Salah

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This article is about the Islamic prayer. For the footballer, see Mohamed Salah. For other uses, see Salah (disambiguation).
"Salat" redirects here. For other uses, see Salat (disambiguation).

Part of a series on
Islam
Allah3.svg
Practices
Part of a series on Islam
Aqidah
Silhouette of a mosque
Five Pillars of Islam
Including:
1Al-Ahbash; 2Deobandi
3Salafis (Ahl-i Hadith & Wahhabis)
4Sevener-Qarmatians, Assassins & Druzes
5Alawites, Qizilbash & Bektashism; 6Nukkari
7Ajardi, Azariqa, Bayhasiyya, Najdat & Sūfrī
8Bahshamiyya, Bishriyya & Ikhshîdiyya
9Alevi – Bektashis & Qalandaris; Barelvis, Mevlevis, Süleymancıs & various Sufi orders
Allah-green.svg Islam portal

Salah, Salaah or Salat (Arabic: ‏صلاة‎; pl. ‏صلوات‎ ṣalawāt, meaning "prayer" or "invocation")[1] is the second of the Five Pillars in the Islamic faith, and an obligatory religious duty for every Muslim. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of worship that is observed five times every day at prescribed times. While facing towards the Kaaba in Mecca, the holy city of Muslims,[2] one stands, bows, prostrates oneself, and concludes with sitting on the ground. During each posture one reads certain verses, phrases, and prayers. Ritual purity is a precondition.

Salah consists of the repetition of a unit called a rakʿah, a sequence of prescribed actions and words. The number of rakaʿahs varies according to the time of day and other factors.

Terminology[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Ṣalāh ([sˤɑˈlɑː] صلاة) is an Arabic word that means to pray or bless.[3] It also means "contact," "communication," or "connection".[4]

English usage[edit]

The word salah is used by English-speakers only to refer to the formal obligatory prayers of Islam. The English word "prayer" may not be adequate to translate salah, as "prayer" could translate several different forms of Muslim worship, each with a different Arabic name, such as duʿāʾ (reverent supplication; Arabic: دُعَاء) and dhikr (litany; Arabic: ذِكْر‎).[5]

Words for salah used by Muslims[edit]

In some parts of the world, including many non-Arab countries, the Arabic term salat or salah is used alone. In other places, however, a word from the local language is used. The most widespread term is the Persian word namāz (نماز), used by speakers of the Indo-Iranian languages (e.g., Persian, Kurdish, Bengali, Urdu, Balochi, Hindi)[6], as well as by speakers of Turkish, Russian, Chinese, Bosnian and Albanian. In the North Caucasus, the term is lamaz (ламаз) in Chechen, chak (чак) in Lak and kak in Avar (как). In Malaysia and Indonesia, the term solat is used, as well as a local term sembahyang (meaning "communication", from the words sembah - worship, and hyang - god or deity).[7]

Salah in the Quran[edit]

The noun ṣalāh (‏صلاة‎) is used 82 times in the Qur'an, with about 15 other derivatives of its triliteral root ṣ-l-w[8]. Words connected to salah (such as mosque, wudu, dhikr, etc.) are used in approximately one-sixth of Qur'anic verses.[9] "Surely my prayer, and my sacrifice and my life and my death are (all) for Allah",[10][a] and "I am Allah, there is no god but I, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance".[11][b] are both examples of this.

Exegesis of the Qur'an can give four dimensions of salah. First, in order to glorify God's servants, God, together with the angels, perform "salah"[12][c]. Second, salah is done involuntarily by all beings in Creation, in the sense that they are always in contact with God by virtue of Him creating and sustaining them[13][d]. Third, Muslims voluntarily perform salah to reveal that it is the particular form of worship that belongs to the prophets[e]. Fourth, salah is described as the second pillar of Islam.[3]

Purpose and importance[edit]

Bosniaks praying in an open field, ca. 1906

The primary purpose of Salah is to act as a person's communication with Allah.[14] Purification of the heart is the ultimate religious objective of Salah.[15]

Conditions[edit]

Yemeni prayer during North Yemen Civil War

Salah is an obligatory ritual for all Muslims, except for those who are prepubescent, menstruating and experiencing bleeding in the 40 days after childbirth, according to Sunnis.[16]

There are some conditions that make salah invalid, and some that make salah correct.[17]

According to one view among many, if one ignores the following conditions, their salah is invalid:[17]

  • Facing the Qibla, with the chest facing the direction of the Kaaba. The ill and the old are allowed leniency with posture;
  • Being in a state of Tahara, usually achieved by a short ritual washing called wudu;
  • Being sane and able to distinguish between right and wrong;[18]
  • Not performing salah in the pathway of people (unless a stationary object is placed in front, obstructing the people's way), in a graveyard or disrespectful places, on land which has been taken by force;
  • Covering one's nakedness (awrah).[19]
  • Laughing or speaking, or any unnecessary movements during the salah;
  • Flatulence;
  • Burping loudly in such a way that it disturbs other worshippers; and
  • Reading the necessary surahs too loudly, in a way that disturbs other worshippers

Other conditions for salah include:[17]

  • Women not praying during their menstruation and for a period of time after childbirth.[20]
  • Covering of the whole body; and
  • Praying within the time determined for each salah [21]

Sajdah of forgetfulness[edit]

Main article: Sujud Sahwi

Most mistakes in Salah can be compensated for by performing two prostrations at the end of the prayer.[22]

Components[edit]

Main article: Rakat
The four main salat postures and associated prayers and recitations.

