Five Daily Prayers (Salawatul-Khamsah): Introduction – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

What is Salah (صَلَاة)?

Salah means prayer. It refers to the five daily prayers that Muslims perform: Fajr, Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha. Salah is the second pillar of Islam and it is obligatory (Fard). Muslims pray it five times a day to obey Allah’s command and stay connected to Him.

Behavioural objectives

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

• state the meaning of Salah and its place among the Five Pillars of Islam
• name the five daily prayers in order and say when each one is prayed
• give reasons why Muslims observe the daily prayers
• say what a Muslim should do after missing a prayer
• list ways children can learn to love Salah

Why is it called Salah?

• In Arabic, Salah means connection
• Prayer connects us to Allah
• It is our direct link to our Creator

Why is Salah important?

1. It is the second pillar of Islam

The Five Pillars are:

1. Shahadah (Declaration of Faith)
2. Salah (Prayer), the second pillar
3. Zakah (Charity)
4. Sawm (Fasting)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage)

2. It is obligatory (Fard, فَرْض)

Allah commands in the Qur’an: “And establish prayer” (Qur’an 2:110)

Salah is not optional. We must pray.

3. It was given directly by Allah

Special story:

• All other commands came through Angel Jibril
• Salah was given when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) went on Mi’raj (the Night Journey)
• He went to the heavens and Allah spoke to him directly
• Originally there were 50 prayers
• They were reduced to 5, with the reward of 50

4. It is the first thing we will be asked about

The Prophet (SAW) said: “The first thing that the person will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is good, then the rest of his deeds will be good. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad” (Hadith, Tabarani)

5. It is what makes us Muslim

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer” (Hadith, Muslim)

6. It is our daily meeting with Allah

• 5 times a day
• We stand before Allah
• We talk to Him
• It is a beautiful opportunity

What are the five daily prayers?

1. Fajr (فَجْر): the dawn prayer

Meaning: Fajr = Dawn, Daybreak

Time: Before sunrise, while it is still dark

When exactly:

• From true dawn (Fajr Sadiq)
• Until just before sunrise
• Best time: early, when it is dark

Description:

• The morning prayer
• Starts the day with Allah
• Prayed while most people are sleeping
• Angels are present

The Qur’an says: “Establish prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and the dawn prayer (Fajr). Indeed, the dawn prayer (Fajr) is witnessed [by angels]” (Qur’an 17:78)

Special about Fajr:

• Angels of night and day are both present
• It is a very blessed time
• It wakes you up for the day
• It is hardest for many people because of sleep
• It carries a great reward for those who pray it

2. Dhuhr (ظُهْر): the midday prayer

Meaning: Dhuhr = Noon, Midday

Time: After the sun passes its zenith (highest point)

When exactly:

• When the sun starts declining from its peak
• Middle of the day
• After noon time starts

Description:

• The afternoon prayer
• Prayed when the day is at its peak
• Prayed when people are busy
• We take a break to remember Allah

Special about Dhuhr:

• On Friday, men pray Jumu’ah instead (at the mosque)
• Women can pray Dhuhr at home
• It is a break in the busy day
• It reminds us that Allah comes first

3. ‘Asr (عَصْر): the late afternoon prayer

Meaning: ‘Asr = Afternoon, Time

Time: Mid-afternoon

When exactly:

• When the shadow of an object equals its length
• Between Dhuhr and Maghrib
• Late afternoon time

Description:

• The late afternoon prayer
• Prayed as the day winds down
• Prayed before evening comes
• It is important not to delay it

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer, it is as if he has been robbed of his family and wealth” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim)

Special about ‘Asr:

• Some scholars call it “Al-Wusta” (the middle prayer)
• It is very important not to miss it
• It is a sign of a true believer

4. Maghrib (مَغْرِب): the sunset prayer

Meaning: Maghrib = Sunset, West

Time: Right after sunset

When exactly:

• Immediately after the sun goes down
• Until the red glow disappears
• The time window is short

Description:

• The evening prayer
• Marks the end of the day
• Is the turning point between day and night
• Should be prayed quickly

Special about Maghrib:

• It has the shortest time window
• We must pray soon after sunset
• It marks the new Islamic day (in the lunar calendar)
• If you are fasting, this is when you break your fast

5. ‘Isha (عِشَاء): the night prayer

Meaning: ‘Isha = Night, Darkness

Time: After twilight disappears

When exactly:

• When the sky is completely dark
• When there is no more red glow in the sky
• Until midnight (best before the middle of the night)

Description:

• The night prayer
• The last prayer of the day
• Prayed before going to sleep
• Ends the day with Allah

Special about ‘Isha:

• It is the last prayer before sleep
• We can pray it until midnight (earlier is better)
• After this, go to sleep with Wudu
• We start the next day fresh with Fajr

What are the features of each prayer?

