PRAYER: THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS ESTABLISHING THE ISLAMIC SHARIAH AS A WHOLE

The Quran records the following conversation between Prophet Shuaib and his people:
"And to the Madyan (Midian) people (We sent) their brother Shuaib. He said: O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other Ilah (god) but Him, and give not short measure or weight, I see you in prosperity; and verily I fear for you the torment of a Day encompassing. And O my people! Give full measure and weight in justice and reduce no the things that are due to the people, and do not commit mischief in the land, causing corruption. That which is left by Allah for you (after giving the rights of the people) is better for you, if you are believers. And I am not sent over you as a guardian." (11:84-86)

This was an invitation to honor the Rights of Allah (by accepting Tawhid) and honor the rights (in daily trade and business). But Shuaib's people replied with sarcasm:
"They said: O Shuaib! Does your prayer (i.e., the prayers which you offer has spoiled your mind, so you) command that we leave off what our fathers used to worship, or that we leave off doing what we like with our property? Verily, you are the forbearer, right-minded!" (11:87)

Shuaib's people realized that the Prophet was not simply asking them to pray regularly but that he wanted them to establish a whole new economic system as well, hence the references to fair trading. The lesson to be learned from this is that in Islam, there is no leaving "What belongs to God, for God; and what belongs to Caesar, for Caesar." Everything belongs to God. How can a Muslim who worships Allah Almighty during his five daily prayers, be expected to obey others in other aspects of his daily life. There can be no duality of authority in Islam. Allah is the Creator , and His Alone is the right to legislate and demand loyalty. Man is the slave of Allah and should obey Him Alone.
Muslims who live in a non-Muslim state may feel that they are unable to implement the Din of Allah in their political and economic lives, but those Muslims who live in Muslim countries have no excuse for allowing the Din of Allah to be confined to a personal level.
Muslims should be clear that the Din of Allah does not consist simply of prayers, fasting, charity and Hajj. It is their duty to implement all Islamic teachings in political, economic and social fields.
"Truly, the religion with of Allah is Islam..." (3:19)
"And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers". (3:85)
Today's false idols, which dominate over the entire world, are Democracy, Capitalism, Socialism and communism. Instead, Islam calls for a Khilafa (caliphate) based on consultation, and a just economic system based on Zakat and a prohibition of usury. If you remove any of these three characteristics, you make it impossible for Islamic law to operate properly.
The Quran describes clearly the first duty of a Muslim ruler:
"Those (Muslim rulers) who, if We give them power in the land, (they) order for Iqamat-as-Salat{ (i.e. to offer prayers perfectly-the five compulsory, congregational prayers (the males in mosques)}, to pay the Zakat and they enjoin Al-Maruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), and forbid Al-Munkar (i.e., disbelief, polytheism and all that Islam has forbidden) {i.e. they make the Quran as the law of their country in all the spheres of life}. And with Allah rests the end of (all) matters (of creatures)." (22:41)
A well-known Arabic saying is: "The people follow the religion of their kings." Ordinary people enjoy imitating their rulers, and if those in authority set a good example by praying and fasting regularly, the people will be encouraged to do so as well. Those in power can also provide material assistance, such as the construction of mosques and prayer facilities in public places. The Prophet (pbuh) advised the people not to rebel against their leaders...as long as the leaders establish prayer and do not commit acts of open disobedience to Allah. This advice will save the Muslim nation from anarchy and useless bloodshed.
PRAYER AS AN EXPIATION OF SINS

Prayer not only stimulates a person to do good deeds, but it also takes away his minor sins.
"Verily, the good deeds remove the evil deeds (i.e. small sins), " (11:114)
As prayer is the best of all good actions, it can erase many sins. 'Ali narrated that Abu Bakr heard Allah's Messenger (pbuh) saying:
"Whoever commits a sin, but performs ablution in the best way, then offers two Rakat prayer, and he asks for the forgiveness of Allah, Allah almighty forgives his sins." (Ahmad)
This does not mean to say that a person can commit as many sins as he likes, as long as he follows each sin with a prayer. What Allah's Messenger (pbuh) was showing is that repentance opens the door to forgiveness. Prayer is a form of repentance and should be offered with sincerity and a true desire to amend one's character. After repenting, the person's Faith should be revived, and he should fight all Satanic temptations to do evil.
In Surah Al-Furqan repentance is described as a way out for those who commit major sins:
"And those who invoke not any other Ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such life as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse - and whoever does this shall receive the punishment. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace. Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance. " (25:68-71)