Each Salah is made up of repeating units or cycles called rakats (singular rakah). There may be two to four units.

Each unit consists of specific movements and recitations. On the major elements there is consensus, but on minor details there may be different views. Between each position there is a very slight pause.

Standing[edit]

Main article: Standing in salah
Men standing in prayer in Tulehu, Indonesia.

Salah is begun in a standing position (although people who find it physically difficult can perform salah in a way suitable for them).[3]

Intention (niyyah)[edit]

Main article: Niyyah

Intention is a prerequisite for salah, and what distinguishes real worship from 'going through the motions'. Some authorities hold that intention suffices in the heart, and some require that it be spoken, usually under the breath.

Consecration (takbirat al-ihram)[edit]

A Muslim raises his hands to recite Takbīrat al-Ihram in prayer

One says Allahu akbar (اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ, "God is greater/greatest"), a formula known as takbīr. (Takbir literally means "to make great".) This opening takbir is known as the "takbir of consecration", takbīrat al-ihram. From this point forward one praying may not converse, eat, or do other worldly things: the aim is to be alone with God. For many Muslims, the consecration is said with the hands raised and thumbs placed behind the earlobes, as shown.[23] One then lowers one's hands.[24][25] Some Muslims afterwards add a supplication praising Allah, such as:[26]

سُبْحَاْنَكَ اَلْلّٰھُمَّ وَبِحَمدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالٰی جَدُّكَ وَلَا اِلٰه غَیْرِكَ‎
subḥānaka llāhumma, wa bi-ḥamdika, wa tabāraka smuka, wa taʿālā jadduka, wa lā ʾilāha ġayruk.[23]
"Glory to You, all praise is Yours, blessed is Your name, most high is Your majesty. None has the right to be worshiped but You."

Recitation[edit]

Still standing, the next principal act is to recite the first chapter of the Qur'an, the Fatiha.[27] This chapter takes the form of a supplication, at the heart of which is a plea for guidance "to the straight path". Many Muslims precede the Fatiha, as with any recitation from the Qur'an, by asking for refuge with God from "the accursed devil":[28]

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّـيْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْمِ‎
'aʿūḏu bi-llāhi mina š-šayṭāni r-rajīm.[23]

In the first and second unit, another portion of the Qur'an is recited following the Fatiha.[23] At the end of the recitations one moves to the next position, saying Allahu akbar as one does so.

Bowing (ruku')[edit]

Bowing in prayer.
Main article: Ruku'

The next position is a low bow, with palms placed on the knees (this is for men: most schools say women do not bow so low). While bowing, the one praying generally utters formulas of praise under the breath, such as سبحان ربي العظيم (subḥāna rabbī l-ʿaẓīm, "Glorified be Allah, the Tremendous"), three times or more.[23]

Second standing (iʿtidāl)[edit]

As the worshipper straightens their back they say سمع الله لمن حمده (samiʿa llāhu li-man ḥamidah, "God hears the one who praises him.")[23] An additional formula of praise is usually uttered under the breath, such as ربنا لك الحمد (rabbanā laka al-ḥamd, "O Lord, all praise is for you.")[23] After a moment of standing, the worshipper moves to the prostration - again saying Allahu akbar.[23]

Prostration (sujūd)[edit]

Muslims in prostration in Syria.
Main article: Sujud
Men sit and pray in Kosovo

During prostration the forehead and nose, knees, palms and toes are placed on the ground.[23] The worshipper usually recites remembrances of God under the breath, such as سبحان ربى الأعلى وبحمده (subḥāna rabbī l-'aʿlā wa bi-ḥamdih, "Glory to my Lord the highest, and praise").[23] After a short while in prostration the worshipper very briefly rises to a sitting position, then returns to the ground a second time. As they rise from the second prostration, they say Allahu akbar as before.[23] Lifting the head from the second prostration completes the unit.

  • If this is the second or last unit, the worshipper proceeds to sitting.
  • If not, one returns to a standing position and begins another unit with the Fatiha.

Sitting[edit]

Main article: Sitting in salah
See also: Tashahhud and Taslim

The worshipper sits with legs folded under the body (the precise posture differs between schools), and recites a prayer called the tashahhud. The tashahhud consists of the testimony of faith (the shahadah) and invoking prayers and peace on Muhammad. Many schools hold that the right index finger is raised for these prayers.[23] After the tashahhud prayer,

  • If there are further units to follow, a new unit is begun by returning to the standing position, uttering the Allahu akbar as before.[23]
  • If it is the last unit, the worshipper adds a short supplication called the Ibrahimiyya, which emphasies the relationship between Muhammad and Abraham (Ibrahim), then the salah is then brought to an end as below.

