Salah, or Namaz, as it is more colloquially known in South Asia, is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam and the basic form of worship. It is a physical, mental, and spiritual act of devotion carried out by Muslims to communicate with the almighty Allah and ask for his blessings.
The salah is not only a prayer but an all-inclusive way of worship consisting of recitations, body movements, and supplication.
In this blog, we are going to look deeply into the concept of what is Salah, its history, its importance, and how it changes the life of a believer. Without any further ado, let’s begin.
What is Salah?- The Second Pillar of Islam
Salah (salat), in simplest words, means performing the prayers. It is the second pillar of Islam and a fundamental act of worshippers for believers of Islam. However, Salah is more than just a ritual, it is a way of life for Muslims. It is performed five times daily and is a direct link between the worshiper and the almighty Allah. Each prayer consists of a series of prescribed physical postures and recitations facing the Qiblah, making it both a mental and physical exercise.
Recite [O Muhammad] what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, ˹genuine˺ prayer should deter ˹one˺ from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is ˹an˺ even greater ˹deterrent˺. And Allah ˹fully˺ knows what you ˹all˺ do.
(Qur’an – Chapter 29, Verse 45)
The Five Daily Prayers (Namaz) are as follows;
- Fajr
- Dhuhr
- Asr
- Maghrib
- Isha
It may be observed that these prayers are spread throughout the day, each exactly at its own time, in such a way that a Muslim is constantly in connection with his Creator.
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What is the History Behind Salah?
The obligatory acts of Salah were institutionalised within the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the 7th century. According to Islamic tradition, during the Prophet’s Night Journey Al Isra’ wal Miraj (Isra and Mi’raj), he (PBUH) rose through the heavens where he met earlier prophets and received the commandment to pray.
At first, Muslims were commanded to pray 50 times a day, but through the mediation of Prophet Moses, this was reduced to five times a day. This is a very significant event since it symbolises the direct linkage between Muslims and the almighty Allah.
Salah has largely remained constant over the years in its core elements. While there might be minor differences in the way different Islamic schools observe it, essentially, Salah is everywhere observed in the same way throughout the Muslim world.
Salah is an important practice in Islam, and it comes from the early messages given to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the first Islamic community.
What are the Importance of Salah?
Salah is the foundation of a Muslim’s spiritual life as it is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a compulsory requirement that has to be fulfilled by every follower of Islam. The importance of Salah has been stated as follows;
Relation With Allah:
Salah helps Muslims establish their relation with the almighty Allah. A believer expresses his gratitude, seeks guidance, and begs for forgiveness in front of Allah through Salat.
Spiritual Discipline:
Performing regular Salah makes a Muslim more disciplined in life. With set timings for prayer, Muslims learn to give equal attention to their spiritual duties as much as attending to ordinary daily life.
Purification of the Soul:
Salah purifies the soul by constantly reminding Muslims of life’s purpose to worship and serve Allah. It clears the heart from all sins and saves one from evil influences.
Unity and Brotherhood:
When Muslims come together to pray, it especially evokes a feeling of unity and brotherhood. Irrespective of their race, wealth, or social status, all Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder in prayer, which strengthens the concept of equality before Allah.
A Reminder of Accountability:
Salah reminds everyone that they are responsible for their actions. The act of prayer gives believers a chance to think about their actions and ask for forgiveness for any mistakes.
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What are the Benefits of Namaz (Salat)
The benefits of Salah are more than just spiritual growth. Regular prayer affects different parts of life, like physical health, mental health, and social well-being.
1. Physiological Benefits
- Body Exercise – The different movements in Salah, such as standing, bowing, and falling into prostration, engage the entire body and thus provide mild exercise. These movements are good for flexibility, blood circulation, and posture.
- Stress Reliever – During the performance of the actions of bowing and prostrating, the blood circulation in one’s head increases, hence lessening stress and promoting relaxation. The rate at which deep breathing occurs while repeating the prayers has a calming effect on the nervous system.
2. Mental Benefits
- Mental Peace – Salat performed five times a day keeps anxieties and depression at bay. It offers moments of mindfulness, helping individuals to focus on the present and let go of their worries.
- Emotional Stability – Prayer is the expression of feelings. While performing Namaz for comfort and guidance from Allah, Muslims usually achieve a sense of relief and are balanced.
3. Social Benefits
- Community Bonding – Offering prayer in congregation, that is Jama’ah (Jamaat), strengthens the bonding in the community. It brings the Muslims together creating friendships, unity, and support.
- Moral Awareness – The ethos of Islamic values is strengthened in Muslims by prayer regularly, creating awareness of responsibilities towards others. This generally makes them very kind, honest, and responsible in society.
4. Spiritual
Muslims perform namaz five times a day, every day. During each of these prayers, believers feel a divine connection with the almighty Allah and foster a sense of spirituality and gratitude. Namaz is a way for Muslims to be grateful to Allah for all the blessings and it is also a medium to seek forgiveness for sins.
Salah is the boost that empowers us spiritually enabling us to face the day-to-day challenges and difficulties of life. Little wonder that the Prophet (PBUH) described Salah as the thing in this life that gave him the greatest joy.
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What are the 5 Types of Namaz?
There are five compulsory prayers, known as “Salah” or “Namaz,” which every adult Muslim is obliged to carry out in Islam. Each of the five prayers has a particular time, number of rak’ahs (Rakats), and associated rituals. They are described below:
Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
Time – Before dawn, from the first light of dawn until just before sunrise.
Rak’ahs – 2 rak’ahs of obligatory prayer and 2 rak’ahs of surplus (recommended) prayers.
