Salah – How to Pray ?
Prayer – Salah
Salah is the second pillar of Islam. It is the most important form of worship which is obligatory upon every grown-up conscious Muslim, male or female.
Allah says in Surah An Nisa 4:103
Establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
The Prophet ﷺ said: Islam is to testify there is no true god but Allah and Muḥammad is the Messenger of Allah, to establish prayer, to give charity, to fast the month of Ramadan, and to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to the House, if one can find a way. [Sahih Bukhari]
Why We should Pray
Salah has been prescribed five times a day. We pray salah as it is a commandment of Allah, brings us closer to our Creator, and it guards against evil acts and indecency. Allah says in Surah Ankaboot, 29:45
Recite, [O Muḥammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do.
▪ What are the benefits
- It is a direct connection with Allah. A conversation with God
- Salah washes away sins
- It distinguishes between belief and disbelief
- It teaches punctuality and discipline
- It results in great reward from Allah
- When offered in congregation, it is a source of forming bonds of brotherhood and strengthening the community
o Cleanliness
Islam lays a lot of stress on cleanliness. For the performance of Salah special care is taken to ensure cleanliness of the body, clothes, and the place of prayer.
As mentioned in Surah al Maida, 5:6
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
Cleanliness is the first condition for praying salah. It can be achieved through, wudhu and ghusl and if water is not available or scarce or a person cannot use water due to some illness, then tayammum (dry ablution) may be performed.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “Perform Tayammum and that will be sufficient for you.” [Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
Intention as with all other acts is the first step for Tayammum. Then recite bismillah. Tayammum is performed by striking both the hands in clean dry soil, or any dusty surface. Shake off any excess dust, wipe the hands up to the wrist and then wipe the face.
o Intention
A person must have an intention for each prayer.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “”Actions are according to intentions, and everyone will get what was intended.” [Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]