I read in the Qur’aan that a man should pray three times: before sunrise, after sunset and in the middle of the day. So why do we pray five times? I hope that you will not give me the story that 50,000 prayers were enjoined then it was reduced to five. I want a convincing answer.
Praise be to Allaah.
1 – What is mentioned in the question about the number of prayers is mistaken.
It was 50 then it was altered to 5 prayers, a favour from the Lord of the Worlds to the Muslims.
2 – The rules of sharee’ah may be divided into two categories:
Those which may be understood on a rational basis; and those which are purely worship, the wisdom behind which is concealed from us and is not mentioned in either the Qur’aan or the Sunnah.
Examples of the first include: the prohibition on alcohol and gambling.
Allaah has told us the reason why they are forbidden, which is:
“Shaytaan (Satan) wants only to excite enmity and hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks) and gambling, and hinder you from the remembrance of Allaah and from As‑Salaah (the prayer). So, will you not then abstain?” [al-Maa'idah 5:91]
