Salah: The Five Daily Prayers
Pillar 2
What is Salah?
Salah is the ritual prayer performed by Muslims five times a day. It is the second pillar of Islam and a fundamental act of worship that forms a direct connection between an individual and Allah. The prayers are performed facing the Kaaba in Mecca and consist of a sequence of physical movements, recitations, and supplications.
The Five Daily Prayers
The five obligatory prayers are performed at specific times throughout the day, which are determined by the position of the sun:
- Fajr: The dawn prayer, performed before sunrise.
- Dhuhr: The midday prayer, performed after the sun has passed its zenith.
- Asr: The late afternoon prayer, performed in the late part of the afternoon.
- Maghrib: The sunset prayer, performed just after sunset.
- Isha: The night prayer, performed after twilight has disappeared.
The Purpose and Significance
Salah is more than just a ritual; it is a spiritual nourishment, a means of purifying the heart, and a way to seek guidance and forgiveness from Allah. It structures a Muslim's day around the remembrance of God, promoting discipline, mindfulness, and humility. The Quran emphasizes the importance of prayer in numerous verses, stating, "Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater." (Quran 29:45).