Solat – SS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Third Term)

Solat (Salaat) is the set of five daily prayers that every adult Muslim must perform, and it is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam.

• Meaning: Salaat is the Arabic word for prayer, often explained as a link or connection between a Muslim and Allah (God).
• Status: it is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam.
• Number: five prayers are performed every day, each with its own name and time.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. name the five daily prayers, state their times and the number of units (rakaat) in each;
2. list the parts of the body washed in wudu and say when ghusl is needed;
3. describe the steps of Salaat in order;
4. state the importance of Salaat and the things that make a prayer invalid;
5. explain how Islam makes prayer easier when a person is travelling, sick or has no water.

Which direction do Muslims face when they pray?

Muslims face the Kaaba in Makkah when they pray.

• The Kaaba: a cube-shaped building built by Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Ismail (Ishmael).
• Qiblah: the direction of the Kaaba, which Muslims everywhere face, wherever they are.

What are the five daily prayers?

The five daily prayers are Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha.

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 when it is dark.

• Changing times: prayer times shift a little each day because they follow the sun’s movement.
• Finding the time: Muslims use prayer timetables or phone apps to know the exact time.

How many units (rakaat) does each prayer have?

A rakah (plural rakaat) is one unit of prayer, made up of standing, bowing and two prostrations.

How do Muslims get ready for prayer?

Muslims get ready for prayer by making sure their body, clothes and prayer place are clean.

• Body: cleaned by wudu or, where needed, ghusl.
• Clothes: clean and modest.
• Place: clean ground, often with a prayer mat.

What is wudu?

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

1. Hands: wash three times.
2. Mouth: rinse three times.
3. Nose: rinse three times.
4. Face: wash three times.
5. Arms: wash up to the elbows, three times.
6. Head: wipe once with wet hands.
7. Ears: wipe once with wet fingers.
8. Feet: wash up to the ankles, three times.

When is ghusl needed?

Ghusl is a full bath with clean water, needed before prayer after certain events.

• Sexual intercourse: a full bath is required afterwards.
• Discharge of semen: for example after a wet dream.
• End of menstruation: a woman performs ghusl when her period ends.
• End of childbirth bleeding: a woman performs ghusl when the bleeding stops.

What should Muslims wear for prayer?

Muslims should wear clean, modest clothes that cover the parts of the body that must be covered.

• Men: cover at least from the navel to the knees, though most wear more.
• Women: cover everything except the face and hands.
• Style: clothes should not be too tight or see-through.
• Pictures: clothes should not carry pictures of living things such as people or animals.

What is the Adhan?

The Adhan is the call to prayer made when each prayer time begins.

• Where: in Muslim communities it is called from the mosque, often through loudspeakers.
• Purpose: it reminds Muslims that it is time to pray.

The main lines of the Adhan, in meaning, are:

1. Allah is Greater (Allahu Akbar).
2. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah.
3. I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
4. Come to prayer.
5. Come to success.
6. Allah is Greater.
7. There is no god but Allah.

• Repetition: in the full Adhan, most lines are repeated, and the opening “Allahu Akbar” is said four times.

How is Salaat performed?

Salaat is performed in ten steps, from the intention to the Salaam.

1. Intention (Niyyah): the worshipper decides in the heart which prayer is being performed. It is not spoken aloud.
2. Takbir: the worshipper raises the hands and says “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is Greater). This begins the prayer.
3. Standing (Qiyam): the worshipper stands and recites Surah Al-Fatihah, then another short part of the Quran.
4. Bowing (Ruku): the worshipper bows with hands on the knees and back straight, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal Adheem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) three times.
5. Standing again: the worshipper rises, saying “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah hears those who praise Him), then “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” (Our Lord, praise be to You).
6. Prostration (Sujood): the worshipper places the forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes on the floor, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times. This is the position in which a worshipper is closest to Allah.
7. Sitting (Jalsah): the worshipper sits briefly between the two prostrations, saying “Allahu Akbar” and asking Allah for forgiveness.
8. Second prostration: the worshipper prostrates again and says the same words as before.
9. Sitting for Tashahhud: the worshipper sits after every two units to recite the Tashahhud. It contains greetings to Allah, the Prophet and the righteous servants of Allah.
10. Final sitting and Salaam: after the last Tashahhud, the worshipper prays for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Then the worshipper turns the face to the right and then to the left, saying “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).

