One’s Conduct Plays Role in Whether Salah Is Accepted

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Anyone who wants to know whether his Salah has been accepted by God or not should look at his conduct to see whether or not his Salah prevents him from sins and wrongdoings.  

One’s Salah is accepted as much as it prevents him from sins.

Learning and saying prayers correctly is one stage and its acceptance by God is a higher level. Some might study well but what also matters is getting good marks in exams. One may say his prayers and other acts of worships all the time but they may not be accepted by God for the shortcomings and weaknesses he or she has.

Imam Ali (AS) says one should pay more attention to God’s acceptance of a deed than the deed itself.

What are the conditions for Salah to be accepted?

1- Faith

The first precondition for Salah to be accepted is having faith in God and His religion. If one spends all his life in saying prayers and doing acts of worship but has no belief in them, his Salah is not accepted. Not only in Salah, but also in all other acts of worship, having faith is a precondition. “The endeavors of he who believes and does good works shall not go unthanked. We write it down for him.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, Verse 94)

2- Wilayat

God accepts acts of worship from those who love and obey God, the Prophet (PBUH) and infallible leaders. Worshipping without obedience is not accepted. Imam Sadiq (AS) said. “Whoever does not accept our Wilayat and leadership, God will not accept any deed from him.”

It is clear that being religious without having belief in the Wilayat of infallible leaders would not be beneficial.

3- Taqwa (God-fearing)

Taqwa means fearing God and avoiding sins. One who does not abandon Haram deeds, his acts of worship cannot help him reach anywhere.

4- Respecting Others’ Rights

Salah is an act of worship that should help one get closer to God. If one does things that get him away from God, his Salah would not help him. One who falsely accuses others, treats others badly, or tramples on others’ rights in any way cannot expect God to accept his Salah.

How can one be sure that his Salah has been accepted by God? Imam Sadiq (AS) says in order to know that, one should look to see whether his Salah prevents him from committing sins and doing wrong deeds. One’s Salah is accepted as much as it prevents him from sins.

We should try to make our Salah a school for training and growing spiritually. We should consider ourselves God’s servant in life just as we say so in Salah. It is in that case that we would enjoy our Salah.