CSS 2012 Solved Islamiat Past Papers | The Advantages and Effect of Prayers
The following question of CSS Islamiat 2012 is solved by Miss Ayesha Irfan, the highest scorer in CSS Islamiat. Moreover, the question is attempted using the same pattern taught by Sir Syed Kazim Ali to his students, who have scored the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. This solved past paper question is uploaded to help aspirants understand how to crack a topic or question, write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Question Breakdown
The examiner has asked to a comprehensive overview of the advantages and effect of Prayers in the light of إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ. First, we debunk the Ayat إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ and then explain the advantages and effect of the prayers at individual and social level.
Outline
1-Introduction
2-Significance of salah
3-Debunking the Ayat إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ, the advantages and effect of Prayers on humans
A-Individual life
- ✓instilling the love of God
- ✓ Leading self-accountability
- ✓ Promoting amar-bil-maruf
- ✓Inculcating the punctuality and purity
- ✓ Enhancing morality
B-Social life
- ✓Promoting the concept of brotherhood and social justice
- ✓ Flourishing the concept of equality
- ✓ Creating social peace and harmony
4-Critical analysis
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Indeed, in Islam, prayer is a primitive principle of spiritual practice and serves as a crucial gateway to communication with Allah. The verse إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ encapsulate the significance of prayer in Islam and emphasizes its purpose to guide people away from immorality and wrongdoing. This consecrated act not only nurtures a sense of inner peace and affinity to a higher power but also inculcates a substructure for ethical behaviour and self-discipline so that People can undertake significant personal development, foster a sense of belonging, and helps to create a society that is more solicitous and just by regularly praying. Beyond the individual, prayer has many benefits that influence interconnection, mental health, and communal peace.
Significance of Salah
Muslims consider salah, or the Islamic prayer observance, to be highly significant because it is the cornerstone of Islam and a path to communicate with Allah directly. Because salah encourages self-restraint and surveillance, people are led toward moral behaviour, reminded of their purpose, and encouraged to reflect on their activities through the five daily prayers. Furthermore, salah’s physical motions and recitations help to integrate the body and mind, improving mental health and fostering a sense of peace and serenity. For instance, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost…” (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 413). In the end, salah is a life-changing practice that promotes moral principles, spiritual development, and a greater understanding of one’s relationship with Allah.
Debunking the Ayat إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ, and Explaining the advantages and effect of Prayers on humans
A- Individua life
- ✓Instilling the love of God
The Ayah إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ reveal the significant benefits and impacts of prayer on people’s life, especially instilling the love of God. Regular salah practice helps people to develop a close and strong bond with Allah and allows people to feel and communicate their love and respect for Allah. This bond not only uplifts spiritual awareness but also stimulates a feeling of purpose and acknowledgement, inspiring people to conduct their lives with peace, tranquillity, and modesty. For instance, Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “When Allah loves a slave, calls out Jibril and says: ‘I love so-and-so; so, love him’. Then Jibril loves him. After that, he (Jibril) announces to the inhabitants of heavens that Allah loves so-and-so; so, love him; and the inhabitants of the heavens (the angels) also love him and then make people on earth love him”. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim]. Thus, believers who offer prayers five times a day cultivate self-control and attention, which reinforce their will to act morally and flourish individually.
- ✓ Leading self-accountability
Furthermore, prayer is a revolutionary activity that inspires people to think critically and reflect on their deeds and goals by Leading self-accountability and self-purification. Prayer encourages people to act in a way that is consistent with their moral and ethical principles by creating direct communication with Allah and reminding people of their obligations to something greater than themselves. While establishing goals and support in directing everyday choices, asking for absolution in prayer cultivates modesty and enthusiasm for personal development and self-purification. As Allah says in the Quran: “He who purifies it will indeed be successful, and he who corrupts it is sure to fail”(91:9-10). Consequently, The Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) said that purifying the soul through prayer is like cleansing the body with water. Thus, as individuals progress spiritually, prayer becomes an essential instrument for cultivating self-awareness and accountability.
- ✓ Promoting Amr-Bil-Maroof
Moreover, prayer efficiently discourages unethical behaviour and fosters a dedication to enjoining moral principles and hostile evil and wrong deeds (Amr Bil Maroof) by establishing control and habit, which is a crucial contraption for soul-searching and individual development. Additionally, the community component of prayer fosters social cohesiveness by motivating people to help each other in their ethical pursuits, which in turn spreads good conduct across society. As Allah says in the Quran: Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil—it is they who will be successful (3:104). Consequently, at another place in the Quran: You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah. Had the People of the Book believed it would have been better for them. Some of them are faithful, but most are rebellious (3:110). Thus, prayer not only fosters personal internality but also a sense of shared accountability for moral behaviour.
