How to perform Salah (Islamic prayer)

What is Salah:

Salah is also known as namaz performed by Muslims. It is performed with one special direction toward Kaaba; this is commonly known as the qiblah. Salah is the second most essential pillar of Islam. The first one is faith (belief in God). Salah is a unique form of worship.

In the Quran, there are many verses about Salah. Arabic word Salah means to demonstrate servitude to God using certain actions.

When is Salah fard on Muslims?

When HollyProphet (peace be upon him) met with God on 27 Rajab. God gifted him five prayers for Muslims. Five prayers were declared essential in the 10thnabvi. Namaz commanded in Quran 700 times. Salah was made compulsory at the event of 27 Rajab (Miraj). Salah becomes farz in Madina.

Types of prayer:

The prayer of namaz is an important form of worship in Islam. Different types of prayer are performed for different objectives and rewards. It is important to understand each of these namaz and the right way to offer them. They are nothing but a way to communicate with God and thus purity of intention.

When should Muslims pray?

According to Islamic law, five ritual prayers are obligatory for every Muslim man or woman and should be performed within their prescribed time. The five ritual prayers are prescribed in the HollyQuran but it is the Hadith that describes their time. It is interesting to note the name of the ritual prayer are related to the time that they are prescribed, which are: fajar or subah, zuhr (afternoon), asr(just after noon), maghrib( after sunset), isha (night). Each pray may be performed by an individual or in a group. On Jumma, there is also an exception Regarding the zuhr ritual prayer. On Friday, jumma is also known as zuhr and it is obligatory for men and recommended for women. This pray is performed in the mosque.

1. Non-obligatory prayer in Islam:

a)         SalatatTahajjud: Also known as the late-night prayer, it is performed in the middle of the night and is considered the most rewarding of all Nafl prayers. SalatatTahajjud is performed after salat al-Isha.

b)         Salatad-Duha: Also known as Chaasht Salah, it is performed after one-third of the day has passed.

c)         Salatalishraq: it is a nafl prayer performed about 20-45 minutes after sunrise.

d)         Salatalawwabin: Performing this prayer involves 6 to 20 rakahs nafl in sets of two units after performing the Sunnah and fard of maghrib

2. Obligatory prayer in Islam:

a)         Salatulfajar: also known as morning prayer. Salat ul fajar includes two obligatory rakahs and two sunnah prayers. During morning prayer Sunnah prayer perform first and then obligatory.

b)         Salatulzuhr: also known as afternoon prayer. Salat ul zuhr includes 12 rakah including 4 obligatory and 6 Sunnah and 2 nafl. 4 sunnah perform first and then 4 obligatory rakah and then after that 4 Sunnah perform and last 2 nafl perform

c)         Salat ul asr: also known as late afternoon prayer. It contains 8 rakahs. 4 Sunnah perform first and 4 obligatory rakah.

d)         Salat ul maghrib: also known as after sunsets. It contains 7 rakahs. 3 obligatory rakah perform first and then 2 rakah Sunnah perform and then 2 rakah nafl.

e)         Salat ul Isha: also known as night prayer. It contains17 rakahs. 4 rakah Sunnah perform first and then 4 obligatory rakahs are performed. Then 2 rakahs Sunnah perform. Then 2 nafl and 3 vitr and then 2 nafl are performed.

3. Sunnah prayers in Islam:

The third type of prayer in Islam is called Sunnat or Sunnah. Offered by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Sunnah prayers are performed compulsory in addition to obligatory prayer. Consider being compulsory by all jurists, not performing Sunnah prayers with intent is censurable. The following are regarded as Sunnah prayers:

A)        2 rakahs before salat Al fajar.

B)        4 rakahs before salat Al zuhr and 2 rakahs after salat Al zuhr

C)        4 rakah before salat ul asr

D)        2 rakahs after salat Al maghrib

E)        2 rakahs after salat Al Isha

There are broadly two types of Sunnah prayer- prayers performed before and after obligatory prayers and ones performed independently. So, there is the sunnah of daily ritual prayer and the special Friday prayer that fall in the first category. And the independent prayers are: Tarawih- performed between Isha and during Ramadan

4. Wajib prayers:

It is required or obligatory in a situation Wajibprayers are also obligatory and it is considered sinful to miss them. Anyone who misses a Wajib prayer unintentionally does not need to offer it as a Qaeda, Wajib prayer are as follow:

A)        Salat al witr: consisting of three rakahs. Salat al witr prayer is performed every day after the salat Al Isha prayer.

B)        Salat Al eidain: it includes two rakahs of Eid UL adha and two rakahs of Eid UL fitr.

C)        Duringtawaf: two rakahs are also observed while walking around the holy Kaaba for pilgrimage.

In Islam, praying is considered the highest act of worship and the ultimate way of indicating servitude to Allah. There is a set of specific rules and regulations, such as timing, frequency, and direction associated with different prayers in Islam. These prayers give Muslims a way of expressing their love, respect, and thanks toward the almighty Allah.