From the above-mentioned verses and Aḥādīth the following fundamental points are proven with relevance to the concept of prayer:
It is the obligation of every Muslim that he continues praying to God, whether he is confronted with a state of fear or hope, whether he is in a state of difficulty or ease, whether he desires to gain safety from an affliction or desires to acquire beneficence.
Prayer should be offered in every situation, in a state of passionate expression and silently, i.e., at a time when man is surrounded by such worries as becomes difficult to contain one’s emotions and so they overflow and when he is able to contain his emotions he should present his supplication in steadfastness and silence.
True faith, virtue, purity, obedience and devotion are necessary in the acceptance of prayer. Those who lend an ear to the call of God are also heard by God with greater attention and love when they call upon Him.
The prayers of ungrateful people who do not show gratitude to the favours of God, as well as those who are rebellious to the Divine system, do not reach a level of acceptance, rather (their prayers) come to an end, just like a cry in the desert wilderness.
Prayer also possesses the power to change the course of Divine destiny and decree. In other words, if something is about to take place as per the normal law of nature, and a virtuous servant of His prays for the revocation of such an event, God the Exalted changes His normal decree and institutes His special decree in accordance to the prayer of His servant.
However, it is the eternal verdict of God that He does not do anything which contradicts His custom or promise. Hence, such prayers which conflict with the custom or promise of God the Exalted are not accepted. Similarly, such prayers which open the door to sin or a severing of ties of kinship are not accepted.
Impatience in prayer is like a lethal poison. Instead, one should remain engaged in prayer with patience and steadfastness. Those people who pray a little and then tire away and begin to say things such as, ‘We have prayed much and seen that God does not listen to us,’ their prayers are not accepted.
Words of doubt, those lacking conviction or expressing disappointment, should never be used in prayer. Instead, one should pray with belief, determination and with the trust that God will listen.
God is free to accept or reject a prayer. He is not coerced or compelled by anyone. When He finds a prayer to be worthy of acceptance, He accepts it and when He does not find it worthy of acceptance, He rejects it. However, in the case that a prayer is apparently rejected, if the supplicant is deserving, God provides compensation in some other manner; be it in this world or in the hereafter.
Prayer is the essence and spirit of worship and a worship which is devoid of prayer is like that worthless and hollow bone which is bereft of marrow.
Prior to closing this note, it is necessary to mention that not only has Islām provided explanation and detail with relevance to the concept of prayer and especially emphasised it, but in order to grant Muslims a practical lesson in prayer, and in order to make them habitual in prayer, it has assigned a prayer to man’s every movement, so that no hour remains empty of the remembrance of God. For example: upon one’s birth, one’s death, entering the mosque, leaving the mosque, departing for a journey, returning from a journey, on embarking, on disembarking, starting a meal, finishing a meal, when sleeping, on waking, while ascending, while descending, on meeting friends, on departing from friends, on marriage, on going to one’s wife, spotting the new moon, for rain, for rain to be withheld, on a storm, on leaving the house, entering the house, on eating the first fruit of the season, on visiting the sick, on viewing a Muslim’s dead body and on burying a Muslim. Hence, a prayer has been linked to every action of life. Moreover, these prayers are not mere tradition, rather, they are a living thing, which flow forth from the depths of the heart. True Muslims observe them with complete conviction and presence of heart. If only the world would give due value to this magnificent treasure!