For a long time, Muslim prayer (salat) was considered solely a spiritual act, but it is now attracting the attention of the scientific community for its positive health impacts.
The five daily prayers, performed at specific times of the day, incorporate physical postures, moments of mental focus, and a coordinated breathing rhythm, evoking benefits similar to yoga or mindfulness meditation.
However, unlike these modern practices, salat has been practised for over 14 centuries.
Physiologically Beneficial Movements
A study published in 2017 in The Journal of Physical Therapy Science (Khan et al.) stressed that the movements in Islamic prayer promote muscle flexibility, postural balance, and blood circulation. The sequence of movements – standing (qiyam), bowing (ruku), prostration (sujûd), and sitting (jalsa) – stimulates different muscle areas, preventing certain joint pains.
Other studies, such as one by Dr. Raheel Patel (International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2021), confirm that these postures reduce muscle tension, enhance venous return, and contribute to the health of intervertebral discs. Prolonged prostration, in particular, has effects similar to the “Balasana” posture in yoga, known for its soothing effects on the nervous system.
An Active Meditation for Mental Well-being
A study by the University Medical Centre in Malaysia (2016) analysed the effect of prayers on stress. The result? A considerable decrease in cortisol (the stress hormone) among regular practitioners. The synchronisation of movement, Quranic recitation, and conscious breathing acts as a form of guided meditation.
A meta-analysis in 2023 (Frontiers in Psychology) on various religious practices placed salat among the rituals with the most significant positive impact on the autonomic nervous system, with effects comparable to or even surpassing certain Western relaxation techniques.
The Secret of Five Times a Day
For those questioning the deeper meaning of Islamic prayer, performing it five times a day might seem burdensome. However, science is starting to unveil its unexpected relevance.
Several recent studies have highlighted the physiological, neurological, and emotional benefits of the repeated movements in salat: bending, prostrating, and standing activate blood circulation, loosen joints, regulate breathing, and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and recovery (Khalil et al., 2017, Journal of Religion and Health; Ahmed et al., 2013, Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences). Spaced throughout the day, these sacred pauses structure time, refocus the individual, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality (Raof et al., 2016).
Contrary to clichés, this repeated practice is not a burden but a form of holistic grounding – body, heart, mind – in a world that is losing its bearings.
For those who reflect, doubt, or seek inner harmony, these regular appointments with the divine might be the simplest and most accessible secret to giving meaning to each day.
Why It’s Intriguing for Science?
Because millions of people around the world perform these gestures without realising that they are “good” for their bodies.
Because the benefits are comparable to modern techniques that have been validated (yoga, stretching, meditation).
Because it raises a fascinating question: What if prayer was also designed to maintain the body?
The codified postures of salat were never developed according to a biomechanical or medical logic. Yet, they show functional effectiveness comparable to exercises recommended in physiotherapy.
This parallel between a spiritual prescription and measurable physiological effects intrigues researchers: Is it mere coincidence, or ancestral wisdom intuitively connected to the laws of the human body?
Furthermore, unlike traditional physical exercises, prayer is performed with intention, concentration, and regularity—factors that enhance its holistic benefits.
Reflection
What some may reduce to a routine religious rite could well contain a true treasure of health, confirmed by modern scientific tools. But beyond the physical or mental benefits, this observation raises a larger question: What if we finally took the time to objectively study spiritual practices?
Much criticism of Islam is based on approximations, prejudices, or distortions. Those who take the time to study the Quran or observe Muslim practices rigorously often change their perceptions.
The miracle of Islam, unlike other traditions, is offered to all and rests on unparalleled clarity: a book that transcends time, both immutable and continually revelatory.
Top Referenced Studies:
Khan, N. et al. (2017). “Effect of Islamic prayer (Salat) on physical fitness.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science.
Patel, R. (2021). “Postural benefits of Salat on spinal health.” International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.
Universiti Malaya Medical Centre Study (2016).
Frontiers in Psychology (2023), Meta-analysis on spiritual practices and autonomic nervous regulation.
🕌 This text marks the start of a series of articles published every Friday, highlighting the journeys of famous converts to Islam and the reasons that fueled their paths, often marked by discoveries like this one.
