Salah: Encyclopedia - Salah

Salah

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Salah (also known as "salat", "solat", "solah" and several other spellings) (Arabic: صلاة, Qur'anic Arabic: صلوة) refers to the five daily ritual prayers that Muslims offer to Allah (God). It is a pillar of the Five Pillars of Islam in Sunni Islam, and one of the ten Branches of Religion in Shi'a Islam. As such, it is compulsory (fard) upon every Muslim. It is quite commonly known as "namaaz" in south Asian languages such as Urdu.

The salah must be performed in the Arabic language even if the person neither speaks nor understands Arabic (although the dua afterwards need not be in Arabic). The prayers are to be recited by heart, although beginners may use written aids. The person performing salah is referred to as a musalleeh.

All salah should be conducted within their waqt (prescribed time) and with the appropriate numbers of rakaat. While they may be prayed at any point within the waqt, it is considered best to pray them exactly at the beginning of their periods, when the call to prayer (adhan) announces the time of prayer. When far from a mosque, the time can be inferred from the position of the sun in the sky.

The word 'salat' is from the root Saad-Lam-Waw and has the following meanings, taken from Classical Arabic lexicons (e.g. E. W Lane): prayer, supplication, petition, oration, eulogy, benediction, commendation, blessing, honour, magnify, bring forth, follow closely, walk/follow behind closely, to remain attached, to contact or to be in contact. Its core underlying meaning relevant to all its usage in The Quran is 'to go/turn towards' (this can be seen from Chapter 75, verse 31-32 of The Quran where it is put opposite to 'tawalla' which means 'to go/turn away'.

In Islam, praying 'salah' is the most compulsory act (after 'shahada'- declaration of faith in God)

Salah - Five daily fard prayers

Muslims are commanded to perform salah fives times a day; these prayers are Fard (obligatory) on every Muslim above the age of puberty, with the exception being those who are mentally ill. Sunnis believe in other extra prayers in addition to the fard prayer (as listed below) while Shi'as pray just the fard, or obligatory, prayer. The waqt for each of the five prayers is listed below:

1. Fajr(فجر): From dawn (the time at which the faintest hint of the new day starts) to sunrise. The Fajr pray consist of 2 Sunnah¹ and 2 Fard.
2. Zuhr(ظهر): From true noon, or when the sun begins to decline, to the time for the Asr prayer. The Zuhr pray consist of 4 Sunnah¹, 4 Fard, and 2 Sunnah¹.
3. On Fridays the Zuhr prayer is replaced by Jumu'ah (الجمعه).
4. Asr(عصر): The exact start time varies between the different schools of jurisprudence. According to Imam Abu Hanifa Asar starts when the shadow of an object becomes twice its height (plus the length of its shadow at the 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 time of Zuhr). The period for prayer ends just before sunset. The Asr prayer consist of 4 Sunnah and 4 Fard.
5. Maghrib(مغرب): Starts at sunset and ends right before the Isha'a time starts. According to Shi'a Imams, it starts when the reddish glow in the eastern sky passes overhead and it ends at true midnight. The Maghrib pray consist of 3 Fard and2 Sunnah¹.
6. Isha'a(عشاء): It starts at dusk or when the white glow in the western sky disappears and ends at the time for the Fajr prayer. According to Imam Shafi'i it starts when the reddish glow in the western sky disappears. According Shi'a Imams, it is valid at any time after the Maghrib prayer has been validly performed and ends at the time for the Fajr prayer. The Isha'a prayer consist of 4 Sunnah, 4 Fard, 2 Sunnah¹, and 3 Witr.

¹ Were prayed by the Prophet daily.

Salah - Qada

In certain circumstances one may be unable to perform one's prayer within the waqt, in this case the prayer must be performed as soon as one is able to. Prayers performed after the prescribed waqt are called qada. Note: It is not permissible to deliberately miss performing the Salah within its waqt, then to perform it afterwards.

Salah - Qasr and Jama

When travelling over long distances, one may shorten some prayers, a practice known as qasr. Furthermore, several prayer times may be concatenated, which is referred to as jama. Qasr involves shortening the obligatory components of the Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers. Jama is when the Zuhr and Asr prayers are both performed either at the Zuhr or Asr time (called zuharain), and Maghrib and Isha'a are both performed at either of their respective times(called maghribain).

Salah - Wajib prayers

Salah - Witr

Witr salah is performed after the salah of Isha'a. It may contain any odd number of raka'at from one to eleven according to the different madha'ib.

Salah - Eid Salah

Eid Salah is performed on the morning of Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha. It is Wajib upon males to perform it. It consists of two raka'at, with the addition of extra Takbeers at the start of each raka'at. An integral part of Eid salah is listening to the khutbah after the prayers are performed.

