Frequently asked Questions on Prayers

 What is the purpose of a Prayer in Islam?

Salah: The Second Pillar of Islam

Salah, also called namaz, is the second pillar of Islam and a daily obligation upon all Muslims above baligh (mature) age. Salah plays a fundamental role in the Islamic faith and in this guide, we will explore the most important facets of the second pillar of Islam, including the meaning of salah, when you should be performing salah and what benefits salah can provide.

What Does Salah Mean?

Salah is defined as the act of offering prayers to Allah SWT. Literally translated, salah can mean prayer or supplication and is generally considered the act of worshipping Allah SWT; an act which is specifically mentioned in the Holy Qur’an with a variety of rules and guidelines surrounding it.

Performing Salah

The process of performing salah is complex. Muslims must be wearing specific types of clothing which keep areas of their body covered, face Mecca before beginning and must recite phrases and passages from the Qur’an at certain points.

Daily salah prayers tend to follow a similar structure, though additional prayers and those that occur during major events like Eid ul-Adha differ more significantly. It is important to educate oneself on how to perform their prayer correctly to ensure the benefits of salah are acquired and your act of worship is received well by Allah SWT.

Rules, Guidelines and Facts About Salah

Performing salah is a process with a specific structure and set of principles which must be followed.

To begin with, there are five separate daily prayers which must be performed; they are as follows:

Fajr – this is performed before sunrise

Zohr – this is performed at midday

Asr – this is performed between Zohr and sunset

Maghrib – this is performed at sunset

Isha – this is performed between Maghrib and midnight

These are the obligatory prayers only; there are many other prayers that Muslims can perform voluntarily for their own benefit. Many of these voluntary prayers are undertaken by Muslims during the Holy month of Ramadan due to the many rewards and blessings bestowed in this virtuous month.

All prayers are initiated with the recitation of the adhaan which means call to prayer. The act of salah itself is a conversation between you and your Lord and is for nobody else’s benefit but your own.

Each salah prayer consists of a number of rakaat (units), which are split throughout the day as follows:

Fajr – 2 rakaat (units)

Zohr – 4 rakaat (units)

Asr – 4 rakaat (units)

Maghrib – 3 rakaat (units)

Isha – 4 rakaat (units)

A Muslim can offer voluntary units should he or she wish in the form of nafil prayers.

Many people opt to pray at the local Mosque in congregation while others prefer to pray at home or at work.

Should one be travelling or away from their hometown, certain allowances are given to make the prayers easier.

Again, any form of prayer in Islam is carried out whilst facing towards Mecca, where the Holy Ka’aba resides. This position can be ascertained using a compass.

What is the Purpose or Benefit of Salah?

The principle of salah is to ensure Muslims maintain their faith and devotion to Allah SWT, to increase taqwa (closeness to Allah SWT) and to remain conscious of the importance of faith and submission to their Creator.

There is special importance dedicated to the Friday prayer, which is also known as Jumaa Namaz. This prayer is performed in congregation at the local Mosque and is led by an Imam (leader).

There are many other prayers in Islam, such a Namaaz-e-Mayyit, which is performed at the janaaza funeral of the deceased and Namaaz-e-Eid, which is a prayer traditionally performed on the mornings of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, prior to which, all Muslims are liable to give to charity in the form of fitrana. Other important prayer rituals also include taraaweeh, which is a prayer offered every evening during the Holy month of Ramadan.

As with all of the Five Pillars of Islam, salah is a highly important obligation upon all Muslims and is essential to ensuring we stay within the boundaries of deen and remain mindful of one's faith.

 

Why do I have to pray five times a day?

According to Prophet Muhammad, the only thing that separates Muslims from non-believers is the prayers. It is the second pillar of Islam after the declaration of faith. Islam is based on five pillars and if one is missing then the whole building collapses. There is no other religion which instructs its followers to pray five times a day therefore Salah is the identity of Muslims.

Muslims are ordered to pray five times a day at specific times; before sunrise, midafternoon, late afternoon, sunset and at night. Both the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet strongly emphasizes the vitality of the five daily prayers in Islam. Salah is a way of totally submitting to the wills of Allah and showing gratitude to him because as Muslims, we don’t bow before anyone but Allah the Almighty. Allah the Almighty said the closest my slave gets to me is during prostration. The essence of the five daily prayers in Islam cannot be underestimated.

