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Showing posts with label Reference Page: As Salat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reference Page: As Salat. Show all posts

Monday, 28 April 2025

What is Salat al Witr and offering of Qunut during Witr

Muslims observe five obligatory prayers / salat every  morning from pre dawn to late evening. These have to be performed for they have been commanded so by Allah in Qur'an. If they do, they will be rewarded for observing the Divine Directive. But if they don't, they will be penalized for disobeying their Creator.

However, there is one salat / prayer which is voluntary and observed late at night just sometime before the pre dawn prayer, the Fajr. This prayer is called Tahajjud or Qiyam al Lail. This is a voluntary prayer, yet it carries immense rewards for those who observe it and Allah promises that He is so near to them when they break their night sleep and get up only for the pleasure of their Lord. 

This form of prayer was obligatory for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, but those believers who observe it voluntarily are equally blessed. The last part of the Tahajjud prayer is Salat al Witr. This salat can be performed in odd cycles in one go, may be 5, 3 or even one. The hallmark of Salt al Witr is Qunut (القنوت) which is a special supplication (du‘a) that is recited during the final rak‘ah of Witr.

Let us know what is Qunut with regard to the Salat al Witr and what is to be prayed during the final rak'ah. But first let us refresh ourselves about the Salat al Witr.

The Witr prayer holds a special place in Islam—it is considered one of the most beloved voluntary (Sunnah Mu'akkadah) prayers and was strongly emphasized by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. It’s not obligatory like the five daily prayers, but it’s so highly recommended for it carries immense rewards. Let us know more about it:

What is Witr Prayer?
"Witr" literally means "odd", referring to the number of rak‘ahs (units)—usually prayed as 1, 3, 5, etc. It is ideally prayed after Tahajjud, if you wake for night prayer. But those who think they cannot get up for the Tahajjud prayer, then it is prayed after the ‘Isha (night) prayer.

Importance of Witr in Islam:
  • A Sunnah the Prophet Never Left
    • The Prophet ﷺ was consistent in praying Witr—even while traveling, which shows its significance.
    • "The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray Witr with three rak'ahs." (Sahih Muslim, 737)
  • A Form of Night Protection
    • The Prophet ﷺ described it as a form of spiritual shield: "Make Witr your last prayer at night." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim)
    • It serves as a spiritual closing to your day, asking for forgiveness, mercy, and protection from Allah.
  • Includes Du‘a al-Qunut: As we discussed earlier, Witr is the only prayer that consistently includes Qunut, a powerful supplication that brings a deeply spiritual moment to the night prayer.
  • Brings You Closer to Allah
    • Witr is part of Qiyam al-Layl (night prayer), which the Qur’an praises: "And during the night, wake up for prayer—an extra offering for you. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a praised station." Surah Al-Isra (17:79)
    • Night prayers, especially Witr, are a mark of the righteous, as mentioned in: "They used to sleep little by night, and in the hours before dawn they would seek forgiveness." Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:17–18)
  • A Reminder of Allah’s Oneness: Even the number—being odd—reminds us of Tawheed (the oneness of Allah). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah is One (Witr) and loves Witr, so perform Witr, O people of the Qur’an!" (Tirmidhi, 453 – Hasan Sahih)
Having known what is Tahajjud prayer and Salat al Witr, now let us share a Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ which educates us as what is Qunut prayer which is prayed in the final rak'ah of the Salat al Witr. 

The Qunut is mentioned in a Hadith noted in Sunan Abi Dawud (Book # 8  Prayer (Kitab Al-Salat): Detailed Injunctions about Witr / كتاب  الوتر / Chapter # 491 The Qunut During Witr / باب  الْقُنُوتِ فِي الْوِتْرِ as Hadith number # 1425, quoted herein under:

Narrated Al-Hasan ibn Ali:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) taught me some words that I say during the witr. (The version of Ibn Jawwas has: I say them in the supplication of the witr.) They were: "O Allah, guide me among those Thou hast guided, grant me security among those Thou hast granted security, take me into Thy charge among those Thou hast taken into Thy charge, bless me in what Thou hast given, guard me from the evil of what Thou hast decreed, for Thou dost decree, and nothing is decreed for Thee. He whom Thou befriendest is not humbled. Blessed and Exalted art Thou, our Lord."

