The Background of Prayer Command

Ritual prayer has been performed since centuries years ago, from age to age, why Allah revealed this prayer command? What’s the story behind it? It’s impossible only an ordinary command or just a routine activity.

Allah revealed the order prayed after the events of Isra Miraj of Prophet Muhammad.  Prior to that time, the Prophet Muhammad had periods of the heaviest in the course of his prophet hood.

These severe events were:

• Muslims under pressure from economic Quraysh. The Quraysh complicates their trade \, relationships and communication with others is also limited, so to look for the daily needs of Muslims today is very difficult.
• Messenger of death left by his beloved wife, Siti Khadijah, who always give material and moral support to him.
• Prophet's death left his uncle, Abu Talib, who always defended his safety against the pressures of Quraysh.

From Quran 23:33

And the eminent among his people who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter while We had given them luxury in the worldly life said, "This is not but a man like yourselves. 

He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink.

Prophet Muhammad was human like us who also feel the adversity and sadness. Experiencing severe conditions such as Prophet Muhammad could have lost control and direction of the struggle against Islam.
Then the Ascension event happened, who then commanded the prophet to pray, so what purpose Allah revealed the order of this prayer?

From Quran 29:49

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. 

And Allah knows that which you do.

Pray is an activity to prevent cruel and evil, God ordered the Prophet to pray for the Apostle returned to a positive road.  So the essence of ritual prayer is an activity to charge the human soul to return to a positive path in life.  So it is with us, we often experience the pressures and problems in life. We often try to find a solution by thinking hard and working hard. Yet there are important things we should do first when faced with pressure, namely prayer. As the Prophet had done when facing a critical time in his life.

Read also :
Why is it difficult to 'khusyu' during prayer