What is Salah?
EnglishSalah, 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.
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Importance of Salah
EnglishThe 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
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.
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List of Salah
English- 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.
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Collapsible table
English| SALAH | DETAILS | RAKAAT | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | Down Prayer | 2 rakaat (units) | |||
| Zahr | Noon Prayer | 4 rakaat (units) | |||
| Asr | Afternoon Prayer | 4 rakaat (units) | |||
| Maghrib | Sunset Prayer | 4 rakaat (units) | |||
| Isha | Night Prayer | 4 rakaat (units) | |||
Performing Salah
EnglishThe 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.
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Quran on Salah
EnglishThe prayer also reminds the Muslim of the Day of Judgment and the fact that we exist in this life to only worship Allah (SWT). In this regards, Allah (SWT) said:
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
The Holy Quran [Adh-Dhariyat:56]Moreover, Salah establishes a direct connection of the Muslim to Allah (SWT). When Muslim prays no matter alone or in the congregation, they are standing in front of Allah Almighty without any discrimination.
Also, Allah (SWT) promised those who preserve their prayers, success & immortality in Paradise (Al-Jannah). Allah (SWT) said in the Quran:
Certainly, will the believers have succeeded: They who are during their prayer humbly submissive, And they who turn away from ill speech, And they who are observant of zakah, And they who guard their private parts
The Holy Quran [Al-Mu'minun:1-5]One more information that makes the second pillar of Islam extremely important is that it’s the first thing that the human will be asked about on the day of judgment.
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Hadith on Salah
EnglishThe Salah is the mainstay of the Islamic religion. Without performing Salat, you are not a Muslim. In this regards, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
The covenant that distinguishes between us and them is prayer; so whoever leaves it, he has committed Kufr.
Hadith Sahih [Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1079]The Salat reminds Muslims of their duty towards Allah (SWT) in worshiping Him throughout their lives, and that all Muslims are all equal in front of Allah Almighty.
The worship of salah ensures that Muslims maintain their faith and devotion to Allah (SWT), increase taqwa (closeness to Allah SWT), and remain conscious of the importance of faith and submission to their Allah Almighty.
One more information that makes the second pillar of Islam extremely important is that it’s the first thing that the human will be asked about on the day of judgment. In this regards, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost.
Hadith Sahih [Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1079]One more information that makes the second pillar of Islam extremely important is that it’s the first thing that the human will be asked about on the day of judgment.
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The biginning of adhan
How adhan is to be pronounced
The holy prophet(PBUH) refrained from attacking people living in dar-al-kufr on hearing adhan from them
Books on Salah
English
The Sacred Path to Islam: A Guide to Seeking Allah (God) & Building...
Mustafa Umar
The Sacred Path to Islam: A Guide to Seeking Allah (God) & Building...
The Sincere Seeker Collection
The Sacred Path to Islam: A Guide to Seeking Allah (God) & Building...
Dr. Omar Suleiman
Repentance: Breaking the Habit of Sin
Dr. Omar Suleiman
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Yaqeen Institute
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Frequently Asked Questions
EnglishSummary of answer
The sacred months are Dhu’l-Qa‘dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. Some of the scholars have stated that the wisdom behind Rajab being separate from the other sacred months was to enable the Arabs to do ‘umrah in the middle of the year, and that the consecutive months for the purpose of Hajj.
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
What are the sacred months?
Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].
The Holy Quran [at-Tawbah 9:36]The sacred months are: Rajab of Mudar, and three consecutive months: Dhu’l-Qa‘dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, as is stated in many reports from the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). See: Tafseer at-Tabari (11/440).
Al-Bukhaari (4406) and Muslim (1679) narrated from Abu Bakrah, that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Time has returned to its original order as it was on the day when Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, of which four are sacred: three consecutive months, Dhu’l-Qa‘dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar, which comes between Jumaada and Sha‘baan.” At-Taahir said:
At-Tahir said:
The sacred months are Dhu’l-Qa‘dah, Dhu’l-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. Some of the scholars have stated that the wisdom behind Rajab being separate from the other sacred months was to enable the Arabs to do ‘umrah in the middle of the year, and that the consecutive months for the purpose of Hajj.
One more information that makes the second pillar of Islam extremely important is that it’s the first thing that the human will be asked about on the day of judgment.
And Allah knows best
Source: islamqa.info
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