Salah (Prayer)
The Islamic ritual prayer, performed five times daily.
Salah (Arabic: صلاة) is the Islamic ritual prayer and constitutes the second of Islam's five pillars. Salah is obligatory for all adult Muslims and must be performed five times a day at specific times: Fajr (dawn prayer), Dhuhr (noon prayer), Asr (afternoon prayer), Maghrib (sunset prayer) and Isha (night prayer).
The prayer begins with a niyyah (intention) and consists of a set number of rak'ah (prayer cycles), which vary depending on which prayer is being performed. During the prayer, one recites Surah Al-Fatiha and other verses from the Quran, performs ruku (bowing) and sujud (prostration with the forehead touching the ground).
Salah is a direct connection between the believer and Allah. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The first thing a person will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer." Prayer purifies the soul, strengthens faith and reminds the believer of Allah's greatness and presence in daily life.
For the prayer to be valid, one must be in a state of ritual purity (wudu), face the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca), and pray within the correct time interval.
Related terms
Bismillah (In the Name of Allah)
The formula "In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful," which opens prayer and action.
Mihrab (Prayer Niche)
The semicircular niche in the mosque wall that indicates the qibla direction.
Sawm (Fasting)
Islamic fasting from dawn to sunset, closely connected with prayer.
Jannah (Paradise)
The eternal paradise, the reward for faith and good deeds.
Najasah (Ritual Impurity)
Impure substances that must be removed before prayer according to Islamic law.
Ihsan (Excellence)
The highest level of worship: to worship Allah as if one can see Him.