Originally posted 2023-12-12 11:19:42.

Though individual performance of salah is permissible, collective worship in the mosque has special merit .

Prayer (Salah) is the daily ritual worship enjoined upon all Muslims as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is performed five times a day by all Muslims. Salah is a precise act of worship, distinct from spontaneous or informal prayer. Muslims perform these prayers at five designated times throughout the day:

• Between first light and sunrise

• After the sun has passed its zenith

• Between mid-afternoon and sunset

• Between sunset and twilight

• Between darkness and midnight

Each prayer may take as little as five minutes, but can be lengthened according to the individual’s devotion. Muslims can pray in any clean environment—alone or with others, in a mosque or at home, at work or while traveling, indoors or outdoors. Under special circumstances such as illness, travel, or war, allowances are made to ease the offering of prayers.

Having fixed times each day to connect with God helps Muslims remain mindful of their faith and its role in every aspect of life. Muslims begin their day by cleansing themselves and standing before their Lord in prayer. These prayers consist of recitations from the Qur’an in Arabic and a series of movements: standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.

All recitations and movements express submission, humility, and reverence toward God. The physical postures reflect the spirit of surrender, while the words serve as a reminder of the believer’s commitments to their Creator. Prayer also reinforces belief in the Day of Judgment and the inevitability of being held accountable for one’s actions. It is in this spirit that a Muslim starts the day. Throughout the day, Muslims pause briefly from worldly affairs to stand before God, reinforcing the ultimate purpose of life.

These regular prayers serve as constant reminders throughout the day, helping believers remain conscious of God amid the stresses of work, family, and life’s distractions. Prayer strengthens faith, deepens reliance on God, and places daily concerns in the context of the life to come after death and the Last Judgment. When preparing for prayer, Muslims face the holy city of Mecca, where the Ka`bah—the ancient place of worship built by Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael (peace be upon them)—is located. At the conclusion of each prayer, the Shahadah (testimony of faith) is reaffirmed, and the greeting of peace—“Peace be upon all of you, and the mercy and blessings of God”—is said twice.

While individual prayer is acceptable, collective prayer in the mosque holds special merit, and Muslims are encouraged to perform certain prayers in congregation. Facing the Ka`bah in Makkah, worshippers stand in straight rows behind the imam (prayer leader), who leads the recitations and physical postures. In many Muslim-majority countries, the Adhan (call to prayer) echoes across rooftops. Using a loudspeaker, the muezzin calls out:

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest)
Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah (I testify that there is no god but God)
Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allah (I testify that there is no god but God)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur-Rasulullah (I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadur-Rasulullah (I testify that Muhammad is the Messenger of God)
Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah (Come to prayer)
Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah (Come to prayer)
Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah (Come to success)
Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah (Come to success)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest, God is the Greatest)
La ilaha ill-Allah (There is no god but God)

Friday Prayer (Jumu‘ah)

Friday is the weekly day of communal worship in Islam. The Jumu‘ah (Friday Prayer) is the most important congregational prayer of the week, and is characterized by the following:

• It occurs at the time of the noon prayer (Dhuhr), replacing it.

• It must be performed in congregation and cannot be offered individually. Muslims in non-Muslim countries often adjust their schedules to attend it.

• Unlike the Sabbath, Friday is not a day of rest, but a day of heightened devotion. Muslims may work as usual but must pause for the Friday prayer.

• The prayer is usually held in a mosque, though it may also be conducted in rented venues, parks, or other suitable spaces if a mosque is unavailable.

• When the time for prayer arrives, the Adhan is called. The imam then delivers a sermon (khutbah) while facing the congregation. Listening to the khutbah is an essential part of the service.

• Two sermons are delivered, separated by a brief sitting. The sermon typically opens with praise of God and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

• After the sermon, the prayer is led by the imam, who recites Al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Qur’an) and another passage audibly. Upon completion of this, the prayer concludes.

Special large congregational prayers, also accompanied by a sermon, are performed in the late morning on the two Islamic festivals: one following Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) and the other after the pilgrimage (Eid al-Adha).

While not obligatory, individual devotional prayers—especially those offered at night—are highly encouraged and widely practiced among devout Muslims

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Source: islamreligion.com