Everyday Prayer Essay

How to Perform the Daily Prayers

“…and when you feel secure, perform the [complete] prayers, for the prayer is indeed a timed prescription for the faithful”. (4:103)

It is obligatory to perform the following five prayers every day during the prescribed times:

Dawn prayer (Salat al-Fajr), which consists of two units (each unit of prayer is called a rak`ah)

Midday prayer (Salat al-Zuhr) consisting of four units,

Afternoon prayer (Salat al-`Asr): four units,

Dusk prayer (Salat al-Maghrib): three units,

Night prayer (Salat al-`Isha): four units.

Performing the daily prayers involves taking specific steps in order (Tartib) and in regular succession without undue delay between them (Muwalat).

prayer, salat, call to prayer, Adhan, Iqama

It is stated in a saying (Hadith) from the holy Prophet (PBUH) that Wudu, if performed carefully, increases the presence of your heart when praying.

According to the verse of Quran above, the act of Wudu consists of four steps and six parts of the body:

Washing the face

Washing the forearms

Wiping the head

Wiping the feet

Evoke your intention (Niyyah) at the beginning as, “I am performing Wudu for the satisfaction of Allah, and to seek closeness to Him”

First, pour water over your face with your right hand and wipe it from the tip of your hair-line to the bottom of your chin in such a way that the water reaches all parts horizontally within the reach of the span of the hand from the middle-finger to the thumb.

With your left hand, pour water over the right arm and wipe it over both sides from the elbow to the finger-tips (not vice versa).

Repeat the very same step for your left arm using the right hand.

Note that washing your face and arms once as described is obligatory. A second such washing is recommended while subsequent washings are

The Prostration (Sujud)

It means that one should place their forehead on earth in a special manner, with the intention of humility before God.

While performing the Sujud, it is obligatory to place the forehead, both the palms and the knees, and the tip of both big toes on the ground. The following Zikr should be recited in the Sujud once:

“Subhana rabbi-al-a`laa wa bi-hamdih (Glory be to my Exalted Lord, and praise belongs to Him)”

After first Sujud, raise the forehead and sit up in a kneeling position with the ankle of one foot on the sole of the other, with hands resting on the thighs and say Takbir, optionally followed by:

“Astaghfir-u-llaah-a- rabbi wa atubu ilayh (I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and I turn towards him)”

Followed by Takbir again. Repeat the Sujud again and then sit up in a kneeling position and say Takbir.

Sit up for a moment and then rise while (optionally) saying:

“Bihawl-i-llah-i- wa quwwatih-i aqumu wa aq`ud (With God’s help and through His power I stand and sit)”

The Second Unit