Salah

Salah (Arabic: صلاة‎, pl. صلوات salawat, lit. "prayer") is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and refers to the Islamic ritual of performing prayers to Allah. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of worship that is observed five times a day at prescribed times. These prayers are a direct link between the worshipper and Allah. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam, and no priests, so the prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Quran, chosen by the congregation. This person is called the imam, though in smaller congregational settings, any Muslim can lead the prayer.

Ritual and Significance

Salah is performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca. It consists of a sequence of movements and recitations, starting with the Takbir (saying "Allahu Akbar" meaning "God is the greatest") and includes recitation of chapters from the Quran, bowing, prostration, and concluding with the Taslim (saying "As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah" meaning "Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you"). The prayers are a form of submission to Allah's will and a declaration of faith.

Times of Salah

The five daily prayers are:

1. Fajr – the dawn prayer.
2. Dhuhr – the noon prayer.
3. Asr – the afternoon prayer.
4. Maghrib – the evening prayer after sunset.
5. Isha – the night prayer.

Each prayer has a specific number of units called Rak'ah. The Fajr prayer has 2 Rak'ah, Dhuhr has 4, Asr has 4, Maghrib has 3, and Isha has 4.

Preparation for Salah

Before performing Salah, a Muslim must perform Wudu (ablution) to ensure purity. This involves washing the hands, mouth, nostrils, arms, head, and feet with water. If water is not available, Tayammum (dry purification) can be performed. Additionally, the area where the prayer is to be performed must be clean.

Conditions of Salah

Salah must be performed in a state of mental and physical purity, facing the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba), and at the prescribed times. Intention (Niyyah) is also a crucial aspect, as it differentiates the acts of worship from mundane activities.

Types of Salah

Besides the five daily prayers, there are other types of Salah, including:

• Jumu'ah – the Friday congregational prayer, which replaces Dhuhr on Fridays.
• Tarawih – extra prayers performed by Sunni Muslims at night in the Islamic month of Ramadan.
• Tahajjud – voluntary night prayers.
• Salat al-Janazah – the funeral prayer.

See Also

• Islam
• Muhammad
• Quran
• Prophets of Islam
• Islamic calendar