Prayers-Salat

It is the second Pillar of Islam, performed five times each day by Muslims, Salat is the obligatory Muslim prayers

what time is salat

God ordered Muslims to pray at five set times of day:

what time is salat al fajr

Salat al-fajr: dawn, before sunrise

what time does zuhr start

Salat al-zuhr: midday, after the sun passes its highest

what time is salat al asr

Salat al-‘asr: the late part of the afternoon

what time is maghrib salat

Salat al-maghrib: just after sunset

what time is salat al isha

Salat al-‘isha: between sunset and midnight

Prayers-Salat sets the rhythm of the day

This prayer timetable gives Muslims the pattern of their day. In Islamic countries, the public call to prayer from the mosques sets the rhythm of the day for the entire population,
including non-Muslims.

The Prayers-Salat is universal Muslim ritual

The prayer ritual, which is over 1400 years old, is repeated five times a day by hundreds of millions of people all round the world. Carrying it out is not only highly spiritual, but connects each Muslim to all others around the world, and to all those who have uttered the same words and made the same movements at different times in Islamic history.

Prayers-Salat of body, mind and soul

The set prayers are not just phrases to be spoken. Prayer for a Muslim involves uniting mind, soul, and body in worship; so a Muslim carrying out these prayers will perform a whole series of set movements that go with the words of the prayer. Muslims make sure that they are in the right frame of mind before they pray; they put aside all everyday cares and
thoughts so that they can concentrate exclusively on God. If a Muslim prays without the right attitude of mind, it as if they hadn’t bothered to pray at all.Woe to those who pray, but are unmindful of their prayer, or who pray only to be seen by people

Qur’an 107:4-6

Muslims don’t pray for God’s benefit

Muslims do not pray for the benefit of Allah. Allah does not need human prayers because he has no needs at all.

Muslims pray because God has told them that they are to do this, and because they believe that they obtain great benefit
in doing so.

Muslims pray direct to God

A Muslim prays as if standing in the presence of Allah. In the ritual prayers each individual Muslim is in direct contact with Allah. There is no need of a priest as an intermediary.

(While there is a prayer leader in the mosque – the imam – they are not a priest, simply a person who knows a great deal about Islam.)

Praying in the mosque

Muslims can pray anywhere, but it is especially good to pray with others in a mosque. Praying together in a congregation helps Muslims to

realise that all humanity is one, and all are equal in the sight of Allah.
Ritual washing

Muslims must be clean before they pray. They make sure of this by performing ritual washing, called wudhu. Mosques have washing
facilities.

How to Pray in Islam

Preparing for Prayer

Ensure the area is clean and free of impurities.

This includes your body, your clothes, and the place of prayer itself.

Perform wudu. You must be ritually pure before you go start praying. If you’re not, it’s required to perform Wudu “ablution” before you do. If since your last prayer, you have urinated, defecated, passed gas, bled excessively, or fallen asleep deeply, you need to perform wudu
If you are praying in a masjid (mosque), which is highly encouraged for men, enter quietly—other Muslims might still be praying and you don’t want to disturb them.
If you are unsure of the cleanliness of your area, spread a mat or cloth on the floor for good measure. This mat (or prayer rug) is very important to Islamic culture.

Perform ghusl (full shower) if needed.

. Certain circumstances will require that you perform ghusl instead of wudu to be cleansed before and after removing najas (impurities) and before praying. If you wish to pray after having sexual intercourse, ending your menstruation period or postpartum bleeding, giving birth, having a wet dream or ejaculating, you need to perform ghusl.

To perform ghusl, you must wash your entire body and hair with water. It is recommended that you wash 3 times.
Note that when you perform either wudu or ghusl, anything that prevents water from touching the obligatory areas of the body must be removed, including things such as nail polish, accessories, and waterproof mascara.

Perform tayammum (dry purification) if needed.

If a Muslim is unable to use water, he or she may choose to perform tayammum instead of wudu or ghusl. This rite involves using clean soil or dirt or a natural rock that has not been used before to perform tayammum.

Face the Qibla.

This is the direction all Muslims face to turn in prayer towards the Holy Ka’bah. The Holy Mosque in Mecca is the most revered place of worship for Muslims around the entire world. All Muslims are required to face the Ka’bah five times every day when offering their prayers.