Arabic Text:
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ جَوَّاسٍ الْحَنَفِيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ بُرَيْدِ بْنِ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، عَنْ أَبِي الْحَوْرَاءِ، قَالَ قَالَ الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ رضى الله عنهما عَلَّمَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَلِمَاتٍ أَقُولُهُنَّ فِي الْوِتْرِ قَالَ ابْنُ جَوَّاسٍ فِي قُنُوتِ الْوِتْرِ ‏ "‏ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ وَلاَ يَعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ ‏"‏ ‏
Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)

Qunut (القنوت) in the context of the Witr prayer refers to a special supplication (du‘a) that is recited during the final rak‘ah of Witr.

Meaning of Qunut:
The word "Qunoot" in Arabic linguistically means obedience, humility, or devotion, especially shown during standing in prayer. In Islamic worship, it refers to a specific, formal supplication made during salah, particularly at times of need or regularly in certain prayers like Witr.

Qunut in Witr Prayer:
  • When is it recited
    • In the last rak‘ah of Witr prayer—usually after ruku‘ (according to the Hanafi and many other scholars). However, some recite it before ruku‘ (like in the Shafi‘i school). Both are acceptable.
    • Dua Qunut is recited on the last unit of prayer (raka’at), after the I’tidal, while still standing, and before proceeding to the Sujud position. It is recommended to raise both hands upon reciting the Dua Qunut.
    • "I'tidal" can refer to a few different things, but it most commonly refers to a specific prayer position in Islam. It's also an Arabic name that means "temperance" or "balance". In the context of prayer, "i'tidal" is the act of standing upright after bowing (ruku') and before kneeling (sujud). It's considered a fundamental part of the prayer ritual. 
  • What is recited? There are a few authentic versions, but a common one is this du‘a narrated from Hasan ibn Ali (RA):
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
Translation:
“O Allah, guide me among those You have guided, grant me security among those You have granted security, take me into Your charge among those You have taken into Your charge, bless me in what You have given, and protect me from the evil You have decreed. For You decree, and none can pass decree upon You. And he whom You protect is never humiliated. Blessed are You, our Lord, and Exalted.”

Purpose of Qunut in Witr:
  • To seek guidance, protection, and blessings from Allah.
  • To express humility and devotion during a critical moment of prayer.
  • To build spiritual focus and a sense of closeness to Allah, especially at night.
Summary: Qunoot is a du‘a said during the Witr prayer, usually in the final rak‘ah.
  • It reflects humility, submission, and sincere appeal to Allah.
  • It's an established Sunnah—especially in Ramadan and Witr throughout the year.
  • There are differences in when and how often it’s practiced, depending on the school of thought.
Note: We have here only shared the basics regarding the Witr prayer and the Qunut. Those wanting to know more may consult the references given below.

Source of Supplication | Resource References: | 1 | 2 |

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.

Please refer to our reference page: Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for more prophetic Supplications attributed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ

Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet ﷺ of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Thursday, 21 November 2024

The Magic of Adhan at St Pancras Church, London that spellbound the audience

Music is one of the most fascinating form of art that soothes hearts and mind. It is for this very reason, most of the religions use music to sing rhymes to stir the body and mind of the worshippers. But imagine the magic and impact of Adhan, the Muslims' call of prayer, without the sound of any musical, has on those listening to it. It obviously attracts the Muslims, but also has a deep impact on the hearts and minds of the non Muslims who hardly know what is being said as Adhan is in Arabic, yet they can feel something Divine creeping into their minds.

