The Five Daily Prayer (The Second Pillar of Islam) – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Prayer (Salah) is the second pillar of Islam after the declaration of faith (Shahadah). It is one of the most important acts of worship for Muslims. Allah has commanded Muslims to pray five times every day. The five daily prayers help Muslims remember Allah throughout the day and build a strong relationship with Him.

Behavioural objectives

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

• name the five daily prayers and state their times;
• state the number of obligatory rak’ahs in each prayer;
• list the prerequisites for prayer;
• describe the basic steps of one rak’ah;
• explain why prayer is important in Islam;
• state how travellers and sick people may pray.

Why is prayer important in Islam?

Command from Allah

Prayer is mentioned many times in the Quran:

• “Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times.” (Quran 4:103)
• “Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” (Quran 2:238)
• “Establish prayer, for prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing.” (Quran 29:45)

Emphasis by Prophet Muhammad

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stressed the importance of prayer:

• He said: “The first thing that a person will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is prayer.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
• He also said: “The difference between a believer and a disbeliever is the abandonment of prayer.” (Muslim)
• Before his death, the Prophet repeatedly reminded people: “Prayer, prayer, and what your right hands possess (fair treatment of servants and dependents).”

Benefits of prayer

Prayer has many benefits for Muslims:

• Builds a direct connection with Allah
• Brings peace to the heart and mind
• Helps resist temptation and avoid sin
• Creates discipline in daily life
• Reminds us of our purpose in life
• Brings Muslims together as a community
• Provides regular physical exercise
• Teaches punctuality and time management

What are the five daily prayers?

Fajr (Dawn Prayer)

• Time: From dawn until sunrise
• Number of Rak’ahs (units): 2 obligatory, 2 Sunnah (recommended before the obligatory)
• Special features: Performed while it is still dark or during early light, recitation is done out loud
• Reward: The Prophet said, “Whoever prays the dawn prayer in congregation is as if he has prayed the whole night.” (Muslim)

Zuhr (Noon Prayer)

• Time: After the sun passes its highest point until mid-afternoon
• Number of Rak’ahs: 4 obligatory, 4 Sunnah (2 before and 2 after the obligatory)
• Special features: Performed during the heat of the day, recitation is silent
• Reward: Praying during the heat of the day is specially rewarded, as the Prophet said: “Cool down before prayer in intense heat, for indeed the intensity of heat is from the flames of Hellfire.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Asr (Afternoon Prayer)

• Time: Mid-afternoon until just before sunset
• Number of Rak’ahs: 4 obligatory, 2 to 4 Sunnah before (according to different opinions)
• Special features: The “middle prayer” mentioned specifically in the Quran, recitation is silent
• Reward: The Prophet said: “Whoever prays the two cool prayers (Fajr and Asr) will enter Paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Maghrib (Sunset Prayer)

• Time: After sunset until the disappearance of twilight
• Number of Rak’ahs: 3 obligatory, 2 Sunnah after the obligatory
• Special features: The only obligatory prayer with 3 rak’ahs, recitation is out loud
• Reward: The time between Maghrib and Isha is considered a blessed time for supplication and extra worship

Isha (Night Prayer)

• Time: After the disappearance of twilight until midnight (though it can be prayed until dawn if necessary)
• Number of Rak’ahs: 4 obligatory, 2 Sunnah after, plus Witr (1 to 3 rak’ahs)
• Special features: Recitation is out loud, can be delayed but it is better to pray early
• Reward: The Prophet said: “Whoever prays Isha in congregation is as if he has prayed half the night.” (Muslim)

What must a Muslim do before praying?

Purification

Before praying, a Muslim must be in a state of purity:

• Wudu (ablution): Washing specific parts of the body with water
• Ghusl (full bath): Required after major impurity
• Tayammum (dry ablution): Using clean earth when water is not available

Clean place and clothes

• The place of prayer must be clean
• Clothes must be clean and cover the awrah (parts of the body that must be covered)
• For men: From navel to knees at minimum
• For women: The entire body except face and hands

Facing the Qiblah

• Muslims must face the direction of the Kaaba in Makkah
• This direction is called the Qiblah
• Modern mosques have a mihrab (prayer niche) showing this direction
• When travelling, Muslims can use a compass or apps to find the Qiblah

Proper time

• Each prayer must be performed in its proper time
• Praying before the time begins is not valid
• Delaying prayer beyond its time without a valid reason is sinful

How is prayer performed?

