Salat

The five obligatory daily prayers performed by Muslims, constituting the second pillar of Islam. Salat is the direct link between the worshiper and Allah, performed at prescribed times throughout the day, facing the Ka’aba in Mecca. It combines physical postures, recitations, and spiritual focus, structuring a Muslim’s entire day around remembrance of Allah.

Foundation and Obligation

Quranic Command

Quran 4:103:

“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”

Quran 2:238:

“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.”

Mi’raj (Night Journey)

How Salat was prescribed:

• During Muhammad’s miraculous Night Journey to Jerusalem, then ascent to Heaven
• Allah initially prescribed 50 daily prayers
• Muhammad consulted Moses, who advised asking for reduction
• Reduced to 5 prayers with reward of 50
• Demonstrates Salat’s supreme importance—given directly from Allah to Muhammad

Obligatory Nature

• Fard (obligatory) for all adult, sane Muslims
• Most important pillar after Shahada (declaration of faith)
• First thing Muslims will be questioned about on Judgment Day
• Differentiates Muslim from non-Muslim (according to some Hadith)
• Missing intentionally without excuse considered major sin

The Five Daily Prayers

1. Fajr (Dawn Prayer)

Time: From dawn (first light) until just before sunrise Rak’ahs: 2 obligatory + 2 Sunnah (recommended before) Special features:

• Darkest hour, tests discipline
• Quran recited aloud
• Angels witness it (Quran 17:78)
• “Better than the world and what it contains” (Hadith)

2. Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)

Time: Just after sun passes zenith (highest point) until mid-afternoon Rak’ahs: 4 obligatory + 2-4 Sunnah (before/after) Special features:

• Middle of workday—reminder to pause for Allah
• Recited silently
• Breaks up the day

3. Asr (Afternoon Prayer)

Time: Mid-afternoon until just before sunset Rak’ahs: 4 obligatory Special features:

• The “middle prayer” (possibly—scholars debate)
• Before day ends, another opportunity for worship
• Recited silently
• Warning against delaying: “Whoever misses Asr prayer, it’s as if they lost their family and wealth” (Hadith)

4. Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)

Time: Just after sunset until twilight disappears Rak’ahs: 3 obligatory + 2 Sunnah (after) Special features:

• Short window for performance
• First two rak’ahs aloud, third silent
• Breaks the fast during Ramadan
• Traditionally eaten dates before praying

5. Isha (Night Prayer)

Time: After twilight until midnight (or dawn, with dislike after midnight) Rak’ahs: 4 obligatory + 2 Sunnah (after) + Witr (3, highly recommended) Special features:

• Last prayer of day
• First two rak’ahs aloud, last two silent
• Completes the day’s worship cycle
• Followed by optional night prayers (Tahajjud)

How to Perform Salat

Prerequisites

1. Wudu (Ablution): Ritual purification using water:

• Wash hands (3x)
• Rinse mouth (3x)
• Rinse nose (3x)
• Wash face (3x)
• Wash arms to elbows (3x each)
• Wipe head (1x)
• Wipe ears (1x)
• Wash feet to ankles (3x each)

Without wudu, prayer is invalid.

2. Cleanliness:

• Clean body, clothes, prayer place
• Free from impurities (najasah)

3. Proper Time:

• Each prayer has specific time window
• Should not be early or late

4. Facing Qibla:

• Direction of Ka’aba in Mecca
• Mosques have mihrab (niche) indicating direction
• Apps/compasses help find direction

5. Intention (Niyyah):

• Mental intention to pray specific prayer
• “I intend to pray Fajr prayer for the sake of Allah”

6. Covering Awrah:

• Men: navel to knee minimum
• Women: entire body except face and hands (in some schools)

The Rak’ah (Unit of Prayer)

Each prayer consists of rak’ahs (units). One rak’ah includes:

1. Takbeer (Opening):

• Raise hands to ears
• Say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greater)
• Begin standing position (Qiyam)

2. Recitation:

• Right hand over left on chest
• Recite Al-Fatiha (Opening chapter of Quran)
• Recite additional Quranic verses

3. Ruku (Bowing):

• Bow, hands on knees
• Say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory to my Lord, the Most Great) 3x
• Stand up: “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him)
• “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, to You is all praise)

4. Sujood (Prostration):

• Prostrate, forehead and nose touching ground
• Say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory to my Lord, the Most High) 3x
• Seven body parts touch ground: forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, toes of both feet
• Sit briefly
• Second prostration (same as first)

5. Sitting Position:

• After two rak’ahs, sit for Tashahhud
• Recite testimony of faith
• Blessings on Prophet Muhammad

6. Tasleem (Conclusion):

• Turn head right: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”
• Turn head left: “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah”
• (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you)

Variations and Exceptions

Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer)

• Replaces Dhuhr on Fridays
• Must be prayed in congregation
• Includes khutbah (sermon)
• Obligatory for men, optional for women
• 2 rak’ahs instead of 4

