Salaah

Pillars of Islam-2

Definition of Salaah•The literal meaning of Salaah is Du'a (supplication).

•However it is that collection of words and actions which begins with the Takbeer (Allahu Akbar) and ends with the Salaam (Assalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah) with specific conditions.

Virtues of Salaah

The prayer has many benefits.

• It cleans the heart and the mind.

• It is a means of communication between the servant and the Lord in this world that will eventually lead him to paradise.

Fard (compulsory) Salaah

•A Muslim must pray five times a day.

•The compulsory prayers are called Fard in Arabic.

•Each unit of a prayer is called a Rak'ah.

The Fard prayers are:

Fajr 2 Rak'aahDhuhr 4 Rak'aahAsr 4 Rak'aahMaghrib 3 Rak'aahIsha' 4 Rak'aah

*Jumu'ah 2 Rak'aah (in place of Dhuhr on Fridays, only in the mosque)

Sunnah (optional) Salaah

• Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) performed extra prayers voluntarily in addition to Fard prayers.

• These prayers are called Sunnah prayers.

The Sunnah prayers are as follows: Fajr 2 Rak'aah before Fard.

Dhuhr 4 Rak'aah before Fard and 2 Rak'ahs after.

Asr 4 Rak'aah (less recommended) before Fard.

Maghrib 2 Rak'aah after Fard.

Isha' 4 Rak'aah (less recommended) before Fard 2 Rak'aah after Fard. 3 Rak'aah of Witr. The Sunnah prayers are offered individually and no Adhan or Iqamah is needed for those extra prayers.

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