Worldly and Hereafter Effects of Prayer in Nahj al-Balagha

Abstract

Prayer is one of the most significant acts of worship for Muslims. Undoubtedly, every action has its consequences and outcomes. The Holy Quran explicitly mentions some of these effects. Similarly, Imam Ali (AS) has highlighted certain impacts of prayer, many of which are recorded in the revered book, Nahj al-Balagha. The central question of this study is: What effects of prayer are mentioned in Nahj al-Balagha? This research, based on the collection of information through a library-based method and its analysis through a descriptive-analytical approach, aims to elucidate the impacts of prayer from Imam Ali's perspective in Nahj al-Balagha. The findings indicate that the effects of prayer in Nahj al-Balagha can be categorized into two groups: worldly and hereafter effects. Some of the worldly effects include: achieving perfection in faith; becoming a means of nearness to God; being the pillar of religion; serving as a sign of religiosity; being the fountainhead of other righteous deeds; fostering steadfastness in goodness; purifying from impurities; leading to the remission of sins; fostering indifference toward worldly goods; liberating one from bonds and constraints; being a source of hope and a path to salvation; acting as a safeguard for individuals; and promoting humility while avoiding arrogance, polytheism, and hypocrisy. The hereafter effects include serving as a shield against the torment of Hell.