Basic components of prayer

Each prayer consists of units called rak’ahs, and each rak’ah includes:

1. Standing and saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest)
2. Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah and another portion of the Quran
3. Bowing (Ruku) while saying “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory to my Lord, the Magnificent)
4. Standing straight and saying “Sami’Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Allah hears those who praise Him. Our Lord, praise belongs to You)
5. Prostrating (Sujood) while saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory to my Lord, the Most High)
6. Sitting between the two prostrations and saying “Rabbi ighfir li” (My Lord, forgive me)
7. Prostrating a second time
8. Sitting for the Tashahhud (testimony of faith) after every two rak’ahs
9. Final sitting for the Tashahhud and sending peace and blessings on the Prophet
10. Ending the prayer by turning the head right and left, saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you)

Differences between obligatory and Sunnah prayers

• Obligatory (Fard): Must be performed, sin to miss without valid reason
• Sunnah: Recommended but not obligatory, following the Prophet’s example
• Both are performed in the same way, but the intention is different

What are the rules for congregational prayer?

Importance of praying together

Praying in congregation (Jama’ah) is highly encouraged:

• The Prophet said: “Prayer in congregation is 27 times better than praying alone.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
• It strengthens brotherhood and community bonds
• It encourages punctuality and discipline
• Men are strongly encouraged to pray in the mosque

Role of the Imam

• The Imam leads the prayer
• He should be the most knowledgeable in Quran and Islamic rulings
• He recites out loud in prayers where recitation is audible
• Others follow his actions during prayer

Joining late

If someone joins the prayer late:

• They should join the congregation in whatever position they find the Imam
• After the Imam finishes, they complete the missed rak’ahs
• The rak’ahs prayed behind the Imam count first

How do Muslims pray in special situations?

Travel prayer

When travelling:

• Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers are shortened from 4 to 2 rak’ahs
• Maghrib remains 3 rak’ahs and Fajr remains 2 rak’ahs
• Sometimes prayers can be combined (Zuhr with Asr, Maghrib with Isha)

Illness

When someone is sick:

• They can pray sitting if they cannot stand
• They can pray lying down if they cannot sit
• They can use gestures for bowing and prostration if unable to perform them
• Tayammum can be used if water would harm them

Fear or danger

During times of fear or danger:

• Prayer can be performed in different ways as mentioned in the Quran
• People can take turns praying while others keep watch
• In extreme danger, prayer can be performed while walking or riding

Missed prayers

If prayers are missed:

• They must be made up as soon as possible
• They should be performed in the order they were missed
• There is no substitute for missed prayers

What mistakes should be avoided in prayer?

Physical mistakes

• Not standing straight in prayer
• Not completing the bowing or prostration properly
• Moving unnecessarily during prayer
• Looking around instead of focusing on the place of prostration
• Rushing through the prayer

Mental mistakes

• Performing prayer without concentration (khushu’)
• Thinking about worldly matters during prayer
• Praying just to finish quickly without connecting with Allah
• Not understanding the meanings of what is being recited

How can a Muslim develop khushu’ (concentration) in prayer?

Before prayer

• Perform proper ablution and prepare mentally
• Remember you are about to stand before Allah
• Choose a quiet place with few distractions
• Learn the meanings of what you recite in prayer

During prayer

• Focus on the meaning of each statement
• Imagine Allah is watching you
• Take your time and do not rush
• Vary the surahs you recite after Al-Fatihah

After prayer

• Make supplications (du’a)
• Reflect on how the prayer went
• Try to maintain the peaceful feeling from prayer
• Set goals for improving your next prayer

What other prayers are there beyond the five daily prayers?

Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer

• Replaces Zuhr prayer on Fridays
• Must be performed in congregation
• Includes a sermon (khutbah) before the prayer
• Consists of 2 rak’ahs instead of the 4 of Zuhr

Eid prayers

• Performed on the two annual Eid celebrations
• Performed after sunrise
• Consists of 2 rak’ahs with extra takbeers (saying “Allahu Akbar”)
• Followed by a sermon

Taraweeh prayer

• Special night prayer during Ramadan
• Usually 8 or 20 rak’ahs (varies by community)
• Performed after Isha prayer
• Long portions of the Quran are recited

Witr prayer

• Odd number of rak’ahs (usually 1, 3, 5 or 7)
• Performed after Isha prayer and before Fajr
• The last prayer of the night
• The Prophet never left it even when travelling

Evaluation

1. What are the five daily prayers and their times?
2. How many rak’ahs are in each obligatory prayer?
3. What are the prerequisites before performing prayer?
4. Describe the basic steps of performing one rak’ah of prayer.
5. Why is prayer important in Islam?
6. How can a sick person pray if they cannot stand or prostrate?

Assignment

Answer the following questions in your exercise book:

1. List four benefits of prayer.
2. State the difference between obligatory (Fard) and Sunnah prayers.
3. How does Jumu’ah prayer differ from Zuhr prayer?
4. How are Zuhr, Asr and Isha prayers changed when a person is travelling?