• Two-unit prayer (Fajr): one sitting only, at the end.
• Three- and four-unit prayers: a first sitting after the second unit, and a final sitting at the end.

What are the extra (Sunnah) prayers?

Sunnah prayers are optional prayers that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to perform alongside the five compulsory prayers.

• Fajr: 2 units before.
• Dhuhr: 4 units before and 2 units after.
• Maghrib: 2 units after.
• Isha: 2 units after.

• Benefit: they bring extra rewards and help Muslims draw closer to Allah.

What are the special prayers?

There are four special prayers: Friday prayer, Eid prayers, funeral prayer and Taraweeh.

Friday prayer (Salaat al-Jumu’ah)

• Time: it replaces the Dhuhr prayer on Fridays.
• Practice: Muslims gather at the mosque, listen to a sermon (khutbah) and then pray together.

Eid prayers

• Eid al-Fitr: held at the end of Ramadan.
• Eid al-Adha: held during the Hajj season.

Funeral prayer (Janazah)

• Occasion: performed when a Muslim dies.
• Form: it is done standing only, with no bowing or prostration.

Taraweeh prayer

• Time: performed in the month of Ramadan, after the Isha prayer.

Why is Salaat important?

Salaat is important because it links a Muslim to Allah and shapes good character.

1. Direct connection: it allows Muslims to speak directly to Allah.
2. Daily reminder: praying five times a day keeps Allah in mind throughout the day.
3. Discipline: regular prayer builds self-discipline and good habits.
4. Community: praying together at the mosque builds brotherhood and sisterhood.
5. Peace: prayer brings calm to the heart and mind.
6. Protection: the Quran says prayer keeps people away from bad deeds and sins.
7. Identity: prayer is part of Muslim identity.
8. First question: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said prayer is the first thing people will be asked about on the Day of Judgement.

• Joy in prayer: the Prophet (peace be upon him) called prayer “the coolness of my eyes”, showing the comfort it gave him.

What makes a prayer invalid?

A prayer becomes invalid when something breaks its rules, and the worshipper must pray again.

• Talking: speaking during the prayer.
• Eating or drinking: taking food or drink during the prayer.
• Laughing: laughing out loud.
• Too much movement: moving about without need.
• Breaking wudu: for example passing gas.
• Uncovering: exposing parts of the body that must be covered.
• Wrong direction: not facing the Kaaba.

What are some tips for better prayer?

Better prayer comes from preparation, attention and regular practice.

1. Be on time: pray as soon as the prayer time starts.
2. Focus: keep your mind on Allah and on what you are saying.
3. Understand the words: learn the meaning of the Arabic words in the prayer.
4. Pray slowly: do not rush. Take your time.
5. Pray with others: pray at the mosque with other Muslims when possible.
6. Be clean: keep your body, clothes and prayer place clean.
7. Remember Allah: spend a little time remembering Allah before and after prayer.

How do Muslims pray when travelling, sick or without water?

Islam allows easier ways of praying for people in difficult situations.

• When travelling: travellers may shorten the 4-unit prayers (Dhuhr, Asr and Isha) to 2 units.
• When sick, unable to stand: pray sitting down.
• When sick, unable to sit: pray lying down.
• When unable to move at all: pray with eye movements or in the heart.
• When there is no water: perform tayammum, which uses clean earth or sand in place of water.

How is tayammum done?

1. Make the intention.
2. Strike the palms on clean earth or sand.
3. Wipe the face and the hands.

Evaluation

1. Name the five daily prayers and state the number of units in each.
2. List the parts of the body washed during wudu.
3. Describe what Muslims do and say during the bowing (Ruku) and prostration (Sujood).
4. State four things that make a prayer invalid.
5. How can a Muslim pray if there is no water for wudu, or if the person is too sick to stand?

Assignment

Write out the ten steps of Salaat in the correct order, and give one thing said or done in each step.