Prayer is a key practice in the Islamic religion. The ritual prayers are outlined in the Five Pillars of Islam, and this falls under the pillar of salah. Followers of the faith believe in maintaining a direct connection with God through these acts of daily worship. This looks different for Muslims than it does for other religious believers.
Prayer Muslim Religion by Konevi used under Public Domain
The five daily prayers include: Fajr (sunrise prayer), Dhuhr (noon prayer), Asr (afternoon prayer), Maghrib (sunset prayer), and Isha (night prayer). Each prayer has a specific window of time in which it must be completed. These timings are based upon the sun. For this reason, the timings of each prayer window change each day and are different at various times of the year.
Take a look at the Islamic prayer times for the location you are in by using the button below!
Why do Muslims Pray Five Times a Day?
Muslims praying in a Masque in Bangladesh by Shaeekh Shuvro used under CC BY-SA 2.0
When Muhammad became a Prophet at the age of forty one of the first things he was taught was how to pray. Allah sent the angel Gabriel (Jibreel) to teach him how to make wudu and perform the salah. Some 11 years after the beginning of prophethood a miraculous journey took place in which the angel Gabriel took Muhammad to the first heaven. It was during this event that Allah commanded him and the Muslims to specifically pray five times a day. This event was recorded in the Holy Qur’an and we also have authentic narrations from the Prophet himself that he undertook this journey. The full story of the Prophet’s ascent to heaven is known as Isra and Mi'raj. It is a lengthy story; however, the last part is important to note. This is where the commandment to pray specifically five times a day was given. Up until that point in history the Muslims would perform salah, but there was no specific number of times that was legislated.
How to Perform Salah
Since prayer is very ritual based in the Islamic culture, there are many resources that explain the proper way to partake in Salah. Below is a video, chart, and breakdown of steps taken to perform prayer. Each of these show the importance of actions taken to pray respectfully.
Salat or Muslim Prayers by Ayman Alhasan used under Public Domain
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Arthington, M. (2019, April 30). The posture of prayer: A look at how Muslims pray. IMB. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.imb.org/2019/05/03/the-posture-of-prayer-a-look-at-how-muslims-pray/.
University, B. (n.d.). Muslim Prayer Times. Muslim Prayer Times | Benedictine | Chicago | Catholic Universities. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.ben.edu/faculty-staff/ctle/fac_resources/muslim-prayer-times.cfm.
What is Salah and why do we pray? Masjid ar-Rahmah | Mosque of Mercy. (2021, November 17). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-learn-pray-salah/chapter-1.
University, B. (n.d.). Muslim Prayer Times. Muslim Prayer Times | Benedictine | Chicago | Catholic Universities. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.ben.edu/faculty-staff/ctle/fac_resources/muslim-prayer-times.cfm.
What is Salah and why do we pray? Masjid ar-Rahmah | Mosque of Mercy. (2021, November 17). Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://www.mymasjid.ca/beginners-guide-learn-pray-salah/chapter-1.