Salah, the Islamic prayer, is a fundamental act of worship performed by Muslims to honor the Creator. In Arabic, “Salah” translates to “prayer.” Prayer in Islam has both a general and a specific meaning. The general meaning, known as “Dua,” refers to supplication—making requests to Allah, the humble servant appealing to the supreme Master.
The specific meaning of Salah involves a set of prescribed rituals performed in a particular manner and sequence. These rituals are designed to worship God Almighty, demonstrate obedience, and seek His refuge, submitting fully to His will. Salah is the second pillar of Islam, following the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith). It is the most crucial practice in Islam, forming the core of a Muslim’s faith and daily life.
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Is Prayer obligatory?
Yes, prayer is obligatory on all adult sane Muslims.
But what if a Muslim doesn’t pray?
Many scholars count leaving Salah, even if out of laziness, as a deed that gets the person outside of Islam. This nullifies all other deeds, and he has to say Shahadah again and sincerely repent to make up for it.
Many scholars say that leaving any deed (not out of defiance but rather laziness) of Islam doesn’t make the person a non-Muslim -as all people have shortcomings -; except for Salah!
Of course, such big statements by scholars are only made because of the evidence that points to that conclusion.
Prophet Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said “The covenant that stands between us and them is Salah, whoever leaves it has committed kufr” Nasai Sahih
He also said: “The First deed to be accounted for on the day of judgment is Salah, if it’s good every other deed is good, and if it’s bad every other deed is bad”
This shows us the great importance of Salah as the core pillar of Islam, as it is the everyday manifestation of the meaning of (Muslim): one who submits to his creator.
What are the Rewards of the Salah?
Salah has great rewards for Muslims.
1-Salah is the key to Paradise (The best place in Jannah)
Allah says: “And they who carefully maintain their prayers – (9) Those are the inheritors (10) Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally. (11) ”Al Mu’minun 9-11
2-Salah is an eraser of small sins.
The prophet peace be upon him said: ”No one at the time of a written salah, then He makes good of its Wudu, Khushu’, and Rukuh, except that it removes what’s before it from sins. unless it’s a major sin, and that’s for the whole of his life”
He also said: “The five prayers and Friday to Friday erases what’s between them unless a major sin is committed”
3-Salah is a light, proof, and salvation on the day of Judgment
on the rewards of Salah the prophet peace be upon him said: “Whoever keeps them, they would be for him a light, proof, and salvation on the day of judgment. and whoever doesn’t keep them, he would have no light, no proof, and no salvation and on the day of judgment he would be with Qaroon, Pharoh, Haman, and Obai ibn Khalaf”
And especially for the prayer of Fajr and Isha the prophet peace be upon him said: “Give glad tidings to those who walk to Masjid in darkness (meaning the darkness of night at the time of Fajr and Ihsa) with Complete light on the Day of Judgment”
4-Salah elevates you and puts down your burdens
With Every Sujud, or every step that you walk to the Masjid, your sins are being put down and you are elevated a Step in paradise.
The prophet peace be upon him said: “Keep on doing a lot of Sujud, as you don’t do one Sajdah for Allah except that He elevates you with it a step and puts away a sin”
He also said: “Whoever cleans in his house, then walks to a house from the houses of Allah, to fulfill a Fard of Allah, His two steps one puts away a sin and the other elevates him a step”
5-Leaving Salah is one of the core things that gets people into hellfire
Allah tells us: “About the criminals, (41) “What put you into Saqar (Hellfire)?” (42) They replied “We were not of those who prayed, (43)” Al-Muddaththir 41-43
The mention of Salah in the Quran is plenty and as mentioned before it’s the most important deed after Shahadah that gets people either into Jannah by doing it or hellfire by leaving it.
Prayer Times
The times of daily prayer are essential as Allah says: “performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times” Al-Nisa 103
It’s easy nowadays to know the timings of prayer from Salah.com or other websites.
Note that the timings of prayer change each day and between countries.
For more details on what the timings are based on (Link Five daily prayer article)
When Can You Pray Missed Salah?
You can pray missed salah when you remember it
The prophet peace be upon him said: “If anyone forgets a prayer he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except that” Sahih Bukhari
But it’s better to avoid the timings that the prophet ordered not to pray at.
Times to be avoided are:
- After Fajr until sunrise and after sunrise by around 15 minutes
- Before Dhuhr by around 15 minutes
- After Asr, and more specifically right before sunset
If you miss a Salah say Istigfar and repent to Allah by praying it, even if it isn’t the timing.
You should pray the prayers in sequence as long as you can, so pray the missed first then the one that’s present.
