jj_Salah

Salah

  • Salah is the second pillar of Islam.
  • It is Five obligatory prayers a day.
  • Fajr: the prayer that starts out the day with remembrance of Allah. The prayer is before sunrise.
  • Dhuhr: after a person’s day has begun, he/she breaks shortly to remember Allah again. This is at noon (early afternoon).
  • Asr: In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
  • Maghrib: This prayer is just after the sun sets, we remember Allah again as the day comes to a close.
  • Isha: Before ending the day by going to sleep we remember God’s presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness by praying at the night.

Performance of Salah

  • Preparing for prayer includes cleaning yourself and finding a clean place to pray.It includes making wudu (ablution) .
  • ABLUTION: Before starting Salah, a person is required to perform ablution or Wudu. It includes rinsing mouth and nose three times, washing of face and arms up to elbows three times, wiping the head and cleaning the inner part of ear once and finally washing both feet up to ankles three times. If water is not available Tayammum or dry ablution can be performed.
  • TAYAMMUM: Strike both palms on sand, or anything containing sand or dust like a stone or a wall. Pass the palms of the hands over the face once.Strike the sand again with the palms. Rub the right hand with the left palm from the wrist to elbow and similarly for the left hand with the right palm.
  • Stand to face the QIBLA.It is the direction towards the holy Kaabah.
  • Make the intention to pray.You don't need to say it out loud, but you need to know which prayer of the day you are performing,the type of rakat(fard or sunnah) and the number of rakah.
  • After this we raise our both hands to the ear lobes and say Allahu Akbar.This is called Takbira tul Ihram.
  • Perform QIYAM.It is the standing position in which surah Al Fatiha is recited.Surat Al-Fatiha must be recited once every time we are in the position of Qiyam. This surah is the opening chapter of the Quran. Without Surah Al Fatiha, the prayer is not complete..
  • After reciting Al-Fatiha we recite any surah from Quran.
  • The second step is bending to our knees and you say "Subhana Rabbiyal Adhim." (repeat 3 times) which means “How perfect is my Lord, the Supreme”. This position is called RUKOO.
  • The third step we rise back up with hands by our side and recite "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah;Rabbana lakal hamd.” which means “Allah hears those who praise him; our lord praise to be you”
  • The fourth step is when we you go all the way down with your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, your knees, and toes all touching the floor.
  • When bent down you say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la." (Repeat 3 times) which means “How perfect is my lord, the highest”. This position is called SUJOOD.
  • After you have said it three times you say “Allahu Akhbar” and then sit up and say.“Rabbighfir li.”This position is called juloos or jalsa. And after that you go back into sujood.
  • Once you have done this one time, you do it again and in the second rakah after the Sujood you sit up and read Ata’hiyat and Tashahhud.
  • After you have completed a certain # of rakahs (depending on the prayer) you turn to your right angel (right shoulder) and left angel (left shoulder) and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" which means peace and the mercy of Allah be on you.

Every time we move from one position to another we say Allahu Akhbar.

Number of Fard Rakahs in each Salah:

Fajr: 2, Zhur: 4, Asr: 4, Maghrib: 3 and Isha: 4

SiGNIFICANCE OF SALAH

Salah maintains a continuous and direct link with Allah (SWT).

Promotes discipline in life.

Strenghthens belief.

A great investment for the hereafter.

Salah is the best form of personal jihad.

If performed in a group, helps establish a strong sense of equality and fellowship.