Brand Image

2. Salah

By /

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 5 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 fulfil their rights to Him. It involves performing specific physical movements and recitations whilst facing the Qiblah (direction of the Ka’bah in Makkah). The key in Salah is to be focused and concentrate on the presence of Allah. 

Your ally is none but Allah and [therefore] His Messenger and those who have believed – those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship].

[Quran | Surah Al-Ma’idah | 5:55]

What are the 5 daily prayers of Islam?

Muslims must perform 5 daily prayers. These are:

  • Fajr – this takes place at pre-dawn.
  • Dhuhr – this takes place just after the sun reaches its zenith.
  • Asr – this takes place between noon and sunset.
  • Maghrib – this takes place just after sunset.
  • Isha – this takes place during the night/at night-time.

Why is Salah important?

Salah is an integral part of the lifestyle of a Muslim. Through prayer, Muslims are required each day to ponder 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 in the direction of the Ka’bah in Mecca, as a means of connecting to Allah and their purpose in life – to remember and worship Him.

Maintain with care the (obligatory) prayers and (in particular) the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.

[Qur’an | Surah al-Baqarah | 2:238]

Find out more about the importance of Salah here.

What are the 5 salahs made up of?

The 5 Salahs consist of various Fardh (obligatory) and supererogatory/recommended aspects. These are as follows:

Salah
Fajr2 supererogatory Rak’ahs2 Fardh (obligatory) Rak’ahs
Dhuhr4 supererogatory Rak’ahs4 Fardh (obligatory) Rak’ahs2 supererogatory Rak’ahs2 supererogatory Rak’ahs
Asr4 supererogatory Rak’ahs4 Fardh (obligatory) Rak’ahs
Maghrib3 Fardh (obligatory) Rak’ahs2 supererogatory Rak’ahs2 supererogatory Rak’ahs
Isha4 supererogatory Rak’ahs4 Fardh (obligatory) Rak’ahs2 supererogatory Rak’ahs2 supererogatory Rak’ahs3 Witr Rak’ahs (or any odd number)2 supererogatory Rak’ahs

What prayers are there?

Aside from the five obligatory prayers, Muslims may offer Sunnah and Nafl Salah.

The Sunnah Salah (prayers) are ones in which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to habitually offer as voluntary worship at specified times and places.

Nafl Salah are voluntary prayers that a Muslim may offer at any time as a form of extra Ibadah (worship). Optional prayers include Salat al-Istikhara (the prayer of seeking guidance), Salat at-Tahajjud (prayed late at night) or Salat at-Tawbah (prayer for repentance).

Find out more about the different types of prayer here.

How to pray Salah?

Salah is a ritual prayer that requires certain etiquettes in order to perform it correctly. However, there are some slight differences in what etiquettes are required depending on the Madhab (school of thought) you follow within the Fiqh of Islam (Islamic jurisprudence). All four schools of thought are agreed upon and the prayer following any of these is valid. 

Find out how to pray Salah here.

How to pray Eid Salah?

Eid prayer is prayed in congregation with other Muslims on the mornings of the two Eid celebrations, Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. You can follow our step-by-step guide to praying Eid Salah here.

When is Salah for my area?

Salah times are appointed to times of the day that depend on the position of the sun. Since parts of the world experience daylight and night differently, it is important to follow the prayer times where you are situated. An authority will usually gather and publish the prayer time in your area for the public’s ease. You can check the prayer times for your area here.

Post Views: 10
Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature. Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.     •     Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā sayyidinā Muḥammadin, al-fātiḥi limā ughliqa, wa-l-khātimi limā sabaqa, nāṣiri l-ḥaqqi bi-l-ḥaqqi, wa-l-hādī ilā ṣirāṭika l-mustaqīmi, wa-ʿalā ālihi ḥaqqa qadrihi wa-miqdārihi l-ʿaẓīm. O Allah, send prayers upon our master Muhammadﷺ, the opener of what had been closed, and the seal of what had come before, the defender of the Truth by the Truth, and the guide to Your straight path, and upon his family, according to the full measure of his rank and his immense stature.
Scroll to Top