing the full benefits of Salat, a fully practicing Muslim is needed who has hardly missed any prayer. Besides, the subject must have performed all steps in Salat correctly. To find such a subject in this modern era is one of the major challenge as Muslims often miss their prayers. For future researchers, in order to determine the long term effects of Salat, it must be kept in mind, need of practicing Muslim subject is first foremost requirement. Comprehensive research can be carried out on that subject to determine the long terms effects of Salat on his/her overall health. b. Vision effect: In Salat, it is recommended to focus on any specific point on floor. This means one has to focus on that point during all steps while performing Salat. In our opinion, we believe this action must be having so positive effect on vision as eye muscles get lot of movements during the whole process of Salat. However, it needs further research and experimental proof. c. Sitting on left leg with right thumb of right leg stretched: This movement occurs during sitting position in Salat where one has to put whole body weight on left leg by putting right thumb of right leg straight. We believe this action has significant and positive effect to whole body. One feels each muscle of body being stretched during this posture with left leg being nourished. Medical studies are needed to understand effect of this specific posture on overall health. d. Repetition of all movements of Salat 5 times a day: For every Muslim, it is commanded to offer Salat 5 specific times a day. Till now to the best of our knowledge, no studies have been carried out to find the overall effect of whole cycle of 5 prayers on overall health of human being. It will be one of the interesting studies, how these cycle of prayers effects the health of an individual. e. Effect of ablution for performing Salat: Few studies have focused on analysing the effect of ablution before performing Salat. However, it needs more research to ascertain the combined effect of ablution and Salat on overall health of an individual. f. Organ related study: It will be quite interesting to analyse the long term effects of Salat on major organs of human body.

VI. CONCLUSION

This article has provided an overview of medical benefits of Salat. Salat is a unique medicine bestowed by Allah to whole mankind without having any side effects but has got only those effects, which is for the welfare and benefit of human beings. Allah has gifted Salat to whole mankind with so many blessings where in two duties of serving Allah and gaining health benefits like improvement in blood circulation, improvement in lungs and heart functionality, relaxation effect on body, improvement in metabolic activities, self-control is achieved. In order to derive its full benefits, it must be offered regularly and correctly. This act of worship must be followed with full will and determination. This ritual practice is embedded in the psychology of almost all Muslims. Although the aspects of Salat in terms of historical significance and religious significance is well documented, there have been very few studies conducted on the medical benefits of Salat. There is need to do more quantitative and qualitative research in order to examine health aspects of Salat. Future research can focus on combining neuroscientific, anthropological, epidemiological approaches to explore the multi-factorial nature of Salat. Nowadays, one of the major health issues is of chronic stress. Chronic stress can affect anyone despite of age or gender. It is highly suggested that the practice of Salat may help in prevention of chronic stress and other related disorders. Since Islam is highly concerned with the wellbeing and welfare of mankind, the practice of Salat can be promoted by physicians also for promoting psycho-physical prosperity. Moreover, there is need to understand possible causes of psycho-physical distress and how these may be reduced via the performance of Salat.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This research is supported by AMCS Research Center, Indonesia. R
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