The Holy Qu’ran says: "Perform the prayers; Indeed prayer prevent atrocity and evil"(29-45). In Islam, the performance of prayers cannot be overlooked. As long as they are able to, everybody must perform prayers. If not, the person will be separate from the Muslim community. When Judgment day comes, Muslims believe that the first thing they will be asked about would be his/her prayer. Whoever performs the five daily prayers can plead for paradise on the day of Judgment.

The obligatory daily prayers consist of five prayers performed throughout the day. The first is the morning prayer. This consists of two units of prayer called Rakats. The second prayer begins in the middle of the day and consists of four Rakats. The afternoon prayer, or the third prayer, starts when one finishes the noon prayer. During this prayer, four Rakats are performed. At sunset the fourth prayer begins. Here three Rakats are prayed. The last prayer, or dusk prayer, involves four more Rakats. Throughout the day a total of seventeen Rakats are done.

Before praying, a Muslim must note a few important things. The first is the Qibla, which is the direction of prayer. During prayer, one must face in the direction of the sacred Mosque of Mecca. Next, one must also consider purity. Purity means to cleanse the body and clothes of impure things. These impurities include alcoholic beverages, and the blood and meat of any animal, such as a dog or pig. The clothes Muslims wear must also meet certain conditions. The clothes cannot be made from any animal’s whose meat is prohibited to eat. Women must cover their bodies except their face and hands. A Muslim must also consider the place of prayer. Foreheads should only touch a natural clean object. The place should be on stable ground, that is no prayer can be said from a moving car or plane. During prayer the head must also be a the same level as the hands.

Along with considering these points, one must perform the obligatory ablution, or Wudu, before prayer. First one must wash the face with the right hand, starting from forehead and moving to the chin. Then the right arm is washed from the downwards. The left arm is also done in the same way. Third, wipe of one fourth of the front head with the right wetted hand. To end ablution, using the upper right, wipe the right foot, starting from the top and proceeding to the ankle. Repeat this with the left foot. This ends Wudu.

After ablution comes the call for prayer . The Adhan performed first. The words of the prayer are as follows:

1. Allahu Akbar (four times) (God is the greatest)

 2. Ash Hadu Alla Ilaha Ill Allah (two times) (I testify that there is no god but God)

 3. Ash Hadu Anna Muhammadan Rasul ul Allah. (two times) (I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God)

 4. Ash Hadu Anna Aliyyan Walyy Ullah. (two times) (I testify that ‘Ali is a man of God)

 5. Hayya Alas Salat. (two times) (Come to prayer)

6. Hayya Ala Al Falah. (two times) (Come to success)

7. Hayya Ala Khayr il-Amal. (two times) (Come to the best deed)

8. Allahu Akbar. (two times) (God is great)

9. La Ilaha Illa Allah. (two times) (There is no god but God)

 Next the Igamah is said as follows:

1. Allahu Akbar (two times)

2. Ashhadu Alla Ilaha Illallah (two times)

3. Ashhadu Anna Muhammadan Rasul Allah. (two times)

4. Ashhadu Anna Aliyyan Walyy Ullah. (two times)

5. Hayya Alas Salat. (two times)

6. Hayya Ala Al Falah. (two times)

7. Hayya Alla Khyr il-Amal (two times)

8. Qad Qamat is-Salat (two times)

9. Allahu Akbar. (two times)

10. La Ilaha Illa Allah. (only once)

After Igamah is done, one of the five prayers which one desires to perform is started. The unit of prayer called the Rakat is as follows: First, raise both of the hands up to the ears and say, "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great). Second, move down your arms and recite the opening chapter of the Holy Qu’ran. Third, say "Allahu Akbar" and bend until the hands reach the knees and say in Arabic, "Glory and praise be to my Great Lord. O Lord! Bless Muhammad and his house." Fourth, stand up straight and say in Arabic, "God hears whom praises Him." Fifth, say, "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) and come to the ground with hands together with palms. Put the forehead and two knees on the floor and say in Arabic, "Glory and praise be to Lord." Sixth, say, "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) and sit while saying in Arabic, "I seeked forgiveness of God my lord and repent to Him." Seventh say, "Allahu Akber" (God is great) and come down to floor in same manner as before. The payer ends when the worshipper says, "Allahu Akbar"(God is Great) and raises his/her head from a downwards position. This concludes the first unit of prayer. Next, the Muslim stands up and repeats what is done in the first unit.

After prayer, it is recommended that one recite certain invocations called Ta’qeeb’. These are recited when the worshipper raises his/her hands to their ears and say "Allahu akbar" three times, and the Rosary of Fatima. This will conclude the prayer.