If you are traveling on a ship or airplane and fear that the time of prayer will end before you reach someplace where you can determine the direction of Ka’bah then, in that case, you can offer Salat without facing Ka’bah. It is Mustahab(recommended) that one face the Ka’bah at least during the takbeer of ihram(saying “Allahu Akbar” at the beginning of Salat).

Raise your hands up next to your ears and shoulders, then say Allāhu akbar (الله أَكْبَر).

This translates to “Allah is the greatest.” Do this while standing (or sitting if you can’t stand).

The fingers should be spaced when the hands are raised.

Place your right hand over your left hand.

Place your hands either on your navel, on your chest, or between the two; there’s a difference of opinion between Islamic schools of thoughts. Keep your eyes focused on the ground. It helps to keep your sight fixed on where your head will rest when prostrating later. Do not let your eyes wander.

Recite the optional Istiftah Du’a (opening prayer):
Subhanakal-lahumma Wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataaaala Jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk. A’auodu billaahi minash-shaytaanir rajeem Bis-millaahir rahmaanir raheem
Follow it with Surah Al-Fatiha (this Surah is recited in each Rak’ah): Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalameen Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem Maaliki Yawmid-Deen Iyyaaka na’budu wa lyyaaka nasta’een Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem
Siraatal-ladheena an’amta ‘alaihim Ghayril-maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-daaalleen
Recite any other surah or any part of the Qu’ran, such as Surah Ikhlas: Qul huwal laahu ahad Allah hus-samad Lam yalid wa lam yoolad Wa lam yakul-lahu kufuwan ahad
Reciting a surah after Al-Fatiha is only done in the first 2 units (Rakaa’s) of fardh salat while in sunnah mu’akkadah it is done in all units(Rakaa’s).

Say "Allahu Akbar" and bend down.

Bend your body so that your back and neck are as straight as possible and level with the ground, keeping your eyes focused on the ground and keep your fingers and palm on the knees. Your back and head should be at a 90° angle with your legs. You don’t need to make a perfect angle; your body should be relaxed. This position is called ruku.

While bowing, say, Subhanna Rabbiyal Adheem three times. This translates to, “Glorious is my Lord the most great.”

Stand back up (raise from ruku).

While rising up recite Samiallah Huliman Hamidah with your arms beside you. This means “Allah hears those who praise Him”.

While standing up, recite Rabana Walakal Hamd (Our Lord, all praise is for you) once. You can also add Hamdan Katheeran Tayyiban Mubaarakan Feeh” (praise which is abundant, excellent and blessed) after.

Say Allahu Akbar and prostrate.

Place your head, knees and hands on the floor. While “sujood” (prostration) make sure that your forehead and nose touch the ground. This is the position called “sajdah.”

When you are positioned fully, say Subhanna Rabbiyal A’laa (Glorious is my Lord, the most High) three times.
Your forearms should not be on the floor.
Your fingers should be together.

Rise from sajdah and sit on your knees.

Place your left foot from ball to heel on the floor. Your right foot should be toes on the floor only. Place your hands flat on your knees. You can recite Allaahumma-ghfir lee warhamnee wajburnee, warfa’nee, wa ‘aafinee war’zuqnee (O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, strengthen me, raise me in status, pardon me and grant me provision).

There are other du’as that you can recite in this position, such as Allahuma-ghfirlee twice (O Allah, forgive me).
Return to sajdah and say Subhanna Rabbiyal a’laa three times

Say Allahu akbar and stand up.

You have completed one rak’ah. Depending on the salah, you may need to complete up to three more.

In every second rak’ah, after the second sajdah, sit on your knee again. Recite:
Tashahhud: At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-salaawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-his-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu
- “All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allaah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger”.
Durood: Allaahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed
- “O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory”.

Finish the prayer with tasleem.

After the tashahhud, durood, and any du’a you wish to recite, end the prayer by:

Turning your head to the right and saying, As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. The angel who records your good deeds is to this side.
Turning your head to the left and saying, As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu. The angel who records your wrongful deeds is to this side. The prayers have ended!
Another variation of the tasleem is by saying As-salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah.