Salah is an Arabic term meaning “worship” and represents a crucial act of devotion obligatory for every Muslim. It is the second pillar of Islam, requiring the performance of Muslims five daily prayers.
Salah, or Namaz serves as a tangible expression of our obedience to Allah Almighty’s commands and a testament to our faith in Allah (SWT) and Islam. It provides a means of direct communication with the Almighty. Additionally, Salah helps prevent individuals from engaging in evil deeds and developing bad habits. The five daily prayers—Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha—must be performed at their designated times each day.
What is prayer in Islam
Salah/ Namaz is the second pillar of Islam. It is an obligatory act to pray five times daily at designated times, serving as a direct means of communication with Allah.
Salah, when literally translated, can mean prayer or supplication and is widely regarded as the act of worshipping Allah SWT. This practice is explicitly mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and is accompanied by various rules and guidelines.
How to perform salah in islam ?…
Performing Salah
Steps of salah in islam
- When it’s time for Salah, make sure you have wudu and are dressed appropriately. For men, this means covering everything from the navel to the knees. Women should cover everything except the hands, feet, and face.
- Stand on clean place and face the Qiblah (the direction of the Ka‘bah in Makkah).
- Start by making your intention for Salah, either verbally or silently. You can do this in Arabic or your own language. Say, ‘I intend to pray the (four) Rak‘at of Salatul (Dhuhr) for Allah, facing the Ka‘bah,’ replacing the parts in brackets with the appropriate number of Rak‘ats and the specific Salah you are about to perform.
- Raise your hands up to your earlobes if you’re a man, or to your shoulders if you’re a woman, while saying ‘Allahu Akbar. At this point, you enter a state of Ihram, where all worldly activities, like talking, laughing, eating, drinking, or anything that may distract you, are forbidden.
- Place your right hand over your left, just below the navel. Women should place their hands over their chest.
- Say quietly, ‘SubhanaK-Allahumma wa bihamdiKa, wa tabaarak-asmuKa, wa ta-‘aala jadduKa, wa la ilaaha ghayruK.
- Next, quietly recite, ‘A’udhu bi-Llahi min ash-Shaytanir rajeem bismi-Llahir Rahmaani Raheem.
- Then, recite Surah al-Fatihah, ending with a silent ‘Ameen,’ meaning ‘let it be so.’ Afterward, recite any other Surah.
- Now Bow down while saying ‘Allahu Akbar and place your hands on your knees with your back straight. Remain in this position, known as Ruku (bowing), and recite ‘Subhana Rabbiy-al-‘Adheem’ at least three times.
- As you stand up straight again, say ‘Sami‘-Allahu liman hamidaH. Then follow with ‘Rabbana laKal hamd,’ which means ‘O our Lord, all praise belongs to You.’
- Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ once more and move into prostration, known as Sujud.
- Say ‘Subhaana Rabbiy-al-A‘laa’—‘Glory be to my Lord, the Highest’—at least three times. Then, sit up while saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ resting your palms on your knees. Sit on the flat of your left foot, keeping the toes of your right foot pointed forward. Women should lean on their left hip and point the toes of both feet to the right side.
- After a few moments, return to prostration by saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ and repeat the previous step. Stand up fully while saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ completing your first unit, or Rak‘ah, of Salah.
- Repeat steps 10 to 17.
- Then, return to the sitting position as described in step 16. While sitting, recite the first part of the Tashahud: ‘At-tahiyyatu lillah, was-salawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ’alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatu. As-salaamu ’alayna, wa ’alaa ‘ibaadi-llahis saaliheen.’ This means, ‘All compliments are for Allah, and prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and on the righteous servants of Allah.’
- Next, keep your hands resting on your knees and raise your right index finger while keeping the other fingers of your right hand clasped. Recite the second part of the Tashahud: ‘Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduHu wa Rasooluh.’ This means, ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.’
- If you are performing the two Rak‘ats of the Fajr prayer, follow steps 25 to 28. If not, proceed directly to step 29.
- Remain seated and recite: ‘Allahumma salli ’alaa Muhammadiw wa ’alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta ’alaa Ibraheema wa ’alaa aali Ibraheema, innaKa Hameedum Majeed. Allahumma baarik ’alaa Muhammadiw wa ’alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta ’alaa Ibraheema wa ‘alaa aali Ibraheema, innaKa Hameedum Majeed.’ This means, ‘O Allah, send Your mercy upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent mercy upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Truly You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.’
- It is highly recommended to recite some supplications (du‘a). A simple and comprehensive one is: ‘Rabbana aatina fid-dunya hasanataw wa fil-aakhirati hasanatw wa qina ‘adhaaban Naar,’ meaning, ‘O our Lord, give us good in this world and good in the hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’
- To complete your Salah, turn your head to the right and say: ‘As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Ullahi wa barakaatuH.’ Repeat this while turning your head to the left. These words mean, ‘May peace, the mercy of Allah, and His blessings be upon you.’
- If you were praying Fajr, your Salah is now complete!
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