How can someone who takes bath five times a day become dirty? The same applies to the five daily prayers; it cleanses and purifies the soul of a Muslim. Salah softens the heart of a Muslim and it naturally prevents you from committing sins because it teaches and disciplines you to be humble and also reminds you of the existence of a supreme being. There is nothing tedious about Salah because it can be done in five minutes or less. What is difficult about taking thirty minutes out of twenty four hours a day to talk to the supreme creator?

Salah should be consistent and unconditional. As Muslims we don’t pray sometimes, and anytime, we pray every single day at the right time. When we are happy we pray; when we are sad and inflicted with tragedy we pray. This is the only way to connect with the maker of the universe and everything in it.

One of the companions of the Messenger said “My friend Prophet Muhammad gave me the following advice. Even if you are chopped up and burnt, do not associate partners with Allah and do not miss your obligatory prayers deliberately. Allah will move His protection away from a person who misses his obligatory prayers deliberately.” Prophet Muhammad said, if you cannot pray while standing, then pray sitting down. If you cannot pray while sitting down then pray while lying down; if you cannot then pray with your eyes for it is better than not praying at all.

If the messenger of Allah, a man who was guaranteed paradise could pray an entire night until his feet got swollen then why should we not pray? Why are we too busy chasing the worldly benefits by neglecting our prayers, forgetting we have a grave to go to?  What success are we looking for when the success and peace we are seeking in this world is in the five daily prayers? When a Muslim dies without going to hajj, your family can do that on your behalf; similarly they can give zakat on your behalf as well as complete the fasting for you if you die in the Ramadan. But for Salah, no one can do that for you.

There is beauty in Salah and it will take a beautiful Muslim to experience that beauty.

How do I perform Salah?

Salah is the second of five pillars of Islam. Performing Salah five times daily is compulsory for all Muslims past puberty, which is the age of legal responsibility. It gives us an opportunity to communicate with Allah, remember Him, show our gratitude to Him, with the act of prostration being the moment we are closest to Him. Salah is a gift for every believer and it is the first thing we are accounted for on the Day of Judgment. 

We’ve put together this brief guide as an easy way for beginners to learn how its performed, or for anyone who wants to refresh their knowledge. All of the rulings here are according to the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.

Salah is to be performed during five set times during each day and night. You can easily find the correct Salah times for your location by using an app or website.

When it’s time for Salah, ensure you have wudu and you are wearing clothing that, at a minimum, covers your awrah. The awrah for men is to cover everything from and including the navel to the knees. Women must cover everything except the hands, feet and face.

Find a clean space (like on a prayer mat) and somewhere that won’t cause inconvenience for others.

Stand and face the Qiblah (direction towards the Ka‘bah in Makkah), which in the UK is towards the south-east. There are many free apps which will tell you where the Qiblah is, using the compass on your phone. If you are unable to stand due to illness or infirmity, you can pray sitting down.

Begin by making your intention for the Salah, verbally or silently. This is done in either Arabic or your own language. Say, ‘I intend to pray the (four) Rak‘at of Salaatul (Dhuhr) for Allah facing the Ka‘bah’, replacing the parts in brackets with the correct number of Rak‘ats (units of prayer) and the Salah you are about to perform. 

From making this intention until the end of your Salah, focus completely on Allah and praying to Him.

Raise your hands up to your earlobes for men, and shoulders for women, whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’. This means ′Allah is the Greatest’. You are now in a state of ihram, which means that all worldly things are forbidden for you, such as talking, laughing, eating, drinking or thinking about anything that will distract you.

Place your right hand over your left, just below the naval. Women should place their hands over their chest.

Say quietly,’SubhanaK-Allahumma wa bihamdiKa, wa tabaarak-asmuKa, wa ta-‘aala jadduKa, wa la ilaaha illa ghayruK’. This means ‘O Allah, glory and praise are for You, and blessed is Your Name, and exalted is Your Majesty and there is no god but You’.

