Salat or Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers which are performed five
times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God.
These five prayers contain verses from the Qur'an, and are recited
in Arabic, the language of the Revelation, but personal supplication
may be offered in any language.
Prayers are said at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall,
and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. Although it is preferable
to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such
as in homes, fields, offices, factories and universities, etc.
It's important to be in a state of purity before making salah since this
a time for you to sit with your Lord, face to face. This begins to be
possible on the outside through making ablution (wudu),
dressing in modest clothing that covers the body (including the head),
and finding a clean place to perform the prayer. Inner purity begins
with the barakah of the wudu and continues with the work of cleaning
the heart, repentance & service. It's also important to face the
direction of prayer (qibla) which is toward the holy Ka‘bah,
the House of God in Saudi Arabia. Qibla is commonly regarded as north-east
in most of North America.
It is recommended that one make the Call to Prayer (adhan)
and the Call to Commence the prayer (iqama)
before making your worship. It's also important to make the intention
to pray that time's prayer before beginning.
While there are five obligatory prayers throughout the day (and other sunnah prayers),
the basic format of the prayer is the same:
- Begin standing - say: "Allahu Akbar"
- Recite Fatiha (Surah 1 from Qur'an)
- Recite some ayat or surahs from the Qur'an
- Move from Standing to Bowing
- Move from Bowing to Standing
- Move from Standing to Prostration (top left photo)
- Move from Prostration to Kneeling (with hands resting on thighs)
- Move from Kneeling to Prostration
- Move from Prostration to Standing
- Repeat 2-9, remain Kneeling; bless God & pray for His Messenger.
This is a very basic example of how to make Salah. For more details around performing to the prayer, please click here.
