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Salat (Prayer)

About Salat
Salat Overview
Timings
Call to Prayer

How to Pray

Beginning Salat
Takbir Tahrimah
Tie Hands
Ruku
Qawmah
Qawmah (contd)
Sajdah
Jalsah
Second Sajdah
Next Rak-at
Tashahud
Tashahud (Contd)
Salutation
Postscript

At a glance

Fajr
Dhuhr
Asr
Maghrib
Isha

Combining/Shortening
Prayers

Other Prayers

Optional prayers
Friday prayer
Eid Prayer
Rain Prayer
Funeral Prayer

 

Salat Overview

Basically the ceremonial prayers are of two types - obligatory and voluntary. The obligatory itself is of two types - with obligation for the individual, and those for the collective society.

Individual obligation refers to obligation for every adult, sane, Muslim men and women. Social obligation implies that some or any of a society should perform them on their behalf, which will suffice for the whole community. Voluntary implies there is no blame even if one doesnt perform these prayers. However there are Hadeeths suggesting that voluntary prayers will be taken into account on the Day of Judgment to make up for lapses in performing the obligatory prayers.

Note that the list of voluntary prayers in the table below may not be exhaustive

Overview:

1) Typically a prayer takes 10-15 minutes when done in congregation.

2) The prayer is to be done only under a state of "Wudhu"

3) A prayer should be done only within its specified time period, and it is preferable not to delay a salah too much after its time starts.

4) "Azan" is given from the mosques to mark the start of the time for a prayer.

5) One should face the Qiblah (direction of the Masjid Haram at Mecca) during the prayer if it is possible to ascertain the direction. This requirement is waived if one is not able to to ascertain directions at a place, or if one is in a ship, train etc which constantly changes direction.

6) Place for Prayer: Reports Abu Huraira, Prophet Muhammad said: "All the earth has been rendered for the Muslims as a masjid (place for prayer) " [Muslim]

This means a Muslim can offer his prayer wherever he is, even though it is highly preferable and immensely more rewarding to do it in congregation at mosques. The place selected should be clean and pure, free from distraction, should not hinder movement of others as in busy pavements and public roads or should not face towards a grave.

7) In congregational prayers (normally conducted 5-10 minutes after Azan for maghrib and 20-25 minutes for other prayers) "Iqamat" is given by one person just before the start of the prayer.

8) In congregational prayer (at least two people- can include woman) an Imam (leader) leads the prayer, who stands in front. The followers line up behind him, leaving just enough space for postration between lines. They should stay close to each other not leaving space between their feet, and should stand such that their heels fall in straight lines.

9) Normally all recitations are done quietly by the worshippers individually. For exceptions see the page postscript.

9) One should be covering the private parts and be free of any physical impurities in one's clothing, body or place of prayer. The shoulders of man should not be left uncovered. Women should cover all her body from head to foot excepting the face and the hands. Her clothes should not be transparent or tight fitting either.

10) If one is handicapped or too sick to perform prayer normally, one can do it either sitting in a chair or lying on the bed, or if one is in death bed, simply by moving one's eyes. Also if one is in commutation, or is driving, or similarly too engaged to find separate time and place for prayer, one can perform it in whatever position one is in. The bottom line is not to miss it the obligatory prayers at any case.

11) There is provision to combine and shorten the day prayers (Dhuhr and Asr) for the travellers.

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