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 five 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 fulfill their duty to Him. It involves specific physical movements and recitations while facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka’bah in Makkah). The key in Salah is to remain focused and concentrate on the presence of Allah.
What are the 5 daily prayers of Islam?
Muslims must perform five daily prayers. These are:
- 🔹 Fajr – Pre-dawn
- 🔹 Dhuhr – Just after the sun reaches its zenith
- 🔹 Asr – Between noon and sunset
- 🔹 Maghrib – Just after sunset
- 🔹 Isha – At night
Why is Salah important?
Salah is an integral part of a Muslim’s daily life. Through prayer, Muslims reflect on the verses of the Qur’an, the Shahadah (the declaration of faith), and Allah’s attributes.
Muslims across the world unite in prayer at five specified times each day, facing the Ka’bah in Mecca as a means of connecting to Allah and fulfilling their purpose in life—to remember and worship Him.
What are the 5 Salahs made up of?
The five Salahs consist of various Fardh (obligatory) and supererogatory/recommended aspects. These are as follows:
| Salah | Supererogatory | Fardh (Obligatory) | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fajr | 2 Rak’ahs | 2 Rak’ahs | |
| Dhuhr | 4 Rak’ahs | 4 Rak’ahs | 2 additional Rak’ahs |
| Asr | 4 Rak’ahs | 4 Rak’ahs | |
| Maghrib | 2 Rak’ahs | 3 Rak’ahs | |
| Isha | 4 Rak’ahs | 4 Rak’ahs | 3 Witr Rak’ahs (or any odd number) |