Ending the prayer (taslīm)[edit]

Performing the Taslim Taslim right.jpg Taslim left.jpg
Reciting the salam facing the right direction Reciting the salam facing the left direction

The worshipper ends the prayer (and exits their state of consecration) by saying السلام عليڪم ورحمة الله (as-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatu llāh, "Peace and God's mercy be upon you", the taslīm). This is said twice, first to the right and then to the left.[23]

Takbir (saying Allahu akbar, Allah is the greatest)[edit]

Every movement from one position to another is accompanied by the takbir except the standing between the ruku and sujud, and the ending which has a derivation of the Muslim greeting As-salamu alaykum.[29]

Differences in practice[edit]

A Sunni Muslim (left) beside a Shia Muslim (right) during Friday prayer in Tehran, Iran, 16 March 2018. Shia Muslims offer salah with hands by the side, most Sunni Muslims with the hands clasped.

Muslims believe that Muhammad practiced, taught, and disseminated the worship ritual in the whole community of Muslims and made it part of their life. The practice has, therefore, been concurrently and perpetually practiced by the community in each of the generations. The authority for the basic forms of the salah is neither the hadiths nor the Qur'an, but rather the consensus of Muslims.[30]

This is not inconsistent with another fact that Muslims have shown diversity in their practice since the earliest days of practice, so the salah practiced by one Muslim may differ from another's in minor details. In some cases the Hadith suggest some of this diversity of practice was known of and approved by the Prophet himself.[31]

A turbah (Arabic: تربة ; Persian: مهر mohr) is a small piece of soil or clay, often a clay tablet, used during salat to symbolize earth. The use of a turbah is compulsory in most Shi'a schools of Islam, and disapproved among many Sunnis.[citation needed]

Most differences arise because of different interpretations of the Islamic legal sources by the different schools of law (madhhabs) in Sunni Islam, and by different legal traditions within Shia Islam. In the case of ritual worship these differences are generally minor, and should rarely cause dispute.[32]

Specific differences[edit]

Common differences, which may vary between schools and gender, include:[33][34][35][36][37][38]

  • Position of legs and feet.
  • Position of hands, including fingers
  • Place where eyes should focus
  • The minimum amount of recitation
  • Loudness of recitation: audible, or moving of lips, or just listening
  • Which of the principal elements of the prayer are indispensable, versus recommended, optional, etc.

Shia Muslims, after the end of the prayer, raise their hands three times, reciting Allahu akbar whereas Sunnis look at the left and right shoulder saying taslim. Also, Shias often read "Qunoot" in the second Rakat, while Sunnis usually do this after salah.[39]

Ahmadi Muslims have the same salah practices as those belonging to the Hanafi madhab.[40]

A 2015 Pew Research Center study found that women are two percent more likely than men to pray on a daily basis.[41]

Types of prayers[edit]

Prayers in Islam are classified into categories based on degrees of obligation. One common classification is fard, wajib, sunnah, and nafl.[42]

Fard (obligatory) Salah[edit]

The Daily Prayers[edit]

Display showing prayer times in a Turkish mosque.

Most self-professed Muslims perform prayers five times a day.[43] These prayers are obligatory on every Muslim who has reached the age of puberty, with the exception being those who are mentally ill, too physically ill for it to be possible[44], menstruating[45], or experiencing postnatal bleeding.[46] Those who are sick or otherwise physically unable to offer their prayers in the traditional form are permitted to offer their prayers while sitting or lying, as they are able.[47]

Times of prayers[edit]

Each of the five prayers has a prescribed time measured by the movement of the sun. They are: between dawn and sunrise (fajr), after the sun has passed its zenith (zuhr), when afternoon shadows lengthen (asr), just after sunset (maghrib) and around nightfall (isha).[48]

Salah must be prayed in its time unless there is a compelling reason preventing this.[citation needed]

Sunni view[edit]

I. Fajr II. Zuhr III. Asr IV. Maghrib, V. Ishai

The Fard Salah is all of the compulsory Muslim prayers – the five daily prayers, as well as the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah) and the Eid prayers (Eid prayers).[49] Non-performance of any of these prayers renders one a non-Muslim according to the stricter Hanbali madhhab of Sunni Islam, while the other Sunni madhhabs consider doing so a major sin. However, all four madhhabs agree that denial of the compulsory status of these prayers invalidates the faith of those who do so, rendering them non-Muslim. Fard prayers (as with all fard actions) are further classed as fard al-ayn (obligation of the self) and fard al-kifayah (obligation of sufficiency). Fard al-Ayn are actions considered obligatory on individuals, for which the individual will be held to account if the actions are neglected. Fard al-Kifayah are actions considered obligatory on the Muslim community at large, so that if some people within the community carry it out no Muslim is considered blameworthy, but if no one carries it out, all incur a collective punishment.[citation needed]

