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Salah (Prayer) – The Second Pillar of Islam
What is Salah (salat)?
Salah, also known as Salat or Prayer, is one of the five pillars of Islam and is a fundamental act of worship for Muslims. It involves the obligatory act of praying 5 times a day at set times, and is a direct means of communication with Allah.
Muslims perform Salah as an essential part of their daily lives to seek guidance, forgiveness, and blessings from Allah and to fulfil their rights to Him. It involves performing specific physical movements and recitations whilst facing the Qiblah (direction of the Ka’bah in Makkah). The key in Salah is to be focused and concentrate on the presence of Allah.
- References from the Quran
إِنَّمَا وَلِيُّكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُمْ رَٰكِعُونَ
Your only guardians are Allah, His Messenger, and fellow believers—who establish prayer and pay alms-tax with humility.
What are the 5 daily prayers in Islam?
- Fajr – Observed at pre-dawn, before sunrise.
- Dhuhr – Performed after the sun passes its zenith, around midday.
- Asr – Takes place in the late afternoon, between midday and sunset.
- Maghrib – Offered immediately after sunset.
- Isha – Prayed at night, after twilight disappears.
Why is Salah important?
Salah is a fundamental aspect of a Muslim’s daily life. Through prayer, Muslims reflect on the verses of the Qur’an, the Shahadah (declaration of faith), and the attributes of Allah.
Across the world, Muslims unite in prayer five times a day, facing the Ka’bah in Mecca. This act of devotion strengthens their connection with Allah and reinforces their purpose—to remember and worship Him.
- References from the Quran
حَـٰفِظُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلصَّلَوَٰتِ وَٱلصَّلَوٰةِ ٱلْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا۟ لِلَّهِ قَـٰنِتِينَ
Observe the ˹five obligatory˺ prayers—especially the middle prayer—and stand in true devotion to Allah.
What are the 5 Salahs made up of?
The five daily Salahs, along with Jumu’ah, consist of Fardh (obligatory) and additional Rak’ahs, including Mukkadah Sunnah (highly recommended), Non-Mukkadah Sunnah (optional), Nafl (voluntary), and Witr (necessary). The breakdown of each prayer is as follows:
Types of Rak’ahs in Salah: Understanding Their Importance
Salah consists of different types of Rak’ahs, each serving a unique spiritual purpose. Some are obligatory, while others are recommended for additional blessings and closeness to Allah. Here’s a breakdown of each type and its significance.
Fardh Rak’ahs (Obligatory Prayers)
Fardh Rak’ahs are the mandatory units of prayer that every Muslim must perform daily. Missing them without a valid reason is considered a sin. These prayers strengthen the believer’s connection with Allah and are essential for spiritual discipline.
Mukkadah Sunnah (Emphasized Sunnah Prayers)
Mukkadah Sunnah refers to the highly recommended Sunnah prayers that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regularly performed. Observing these prayers brings immense rewards and serves as a means of gaining Allah’s blessings and mercy.
Non-Mukkadah Sunnah (Optional Sunnah Prayers)
Non-Mukkadah Sunnah prayers are optional but encouraged. Unlike Mukkadah Sunnah, they were not consistently performed by the Prophet (ﷺ). Offering them increases spiritual rewards and enhances one’s devotion.
Nafl Rak’ahs (Voluntary Prayers)
Nafl Rak’ahs are extra, non-obligatory rak’ahs that bring additional rewards and closeness to Allah. Performing Nafl Rak’ahs, especially during night hours, reflects sincerity in worship and deepens faith.
Witr Rak’ahs (Necessary Night Prayer)
Witr is a unique, odd-numbered prayer performed after Isha Salah. It holds special significance and is strongly recommended in Islam. Observing Witr regularly strengthens one’s night worship and brings divine protection.
Additional Prayers in Islam
Beyond the five obligatory prayers, Muslims can perform Sunnah and Nafl Salah for extra spiritual rewards.
Sunnah Salah – These are voluntary prayers that Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regularly performed at specific times and places. They bring immense blessings and are highly recommended.
Nafl Salah – These optional prayers can be offered anytime as an act of extra devotion. Examples include:
- Salat al-Istikhara – The prayer for seeking guidance.
- Salat at-Tahajjud – A late-night prayer for deeper spiritual connection.
- Salat at-Tawbah – A prayer for seeking forgiveness.
These additional prayers enhance faith, strengthen one’s connection with Allah, and bring countless rewards.
How to Perform Salah Correctly
Salah is a structured act of worship that must be performed with proper etiquette and devotion. While the core principles remain the same, there are slight variations in practice based on the different Madhabs (schools of thought) within Islamic jurisprudence. However, all four recognized schools agree on the validity of each approach, ensuring that Salah remains a unifying act of worship for all Muslims.
How to Perform Eid Salah
Eid Salah is a special congregational prayer offered on the mornings of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. It is performed in a gathering of fellow Muslims, fostering unity and gratitude. Follow our step-by-step guide to ensure you perform Eid Salah correctly and make the most of this blessed occasion.
FAQs
How many daily prayers are obligatory in Islam?
Muslims are required to perform five daily prayers: Fajr (pre-dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).
Can Salah be performed in any language?
The recitation in Salah, including Surah Al-Fatihah and other Quranic verses, must be in Arabic. However, personal supplications (duas) after Salah can be made in any language.
What should I do if I miss a prayer?
If a prayer is missed unintentionally, it should be made up as soon as possible (Qada Salah). However, deliberately missing Salah without a valid reason is discouraged in Islam.
Is it necessary to perform Wudu (ablution) before Salah?
Yes, Wudu is a prerequisite for Salah. If Wudu is broken due to any reason, it must be performed again before praying.
Can women pray Salah during their menstrual cycle?
No, women are exempt from performing Salah during menstruation and postnatal bleeding. They are not required to make up missed prayers after their cycle ends.
