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The Pillars of Islam. The Levels of Faith part 2
about islam
الكاتب:د.الاسطورة
تاريخ الإضافة 2008-03-23 19:36:07
Prayers (Salât):
The Arabic word Salât linguistically means supplication, but ritually, is the performance of a set and regular physical routine positions with the recitation of Verses from the Qur'ân and certain appropriate supplications.
It is a means of communication between man and Allâh , his Lord (Rubb). In it, a person demonstrates his love and submissiveness to Allâh . It is the most important pillar next to the Witness of Faith and is the backbone of Islam. It is an act of worship which combines the positions of standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting with such utterances as the TakbIr, the saying of Allâhu Akbar (Allâh is the Most Great!); the TaslIm, the saying of As-salâmu `alaikum wa rahmatullâhi wa barakâtuhu (May the Peace, Mercy and Blessings of Allâh be upon you!).
It is considered as the light of the believer, a protection against the commission of sins and a means of atonement for past sins.
The Importance of Salât: Salât, ritual prayer, is obligatory on every adult Muslim, and children should be taught how to perform the prayers at the age of seven. They may be encouraged to begin them at a younger age, and they should be told to perform them at the age of ten.
The delay of a ritual prayer beyond its designated period without a valid or legitimate reason is prohibited. The Prophet said:
Any Muslim who performs an obligatory prayer after having done its ablution (Wudû' in Arabic, i.e., the ritual washing of certain parts of the body),
bowing and prostration will have his previous sins erased as long as he keeps away from committing major sins.
This applies throughout one's lifetime.
Denial of Salât (prayers) as an obligatory act of worship constitutes apostasy from Islam, while neglecting it is an act of infidelity. Salât was ordained obligatory when the Prophet was conveyed to the seventh heaven on a miraculous trip.
It will be the first thing about which man is questioned on the Day of Resurrection.
Not only is Salât obligatory, it must also be performed at five prescribed times every day. The following are the five daily prayers :
1. The Dawn Prayer (Salât-ul-Fajr): It consists of two obligatory units, (two Rak`ât in Arabic). Two optional units of prayer (Sunnah) precede the Dawn Prayer. The period of this prayer is from the crack of dawn to sunrise.
2. The Noon Prayer (Salât-uz-Zuhr): It is comprised of four obligatory units. It is preceded by four optional units (in two groups of two) and followed by two optional units. It is performed after the sun passes its zenith until the second half of the afternoon, `Asr in Arabic.
3. The Afternoon Prayer (Salât-ul-`Asr): This prayer is four obligatory units and is performed when the length of the shadow of a vertical stick equals the length of the stick. The prayer period lasts until just before sunset. One may perform four optional units before the obligatory units.
4. The Evening Prayer (Salât-ul-Maghrib): It consists of three obligatory units, followed by two optional ones. The Evening Prayer may be performed soon as the sun sinks below the horizon until dusk has ended
5. The Night Prayer (Salât-ul-`Ishâ'): This last of the five daily prayers consists of four obligatory units. It may be preceded by two optional units and followed by two, then three or one (Witr) optional units. It is performed after it has become completely dark until the crack of dawn, but it is preferable to perform it before midnight.
The obligatory prayers may be performed alone or preferably in a congregation led by a leader (Imâm). The call to prayer (Adhân) is made at the beginning of every prayer period.
To perform prayer, one must be in the state of ritual purity obtained after an ablution (Wudû'). The ablution includes washing the hands, rinsing the nose and the mouth, washing the face and the arms, wiping the head with wet hands and washing the feet.
Prayer is one of the greatest pillars of Islam. It is the first act of worship for which man is answerable on the Day of Reckoning. If Allâh accepts an individual's prayer, then He accepts the rest of his good deeds as well.15
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