- ✓Inculcating the punctuality and purity
Moving down the ladder, being on time for prayers shows one’s dedication to one’s religion and fosters time management and accountability, traits that may be applied to other facets of life. This uniformity emphasizes the value of constancy in one’s practice by motivating people to put religious responsibilities first in the face of everyday interruptions. As Allah says in Quran Surah Al-Tawbah, verse 108: “And Allah loves the pure”. Similarly, Allah says about punctuality in the Quran: “When the prayers are over, remember Allah—whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down. But when you are secure, establish regular prayers. Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times” (4:103). Furthermore, the focus on both mental and physical purity and punctuality during prayer acts as an inspiration to uphold honesty and decency in an individual’s behaviour and attitudes.
- ✓ Enhancing morality
Moving ahead, developing a greater understanding of moral standards and an understanding of responsibility to the individual are two ways that prayer can improve morality. Regular prayer practice fosters purity as well as individual improvement by encouraging people to examine their conduct, match it with ethical principles, and ask for repentance for wrongdoing. People who practice this type of spiritual practice are more empathetic and compassionate, which inspires them to treat others with justice and support. As Allah says in the Quran: “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do” (29:45). Thus, Incorporating prayer into everyday life is the best ethical improvement stimulant that leads people to live more upright, just, equitable, and peaceful lives.
B- Social life
- ✓Promoting the concept of brotherhood and social justice
Furthermore, to improve social life and create a feeling of community, it is essential to promote the ideas of companionship and social justice with the help of prayer. Prayer fosters a sense in people to see one another as brothers and sisters despite their distinctions and origins by acting as a strong residue of the fundamental ideals and obligations that unite people. Furthermore, prayer can nourish social justice ideals by motivating people to confront unfairness and inequity in their local circle. As Allah says in the Quran: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy” (49:10). Thus, incorporating social justice and brotherhood through prayers not only improves society but creates respect for each other and shared accountability.
- ✓ Flourishing the concept of equality
Moreover, fostering an inclusive and harmonious social environment requires that the concept of tranquillity flourish within a community. By advancing the idea that all people, regardless of their colour, creed, race, or socioeconomic status, possess intrinsic nobility and value, communities can pursue a culture of respect and understanding. Additionally, prayer can underpin the idea of tranquillity, which generates a more sympathetic and just society because while doing prayer, everyone will be in equal line (Safh). As Allah says in the Quran: “And do not crave what Allah has given some of you over others. Men will be rewarded according to their deeds, and women ˹equally˺ according to theirs. Rather, ask Allah for His bounties. Surely Allah has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of all things” (4:32). Thus, adopting and thriving the idea of tranquillity enhances interactions between people and reinforces the society’s ethical substructure, opening the door to a more equitable and neutral society.
- ✓ Creating social peace and harmony
Last but not least, communities can develop a sense of solidarity, empathy, and understanding through prayer that creates peace and harmony in society. Beyond distinctions in colour, tradition, and beliefs, prayer is an intense way to unite people. As Allah says in the Quran: He is Allah—there is no god except Him: The King, the Most Holy, the All-Perfect, the Source of Serenity, the Watcher of all, the Almighty, the Supreme in Might, one the Majestic. Glorified is Allah far above what they associate with Him ˹in worship˺! (59:23). Thus, prayer can guide people during disagreements and difficulties and encourage a cooperative and forgiving perspective in society.
Critical Analysis
Prayer can help with today’s anxiety, social issues, and loneliness by promoting peace, connectedness, and good behaviour. It allows people to find comfort and mental balance while creating a community through gatherings. This shared activity promotes kindness and understanding, easing tensions and encouraging positive interactions. However, for prayers to address these challenges honestly, participants must be sincere, and a supportive community should be in place. Without genuine commitment and group effort, prayer’s power to create real change might be limited. Prayer can potentially help social peace and personal health, but it depends on individual belief and group backing.
Conclusion
To sum up, the verse إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ shows important benefits of prayer, emphasizing its role as a practice that helps both individuals and society. By praying regularly, people build a strong connection with Allah, encourage self-reflection, and improve their morals, which leads to personal development and better behaviour. In society, prayer builds brotherhood, supports justice, and promotes equality, fostering a peaceful and harmonious environment. Still, the success of prayer in facing modern issues depends on the genuine intention of those involved and the existence of helpful community support. Thus, prayer has a strong potential to improve moral behaviour, promote social cohesiveness and open the door to a more impartial and harmonious society.
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