Prayer, known as Salah (الصلاة), is a foundational pillar of Islam and stands as the most significant act of worship after the declaration of faith (Shahada). It serves as a direct, obligatory, and personal communion between a Muslim and Allah (God), performed five times a day at specific, divinely appointed times.

The Five Obligatory Daily Prayers

Muslims are commanded to perform five obligatory prayers at specific intervals throughout the day, determined by the position of the sun:

1. Fajr (الفجر): The Dawn Prayer, performed before sunrise.
2. Dhuhr (الظهر): The Noon Prayer, performed after the sun reaches its zenith.
3. Asr (العصر): The Afternoon Prayer, performed in the late afternoon before sunset.
4. Maghrib (المغرب): The Sunset Prayer, performed immediately after sunset.
5. Isha (العشاء): The Night Prayer, performed after dusk until just before dawn.

Prayer times for Nozha 2, Cairo, Egypt (as of Friday, June 13, 2025):

• Fajr: ~3:08 AM
• Sunrise: ~4:53 AM
• Dhuhr: ~11:55 AM
• Asr: ~3:31 PM
• Maghrib: ~6:57 PM
• Isha: ~8:30 PM (Note: These are approximate times and are subject to slight daily variations based on astronomical calculations and local announcements. Always refer to a reliable local prayer time source or app for precision.)

Essential Pre-requisites for Prayer (Salah)

Before standing for Salah, a Muslim must ensure certain conditions are met to validate the prayer:

1. Purity (Taharah – الطهارة):

   • Wudu (الوضوء – Partial Ablution): A ritual washing of specific body parts (face, hands and forearms up to the elbows, wiping the head, and feet up to the ankles) with clean water. It is required for minor impurities.
   • Ghusl (الغسل – Full Ablution): A full body wash required after major impurities (e.g., after sexual intercourse, menstruation, or postpartum bleeding).
   • Tayammum (التيمم – Dry Ablution): A symbolic purification using clean earth or dust, performed when water is unavailable or its use is harmful.
   • Ensuring the cleanliness of one’s body, clothing, and the specific place of prayer from impurities.

2. Facing the Qibla (القبلة): Directing one’s face towards the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This symbolizes the unity of the Muslim Ummah (global community) as they turn to a single point in worship.

3. Intention (Niyyah – النية): Having the sincere intention in the heart to perform the specific prayer (e.g., Fajr, Dhuhr) for the sake of Allah alone. This intention does not need to be verbalized.

4. Covering Awrah (العورة): Covering the parts of the body that must be concealed. For men, this is typically from the navel to the knees. For women, it is the entire body except the face and hands.

5. Entering the Prayer Time: Ensuring that the prayer is performed within its prescribed time window, as prayers outside their designated times are generally not valid without a valid Islamic excuse.

How Prayer (Salah) is Performed (Basic Structure – Rak’ah by Rak’ah)

Salah involves a precise sequence of physical postures and verbal recitations, each imbued with spiritual significance, symbolizing humility, reverence, and submission to Allah. Each prayer consists of a specific number of units called Rak’ahs (ركعة).

Here’s a simplified overview of the actions within a single Rak’ah:

1. Standing (Qiyam – القيام):

   • Face the Qibla.
   • Make the Niyyah (intention) silently in your heart.
   • Raise hands to the ears (for men) or shoulders (for women) and say “Allahu Akbar” (الله أكبر – Allah is the Greatest). This is the Takbirat al-Ihram, which formally begins the prayer and signifies detaching from worldly matters.
   • Place the right hand over the left hand on the chest or below the navel.
   • Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Quran), followed by another short Surah or verses from the Quran. These recitations are typically silent in Dhuhr and Asr prayers, and audible in Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha (at least the first two Rak’ahs).

2. Bowing (Ruku’ – الركوع):

   • Say “Allahu Akbar” and bow from the waist, placing hands on the knees with fingers spread, keeping the back straight and parallel to the ground.
   • Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (سبحان ربي العظيم – Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) at least three times.

3. Standing Up from Ruku’ (I’tidal – الاعتدال):

   • While rising from bowing, say “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah” (سمع الله لمن حمده – Allah hears those who praises Him).
   • Once fully upright, say “Rabbana walakal Hamd” (ربنا ولك الحمد – Our Lord, to You be all praise).

4. Prostrating (Sujud – السجود):

   • Say “Allahu Akbar” and go down into prostration. Your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees, and the tips of your toes should all be touching the ground. This is the posture of ultimate humility.
   • Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (سبحان ربي الأعلى – Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) at least three times.

5. Sitting Between Two Prostrations (Julus – الجلوس):

   • Say “Allahu Akbar” and rise from the first prostration to a sitting position (typically resting on the left foot, with the right foot upright).
   • Recite “Rabbighfir li” (رب اغفر لي – My Lord, forgive me), and optionally other supplications like “warhamni, wajburni, warfa’ni, warzuqni, wahdini, wa ‘afini, wa’fu ‘anni.” (have mercy on me, support me, elevate me, provide for me, guide me, grant me health, and pardon me.)

6. Second Prostration (Sujud):

   • Say “Allahu Akbar” and perform a second prostration, exactly like the first.
   • Recite “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” three times.

This sequence completes one Rak’ah. The number of Rak’ahs varies for each of the five daily prayers: Fajr (2), Dhuhr (4), Asr (4), Maghrib (3), Isha (4).

• Tashahhud (التشهد): After every second Rak’ah, the worshipper sits and recites the Tashahhud, which is a testimony of faith, praises to Allah, and greetings to the Prophet.
• Salawat (الصلاة الإبراهيمية): In the final Tashahhud of any prayer, the Salawat (blessings upon Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Ibrahim) is added.
• Supplication (Dua): Before concluding, one can make personal supplications (Dua).
• Tasleem (التسليم): The prayer concludes by turning the head to the right and then to the left, saying “Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah” (السلام عليكم ورحمة الله – Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon you), greeting the angels and fellow worshippers.

The Significance of Prayer in Islam (Salah): A Pillar of Islam