Understanding Salah: The Five Daily Prayers

Salah structures the Muslim day around remembrance of God. The five prayers are Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night) — each with a defined window during which it must be performed. Before praying, a Muslim performs wudu, a ritual washing of the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, and feet. Prayer itself is performed facing the qibla, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, and consists of units called rak'ahs, each combining standing recitation, bowing (ruku), and two prostrations (sujud). Every rak'ah opens with al-Fatihah, the Quran's opening chapter, often followed by another passage chosen by the person praying. The prayer closes with the tashahhud, a seated declaration of faith, and the taslim, turning the head right and left while greeting those present with peace. Salah may be prayed individually or in congregation; congregational prayer, led by an imam, is especially emphasized for men at the mosque, and Friday's midday prayer (Jumu'ah) is a congregational obligation with a sermon preceding it.