Prayers in Different Faiths

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Like in Islam, prayers and acts of worship have existed in religions that came before Islam, and some of them have been mentioned in the Quran.

In the religion brought by Prophet Jesus (AS), believers were urged to say prayers, according to Verse 31 of Surah Maryam: “He has enjoined on me prayer.”

Before that, God addressed Moses (AS), telling him: “And be steadfast in prayer to have My name always in your mind.” (Verse 14 of Surah Taha)

Before him, his father-in-law Prophet Shuaib (AS) said prayers: “: ‘Shu’aib,’ they replied, ‘does your prayer command you that we should abandon that which our fathers worshipped or do as we please with our goods? You are clement and right-minded!’” (Verse 87 of Surah Hud)

And before them Prophet Abraham (AS) prayed for the opportunity for himself and his children to establish Salah: “My Lord, make me and my descendants establishers of prayer. Our Lord, accept my prayer.” (Verse 40 of Surah Ibrahim)

According to Verse 17 of Surah Luqman, Luqman told his son: “My son, establish the prayer, order with honor but forbid dishonor, and bear patiently with whatever may fall upon you, indeed that is true constancy.”

Interestingly, the Quran usually urges giving Zakat (alms) after enjoining Salah, but here the son is urged to do Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice because he is a teenager and probably has no money.