Salah
The Pillar of Islam
Master the art of Islamic prayer through comprehensive guides that combine authentic Islamic teachings with deep spiritual wisdom
"صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي"
"Pray as you have seen me praying."
- Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Wudhu (Ablution)
Purification for Salah - Learn how to perform Wudhu correctly according to the Quran and authentic Sunnah
"Prayer will not be accepted without purification."
- Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) [Sahih Muslim]
Wudhu (ablution) is the essential prerequisite for Salah. It is the act of purification that prepares both the body and soul for standing before Allah. This guide covers everything you need to know about performing Wudhu correctly according to the Quran and authentic Sunnah.
When Wudhu is Obligatory:
- For the Prayer: No prayer is accepted without purification
- For Tawaaf: Circling the Kaaba requires purification
When Wudhu is Recommended:
Two Comprehensive Guides
We've created two detailed guides to help you perfect your Salah - one focusing on the practical steps, and another exploring the deep spiritual wisdom behind every movement
Complete Step-by-Step Guide
According to Quran & Authentic Sunnah
A comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide covering every aspect of Salah - from prerequisites to post-prayer dhikr. Perfect for beginners and those seeking to perfect their prayer.
What You'll Learn:
- The 9 Conditions and 14 Pillars of Salah
- Detailed step-by-step instructions with Arabic, transliteration, and translation
- Authentic duas and supplications from the Sunnah
- Post-prayer dhikr and remembrance
- Prayer times and number of Rak'ahs for each Salah
Compiled from works of Ibn Baaz, Al-Albani, Ibn Uthaimeen, and scholars of the Salaf
The Wisdom Behind Every Movement
Understanding the Profound Meaning
Discover the deep spiritual wisdom, historical context, and psychological benefits behind each action in Salah - from Takbeer to Tasleem.
Explore the Wisdom of:
- Why we raise our hands and place them on our chest
- The divine conversation that happens during Al-Fatiha
- The profound meaning of Ruku' and Sujud positions
- The authentic story behind Tashahhud (not the fabricated one)
- Psychological and physical benefits of each movement
Based on authentic Islamic sources and scholarly interpretations
Recommended Learning Path
Start with the Guide
Learn the correct method and memorize the essential supplications
Practice Daily
Apply what you've learned in your five daily prayers
Deepen Understanding
Read the wisdom guide to enhance your spiritual connection
Why Is Salah Important?
Salah is the second pillar of Islam and the first deed that will be judged on the Day of Resurrection. It is the direct link between the believer and Allah, performed five times daily at prescribed times.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "The difference between a believer and a disbeliever is the prayer."[Sahih Muslim]
Perfect your Salah, and Allah will perfect your life.
Purification (Wudū) and Prayer in Islam
Its Times, Pre-Conditions, and Virtues
By Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Wahid
Muslims are obligated to pray to Allah five set times each day. This prayer is called the Salāh. It is the second pillar of Islam. Muslims take time out throughout the day to focus on this special act where they focus on supplications and recitations to Allah. The term Salāh in the Arabic language means supplication (Du'ā) and in the religious usage, it refers to the five daily Prayers that are obligated upon every adult and sane Muslim male and female.
