As-Salat (Prayers) & Times of Salat in Islam – JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

As-Salat is the Islamic act of worship in which Muslims pray to Allah five times every day.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what as-salat means and state why Muslims pray
2. name the five daily prayers, their times and their number of rak’ahs
3. mention other special prayers such as Jumu’ah, Tarawih and Eid prayers
4. describe how to prepare for prayer, including the steps of wudu
5. list the steps of prayer in order

What is as-salat?

As-Salat means prayer, the special way a Muslim speaks to Allah and shows love and respect to Him.

• Pillar of Islam: salat is the second of the five pillars of Islam.
• Daily duty: every Muslim who has reached the age of responsibility prays five times a day.
• Purpose: the prayers keep a person close to Allah and help him or her remember Allah through the day.
• Call to prayer (adhan): the muezzin calls people to prayer from the mosque as each prayer time begins.
• Rak’ah: one complete unit of prayer, made up of standing, bowing and prostrating.

Why do Muslims pray?

Muslims pray because Allah commanded it, and prayer brings many spiritual and moral benefits.

• Command from Allah: salat is a duty every Muslim must perform.
• Thanks: it is a way to thank Allah for His blessings.
• Remembrance: it reminds them of Allah’s greatness.
• Peace: it helps them feel calm and peaceful.
• Protection: it keeps them away from bad things.

What are the five daily prayers and their times?

The five daily prayers are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha, and together they have 17 compulsory rak’ahs.

What are the types of prayer in Islam?

Prayers in Islam are either compulsory (fard) or voluntary (nafl), and each has its own place in a Muslim’s life.

• Compulsory (fard) prayer: a prayer every Muslim must perform, such as the five daily prayers.
• Voluntary (nafl) prayer: an extra prayer prayed to earn more reward, such as Tarawih.

What are the other special prayers?

The special prayers are Jumu’ah, Tarawih and the two Eid prayers.

Jumu’ah prayer (Friday prayer)

• Day: it is a special group prayer held on Friday.
• Place: it is held in the mosque.
• Replaces Dhuhr: it takes the place of Dhuhr prayer for men.
• Khutbah: it includes a special sermon given before the prayer.

Tarawih prayer

• Time: it is prayed at night after Isha during Ramadan.
• Type: it is an extra (voluntary) prayer to earn more blessings.
• Purpose: it helps Muslims feel close to Allah during Ramadan.

Eid prayers

• Number: there are two, held on two important days.
• Eid al-Fitr: it is held at the end of Ramadan.
• Eid al-Adha: it is held during the Hajj season.
• Celebration: both are celebrated with family and the community.

What is wudu and how is it made?

Wudu is the washing of certain parts of the body with clean water before prayer.

Steps of wudu

1. Make the intention in the heart and say “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah).
2. Wash both hands up to the wrists.
3. Rinse the mouth.
4. Sniff water into the nose and blow it out.
5. Wash the face.
6. Wash both arms up to the elbows.
7. Wipe the head with wet hands.
8. Wash both feet up to the ankles.

What breaks wudu?

• Using the toilet: passing urine or stool breaks wudu.
• Passing wind: wudu must be repeated.
• Deep sleep or fainting: wudu must be repeated before praying.

When there is no water

• Tayammum: dry ablution done with clean earth when water is not available or cannot be used.

How do Muslims prepare a place for prayer?

A Muslim prays in a clean, quiet place while facing the Qiblah, the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah (Mecca).

1. Use a prayer mat or another clean surface.
2. Face towards the Kaaba in Makkah.
3. Wear clean clothes.
4. Be quiet and calm.

What are the steps of prayer?

Each rak’ah of prayer follows a fixed order of standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting.

1. Make the intention (niyyah) in the heart.
2. Stand straight, facing the Qiblah.
3. Raise the hands and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest).
4. Read Surah Al-Fatihah, the first chapter of the Quran, and another short portion.
5. Bow down (ruku).
6. Stand up again.
7. Prostrate (sujud), with the forehead on the ground.
8. Sit briefly, then prostrate a second time. This completes one rak’ah.
9. Repeat for the number of rak’ahs of that prayer.
10. Sit at the end and recite the special prayers (tashahhud).
11. Finish by turning the head to the right and then the left, saying “Peace be upon you”.

What are the important things about salat?

• Time: pray on time.
• Cleanliness: be clean in body, clothes and place.
• Focus: keep your mind on Allah.
• Attitude: pray with love and respect.
• Understanding: try to understand the meaning of what you say.
• Sincerity: pray with your heart as well as your body.

What are the benefits of salat?

• Mental peace: it helps a person feel calm.
• Health: the movements and wudu keep the body active and clean.
• Family unity: it brings the family together.
• Discipline: it teaches regular habits and good use of time.
• Closeness to Allah: it connects a person with Allah.
• Relief: it helps people forget worldly problems.

Evaluation

1. What does as-salat mean?
2. Give three reasons why Muslims pray.
3. Name the five daily prayers and state the number of rak’ahs in each.
4. What is special about the Jumu’ah prayer?
5. List the steps of wudu.

Assignment

Complete these three parts in your exercise book:

1. Write the five daily prayers in order, with the time of each prayer.
2. Name the two Eid prayers and say when each one is held.
3. List four things to do when finding a clean place to pray.