SALAH The Islamic Prayer

SALAH The Islamic Prayer Salah is the second pillar of Islam. It consists of a series of movements and words repeated several times. Each series or cycle of this movement is called a raka’a (or 'bowing'). In salah, chosen passages of the Quran are recited. It is the duty of every adult Muslim to perform five daily prayers, individually or in congregation. For salah to be acceptable to God, it should be performed at the proper times, in purity, and facing the Qibla, the direction of the Kabah. These five obligatory prayers have to be observed at fixed times. Prayers which are missed at the correct times should be made up afterwards. Prayer as a general duty or service is frequently enjoined in the Quran. Prayer is the second of the five fundamental principles or pillars of practical devotion in Islam. It is a devotional exercise which every Muslim is required to engage in five times a day Prayers remind us five times daily that we are accountable to a God who is watching us. The five daily prayers are: • Early morning prayer: Two raka’as; — between dawn and sunrise. • Noon prayer: Four raka’as, between noon and mid-afternoon. • Late afternoon prayer: Four raka’as; — between the time when the shadow begins to be equal, until the setting of the sun. • Sunset prayer: Three raka’as; — between sunset and early evening. • Evening prayer: Four raka’as; — from the disappearance of twilight until dawn, but preferably before midnight. In addition, every Friday there is a congregational salah. The Friday prayer brings together large numbers of people from different neighbourhoods. This increases their sense of community. This prayer has to be performed in congregation in a mosque, and consists of two raka’as, preceded by a sermon. Other exceptional prayers are those that are performed on the occasion of festivals. On the morning of the festivals of Eid Al-Azha and Eid Al-