Salat (الصلاة)
Salat is the ritual prayer performed five times daily by Muslims worldwide. It is the second pillar of Islam and the first act for which humans will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. Salat establishes direct communication between the servant and Allah, serving as a constant reminder of one's purpose and maintaining spiritual connection throughout the day.
The Five Daily Prayers
1. Fajr (الفجر) - Dawn Prayer
Time: From true dawn until just before sunrise
Rak'ahs: 2 Sunnah + 2 Fard (obligatory)
Significance: Begins the day with remembrance of Allah. Performed while most sleep, demonstrating commitment. The Quran mentions: "Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur'an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed" (17:78). Angels of the night and day witness Fajr prayer.
2. Dhuhr (الظهر) - Noon Prayer
Time: After the sun passes its zenith until mid-afternoon
Rak'ahs: 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah
Significance: Breaks the workday to refocus on Allah. Traditionally a silent prayer (recitation not aloud). Performed when the sun's heat is strongest, requiring discipline to leave worldly activities.
3. Asr (العصر) - Afternoon Prayer
Time: Mid-afternoon until just before sunset
Rak'ahs: 4 Fard (some add 4 Sunnah before)
Significance: Called "the middle prayer" mentioned in Quran 2:238. Missing this prayer was described by the Prophet as having one's family and wealth destroyed. Angels ascend at Asr time.
4. Maghrib (المغرب) - Sunset Prayer
Time: Immediately after sunset until twilight disappears
Rak'ahs: 3 Fard + 2 Sunnah
Significance: Marks the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. Has the shortest time window, requiring promptness. Three rak'ahs make it unique among the five prayers.
5. Isha (العشاء) - Night Prayer
Time: After twilight disappears until midnight (or dawn, with dislike after midnight)
Rak'ahs: 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + 3 Witr (highly recommended)
Significance: Concludes the day's obligatory prayers. Often followed by voluntary night prayers (Tahajjud) for those seeking closeness to Allah.
Prerequisites and Components
Prerequisites (Shurut as-Salah)
- Purity: Must be in state of Wudu (ablution) or Ghusl (full bath) if needed
- Clean Clothing and Place: Body, clothes, and prayer area must be free from impurities
- Covering Awrah: Men must cover from navel to knees; women must cover entire body except face and hands
- Facing Qiblah: Must face the Kaaba in Makkah
- Correct Time: Prayer must be within its prescribed time
- Intention (Niyyah): Mental intention to perform the specific prayer
The Movements (Rak'ah)
Each unit of prayer (rak'ah) consists of:
- Takbir (Allahu Akbar): "Allah is Greatest" - opening declaration
- Qiyam (Standing): Recite Surah Al-Fatihah and another chapter
- Ruku (Bowing): Bow with hands on knees, glorifying Allah
- Standing: Return to standing position
- Sujud (Prostration): Prostrate with forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes touching ground - the closest to Allah
- Sitting: Sit briefly between prostrations
- Second Sujud: Prostrate again
- Tashahhud: After every two rak'ahs, sit and recite testimony of faith
- Tasleem: Conclude with "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" to right and left
Spiritual Significance
Mi'raj Connection
The five daily prayers were ordained during Prophet Muhammad's miraculous Isra and Mi'raj (Night Journey and Ascension). Originally fifty prayers were commanded, but through Muhammad's intercession, they were reduced to five - while retaining the reward of fifty. This makes Salat the only pillar of Islam received directly from Allah in the heavens, not through the angel Jibreel on earth.
The Purpose of Prayer
- Remembrance (Dhikr): "Establish prayer for My remembrance" (20:14)
- Prevention from Evil: "Prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing" (29:45)
- Discipline: Organizing life around five specific times develops self-control
- Equality: All Muslims stand equally in rows, regardless of status
- Gratitude: Acknowledging Allah's blessings throughout the day
- Spiritual Nourishment: As food nourishes body, prayer nourishes soul
- Community: Congregational prayer (especially Friday Jumu'ah) builds unity
Khushu (Humility and Focus)
The goal is not mere physical motions but khushu - presence of heart, humility, and deep awareness of standing before Allah. The Quran praises "those who are during their prayer humbly submissive" (23:2). Scholars emphasize understanding what is being recited, avoiding distractions, and maintaining consciousness of Allah's presence.
Types of Prayer
1. Fard (Obligatory)
The five daily prayers are individual obligations. Missing them without valid excuse is a major sin.
2. Sunnah Mu'akkadah (Emphasized Sunnah)
Additional prayers the Prophet never abandoned, such as the sunnah prayers before and after the fard.
3. Nafl (Voluntary)
Extra prayers for additional reward, including:
- Tahajjud: Night prayer in the last third of the night
- Duha: Mid-morning prayer
- Tarawih: Special night prayers during Ramadan
- Istikharah: Prayer for guidance when making decisions
4. Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer)
Congregational prayer replacing Dhuhr on Fridays, obligatory for men. Includes a khutbah (sermon).
5. Eid Prayers
Special communal prayers for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Connections to Islamic Cosmology
Salat connects the worshipper directly to Allah, affirming Tawhid (monotheism) with every prostration. The five daily prayers were ordained during Prophet Muhammad's miraculous Night Journey, where he was accompanied by Jibreel (Gabriel). Prayer protects believers from the whispers of jinn and Shayatin, and establishes a connection to the divine realm described in creation narratives. Those who maintain their prayers are promised Jannah (Paradise), following in the footsteps of prophets like Ibrahim and Musa.
Sources
- The Holy Quran - Surah Al-Baqarah (2), Ta-Ha (20), Al-Ankabut (29), Al-Mu'minun (23)
- Sahih Al-Bukhari - Book of Times of Prayers, Book of Characteristics of Prayer
- Sahih Muslim - Book of Prayer
- The Prophet's Prayer Described by Shaykh al-Albani
- Fiqh us-Sunnah by Sayyid Sabiq
- Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship by Imam al-Ghazali
Related Across the Mythos
The Kaaba
Direction of prayer