Salah

Question 1

what does salah mean?

Answer 1

prayer

Question 2

what is the history of salah?

Answer 2

Muhammed began morning and evening prayers in direction of Jerusalem where Muslims prostrated themselves to show submission to God.
Qibla (direction) later changed to Makkah

Question 3

How do Muslims prepare for prayer?

Answer 3

• remove shoes
• perform wudu - includes washing feet x3
• find a clean place
• face direction of Makkah (qibla)

Question 4

What is the prayer ritual called, and what do Muslims do during it?

Answer 4

a raka. during a raka worshippers do the following:
- recite Surah 1
- prostrate themselves several times
- repeat the shahadah
- request God’s blessing on the people around them and for Muhammed and all the prophets

Question 5

what language must salah be said in?

Answer 5

Arabic

Question 6

What are jummah prayers?

Answer 6

the Qur’an commands Muslims to say their midday prayers on a Friday in a mosque
During, imam preaches a sermon on how to be a good Muslim

Question 7

Why are jummah prayers important for Muslims?

Answer 7

• opportunity for community to meet and receive advice from imam
• commanded by God in Qur’an so good Muslims must perform them

Question 8

Why is salah important to Muslims?

Answer 8

• direct contact with God 5 times a day
• reminds that have submitted themselves to God
• unites with fellow Muslims
• forces to take religion seriously
• way of having sins forgiven- the hadith says ‘the five prayers remove sins as water removes dirt’

Question 9

SofA for salah

Answer 9

Surah 4: ‘set up regular prayers’
Surah 2 says that Muslims must make their prayers facing in the direction of the Sacred Mosque
Surah 5 says that Muslims must wash their faces and hands to the elbows, and rub their heads and feet up to the ankles before they pray
Surah 62 says that Muslims must leave work when the call to prayer is made on Friday, but when the prayer is finished, they can go back to work