five pillars of faith salah Flashcards
What is salah
The second pillar of faith; the duty for all Muslims to pray five times a day facing Mecca; a physical, mental, and spiritual activity that draws believers close to God; it includes a sequence of movements (rak’ah)
Following a set of pattern:
1. stand quietly reciting prayers from the Qur’an
2. bow low, with hands on knees
3. prostrate on the floor, in submission to God
4. kneel, with feet fold under body
5. stand, reciting prayers once to the right and once to the left.
when is salah performed?
After preparation (as entering God’s presence requires respect and reverence); after declaring the intention (niyyah) to deliberately focus on God; after wudu (washing specific parts of the body: hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head and feet) - outward signs of the inner cleanliness needed; 5 times a day: Fajr (after dawn), Zuhr(midday) As’r (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), Isha (after dark); on Friday at a Mosque for Jumu’ah (congregational) prayers.
Why is Salah important?
It reminds believers to give thanks to God’s blessings; it is a sign of submission to God’s will; it is a constant reminder of God’s presence; it cleanses the corruption of the world( Qur’an 29:45 speaks of prayer preventing immorality and wrongdoing ); it unites all Muslims; it brings peace to the world; it removes sins, as water washes away dirt. It is commanded in Qur’an 15:98-99 that Allah is exalted with praise and prostration to him.
