Solat SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

Solat is the name for the five daily prayers that Muslims must perform. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which means it is one of the most important acts in the religion. The word “Salaat” comes from Arabic and means “connection.” This is because prayer connects Muslims to Allah (God).

When Muslims pray, they turn toward the Kaaba in Makkah. The Kaaba is a cube-shaped building that was built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael) many years ago. Muslims all over the world face this same direction when they pray, no matter where they are.

The Five Daily Prayers

Muslims pray five times every day. Each prayer has its own name and time:

1. Fajr- The dawn prayer, performed before sunrise
2. Dhuhr – The noon prayer, performed after the sun passes its highest point
3. Asr – The afternoon prayer, performed in the late afternoon
4. Maghrib – The sunset prayer, performed just after the sun sets
5. Isha – The night prayer, performed at night when it’s dark

The times for prayer change a little each day because they follow the sun’s movement. In some places, Muslims use special prayer timetables or apps to know exactly when to pray.

Getting Ready for Prayer

Before praying, Muslims must make sure they are clean and pure. This means they must perform wudu (ablution). Wudu is washing certain parts of the body with clean water:

– Hands (three times)

– Mouth (rinse three times)

– Nose (rinse three times)

– Face (three times)

– Arms up to the elbows (three times)

– Head (wipe once with wet hands)

– Ears (wipe once with wet fingers)

– Feet up to the ankles (three times)

If a person has not had a full bath recently or has done certain things like having intimate relations, they need to perform ghusl (a full bath) before prayer.

Muslims must also make sure their clothes and the place where they will pray are clean. They usually use a prayer mat to ensure they have a clean spot to pray.

What to Wear for Prayer

When praying, Muslims should wear clean and modest clothes that cover most of the body:

– Men should cover from the belly button to the knees at minimum, but most wear more clothing than this.

– Women should cover everything except the face and hands.

The clothes should not be too tight or see-through. They should also not have pictures of living things (like people or animals) on them.

The Adhan: Call to Prayer

Before each prayer time, there is a special call to prayer called the Adhan. In Muslim countries, you can hear the Adhan from the speakers of mosques. The Adhan reminds Muslims that it’s time to pray. It says (in Arabic):

– Allah is Greater (Allahu Akbar)

– I bear witness that there is no god but Allah

– I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah

– Come to prayer

– Come to success

– Allah is Greater

– There is no god but Allah

How to Perform Salaat

Salaat has specific steps and movements. Here is how Muslims pray:

1. Intention (Niyyah)

First, Muslims make an intention in their heart. They decide which prayer they are about to perform. The intention is not spoken out loud.

2. Takbir (Saying “Allahu Akbar”)

Muslims raise their hands to their ears and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greater). This marks the beginning of the prayer.

3. Standing (Qiyam)

They stand with hands folded over the chest (right hand over left). In this position, they recite:

– Surah Al-Fatihah (the first chapter of the Quran)

– Another short part from the Quran

4. Bowing (Ruku)

Muslims bow, placing their hands on their knees, keeping their back straight. In this position, they say “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) three times.

5. Standing Again

They stand up straight saying “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him), followed by “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, praise be to You).

6. Prostration (Sujood)

Muslims go down to the ground, placing their forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes on the floor. This is the closest position to Allah. Here they say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times.

7. Sitting (Jalsah)

They sit briefly between the two prostrations saying “Allahu Akbar.”

8. Second Prostration

They prostrate again just like the first time, saying the same words.

9. Sitting for Tashahhud

After completing one or two units of prayer, Muslims sit to recite the Tashahhud, which includes greetings to Allah, the Prophet, and all righteous servants of Allah.

10. Final Sitting and Salaam

In the last sitting, after reciting the Tashahhud, Muslims also recite prayers for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Then they end the prayer by turning their face to the right saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you), and then to the left repeating the same words.

Number of Units (Rakaat) in Each Prayer

Each prayer has a different number of units:

– Fajr: 2 units

– Dhuhr: 4 units

– Asr: 4 units

– Maghrib: 3 units

– Isha: 4 units

Extra (Sunnah) Prayers

Besides the five compulsory prayers, there are also optional prayers that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to pray:

– 2 units before Fajr

– 4 units before and 2 after Dhuhr

– 2 after Maghrib

– 2 after Isha

These extra prayers bring more rewards and help Muslims get closer to Allah.

Special Prayers

There are also special prayers for different occasions:

Friday Prayer (Salaat al-Jumu’ah)

This replaces the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays. Muslims gather at the mosque to listen to a sermon (khutbah) and then pray together.

Eid Prayers

These are special prayers performed on the two Islamic festivals: Eid al-Fitr (after Ramadan) and Eid al-Adha (during the Hajj season).

Funeral Prayer (Janazah)

This is performed when a Muslim dies. It has no bowing or prostration and is done standing only.

Taraweeh Prayer

This is performed during the month of Ramadan after the Isha prayer.

Importance of Salaat

Salaat is very important in Islam for many reasons:

1. Direct Connection: It allows Muslims to speak directly to Allah.
2. Daily Reminder: Praying five times a day reminds Muslims about Allah throughout the day.
3. Discipline: Regular prayer helps Muslims develop self-discipline and good habits.
4. Community: When Muslims pray together at the mosque, it builds a sense of community and brotherhood/sisterhood.
5. Peace: Prayer brings peace to the heart and mind.
6. Protection: The Quran says that prayer keeps people away from bad deeds and sins.
7. Identity: Prayer is part of Muslim identity and helps them remember who they are.
8. First Question: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that on Judgment Day, the first thing people will be asked about is their prayers.

What Makes Prayer Invalid?

Certain things can make a prayer invalid, and Muslims would need to restart:

– Talking during prayer

– Eating or drinking during prayer

– Laughing out loud

– Moving too much

– Breaking wudu (like passing gas)

– Uncovering parts of the body that should be covered

– Not facing the direction of the Kaaba

Tips for Better Prayer

Here are some tips to help improve one’s prayer:

1. Be on Time: Try to pray as soon as the prayer time starts.
2. Focus: Keep your mind on Allah and what you are saying. Try not to think about other things.
3. Understand the Words: Learn what the Arabic words in the prayer mean.
4. Pray Slowly: Don’t rush through the prayer. Take your time.
5. Pray with Others: When possible, pray at the mosque with other Muslims.
6. Be Clean: Always make sure your body, clothes, and prayer place are clean.
7. Remember Allah: Before and after prayer, spend some time remembering Allah.

Praying When Traveling or Sick

Islam makes things easier for people in difficult situations:

– When Traveling: Travelers can shorten the 4-unit prayers to 2 units.

– When Sick: If someone cannot stand, they can pray sitting down. If they cannot sit, they can pray lying down. If they cannot move at all, they can pray with their eyes or even in their hearts.

– When There’s No Water: If water is not available for wudu, Muslims can perform “tayammum” by using clean earth or sand to wipe their hands and face.

Conclusion

Salaat is much more than just a ritual. It is a time when Muslims disconnect from the world and connect with Allah. It reminds them of their purpose in life and helps them become better people. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that prayer is “the coolness of my eyes,” showing how much joy and comfort it brought him.

By praying five times a day, Muslims remember Allah throughout their day and stay on the right path. Salaat helps keep their hearts clean and their actions good. It is a gift from Allah that helps Muslims in this life and the next.