Fajr

• Shortest in Rak’ahs
• Prayed before work or school
• Prayed while it is dark
• Most difficult, because we fight sleep
• Angels witness it

Dhuhr

• Longest (4 Rak’ahs Sunnah before and after)
• Prayed in the middle of the day
• Becomes Jumu’ah on Friday (for men)
• A break in the day

‘Asr

• Prayed in the late afternoon
• Should not be delayed
• Important to pray on time
• The middle prayer

Maghrib

• Shortest time to pray it
• Prayed right after sunset
• Has an odd number of Rak’ahs (3)
• Marks the new day

‘Isha

• The last prayer
• Prayed at night
• Can be prayed until midnight
• Ends the day

Why do Muslims observe the daily prayers?

1. It is Allah’s command

• He ordered us to pray
• We must obey

2. It shows that we are Muslims

• Muslims pray 5 times a day
• It is our identity
• It distinguishes us from others

3. It helps us remember Allah throughout the day

• Morning, noon, afternoon, evening, night
• We never forget Allah
• We are always connected

4. It keeps us from sin

Allah says: “Verily, prayer prevents from immorality and wrongdoing” (Qur’an 29:45)

How?

• If you pray, you will not want to sin
• You have just talked to Allah
• You will feel ashamed to disobey

5. It washes away sins

The Prophet (SAW) said: “If there was a river at the door of any one of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would any dirt remain on him?” They said: “No dirt would remain on him.” He said: “That is the example of the five prayers. Allah wipes away sins with them” (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim)

6. It brings peace and happiness

• Talking to Allah brings peace
• The heart feels satisfied
• The mind becomes calm
• Life becomes better

7. It earns Paradise

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever prays the two cool prayers (‘Asr and Fajr) will enter Paradise” (Hadith, Bukhari)

If praying these two earns Paradise, think of the reward for all five.

8. It brings us closer to Allah

The Prophet (SAW) said: “The closest that a person is to his Lord is when he is in prostration (Sujud)” (Hadith, Muslim)

9. It makes us organised

• We have to manage our time
• We cannot be lazy
• We learn discipline
• It is good for life

10. It unites Muslims

• We all pray at the same times
• We face the same direction (Qiblah, the Ka’bah)
• We pray in the same way
• We are together as one Ummah

What happens if we do not pray?

Warning: The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever leaves the ‘Asr prayer, his good deeds will be lost” (Hadith, Bukhari)

Missing prayer is a major sin.

But Allah is Merciful:

• If you missed prayers, make them up (Qada)
• Repent to Allah
• Start praying from now
• It is never too late

How can children learn to love Salah?

1. Learn early

• Start practising at age 7
• By age 10, you must pray
• Make it a habit

2. Pray with family

• Pray together at home
• Go to the mosque together
• It makes prayer fun

3. Understand what you are saying

• Learn the meanings
• Know what you recite
• Prayer becomes more meaningful

4. Make it beautiful

• Wear nice, clean clothes
• Use nice-smelling perfume (for boys and men)
• Keep the place clean
• Feel special

5. Remember the reward

• Each prayer washes away sins
• Each Sujud brings us closer to Allah
• Each prayer is a step towards Jannah

Remember: Prayer is a gift. It is our chance to talk to Allah five times a day. How lucky we are!

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Salah is the _____ Pillar of Islam.
   • a) first
   • b) second
   • c) third
2. There are _____ daily prayers.
   • a) 3
   • b) 5
   • c) 7
3. The morning prayer is called _____.
   • a) Fajr
   • b) Dhuhr
   • c) ‘Isha
4. The sunset prayer is called _____.
   • a) Maghrib
   • b) ‘Asr
   • c) Fajr
5. Prayer was given to the Prophet during _____.
   • a) a dream
   • b) Mi’raj (Night Journey)
   • c) in Makkah

Assignment

1. Memorise the names of the five daily prayers in order.
2. Try to pray at least one prayer with your family.
3. Tell your parents the importance of Salah.
4. Draw a chart showing the five prayer times.