Then recite quietly, ‘Auudhu bi-Llahi min ash-Shaitaanir rajeem bismi-Llahir Rahmaani Raheem’. This means, ‘I seek protection in Allah from the rejected Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful’.

Then recite Surah al-Fatihah, ending by saying silently ‘Ameen’, meaning ‘let it be so’.

Then recite any other Surah. The minimum recitation is three verses, or one long verse which is equal in length to three short verses. However, it is better to recite a complete Surah.

Bow down and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ meaning ‘Allah is the Greatest’, placing your hands on your knees, with your back straight. Rest at this position, called Ruku (bowing), and say ‘Subhaana Rabbiy-al-Adheem’ three times at least. This means ‘Glory be to my Lord, the Great’.

Then as you stand up fully straight again say, ‘Sami-Allahu liman hamidaH’ - ‘Allah heard the one who praised Him’. Then say, ‘Rabbana laKal hamd’ - ‘O our Lord, all praise belongs to You’.

Again say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and go down into prostration, which is called Sujood. When prostrating, your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees and toes pointing forward should all be touching the floor.

Say at least three times, ‘Subhaana Rabbiy-al-Aalaa’ - ‘Glory be to my Lord, the Highest’.

Sit up whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’. Rest the palms of your hands on your knees. Sit on the flat of your left foot, whilst keeping the toes of the right foot planted and pointing forward. Women should lean on their left hip pointing the toes of both feet to the right side. 

After a few moments, return back into prostration whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and repeat step 15.

Stand up completely whilst saying ‘Allahu Akbar’. You have now completed your first unit, or Rak‘ah, of Salah!

Follow steps 10 to 17 again.

Then return to a sitting position as described in step 16.

While sitting, recite the first part of the Tashaahud, ’At-tahiyyatu lillah, was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatu. As-salaamu alayna, wa alaa ibaadi-llahis saaliheen’. This means, ‘All compliments are for Allah, and prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and on the righteous servants of Allah’.

Then, keeping your hands resting on your knees, raise your right index finger while clasping the other fingers of your right hand. Now, recite the second part of the Tashaahud, ‘Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduHu wa Rasooluh’.  This means, ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger’.

Lower your right index finger, so both your palms are resting on your knees again.

If you are praying the two Rak‘ats of the Fajr prayer, please follow steps 25 to 28. If not, please skip to step 29.

Continue sitting down and recite, ’Allahumma salli alaa Muhammadiw wa alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta alaa Ibraheema wa alaa aali Ibraheema, innaKa Hameedum Majeed. Allahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadiw wa alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta alaa Ibraheema wa alaa aali Ibraheema, innaKa Hameedum Majeed’. This means,  ‘O Allah, send Your mercy upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent mercy upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly You are Praiseworthy and Glorious’.

It is then highly recommended to recite some supplications (du’a). One very simple and comprehensive one is, ‘Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanataw wa fil-aakhirati hasantaw wa qina adhaaban Naar’. This means, ‘O our Lord give us good in this world and good in the hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’

You then complete the Salah by turning your head first over your right shoulder, saying ‘As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatuH’. Then repeat these words while turning your head over your left shoulder. They mean, ‘May peace, the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you’.

If you were praying Fajr, your Salah is now completed!

If you are praying Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib or Ishaa, do not perform steps 25 to 28. Instead, you must repeat step 10 - reciting Surah al-Fatihah while standing.

Now follow steps 12 to 17. 

If you are praying the three Rak’ah of Maghrib, you must now repeat steps 20 to 23. Then repeat steps 25 to 27. Your Maghrib prayer is now completed!

HOWEVER, if you are praying the four Rak’ah of Dhuhr, Asr or Isha, please ignore step 31! Instead, repeat steps 29 and 30 again.

Now follow steps 20 to 23. Then follow steps 25 to 27.

Your Dhuhr, Asr or Isha Salah is now completed! Alhamdulillah, all praise be to Allah!

Note: All of Fajr must be read out loud for men praying in congregation. Dhuhr and Asr must be made in complete silence and under your breath. The first two Rak‘ahs of Maghrib and Ishaa should be read out loud, the remaining are to be read in silence.