Salah - Sunnah prayers

Sunnah, unlike Fard, are voluntary prayers performed by musalleehs for extra reward. The Sunnah salah (as with all other Sunnahs) originated from the practice of the Prophet who used to perform more prayers than the obligatory amount.

While general Sunnah salaah may be performed at any time of the day (with certain exceptions, see below), certain Sunnahs have prescribed waqts associated with them.

Salah - Sunnah Associated with the Five Daily Prayers

Apart from the obligatory prayers, each of the five daily salah also have associated Sunnah prayers which may be performed either before (qab'li'atan) and/or after (ada'an) the Fard Salah. The qad'li'atan sunnah is performed between the completion of the Adhan and the start of the Iqamah, while the ada'an sunnah is performed after the completion of the Fard salah up to the next waqt. Any amount of extra Sunnah may be performed, although most madhabs prescribe a certain number of Sunnah for each salah.

Salah - Taraweeh

Taraweeh is extra salah prescribed during the month of Ramadaan. It consists of 20 raka'at, (10 sets of two) which must be performed after Isha'a. It is common practice to complete a khatm (complete recitation) of the Quran in Taraweeh during the month. It is considered a bidah, or an innovation, by Shi'as.

Salah - Nafil Prayers

"Nafl" (supererogatory) prayers are numerous which one can offer, as many as he likes, any time except for odious timings .

Salah - Tahajjud

Tahajjud salah is performed at night, after one has woken from sleep (one cannot stay up to perform Tahajjud). It thus falls between the waqts of Isha'a and Fajr, from after mid night till dawn. Includes 2 to 12 rakaats .

Salah - Ishraq

Ishraaq time begins when the sun is high in the morning after twenty minutes of sun-rise. Offering two or four rakaat prayer this time is highly rewarding. A hadith says that the one who sits and busies himself in remembrance of Allah after finishing Fajr prayer in congregation till he offers this two rakaat prayer after sunrise, will earn reward of Hajj and Umrah.

Salah - DuhaChasht

Chasht prayer comprises at least two rakaat and at the most twelve. Its time begins after sunrise and ends at meridian. It is better to offer Salaatul Duha (Chasht) when one-fourth of the day comes off.

Salah - Awabeen

Offering six rakaat after the Maghrib obligatory prayer is commendable. This prayer is called Salaatul Awwaabeen. It is optional to offer with one, two or even three salaams. But it is better to say salaam after every two rakaat. If all six rakaat are offered jointly (i.e. with one salaam), then the first two will be deemed "Sunnat-e-Muakkadah" and the remaining four as Nafl. A hadith says that the one who offers six rakaat prayer after Maghrib prayer speaking nothing but what is good in between the two prayers, will earn reward equal to the worship of twelve years.

Salah - Tahiyatul Masjid

Tahiyatul Masjid, also called Masjidus Salaam, consists of two rakaat and is performed when first entering a mosque, as a way of greeting the place of worship.

Salah - Tahiyatul wudu

It is commendable to offer two rakaat of Tahi-yatul Wudu before the washed parts of the body dry up after performance of ablution. The excellence of this prayer is proved by ahadith. However, offering obligatory prayer soon after ablution or bath will serve as its substitute. Offering two Rakahs prayer after "Ghusl" (bath) is also a commendable act.

Salah - Salat ut tasbih

A. Salaatul Tasbih can be offered any time except for odious times. It is better to offer this prayer before Zuhr prayer. This prayer is highly rewarding. A hadith stresses the importance of this prayer saying "offer Salaatut Tasbih daily if you could do, if not then once a week, if not then once a month, if not then once a year if it is not possible even, then at least once in lifetime.

The followers of Hanafi madhab offer Salaatul Tasbih as has been reported in "Tirmizi Shareef i.e. one should stand up for four Rakahs prayer as per the rules; say Allah-o-Akbar and fold the hands below his navel; recite "Sana" followed by this Tasbih i.e. "Subhaanal Laahi wal-Hamdu Lillaahi walaa Ilaaha Illal-Laahu wal-Laahu Akbar" (Glory be to Allah, Praise be to Allah. There is no deity but Allah. Allah is the Most Great) fifteen times and then recite "Ta'awuz", "Tasmiyah", "Surah Faateha" and any other Surah and then recite the same Tasbih ten times; perform "Rukoo" and recite the same Tasbih ten times after "Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem"; rise from Rukoo reciting "Sami Allaahu Liman Hamedah" and "Allaa Humma Rabbanaa wa Lakal Hamd" and then recite the same Tasbih ten times; observe "Sajdah" and recite the same Tasbih after "Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa"; rise from Sajdah and sit in "Jalsah" and recite the same Tasbih ten times; perform second Sajdah and recite the same Tasbih ten times after "Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa" and then complete the remaining three Rakahs in the similar way. Thus, this Tasbih is recited 75 times in one Rakah and 300 times in all four Rakahs. It is better to recite Surah "Al-Takaasur" in the first Rakah after Surah Faateha, Surah "Al-Asr" in second, Surah "Al-Kaafiroon" in third and Surah "Al-Ikhlaas" in fourth Rakah.

