A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Salat – Prayer
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mosque. In the absence of these conditions this prayer has to
be replaced by the midday (noon) prayer.
The five daily prayers were made obligatory for Muslims on the
occasion of Miraj (the Prophet’s heavenly journey). This is very
significant. For the Prophet has been recorded as having said that
through the services of worship a believer reaches his own
ascension, that he is raised into the presence of God. If a believer
performs
salat
in its proper spirit he will be blessed with a spiritual
experience, which will make him feel that he has come closer to
God.
The following is the way prayer is performed. First of all the
believer performs ablutions. Then he stands up in the right
direction facing towards the Ka‘bah in Makkah. He then holds up
his hands, speaking aloud: “God alone is great.” Then submits
himself to the will of His Lord alone.
After praising Him by reciting some passages from the Qur’an, he
begins to feel the majesty of God. Then he prostrates himself
touching his forehead to the ground. Self-prostration is in
acknowledgment of the majesty of God.
Muslims have been advised in the Qur'an to be steadfast in their
prayer, (29:45) for prayer keeps away indecency and evil. When
the Prophet of Islam was asked about this verse he said: If a
person’s prayer does not keep him away from indecency and evil
then his prayer is not really prayer at all.
How does prayer become the means of inculcating these virtues in
the faithful? It is because prayers remind us five times daily, that we