Fajr is performed in the early morning and thus is the first prayer of the day. Prayer itself is a spiritual kickoff for the day, emphasising waking up early and starting one’s day with remembrance of Allah.
Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
Time – From after the sun has passed its zenith until about mid-afternoon.
Rak’ahs – 4 Rak’ahs of obligatory prayer and 8 Rak’ahs of surplus (recommended) prayers.
As the day’s work is in full swing, Dhuhr provides a brief moment of rest and deep thought. This prayer presents another opportunity to remember Allah. It is especially important as people start becoming absorbed in the many activities of their lives.
Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
Time – Mid-afternoon until just before sunset.
Rak’ahs – 4 rak’ahs of obligatory prayer and another 4 units of surplus (recommended) prayers.
Asr is performed during the latter part of the afternoon. It happens during a time when people could be right in the middle of their daily activities. So, this prayer encourages one to take a break and refresh their energy so that one can better finish off the day with spiritual strength.
Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
Time – Immediately after sunset until the twilight is over.
Rak’ahs – 3 units of obligatory prayer and 4 rak’ahs of surplus (recommended) prayers.
Maghrib is the evening prayer, marking the end of the day. The prayer is a bridge from the hectic day to the quiet of the evening, and to that effect, it should be filled with thanks and reflection.
Isha (Night Prayer)
Timing – After twilight ends and up to before midnight (or before Fajr).
Rak’ahs – 4 rak’ahs Farz prayers, 10 units of surplus (recommended) prayers and 3 Witr rak’ahs.
Isha is the last prayer of the day performed at night. Each rak’ah will include, as is usually done, the recitation, the bowing, and falling into prostration.
This prayer is the last prayer of any given day and could be followed by other optional prayers, such as the Witr prayer. In this regard, it helps Muslims end the day with the remembrance of Allah in worship and prepare for sleeping.
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Why Do Muslims Pray 5 Times a Day?
Muslims globally pray 5 times a day for several reasons such;
- It is a religious duty since salah or namaz is one of the five pillars of Islam
- To forge a divine connection with the almighty Allah
- Spiritual Upliftment
- Community building
- Discipline
There are many more spiritual, physiological, mental and social reasons for praying 5 times a day.
What to Recite in Salah?
What to read? or what to recite in namaz? or what to say when praying in Islam? is a common question that tickles every person’s imagination. While there is no straightforward answer to this question as every namaz is different in structure. However, there are certain commonalities between them which have been highlighted below.
In every rak’ah, recitals begin with the opening declaration of intention, or niyyah, and the invocation “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). It is in every rak’ah that Surah Al-Fatiha, the first chapter in the Quran, is recited, followed by another chapter or other verses of the Quran.
Surah Al-Fatiha is an integral part of the Salah, and the prayer is not complete without the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha. After the recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha, one may choose shorter surahs, such as Surah Al-Ikhlas or Surah Al-Asr, but one can select any verse from the Holy Quran.
And while bowing (ruku), the phrase “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) is recited thrice, and rising from bowing, “Sami’Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him).
Likewise, the phrase “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) is repeated three times in the prostration (Sujood).
The prayer ends with the Tashahhud (at-Tahiyyat), reciting the testimony of faith and invoking blessings on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and finally ends with Tasleem, saying “As-salaam ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah” while turning the head to the right and left. These recitations are what keep the spiritual focus and attachment to Allah within the prayer.
What are the Facts About Salah?
Salah is the cornerstone of Islamic worship and much more than just a ritual, it depicts faith and discipline. Performed five times daily, it not only provides a spiritual connection for Muslims to the almighty Allah but also confers numerous spiritual, physical, and mental benefits, reflecting the deep significance and unique aspects of this practice.
Listed below are some of the lesser-known, yet highly interesting facts about Salah.
- In Islam, it is believed that Salah will be the first act of worship that will be judged on the Day of Judgment. If it is sound, then the rest of a person’s deeds will also be sound.
- All the physical movements of the Salah are symbolic. For example, the prostration (sujood), putting the forehead to the ground, signifies complete humility and subordination before Allah.
- Salat can be shortened during travel as Islam does allow some flexibility in the practice of salah. While travelling, one is allowed to shorten and combine certain prayers to make the routine easier to continue.
- Irrespective of where one is in the world, Muslims conduct their daily prayers oriented toward the direction of the Kabah located in Mecca. This practice represents the unity and oneness of the Ummah, a worldwide Muslim community.
- Congregational prayer is 27 times more rewarding. Performing salah in a congregation carries more reward as opposed to praying alone. This encourages Muslims to come together and perform their prayers collectively.
In conclusion, Salah is far more than a religious obligation. It emerges as a profound act of spirituality that takes precedence in the life of a Muslim, developing a spiritual attachment with the almighty.
Conclusion
It is through this frequent fulfilment that believers find not only spiritual satisfaction but also many physical, mental, and social benefits in daily life. Its importance in Islam cannot be stated enough.
By embracing Salah, Muslims are reminded of their purpose, accountability, and the unwavering presence of Allah in every aspect of their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the meaning of salah?
A. “Salah” is an Arabic word meaning prayer. It is a term used to address the five daily prayers performed by Muslims globally. In South Asia, Salah is popularly referred to as “Namaz”.
Q. What is the difference between dua and salah?
A. Salah is the formal prayer performed globally including fixed rituals and set body movements while reciting verses from the holy Quran. Dua on the other hand is the act of supplicating directly to god. Dua is a part of the Salah process.
Q. What are the 5 namaz called?
A. The five namaz are called Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.