Tuesday 

Five Days - Five Pillars

When most people in your audience don't practice any form of religion, how do you communicate an understanding of Salaat? The Prophet said that the Prayer was a time of rest, so that's what I used.

You've got to pray said M.C.Hammer, and I must say I tend to agree with him. But then I would, because as a muslim I try to pray five times a day.

Now does that seem excessive, even fanatical? Well, I'm sure that no one would think me fanatical if I said that five times during waking hours I had a cup of tea and a biscuit. We know that rest and relaxation are essential if you are to work efficiently. If you don't put food and liquid in your body it quickly lets you know by falling over.

Your body tells you when it needs attention. But it's much harder to recognise when our spiritual batteries need recharging, and much easier to ignore. That's why it's important to make a regular appointment to plug in to a greater power than our own, recognizing our real needs, expressing our gratitude, remembering the wonder of creation.

And God hears. Qur'an says that our Creator knows what our souls whisper within us, and that God is nearer to you than your own jugular vein.