Module 1 – Circle 11 SALAH

Module 1 – Circle 11 What is Salah? Salah is the prayer of a Muslim, in which he or she can communicate directly with Allah swt. Salah is the second pillar of Islam, and a Muslim is required to pray Salah five times each day

Module 1 – Circle 11 Why should a Muslim pray Salah? Abu Hurairah narrates, ‘I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you, and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out evil deeds."’ (Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Number 506)

Why should we remember Allah swt? Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee and establish Regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah knows the (deeds) that ye do. 29:45 Module 1 – Circle 11 Those who fear Allah when a thought of evil from satan assaults them bring Allah to remembrance when lo! they see (aright)! 7:201

Module 1 – Circle 11 Are Five Prayers a day too much? Each prayer takes a very small amount of time. If we assume that the five prayers take a total of 30 minutes per day, out of the 1440 minutes per day, Allah swt asks us for just 2% of our time! When the Prophet pbuh was prescribed the Prayers for his Ummah, the initial number was 50 per day, which was reduced to 25, and then further reduced to 5 prayers, as a mercy from Allah swt.

Module 1 – Circle 11 At what age should we start to Pray Salah? Children should be taught Salah from a young age, so that by the age of 7, they are able to pray occasionally. Once they reach the age of 10, they should be praying more often. Once a child has reached the age of maturity (approximately 13), then they should be praying all 5 Salahs daily.

Module 1 – Circle 11 Is Salah optional? "Verily, I am Allah. There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for My remembrance". {Sura Tá-há, 14} "Guard strictly your prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind)." {Sura Al-Baqarah, 238} "Allah has obligated five prayers. Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, prays them in their proper times, completes their bows, prostrations and khushu` [Khushu` in the prayer is where the person’s heart is attuned to the prayer.] has a promise from Allah that He will forgive him. And whoever does not do that has no promise from Allah. He may either forgive him or punish him." [Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]

Module 1 – Circle 11 What are the consequences of not praying Salah? "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allâh. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers." (Sura Al-Munaafiqoon, 9) The Noble Messenger pbuh said: "Allah swt will meet a person (on the Day of Judgement) and ask him: "O person, Wasn't I generous with you, and made you with a spouse, and made the horses and camels at your disposal? The servant will reply "yes"! Allah swt will then ask “Did you think that you will meet me?” He will reply: "No!" Allah swt will say: "I will forget you like you forgot me"!

Module 1 – Circle 11 Are people who do not pray Salah still Muslims? Rasulullah (SAW) said "The covenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it he has become a disbeliever." (Ahmad, Tirmidhi) The Messenger pbuh also said “What lies between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer." (Muslim)

Module 1 – Circle 11 Will we be questioned about Salah after we die? The Prophet pbuh said, "The first thing that the servant will be called to account for on the Day of Judgment will be Salah. If it is good, his deeds will have been good. If it is bad, his deeds will have been bad." (At-Tabarani) The Prophet pbuh said: “The first thing the people will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer, Allah swt will say to His angels (even though he already knows) : “Look at my servants prayers. Were they complete or not?” If they were complete It will be written as complete. If they were not fully complete Allah swt will say: “See if my servant has voluntary prayers, If he has them Allah swt will say: Complete his obligatory prayers shortage with his voluntary prayers.” Then the rest of his deeds will be dealt with in the same manner.” (Ahmad, Abu Dawood)

Module 1 – Circle 11 Are we punished if we do not pray Salah? And (ask) of the Sinners: "What led you into Hell Fire?" They will say: "We were not of those who prayed". (Surah Mudathir 41-43) "But after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction." (Surah Maryam, 59)

Module 1 – Circle 11 When should we pray Salah, and are we punished if we do not pray on time? There are 5 daily prayers prescribed to Muslims. Fajr is performed at dawn, Zuhr is a noon prayer, Asr is performed in the afternoon, Maghrib is the sunset prayer, and Isha is the evening prayer. Allah swt says: So woe unto those performers of salat (hypocrites), Those who delay their salat (from their stated fixed times) Surah Al-Ma’un 107:4-5

Module 1 – Circle 11 What should we do if we miss our Salah by accident? Anas ibn Maalik reported that the Messenger pbuh said: “Whoever forgets a prayer, let him pray it as soon as he remembers, for there is no expiation for it except this.” (Muslim). We were in the company of the Messenger pbuh during one of his journeys. He overslept abandoning the morning prayer until the sun had arisen. The Messenger pbuh awoke and said: Go away from this place. He then commanded Bilal to call for prayer. He called for prayer. They (the people) performed ablution and offered two rak'ahs of the morning prayer (sunnah prayer). He then commanded Bilal (to utter the iqamah). He announced the prayer (i.e. uttered the iqamah) and he led them in the morning prayer. (Sunan Abu Dawud 0444)

Module 1 – Circle 11 Should we pray Salah alone? Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam) said, "The prayer in congregation is twenty seven times superior to the prayer offered by person alone.” (Bukhari)

Module 1 – Circle 11 Where should we pray Salah? Salah can be offered virtually anywhere, as outlined in the following Hadith: Narrated Abu Sa’eed Al-Kudri: The Prophet pbuh said, “The whole earth is a masjid (to pray on) except a graveyard and a toilet.” [At-Tirmidhi]

Module 1 – Circle 11 What is Fard / Sunnah / Nawafil / Wajib in terms of Salah? Fard Rakkahs are compulsory, and without them, the prayer is invalid. It is highly recommended to pray these Rakkahs in congregation (Jammah). Sunnah Rakkahs are those which the Prophet pbuh used to offer before or after the Fard Rakkahs in each Salah. It is highly recommended to pray these Sunnah Rakkahs, as they can help to make up for any deficiency in the Fard Salah. Nawafil Rakkahs are optional, and can help us to earn extra reward. The Witr (odd) prayer is neither classed as Fard or Sunnah. It is known as ‘Wajib’, which means ‘essential’ or ‘necessary’.