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Featured Article - Salaat

Salat/Namaz is the name for the obligatory five time prayers performed by a Muslim and establishes a direct contact between a man and Allah(SWT).

Salat is one of the pillars of Islam. In fact it is the SECOND pillar of Islam ;the FIRST pillar being Shahadha, or the proclamation of : “I bear witness that there is no god butALLAH(SWT) and Mohammad(PBUH) is HIS last Messenger.”

Salat is obligatory on every Muslim man and woman who has attained the age of puberty.Children are strongly encouraged to pray,and in the process they also learn how to pray. Adults are under obligation to pray five times a day. To establish five times prayers is a direct injunction from the Holy Quran.

Requirements for Salat/Namaz

1.Adult sane healthy Muslim

2.Ablution

3 Intention

4.Timing

5. Qiblah

For a Muslim to perform Salat/Namaz he/she must be sane and healthy. Ablution, also known in Arabic as ‘WUDU’ is obligatory before performing Salat.In addition, the entire body should be pure,the clothes should be clean and the place where the salat is performed is also to be clean. Muslims performing Salat should always face QIBLAH (the direction of the Ka’ba at Mecca).

The five daily obligatory prayers are :

1.DAWN also known as FAJIR … Before sunrise

2.NOON also known as ZUHUR… When the sun declines.

3.MID-AFTERNOON also known as ASR… Midway between noon & sunset.

4.SUNSET also known as MAGHRIB… Immediately after sunset.

5. NIGHTFALL also known as ISHA… Beginning of Night

FRIDAY PRAYERS:Noon time prayers on FRIDAYS(ONLY) are obligatory and have to be done collectively also known as in Jammat and must be performed in a mosque whenever possible to do so. The Friday prayers are preceded by a sermon also known as ‘KHUTBAH’

QURANIC VERSES ON SALAT: "Woe to praying ones who are heedless of their prayers." [Al-Ma'un 107:4-5

]“Attend regularly to your prayers ,including the middle one.Stand up for God with all your devotion.” [The COW 2:39)

Sayings of the Prophet(PBUH) ON SALAT:

"What stands between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer."

"He who gives up prayer has indeed disbelieved."

Prayer is a spiritual treasure for every Muslim. It inculcates peace, purity, and tranquility and creates a true sense of companionship with Allah(SWT). Prayers also help in abstaining from mischievous thoughts and deeds, thus keeping us away from the ‘Shaitaan’.

-Salman Reihan