Prayer Times
The prayer times are worked out from the authentic narrations of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Angel Jibreel visited the Prophet (ﷺ) over two days. On the first day, he led the Prophet at the earliest times of the Prayers. On the second day, he led him at the end times of each of the Prayers.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Jibreel led me in Prayer twice at the Ka'bah in Makkah. So he prayed Dhuhr the first day when the shadow was similar to the length of the strap of a sandal (i.e. just after midday). He then prayed 'Asr when an object was similar to the length of its shadow. Then he prayed Maghrib when the sun had set and the fasting person breaks the fast. Then he prayed 'Ishā when the twilight had vanished. Then he prayed Fajr when the true dawn began (before sunrise), and when eating is prohibited for the fasting person..." (At-Tirmidhī, 149)
1. Fajr
After the true dawn but before sunrise
2. Dhuhr
Just after midday till the shadow of an object is the same as its length
3. 'Asr
When the shadow of an object is the same as its length until it is twice its length
4. Maghrib
Just after the sunset until 'Ishā begins
5. 'Ishā
When the twilight vanishes till half the night has passed. Twilight is the light (or glow) that remains in the western horizon after the sun goes down
Conditions of Prayer
The Prayer has conditions — and without them, the Prayer is not accepted:
Islam
A person must be a Muslim
Sanity
The insane person is not obligated to pray
Adulthood
Known by: coarse hair in private areas, discharge of sexual fluid, reaching age 15, or onset of menstrual bleeding (females)
Purification
Ablution with water (wudhū) or with earth (tayammum) if water unavailable
Covering Awrah
Woman covers everything except face and hands. Man covers navel to knees and shoulders
Cleanliness
Body, garments, and place of prayer must be clean of impurities like urine and excrement
Facing Qiblah
Facing the direction of Makkah during prayer
Intention
Sincere intention of the heart (not uttered) for which prayer and for Allah alone
Time
Each Prayer must be prayed within the correct time
The Method of Wudhū (Ablution)
As explained in the Qur'ān: "When you stand for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows. Then wipe your heads and wash your feet up to your ankles." (Qur'an 5:6)
The Prophet's Method (ﷺ):
- Wash hands three times
- Rinse mouth and sniff water in nose (in one motion) and blow it out
- Wash face three times
- Wash right hand up to and including elbow three times, then left hand likewise
- Wipe head with wet hands, from forehead to nape of neck and back to forehead
- Put index fingers into ears and thumbs behind earlobes
- Wash right foot up to ankle three times, then left foot likewise
Uthmān (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performing ablution (wudhū) like this ablution of mine." (Bukhāri, Muslim and others)
Wiping Over Footwear:
Once feet have been washed and socks worn, you can wipe wet hands over the footwear for:
- Resident: One day and night
- Traveller: Three days and nights
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "When one of you enters his feet into his socks whilst they are pure, then you should wipe over them: three days for the traveller and one day for the resident." (Saheeh Al-Jāmi, 1/195)
Virtues of the Five Daily Prayers
Worth Fifty Prayers
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was taken into the Heavens on a night journey. He said, "Allah said to me, 'These are the five daily Prayers and they are equal in reward to fifty, and My word does not change.'" (Bukhārī, 349)
Guard Especially 'Asr
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever misses the 'Asr prayer, then it is as if he has lost his family and property." (Bukhāri, 543)
Seek Solace Through Prayer
Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Whenever something serious troubled the Prophet (ﷺ), he would pray." (Abu Dawūd, 1319)
Coolness of the Eyes
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Women and perfume have been made dear to me, and the coolness of my eyes is in the Prayer" (An-Nasā'i, 3940)
Prayers Wipe Away Sins
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Between each of the five daily Prayers, a Jumu'ah to the next Jumu'ah, and a Ramadān till the next Ramadān are an expiation for whatever is committed between them so long as one keeps clear of the major sins." (Muslim, 233/344)
Do Not Abandon Prayer
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Between a person and between polytheism and disbelief is the abandonment of the Prayer." (Muslim, 88)
The Prayer holds a mighty position in Islam. Sadly in these times, we see many Muslims neglecting it — and one can see the effects of the abandonment of the Prayer in their lives, in the lives of their families and in the moral fabric of society.
A Muslim, no matter how sinful, should always return to Allah, pray to Him, seek His forgiveness and mercy because Allah, the Lord of the worlds, is truly Oft-Forgiving and Most Merciful.
How to Determine Prayer Times Practically
The best and most authentic way is to use physical sightings, not just calculations:
1. Dhuhr (Noon Prayer)
Embed a stick in the ground. When the sun is at its zenith, the smallest shadow it casts is considered as noon. A small additional shadow (like a sandal strap) shows the beginning of Dhuhr. Now call the adhaan.
2. 'Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
When the shadow of the same object is equal to its length plus the small shadow it cast at noon, call the adhaan for 'Asr.
3. Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)
Go to a higher place, look West and East. When the sun vanishes over the western horizon and darkness spreads in the eastern horizon, call the adhaan for Maghrib.
4. 'Ishā (Night Prayer)
When the twilight vanishes (the light or glow that remains on the western horizon after sunset), call the adhaan. This can be seen from a high place.
5. Fajr (Dawn Prayer)
The true Fajr is the horizontally spreading whiteness in the horizon (without rushing and without delaying), with no darkness after it begins. Someone can be appointed to watch from an elevated location and call the mu'adhin.
Note: If the day is cloudy, base the adhaan on the previous day and make a fair judgement.
Written by Abu Khadeejah Abdul-Wahid
© Copyright 2018 Salafi Publications, Birmingham