Men are required to perform the fard salat in congregation (jama'ah), behind an imam when they are able. According to most Islamic scholars, performing prayers in congregation is mustahabb (recommended) for men,[50] when they are able, but is neither required nor forbidden for women.[citation needed]

Qasr and Jam' bayn as-Salaatayn[edit]

When travelling over long distances, one may shorten some prayers, a practice known as Qasr. Furthermore, several prayer times may be joined, which is referred to as Jam' bayn as-Salaatayn. Qasr involves shortening the obligatory components of the Zuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers to two rakats.[51] Jam' bayn as-Salaatayn combines the Zuhr and Asr prayers into one prayer offered between noon and sunset, and the Maghrib and Isha prayers into one between sunset and Fajr. Neither Qasr nor Jam' bayn as-Salaatayn can be applied to the Fajr prayer.[52]

Qada[edit]

In certain circumstances, one may be unable to perform one's prayer within the prescribed time period (waqt). In this case, the prayer must be performed as soon as one can do so. Several Ahadith narrates that Muhammad stated that permissible reasons to perform Qada Salah are forgetfulness and accidentally sleeping through the prescribed time. However, knowingly sleeping through the prescribed time for Salah is deemed impermissible.[53]

Quranist view[edit]

Muslims who reject Hadith and Quranists, pray three times a day instead of five. Quranists in Algeria for example "perform the salat, unlike their usual pillars, and do not bow, but believe that prostration is the second pillar after the reading (of the Quran) is completed."[54]

Voluntary prayers[edit]

Nafl salah[edit]

Main article: Nafl salah

Nafl salah (supererogatory prayers) are voluntary, and one may offer as many as he or she likes almost any time.[55] There are many specific conditions or situations when one may wish to offer nafl prayers. They cannot be offered at sunrise, true noon, or sunset. The prohibition against salah at these times is to prevent the practice of sun worship.[56] Some Muslims offer voluntary prayers immediately before and after the five prescribed prayers. Sunni Muslims classify these prayers as sunnah, while Shi'ah considers them nafil. One schema of the number of rakats for each of the five obligatory prayers as well as the voluntary prayers (before and after) are listed below - once again there are minor differences between schools.[57]

Name Prescribed time period (waqt) Voluntary before fard[t 1] Obligatory Voluntary after fard[t 1]
Sunni Shi'a Sunni Shi'a
Fajr
(فجر) 		Dawn to sunrise, should be read at least 10–15 minutes before sunrise 2 Rakats Sunnat-Mu'akkadah[t 1] 2 Rakats[t 1] 2 Rakats[t 1] — 2 Rakats[t 1]
Dhur (pronounced "Zuhr" by people from the Indian subcontinent)
(ظهر) 		After true noon until Asr 4 Rakats Sunnat-Mu'akkadah[t 2] 4 Rakats 4 Rakats[t 3] 2 Rakats Sunnat-Mu'akkadah[t 2] 8 Rakats[t 1][t 4][t 5]
Asr
(عصر) 		Afternoon[t 6][t 7] 4 Rakats Sunnat-Ghair-Mu'akkdah 4 Rakats 4 Rakats - 8 Rakats[t 1][t 4][t 5]
Maghrib
(مغرب) 		After sunset until dusk 2 Rakats Nafil 3 Rakats 3 Rakats 2 Rakats Sunnat-Mu'akkadah[t 2] 2 Rakats[t 1][t 4][t 5]
Isha (عشاء)[t 8] Dusk until dawn[t 7] 4 Rakats Sunnat-Ghair-Mu'akkadah 4 Rakats 4 Rakats 2 Rakats Sunnat-Mu'akkadah,[t 2]
3 Rakats Witr 		2 Rakats[t 1][t 4][t 5]

Many Sunni Muslims also perform two rakats nafl (voluntary) after the Zuhr and Maghrib prayers. During the Isha prayer, they perform the two rakats nafl after the two Sunnat-Mu'akkadah and after the witr prayer.[57]

Jumu'ah[edit]

Main article: Jumu'ah
Jumu'ah at Kaohsiung Mosque, Taiwan.

Salat al-Jumu'ah is a congregational prayer on Friday, which replaces the Zuhr prayer. It is compulsory upon men to perform it in the congregation, while women may perform it so or may perform Zuhr salat instead.[58] Salat al-Jumu'ah consists of a sermon (khutba) given by the speaker (khatib) after which two rakats are performed.[59] There is no Salat al-Jumu'ah without a khutba. Khutba is supposed to be carefully listened to as it replaces Sawaab of two Rakats.[60]

Name Prescribed time period (waqt) Voluntary before fard Obligatory Voluntary after fard
Sunni Shi'a Sunni Shi'a
Jumu'ah
(جمعة) 		After true noon until Asr 4 Rakats Sunnat-e-Mu'akkadah 2 Rakats Sunnat/ Mustahab 2 Rakats Furz 4 Rakats Sunnat Mu'akkadah

2 Rakats Sunnat Mu'akkadah 2 Rakats Nafil

2 Rakats Sunnat Mu'akkadah

Sunnah salah[edit]

Main article: Sunnah salah
Though not a mandatory part of the course, most Muslims supplicate after completing salah.