Traveler’s Prayer (Qasr)

• Four-rak’ah prayers shortened to two
• When traveling beyond ~80 km
• Combines prayers (Dhuhr+Asr, Maghrib+Isha)

Prayer in Fear/War

• Quran 4:101-102 describes abbreviated prayer during battle
• Different formations for security

Sitting/Lying Prayer

• Sick or unable to stand may sit
• If unable to sit, may lie down
• Intention and effort count

Missed Prayers (Qada)

• Must be made up if missed unintentionally
• Performed in order missed
• No making up intentionally missed prayers (matter of debate)

Communal and Individual Prayer

Mosque (Masjid)

Congregation:

• 27 times more reward than praying alone (Hadith)
• Men encouraged to pray at mosque (Fajr, Isha especially)
• Women may pray at mosque or home
• Imam leads, congregation follows
• Rows formed, shoulder to shoulder

Friday Prayer:

• Obligatory for men
• Central community gathering
• Khutbah (sermon) addresses contemporary issues
• Social, educational, spiritual center

Home Prayer

• Women traditionally encouraged to pray at home
• Family can pray together
• Maintains prayer even when mosque unavailable
• More flexible, privacy

Components and Recitations

Al-Fatiha (The Opening)

Recited in every rak’ah:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praise is for Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us along the Straight Path, The path of those You have blessed—not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.”

Tashahhud (Testimony)

Recited while sitting:

“All compliments, prayers, and pure words are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.”

Durood (Blessings on Prophet)

“O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, As You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. And send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, As You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

The Call to Prayer (Adhan)

Before each prayer, the muezzin calls:

“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greater, 2x) “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” (2x more) “Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah” (I bear witness there is no god but Allah, 2x) “Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasulullah” (I bear witness Muhammad is Allah’s messenger, 2x) “Hayya ‘alas-salah” (Come to prayer, 2x) “Hayya ‘alal-falah” (Come to success, 2x) “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar” (2x) “La ilaha illallah” (There is no god but Allah, 1x)

For Fajr, added: “Assalatu khairum minan naum” (Prayer is better than sleep, 2x)

Spiritual and Practical Dimensions

Purpose

Connection with Allah:

• Direct communication without intermediary
• Physical embodiment of submission
• Constant reminder throughout day

Discipline:

• Structures entire day
• Interrupts work, entertainment, sleep
• Teaches prioritization (Allah first)

Purification:

• Washing sins away (Hadith)
• Each prayer wipes out minor sins since last prayer
• Like bathing five times daily

Community:

• Unified global worship (all pray simultaneously in their time zones)
• Social bonds (especially Jumu’ah)
• Equality (rich and poor stand shoulder-to-shoulder)

Physical Benefits

• Stretching, bowing (back health)
• Prostration (blood flow to brain)
• Ablution (hygiene)
• Meditative aspects (stress relief)
• Regular movement throughout day

Contemporary Challenges

Modern Life

• Work schedules (5 prayers during work hours)
• Finding clean space for prayer
• Privacy concerns
• Time management

Solutions:

• Prayer rooms in workplaces
• Mobile apps for prayer times
• Combining prayers when necessary
• Portable prayer mats

Technology

Helpful:

• Apps for prayer times, Qibla direction
• Audio recitations for learning
• Virtual mosques during COVID-19

Concerns:

• Distraction (silencing phones during prayer)
• Over-reliance on technology
• Authenticity of online fatwas

School Differences

Number of Rak’ahs (minor variations)

Hanafi:

• Witr is 3 rak’ahs with single tasleem

Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanbali:

• Witr is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, or 11 rak’ahs

Sunnah prayers:

• Schools differ slightly on recommended prayers before/after obligatory

Hand Placement

• Some place hands on chest
• Others below navel
• Others at sides (less common)

Minor differences, all valid.

Significance

Salat is:

• Constant reminder: Five times daily, Allah remains central
• Equality enforcer: King and beggar bow identically
• Discipline builder: Must pray regardless of circumstances
• Community unifier: Global synchronized worship
• Physical worship: Not just mental—entire body submits
• Direct link: No intermediary between Muslim and Allah

The rhythm of Salat shapes Muslim life. From before dawn until night, the call to prayer punctuates the day, calling believers from worldly pursuits to stand before their Creator. It’s said that when a Muslim hears the Adhan, everything else fades—work, entertainment, conversation—because nothing is greater than Allah (Allahu Akbar).

The image of millions of Muslims worldwide—from Indonesia to Morocco, Alaska to South Africa—prostrating simultaneously, foreheads to the ground, speaks to Islam’s universal brotherhood. Whether in grand mosques or desert sands, skyscrapers or villages, the prayer is the same: submission to Allah, following the example of Muhammad, awaiting the Day of Judgment.

For Muslims, Salat isn’t a burden but a gift—five opportunities daily to reset, reconnect, and remember who they are, whose they are, and why they exist: to worship Allah alone.