The Meaning of ‘Indeed, Prayer Restrains from Immorality and Wrongdoing’

Question

Question: [Regarding the verse]: [ar]إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ تَنْهَىٰ عَنِ ٱلْفَحْشَآءِ وَٱلْمُنكَرِ[/ar] “Indeed, prayer restrains from immorality and wrongdoing…” (Surah al-‘Ankabut, 29:45) — if its meaning is that prayer [in its very institution, by the Sacred Law] forbids [immorality], then there is no difficulty. But if it means that it actually restrains one from them, is an accepted (maqbul) prayer meant by this?

Answer

If it is performed with complete humility (khushu‘), while bearing in mind its [heavenly] reward and calling its [spiritual] effects to mind, then it does restrain [one from immorality and wrongdoing].

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.