Sun'nah sal'ah are optional and were additional voluntary prayers performed by Muhammad. They are of two types[citation needed]: the Sunnah Mu'akkaddah, practiced on a regular basis, which if abandoned causes the abandoner to be regarded as sinful by the Hanafi School; and the Sunnah Ghair Mu'akkaddah, practiced on a semi-regular practice by Muhammad, of which abandonment is not considered to be sinful.[citation needed]

Certain sunnah prayers have prescribed waqts associated with them. Those ordained for before each of the fard prayers must be performed between the first call to prayer (adhan) and the second call (iqama), which signifies the start of the fard prayer.[61] Those sunnah ordained for after the fard prayers can be performed any time between the end of the fard prayers and the end of the current prayer's waqt.[61] Any amount of extra rakats may be offered, but most madha'ib prescribe a certain number of rakats for each sunnah salah.[citation needed]

Salat-al-Witr[edit]

Main article: Witr

Witr is performed after the salah of Isha (dusk). Some Muslims consider witr wajib while others consider it optional. It may contain an odd number of rakats from one to eleven according to the different schools of jurisprudence. However, Witr is most commonly offered with three rakats.[citation needed]

To end prayers for the night after Isha, the odd numbered rakats must have the niyyah of "wajib-ul-Lail," which is mandatory to "close" one's salah for that day.[citation needed]

Shi'ahs offer this as a one rakat salah at the end of salatul layl (the night prayer), which is an optional prayer according to some shi'ah scholars, and a wajib (obligatory) prayer according to others. This is to be prayed any time after Isha, up until fajr. The best time to perform the prayer is the last third of the night (the night being divided into three, between maghrib and fajr of that night). It is considered highly meritorious by all Shi'ah Muslims, and is said to bring numerous benefits to the believer, mainly gaining proximity to Allah. There are various methods of salatul-layl's performance, including shorter and longer versions, in the longer version the believer must perform eight nawafil salah, in sets of two rakats each, then they must pray a two rakats salah called 'salatul shafa'ah' this is to include surah nas after surah fatihah in the first rakat and surah falaq after surah fatihah in the second rakat, and unusually no qunut (a du'ah recited before going into ruku' of the second rakat of most prayers performed by shi'ahs) It is after this that the believer performs salatul witr, it's long method being - Starting with takbiratul ehram, then surah fatihah, then surah ikhlas, then surah falaq, then surah nas, then the hands are raised to recite qunut, upon which the believer can recite any du'a, however there are many recommended du'as for this purpose. Within qunut, the believer must pray for the forgiveness of 40 believers, then further prayers are read where the believer asks for forgiveness for himself a certain number of times using specified phrases and amounts of time to repeat those phrases. The believer then completes the salah in the usual way, by completing his/her qunut, reciting takbir whilst raising his/her hands, going into ruku' and reciting the usual phrase for that, then returning up right and reciting takbir whilst doing so and upon being upright recites 'sami allahu liman hamida' (verily Allah has heard the one who has praised them) thereupon the believer recites takbir whilst raising one's hands and goes into sajda. One recites the proscribed phrase in sajda rises, recites takbir whilst rising and then again whilst returning to sajdah, then rises with takbir again and recites tashahud and salam, thus ending this prayer. It is then optional to recite certain other du'as and dhikr (remembrance of Allah through certain phrases and some of his names being repeated) It is then recommended to perform sajdah ash-shukr (prostration of thanks) and to then recite ayatul kursi (verse of the throne) and then perform another sajdah ash-shukr.[citation needed]

Eid[edit]

Main article: Salat al Eid
Women praying in Najaf, Iraq in Eid ul-Fitr

Eid salah is performed on the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The Eid prayer is most likely an individual obligation (fard al-ayn) and Niyyah for both Eid salah is made as Wajib, though some Islamic scholars argue it is only a collective of the obligation(fard al-kifayah).[62] It consists of two rakats, with seven (or three for the followers Imam Hanafi) takbirs offered before the start of the first rakat and five (or three for the followers of Imam Hanafi) before the second. After the salah is completed, a sermon (khutbah) is offered. However, the khutbah is not an integral part of the Eid salah.[63] The Eid salah must be offered between sunrise and true noon i.e. between the time periods for Fajr and Zuhr.[51]

Istikhaarah[edit]

Main article: Salat al-Istikharah

Salat al-Istikhaarah is a prayer performed when a Muslim needs guidance on a particular matter. To perform this salah one should pray a normal two non-fard rakats salah to completion. After completion one should request God that which on is better.[51] The intention for the salah should be in one's heart to pray two rakats of salah followed by Istikhaarah. The salah can be performed at any of the times where salah is not forbidden.[citation needed] The salah must be performed in the Arabic language.[citation needed]

Tahiyyatul masjid[edit]

Upon entering the mosque, "Tahiyyatul masjid" may be performed; this is to pay respects to the mosque. Every Muslim entering the mosque is encouraged to perform these two rakats.[64]

Prayer in congregation[edit]

President Joko Widodo of Indonesia (front row, fourth from left) joining prayer in congregation with Vice President Jusuf Kalla (third from left), other cabinet members, and other worshippers.
Friday prayer for Muslims in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Prayer in congregation (jama'ah) is considered to have more social and spiritual benefit than praying by oneself. When praying in congregation, the people stand in straight parallel rows behind one person who conduct the prayer, called imam, and face the qibla. The imam is usually chosen to be a scholar or the one who has the best knowledge of the Qur'an, preferably someone who has memorized it (a hafiz). In the first row behind the imam, if available, would be another hafiz to correct the imam in case a mistake is made during the performance of the salah. The prayer is performed as normal, with the congregation following the actions and movements of the imam as he/she performs the salah.[citation needed]

Standing arrangement[edit]

For two people of the same gender, the imam would stand on the left, and the other person is on the right. For more than two people, the imam stands one row ahead of the rest.[citation needed]

When the Worshippers consist of men and women combined, a man is chosen as the imam. In this situation, women are typically forbidden from performing this role. This point, though unanimously agreed on by the major schools of Islam, is disputed by some groups, based partly on a hadith whose interpretation is controversial. When the congregation consists entirely of women and pre-pubescent children, one woman is chosen as imam.[65] When men, women, and children are praying, the children's rows are usually between the men's and women's rows, with the men at the front and women at the back. Another configuration is where the men's and women's rows are side by side, separated by a curtain or other barrier,[66] with the primary intention being for there to be no direct line of sight between male and female Worshippers, following a Qur'anic injunction toward men and women each lowering their gazes (Qur'an 24:30–31).[citation needed]

Conducting[edit]

The prayer commences with the imam saying "Allahu akbar" out loud. For the five daily prayers, the Imam would read the surah fatiha and the following section of the Quran out loud only for the first two rakats of Fajr, Maghrib and Isha. To move between positions, the Imam would say "Allahu akbar" out loud, such as when going to the bowing position, except when standing up again from the bowing position, when the Imam would say "SamiAllahu liman hamidah" out loud. The prayer is concluded with the imam saying the taslim out loud.[citation needed]

A Worshipper who has joined a congregation prayer late after missing rakats is called a masbuq. The masbuq would participate with the rest of the group in prayer, however, when the taslim is said at the end, he or she would not say the taslim but would instead stand up and continue for the number of rakats missed. If he joined after the bowing stage of a rakat, then he or she would have considered having missed that rakat.[citation needed]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Qur'an, 6:162
  2. ^ Qur'an, 20:14
  3. ^ Qur'an, 33:43
  4. ^ Qur'an, 24:41
  5. ^ Qur'an, 21:71-73

Table notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j According to Shia Muslims, these are to be performed in sets of two rakats each. This is not the case for Sunni Muslims.
  2. ^ a b c d According to Sunni Muslims, there is a difference between Sunnat-Mu'akkadah (obligatory) and Sunnat-Ghair-Mu'akkadah (voluntary). Unlike for the Sunnat-Ghair-Mu'akkadah, the Sunnat-Mu'akkadah was prayed by Muhammed daily.
  3. ^ Replaced by Jumu'ah on Fridays, which consists of two rakats.
  4. ^ a b c d Mustahab (praiseworthy) to do everyday. (Shias)
  5. ^ a b c d According to Shia Muslims, this prayer is termed nawafil.
  6. ^ According to Imam Abu Hanifa, "Asr starts when the shadow of an object becomes twice its height (plus the length of its shadow at the start time of Zuhr)." For the rest of Imams, "Asr starts when the shadow of an object becomes equal to its length (plus the length of its shadow at the start time of Zuhr)." Asr ends as the sun begins to set.
  7. ^ a b According to Shia Muslims, Asr prayer and Isha prayer have no set times but are performed from mid-day. Zuhr and Asr prayers must be performed before sunset, and the time for Asr prayer starts after Zuhr has been performed. Maghrib and Isha prayers must be performed before midnight, and the time for Isha prayer can start after Maghrib has been performed, as long as no more light remains in the western sky signifying the arrival of the true night.
  8. ^ Further information on the usage of the word "Isha" (evening) see Quran 12:16, Quran 79:46

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Google Translate". translate.google.com. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  2. ^ The Oxford Dictionary of Islam. "Salat". oxfordislamicstudies.
  3. ^ a b c Chittick, William C.; Murata, Sachiko (1994). The vision of Islam. Paragon House. ISBN 9781557785169.
  4. ^ http://ejtaal.net/aa/#hw4=h624,ll=1767,ls=5,la=2489,sg=609,ha=416,br=558,pr=93,aan=339,mgf=520,vi=227,kz=1375,mr=366,mn=792,uqw=941,umr=618,ums=519,umj=464,ulq=1090,uqa=251,uqq=197,bdw=h527,amr=h372,asb=h556,auh=h901,dhq=h321,mht=h522,msb=h139,tla=h66,amj=h455,ens=h873,mis=h1243
  5. ^ "NAMĀZ". doi:10.1163/_eifo_dum_2947. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ B. Morris, Andrew. Catholic Education: Universal Principles, Locally Applied. ISBN 978-1-4438-3634-0.
  7. ^ YOUSOF, GHULAM-SARWAR. One Hundred and One Things Malay. Partridge Publishing Singapore. ISBN 9781482855340.
  8. ^ Dukes, Kais, ed. (2009–2017). "Quran Dictionary". Quranic Arabic Corpus. Retrieved 26 October 2019.CS1 maint: date format (link)
  9. ^ "how many times is salat repeated in Quran?". Fars news. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  10. ^ Muhammad, Farooq-i-Azam Malik. What is Islam Who are the Muslims?. Institute of Islamic Knowledge (2008). ISBN 978-0981943909.
  11. ^ Makarem Shirazi , Subhani, Ayatullah Naser, Ayatullah Jafar. "Philosophy of Islamic Laws". Islamic Seminary Publications.
  12. ^ BIN SAAD, ADEL. A COMPREHENSIVE DISCRIPTION OF THE PROPHET'S WAY OF PRAYER: صفة صلاة النبي. ISBN 978-2745167804.
  13. ^ From Surah al-Mu’minun (23) to Surah al-Furqan (25) verse 20. "An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an vol. 11". Imam Ali Foundation.
  14. ^ Sheihul Mufliheen (October 2012). Holy Quran's Judgement. XLIBRIS. p. 57. ISBN 978-1479724550.
  15. ^ Elias, Abu Amina (25 June 2015). "The purpose of prayer in Islam | Faith in Allah الإيمان بالله". Retrieved 17 November 2019.
  16. ^ Multicultural Handbook of Food, Nutrition, and Dietetics, p. 43, Aruna Thaker, Arlene Barton, 2012
  17. ^ a b c Ramzy, Sheikh (23 July 2012). The Complete Guide to Islamic Prayer (Salāh). AuthorHouseUK. ISBN 978-1477214640.
  18. ^ Ismail Kamus (1993). Hidup Bertaqwa (2nd ed.). Kuala Lumpur: At Tafkir Enterprise. ISBN 983-99902-0-9.
  19. ^ Salīm, ʻamr ʻabd al-Munʻim (2005). Amr ʻAbd al-Munʻim Salīm, Important lessons for Muslim women, Darussalam, 2005, page 174. ISBN 9789960732350. Archived from the original on 12 September 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  20. ^ "Women In Islam Versus Women In The Judaeo-Christian Tradition". twf.org. Archived from the original on 8 September 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  21. ^ "Rules of Salat (Part III of III)". Al-Islam.org. Archived from the original on 2 May 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  22. ^ Abu Maryam (translator). "The Prostration of Forgetfulness : Shaikh 'Abdullaah bin Saalih Al-'Ubaylaan". AbdurRahman.Org. Retrieved 28 June 2014.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck; Smith, Jane I. (1 January 2014). The Oxford Handbook of American Islam. Oxford University Press. p. 162. ISBN 9780199862634.
  24. ^ Ciaravino, Helene (2001). How to Pray: Tapping Into the Power of Divine Communication. Square One Publishers (2001). p. 137. ISBN 9780757000126.
  25. ^ Al-Tusi, Muhammad Ibn Hasan. Concise Description of Islamic Law and Legal Opinions. Islamic College for Advanced Studie; UK ed. edition (October 1, 2008). pp. 57–59. ISBN 978-1904063292.
  26. ^ Muhammad Ali, Maulana. Religion of Islam. Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat; Sixth Revised Edition edition (June 1989). pp. 306–310. ISBN 978-0913321324.
  27. ^ Isfahani, Ayatullah Mirza Mahdi. "Salat (Prayer): The Mode of Divine Proximity and Recognition".
  28. ^ Shenk, David W. Journeys Of The Muslim Nation and the Christian Church: Exploring the Mission of Two Communities (Christians Meeting Muslims). Herald Press (October 12, 2003). pp. 194–195. ISBN 978-0836192520.
  29. ^ al-Hassani, Abu Qanit (2009). The Guiding Helper: Main Text and Explanatory Notes. p. 123.
  30. ^ Al-Mawrid Archived 24 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ Muhammad al-Bukhari. "Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of military expeditions". Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  32. ^ Abdal Hakim Murad. "Understanding the Four Madhhabs". Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  33. ^ "Share Islam" (PDF). islamtomorrow.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  34. ^ "Page Title". haqqaninaqshbandiuk.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  35. ^ "eShaykh: Salat Guide for Shafi'i". Google Docs. Archived from the original on 12 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  36. ^ "Salat According to Shafii Fiqh". sunnah.org. Archived from the original on 30 May 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  37. ^ "SALAH ACCORDING TO THE HANBALI SCHOOL OF THOUGHT". daruliftabirmingham.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 March 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  38. ^ "Imam Ali Foundation - London". najaf.org. Archived from the original on 26 April 2014. Retrieved 25 April 2014.
  39. ^ "Shia praying differences". shiastudies.org. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  40. ^ "What is the difference between Ahmadi Muslims and other Muslims?". Islam Ahmadiyya. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  41. ^ Swanson, Ana (30 March 2016). "Why women are more religious than men". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  42. ^ "Understanding Salat" Archived 28 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine from Albalagh
  43. ^ Muslim, Prayer Times NYC. "5 Prayers in Islam". Prayer Times NYC. PBC Times. Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  44. ^ Elshabrawy , Hassanein, Elsayed, Ahmad. Inclusion, Disability and Culture (Studies in Inclusive Education). Sense Publishers (November 28, 2014). pp. 3–6. ISBN 978-9462099227.
  45. ^ GhaneaBassiri, Kambiz. Competing Visions of Islam in the United States: A Study of Los Angeles. Praeger (July 30, 1997).
  46. ^ Kuscular, Remzi. Cleanliness In Islam. Tughra Books; 1st English Ed edition (January 1, 2008). ISBN 978-1597841207.
  47. ^ Turner, Colin. Islam: The Basics. Routledge; 2nd edition (May 24, 2011). pp. 106–108. ISBN 978-0415584920.
  48. ^ "Salat". Oxford Islamic Studies Online. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  49. ^ Schade, Johannes. Encyclopedia of World Religions. Mars Media/Foreign Media (January 9, 2007). ISBN 978-1601360007.
  50. ^ "Rules of Salat (Part III of III)". Al-Islam.org. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  51. ^ a b c Buyukcelebi, Ismail. Living in the Shade of Islam. Tughra (March 1, 2005). ISBN 978-1932099867.
  52. ^ Sharaf al-Din al-Musawi, Sayyid Abd al-Husayn. "Combining The Two Prayers". Hydery Canada Ltd.
  53. ^ Qara'ati, Muhsin. "The Radiance of the Secrets of Prayer". Ahlul Bayt World Assembly.
  54. ^ "صحف: فتوى سعودية بقتل الإسرائيليين.. وانتشار "القرآنيين"" [Newspapers: Saudi fatwa to kill Israelis ... and the spread of "Quranists"]. CNN Arabic. Time Warner Company. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2019.
  55. ^ "prayers". islamicsupremecouncil.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  56. ^ Ringwald, Christopher D. A Day Apart: How Jews, Christians, and Muslims Find Faith, Freedom, and Joy on the Sabbath. Oxford University Press (January 8, 2007). pp. 117–119. ISBN 978-0195165364.
  57. ^ a b "A Shi'ite Encyclopedia". Ahlul Bayt Digital Islamic Library Project.
  58. ^ Fahd Salem Bahammam. The Muslim's Prayer. Modern Guide. ISBN 9781909322950. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  59. ^ Akhtar Rizvi, Sayyid Saeed (1989). Elements of Islamic Studies. Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania.
  60. ^ Margoliouth, G. (2003). "Sabbath (Muhammadan)". In Hastings, James (ed.). Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics. 20. Selbie, John A., contrib. Kessinger Publishing. pp. 893–894. ISBN 978-0-7661-3698-4.
  61. ^ a b "Virtue and times of regular Sunnah prayers (Sunnah mu'akkadah) - islamqa.info". islamqa.info. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
  62. ^ "Ruling on Eid prayers". Islam Question and Answer. Archived from the original on 24 October 2006. Retrieved 2 January 2007.
  63. ^ "Islam Today". Archived from the original on 17 October 2007.
  64. ^ Firdaus Mediapro, Jannah. The Path to Islamic Prayer English Edition Standar Version. Blurb (October 18, 2019). ISBN 978-1714100736.
  65. ^ "Iranian women to lead prayers". BBC. 1 August 2000. Retrieved 11 February 2008.
  66. ^ Cornell, Vincent J. Voices of Islam: Voices of life : family, home, and society. Praeger Publishers; 1st edition (January 1, 2007). pp. 25–28. ISBN 978-0275987350.

Further reading[edit]

  • A Guide to Salat (Prayer) in Islam
  • Smith, Jane I.; Haddad, Yvonne Yazbeck (1993). The Oxford Handbook of American Islam (1st ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 162–163.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Salah&oldid=931760694"