Five Daily Prayers (Salawātul-Khamsah): Its Time and Number of Rak’ah – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

The five daily prayers (Salawātul-Khamsah) are Fajr, Zuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Ishā. Each has its own time and a fixed number of Rak’ah: Fajr 2, Zuhr 4, ‘Asr 4, Maghrib 3 and ‘Ishā 4. A Rak’ah is one complete unit of prayer, made up of standing, bowing, prostrating and sitting.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Say the exact time for each of the five daily prayers
2. Mention the actual number of Rak’ah for each of the five daily prayers
3. Tell why the time and number of Rak’ah for each of the five daily prayers are important

Review of the five daily prayers

Last week, we learned the names of the five daily prayers. Today, we will learn when to pray each prayer and how many Rak’ah (units) each prayer has. Rak’ah is the set of movements and recitations we do in prayer.

What are the times of the five daily prayers?

1. Salātul-Fajr (Dawn Prayer)

Time: From dawn (when the sky starts to become light) until just before sunrise.

Best time: As soon as you see the first light in the sky in the morning.

Number of Rak’ah: 2 Rak’ah (compulsory)

Signs of Fajr time:

• The sky begins to show light in the east
• It is still dark but light is appearing
• Birds start to sing
• It is before the sun rises

2. Salātul-Zuhr (Noon Prayer)

Time: From when the sun passes the middle of the sky (noon) until mid-afternoon.

Best time: Soon after the sun passes its highest point at noon.

Number of Rak’ah: 4 Rak’ah (compulsory)

Signs of Zuhr time:

• The sun has passed the middle of the sky
• Shadows start to get longer
• It is the hottest part of the day
• Usually around 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM (depending on location)

3. Salātul-‘Asr (Afternoon Prayer)

Time: From mid-afternoon until just before sunset.

Best time: In the middle of the afternoon when shadows are twice the length of objects.

Number of Rak’ah: 4 Rak’ah (compulsory)

Signs of ‘Asr time:

• The afternoon has begun
• The sun is no longer very hot
• Shadows are getting longer
• Usually around 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM (depending on location)

4. Salātul-Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)

Time: From immediately after sunset until the red twilight disappears from the sky.

Best time: As soon as the sun sets completely.

Number of Rak’ah: 3 Rak’ah (compulsory)

Signs of Maghrib time:

• The sun has completely set below the horizon
• The sky is still showing red or orange colours
• It is getting dark but not completely dark yet
• Usually around 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM (depending on location and season)

5. Salātul-‘Ishā (Night Prayer)

Time: From when the red twilight disappears until midnight (or dawn in some opinions).

Best time: Before midnight, preferably in the early part of the night.

Number of Rak’ah: 4 Rak’ah (compulsory)

Signs of ‘Ishā time:

• The sky is completely dark
• No red or orange colours remain in the sky
• Stars are clearly visible
• Usually around 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM (depending on location and season)

Summary table of prayer times and Rak’ah

What is a Rak’ah?

A Rak’ah is one complete unit of prayer. Each Rak’ah includes:

• Standing and reciting from the Qur’an
• Bowing down (Rukū’)
• Standing up again
• Prostrating (Sujūd) twice
• Sitting between prostrations

Why are the times important?

The times for each prayer are very important because:

1. Allah’s command: Allah commanded us to pray at these specific times.
2. Obedience: Praying on time shows we are obedient to Allah.
3. Spiritual discipline: It teaches us discipline and time management.
4. Remembering Allah: We remember Allah throughout the day and night.
5. Missed prayers: If we do not pray on time, we miss the prayer and must make it up.
6. Better rewards: Praying at the beginning of the time gives more rewards.
7. Connection with Allah: Regular prayers keep us connected with Allah all day.

Why is the number of Rak’ah important?

The number of Rak’ah for each prayer is fixed by Allah and we cannot change it:

1. Fixed by Allah: The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us the exact number.
2. Complete prayer: We must do the correct number or our prayer is not complete.
3. Submission: Following the exact number shows we submit to Allah’s command.
4. Part of worship: Doing more or less than the required number is not correct.
5. Unity among Muslims: All Muslims pray the same number of Rak’ah everywhere in the world.

Which prayer has 3 Rak’ah?

Maghrib is the only prayer that has 3 Rak’ah. All other prayers have either 2 or 4 Rak’ah.

How can we know prayer times?

We can know the prayer times by:

• Looking at the position of the sun
• Listening to the Adhān (call to prayer) from the mosque
• Using a prayer time calendar
• Using prayer time apps on phones
• Asking our parents or elders
• Checking Islamic websites

What happens if we miss prayer time?

If we miss a prayer time:

• We must pray it as soon as we remember (Qadā prayer)
• We should ask Allah for forgiveness
• We should try not to miss prayers again
• We should set reminders to help us pray on time

How can we pray on time?

To help us pray all five prayers on time:

1. Wake up early: Set an alarm for Fajr prayer.
2. Listen for Adhān: Pay attention when you hear the call to prayer.
3. Ask parents: Ask your parents to remind you.
4. Make it a habit: Pray at the same times every day.
5. Stop activities: Stop playing or studying when it is prayer time.
6. Pray together: Pray with your family when possible.
7. Do not delay: Do not say “I’ll pray later.” Pray as soon as the time enters.
8. Be prepared: Keep your ablution so you are always ready.

What are the benefits of praying five times daily?

Praying five times every day brings many benefits:

• Keeps us close to Allah
• Reminds us of Allah throughout the day
• Teaches us discipline
• Removes our sins
• Brings peace to our hearts
• Protects us from evil
• Earns us Paradise
• Makes us better Muslims

Evaluation

Multiple choice questions

Choose the correct answer from the options given:

1. How many Rak’ah are in Fajr prayer?
   • A) 1
   • B) 2
   • C) 3
   • D) 4
2. Which prayer has 3 Rak’ah?
   • A) Fajr
   • B) Zuhr
   • C) Maghrib
   • D) ‘Ishā
3. Salātul-Zuhr is prayed at ______
   • A) Dawn
   • B) Noon
   • C) Sunset
   • D) Night
4. How many Rak’ah are in ‘Asr prayer?
   • A) 2
   • B) 3
   • C) 4
   • D) 5
5. Fajr prayer is prayed from dawn until ______
   • A) Noon
   • B) Sunrise
   • C) Sunset
   • D) Midnight
6. Which prayer is prayed immediately after sunset?
   • A) Fajr
   • B) Zuhr
   • C) Maghrib
   • D) ‘Ishā
7. How many times do Muslims pray every day?
   • A) Three
   • B) Four
   • C) Five
   • D) Six
8. Salātul-‘Ishā is prayed at ______
   • A) Morning
   • B) Noon
   • C) Afternoon
   • D) Night
9. One complete unit of prayer is called ______
   • A) Adhān
   • B) Rak’ah
   • C) Wudū
   • D) Sūrah
10. How many Rak’ah are in ‘Ishā prayer?
    • A) 2
    • B) 3
    • C) 4
    • D) 5

Assignment

Answer the following questions in your notebook:

1. List the five daily prayers and their times.
2. How many Rak’ah are in Maghrib prayer?
3. What is a Rak’ah?
4. Why is it important to pray on time?
5. Which prayer is prayed at dawn?