Salah
The five daily prayers, the second pillar of Islam
Section C · Living the Muslim Life
Salah is the obligatory ritual prayer performed five times daily, the second and most frequently practised pillar of Islam. This topic examines how Salah is performed (including ablution, direction, movements and recitations), Salah in the home and mosque, the Friday Jumu'ah prayer, and exemptions from Salah.
Key Points
- 1Salah is performed five times daily: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), Isha (night)
- 2Before Salah, Wudu (ritual ablution) is required: washing hands, mouth, nose, face, arms to elbows, head, feet
- 3Salah is performed facing the Qibla (direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah)
- 4A unit of prayer is called a rak'ah; each contains standing, bowing (ruku'), prostration (sajdah) and sitting
- 5During Salah, specific recitations include Al-Fatiha (in every rak'ah), Tashahhud (in final sitting), and the final salutation (Salaam)
- 6Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) is obligatory for male Muslims, Qur'an 62:9 commands attending when the Adhan is called; includes a sermon (Khutbah) and two-rak'ah prayer
- 7Salah can be performed anywhere clean, not only in a mosque; the Prophet said 'the whole earth has been made a mosque for me'
- 8Exemptions from Salah: menstruating women, the severely ill, those in extreme danger; travellers may shorten (qasr) and combine prayers
Key Terms
Salah
Ritual prayer, the second pillar of Islam. Performed five times daily in specific postures with specific recitations. The direct communication between a Muslim and Allah.
Wudu
Ritual ablution, washing before Salah. Involves washing hands, mouth, nose, face, arms to elbows, wiping the head, and washing feet. If water is unavailable, Tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth/dust) may be used.
Qibla
The direction of the Ka'bah in Makkah, towards which all Muslims pray. Establishes a physical unity, all Muslims worldwide face the same direction in prayer.
Rak'ah
A unit of prayer, one complete cycle of standing, recitation, bowing, prostration and sitting. Different prayers have different numbers: Fajr=2, Dhuhr=4, Asr=4, Maghrib=3, Isha=4.
Jumu'ah
The Friday congregational prayer, obligatory for adult male Muslims. Replaces Dhuhr prayer. Includes a Khutbah (sermon) followed by two rak'ahs. The assigned passage (Qur'an 62:9-11) addresses Friday prayer.
Adhan
The call to prayer broadcast from mosques five times daily. Contains the Shahadah and calls 'Come to prayer! Come to success!'
Tayammum
Dry ablution, substituting clean earth or dust for water when water is unavailable. Demonstrates Islam's practicality and flexibility.
Exam Passage
Qur'an 62:9-11
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed. But when they saw a transaction or a diversion, [O Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)], they rushed to it and left you standing. Say, "What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction, and Allah is the best of providers."
This passage is used in the (d) assess question for this topic. Learn it carefully.
Exam Tips
Explain · 6 marks
For 'explain why Salah is important for Muslims', THREE points: (1) direct communication with Allah, strengthens the relationship; (2) structure for daily life, five prayers create constant mindfulness of Allah; (3) community unity, Jumu'ah and mosque prayer builds brotherhood. Each needs AO1 fact + AO2 significance. Remember Section C (a) = 1 mark only.
Assess · 12 marks
Qur'an 62:9-11 shows Friday prayer must take priority over trade, 'What is with Allah is better than diversion and than a transaction.' For 'Salah is the most important obligation of Islam': AGREE, it is the most frequent act of worship, commanded directly; DISAGREE, Zakah addresses community need, Sawm builds taqwa, Shahadah comes first. Use the passage AND give your own view.