The ritual prayer performed five times daily, with fixed postures, recitations, and the closing testimony (Tashahhud).
Tagged: Daily Prayer Liturgical Prayer Prayer
Historical Context
Salah is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam: the formal ritual prayer that tradition teaches was ordained during the Prophet Muhammad's night journey. Performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night, it follows a fixed sequence of standing, bowing, and prostration, with Al-Fatiha and further Qur'anic verses recited in each unit. While seated, the worshipper recites the Tashahhud, a testimony that includes the Shahada and blessings on the Prophet, before ending with the greeting of peace.
Use and Practice
Salah is prayed five times a day, at home, at work, or in the mosque, after ritual washing (wudu) and facing the direction of Mecca. The Friday noon prayer is performed in congregation with a sermon.
References
- Qur'an 1 — Al-Fatiha (Quran.com) Free / open access
- Sunnah.com — Hadith Collections Free / open access
Related Prayers and Creeds
- Al-Fatiha — The opening chapter of the Qur'an, recited in every unit of the ritual prayer.
- Shahada — Islam's testimony of faith: there is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.
- Dhikr — The remembrance of God through repeated short formulas of glory, praise, and greatness.
- Du'as — Personal supplications addressed to God in one's own need, in words from the Qur'an, the Prophet, or the heart.
Related Across the Site
- Al-Fatiha Prayer or Creed — The opening chapter of the Qur'an, recited in every unit of the ritual prayer.
- Amidah Prayer or Creed — The standing prayer at the center of every Jewish prayer service, recited silently while standing.
- Anglican Collects (Book of Common Prayer) Prayer or Creed — The short, structured prayers of the Book of Common Prayer appointed for each Sunday and feast, exemplified by the Collect for Purity.
- Jesus Prayer Prayer or Creed — A short, repeated invocation of Jesus asking for mercy, central to the Orthodox hesychast tradition.
- Te Deum Prayer or Creed — An ancient Latin hymn of praise to God, sung on occasions of solemn thanksgiving in Catholic and Anglican worship.
- The Angelus Prayer or Creed — A thrice-daily prayer of versicles and Hail Marys commemorating the Annunciation and the Incarnation.
- The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) Prayer or Creed — The prayer Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, shared by Christians of every tradition.
- Trisagion Prayers Prayer or Creed — The opening prayers of Orthodox services and prayer rules, built around the thrice-holy hymn 'Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal.'