There is no doubt about the importance of shalat (prayer). As mentioned in the verses of al-Quran and some ahaadiits (prophet traditions), there are some importance of prayer, i.e. as the pillar of ad-diinul-Islam, the character of Muttaqiin (pious people), the direct order from Allah, the first-accounted ‘amal (action) in the hereafter, the standard of goodness, the guard from badness, the prove of gratitude, the border between believer and unbeliever, etc-etc. In addition, shalat has many important symbolic meanings which should be implemented in the real life in this world. Symbol can be defined as, by Victor Turner, "a thing regarded by general consent as naturally typifying or representing or recalling something by possession of analogous qualities or by association in fact or thought“ (Turner, 1967:19). Shalat is the symbol of life; Shalat has many values which could be implemented in the life. Symbols in shalat can be traced in its requirements, its movements, its recitations, and symbol of congregation (jama’ah). Symbol can be functioned by understanding and implementing it. Furthermore, shalat has four functions, i.e. communicative, educative, integrative, and safety function. In educative function, shalat can be used as a method of Islamic education. The function of shalat can be played by understanding shalat and implementing it. The main purpose of the paper is to explore symbolic meanings of shalat, in order that Muslims can understand and implement those meanings in the real life. In other words, Muslims are hopefully able not only “to do shalat (prayer)” but also “to establish it”. Both “ritual prayer” and “actual prayer” have to be implemented in the life. Allah Ta’alaa said, in the translation from al-Quran, “And keep up prayer (establish prayer) and pay the poor-rate and bow down with those who bow down (QS al-Baqarah 2:43). In the context of this ayat, “ritual prayer” is to establish prayer, and “actual prayer” is to pay the poor-rate.
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