A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Salat – Prayer
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SALAT – PRAYER
Salat
is the second pillar of Islam. It is the duty of every adult
Muslim to perform the five daily prayers individually or in
congregation. In the case of missed prayers, we can make up for
them later. For
salat
to be acceptable to God, it should be
performed at the proper time, in purity, facing the
qiblah
or the
direction of the Ka‘bah.
These five obligatory prayers have to be observed at fixed times.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
“
Salat
at fixed times has been enjoined on the
believers.” (4:103)
The five daily prayers are:
1. Early morning prayer: two rakas. Its period is between dawn
and sunrise.
2. Noon prayer: Four rakas, between noon and mid-afternoon.
3. Afternoon prayer: Four rakas between the time when the
shadow begins to become equal.
4. Sunset prayer: Three rak‘as, between sunset and early evening.
5. Evening prayer: Four rak‘as from the disappearance of twilight
until dawn.
6. Friday prayer: Two rak’as to be performed following the
sermon. They have to be performed in congregation in a