Salah - Salat ul istasqa

Salah - Salaatul Haajat

If one wants Allah Almighty to fulfill his need or to meet his want he should offer two or four Rakahs "Nafl" prayer after 'Ishaa prayer. He should, according to Hadees, recite "Ayatul Kursi" (throne verse) thrice after Surah Faateha in the first Rakah, Surah Al-Ikhlaas in second, Surah Al-Falaq in third and Surah Al-Naas in fourth Rakah, which is tantamount to offering four Rakahs in "Qadr" night and then "Du'aa" (supplication) for the fulfillment of his need. By the grace of Allah Almighty his Du'aa will be answered. "Mashaa-ikh" (religious leaders) say that they offered Salaatul Haajat and their needs were fulfilled.

Salah - Journey prayer

Salah - Guidence prayer Istikhara

On the authority of Jabir ibn 'Abdi'llah (may Allah be well pleased with him and with his father) who said, "Allah's Messenger (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to teach us how to seek guidance in choosing the best option available in a practical enterprise [al-istikhara fi 'l-amr], just as he would teach us a Chapter [Sura] from the Qur'an. He would say:

"'If one of you is concerned about some practical undertaking, or about making plans for a journey, he should perform two cycles of ritual prayer [rak'atain], not as an obligatory observance [farida], but voluntarily. Then he should say:

Salah - Ritual ablution

Prayer can only be conducted after a Muslim has performed wudu (ritual ablution). In wudu, Sunni Muslims wash their hands, teeth, faces, noses, arms, hair, ears and feet three times in a particular order. Shi'a Muslims first wash their faces, then their arms, and then wipe their heads and feet with the moisture on their hands.

When no water is available, sand may be used. (If the cleansing was done using water, the Muslim is considered to have cleansed him or herself from the physical manifestations of sin in a lasting fashion that extends between prayers; unless the Muslim does something to remove this cleanliness, the cleansing would not need to be repeated before the next prayer. When sand is used, the cleansing is only temporary and regardless of whether or not the Muslim commits any physical acts of uncleanliness he or she will need to undergo the ceremonial cleansing immediately before the next prayer.)

Salah - The prayer session

The prayer starts with the intention to pray (Niyyah), and by reciting the first surah of the Qur'an (Al-Fatiha, "the Opening"), followed by a few short verses. Then, the Muslim bows and says something and stands upright again, only to reach the prayer mat and sit on his legs. He places his hands and face on the mat and sits up, repeating this once more before standing up and repeating the entire sequence. Each such action is called a raka'ah; there are two in Fajr, four for Zuhr and Asr, three for Maghrib, and again four for 'Isha'a. In each position, something is being said.

Sunni Muslims end the session by looking right and left to, saying "Peace be unto you, and on you be peace" in Arabic to the believers sitting with you. (If alone, the Muslim greets his right angel and then his left angel. Muslims believe there is one angel on each shoulder, the one on the left noting every sin you commit, and the one on the right noting every good deed. Prayer removes a sin.) Shi'a Muslims end the session by reciting "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) three times.

Salah - Prayer in a congregation

Muslims are suggested to perform the compulsory Salah in congregation (jama'ah), behind an Imam. Jama'ah prayer is considered better and has more social and spiritual benefit than individual prayer. When the performers consist of men and women, one man is chosen as imam. In this situation, women are forbidden from being an imam. 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; see Women as imams. When the performers are all women, one woman is chosen as imam. When men, women, and children are performing, the children's rows have traditionally been between the men's and women's rows. However, in recent times in the west, the level of enforcing such tradition has been lax. There is also another configuration where the men's and women's rows are side by side, separated by big curtain/hijab. The main idea behind this is there remains no direct line-of-sight between the men and women, following an injunction from the Qur'an 24:30-31.

The person chosen to be an Imam may be a scholar, or the one who has the best knowledge of the Quran. When a muslim is praying, they, their clothes and the place where they are praying must be clean. Women must have their hair covered and are not allowed to pray with men except as described above.

Salah - External link

• Significance of Prayer
• Salah according to Five Islamic Schools of Law
• An Understanding of 'salat' from Al Quran
• Islam-USA.com: Beginners' Guide To Performing Islamic Prayers
• Taraweeh and Witr
• Eid and Fasts of Shawwal
• ABOUT "NAFIL" PRAYERS
• The Fiqh of Voluntary (Nafl) Prayers

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Salah", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki