From the Pulpit: Omaha area religious leaders share messages of faith

Understanding Islam: Part 3

Salah: The daily prayer at the heart of Islam

Salah, the second pillar of Islam, is a daily obligation for all Muslims who have reached maturity. It forms an essential aspect of Islamic practice, deeply rooted in devotion and worship of Allah. Defined as a prayer or supplication, Salah is not just a spiritual act but one with specific guidelines and rituals as prescribed in the Holy Qur'an.

How Salah is performed

Performing Salah involves following a structured process. Worshippers must ensure that they are appropriately dressed, covering specific parts of the body, and must face Mecca before beginning. Throughout the prayer, they recite designated phrases and passages from the Qur'an, following a precise sequence.

Obligatory prayers throughout the day

Salah is divided into five mandatory prayers, each performed at different times of the day:

Fajr: Before sunrise

Zuhr: Around midday

Asr: Between midday and sunset

Maghrib: At sunset

Isha: After sunset and before midnight

While these five prayers are compulsory, Muslims may also engage in voluntary prayers for additional spiritual benefit.

The ritual of prayer

Each prayer begins with the Athan, or call to prayer, signaling the time to engage in this sacred conversation between the worshipper and Allah. Salah is deeply personal, intended solely for the individual's spiritual enrichment, but many choose to perform it in congregation at a mosque, while others may pray at home or work. Special allowances exist for travelers, making it easier to maintain this practice even when away from home.

The significance of Salah

Salah serves multiple purposes: It helps Muslims maintain their faith, fosters a deep sense of closeness to Allah, and reinforces mindfulness of their submission to the Creator. Friday's communal prayer, known as Jum'a, holds particular significance and is performed at the mosque, led by an Imam.

In addition to the daily prayers, there are other significant prayers in Islam, such as those for funerals, or during the Eid celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. The special prayer of Taraaweeh is observed every night during Ramadan.

Like all pillars of Islam, Salah is a critical duty for Muslims, helping them stay within the boundaries of faith and continually strengthen their relationship with Allah.

To be continued ....

— Imam Mohamad Jamal Daoudi (D. Min), Al-Taqwa Islamic Center of Elkhorn