There are many a video on social media showing immense emotions of the non Muslims when listening to Adhan. Some have even tears rolling from their eyes for the Adhan strikes softly at the hearts and really stirs it.

Today, we share the magic of Adhan which was called at St Pancras Church, London sometime back in 2018. The audience just had listened to a musical score played by a superb orchestra. Then came Hassen Rasool, who was specially invited to present the call of Adhan in a bid to develop inter faith harmony.  His fascinating voice spellbound the audience in a pin drop silenced church hall. 

Reacting to the Adhan by Hassen Rasool, one of the atheists responded on his YouTube page: I'm an atheist, but his voice was filled with so much love and inspiration that it made me understand more what believing in a god would feel like. Nothing but respect for this amazing man and his hypnotic voice! While another responder: I am a Christian believer, but I really like to hear your prayer. When I hear it it's really feel me like that I should surrender myself to God and I feels very connected to God.

Hassen Rasool is nationally acclaimed for his Call To Prayer televised on Channel 4. Also performed LIVE at venues such as the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, Shakespeare's Globe, V&A Museum, Eton College, Trafalgar Square, The House of Lords, House of Commons, Lords Cricket Ground and The Supreme Court to name but a few. While he is most popularly known for his emotive and powerful recitations of the majestic Arabic Quran, he is also an accomplished in a broad range of creative disciplines ranging from painting, sculpture, photography, theatrical performances to name but a few. (About Hassan Rasool)

Watch the soul searching and amazing Adhan by Hassen Rasool which he performed at  St Pancras Church, London. And then listen to the comments of those who listened to the Adhan and how they expressed their views:

Author's Note: The data above has been collected from the references as given below. If any one differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎)  help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Q&A about Understanding Islamplease refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of the Qur'ān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  
In addition, references of other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Thursday, 1 August 2024

What are the prohibited timings for offering Obligatory and Voluntary prayers / As Salat

Man has been worshipping visible objects since time immemorial. These visible objects may take the shape of man made idols or celestial objects like the sun, moon or even the fire. But in Islam, and also like all Divine religions, the believers worship the unseen God, Who resembles like no other and is hidden from our eyes. Muslims, therefore, worship Allah, the One True God, five times a day with the belief that they are being watched and listened to by Allah.

However, the mode and timings of worship of Muslims differ from all others, even the people of the Book. And there is a reason for that. In Islam, there are specific times during the day when it is prohibited to perform Salat (prayer). These times are based on the movements of the sun and are avoided to prevent any resemblance to sun worship, which was a common practice in pre-Islamic times. Here are the three main times when Salat should not be offered.

The prohibition of offering Salat (prayer) during certain times of the day is rooted in both the Hadith (the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad) and, to some extent, can be inferred from the Quran. Here's an explanation of these timings and their basis in Islamic teachings:

Obligatory Prayers
Times when Obligatory prayers / Salat cannot be offered (in the light of Hadiths attributed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
  • When the Sun is Rising:
    • The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do not pray at the time of the rising of the sun or at the time of its setting."
    • Reason: This time is avoided because it resembles the times when sun worshipers would worship the sun, thus preventing any similarity with their practices.
  • When the Sun is at its Zenith (Midday):
    • The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "The sun rises between the two horns of Satan, and when it is at its zenith, Satan is present."
    • Reason: This is a brief period when the sun is at its highest point in the sky before it begins to decline. Praying at this time is prohibited to distinguish Islamic practices from those of sun worshipers.
  • When the Sun is Setting
    • The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do not pray at the time of the rising of the sun or at the time of its setting."
    • Reason: This time is also avoided for the same reason as sunrise, to prevent any resemblance to sun worship.
Let us share the complete Hadith as mentioned in Sahi Muslim 612, wherein 'Abdullah b. 'Amr b. al-'As is quoted to have reported::

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about the times of prayers. He said: The time for the morning prayer (lasts) as long as the first visible part of the rising sun does not appear and the time of the noon prayer is when the sun declines from the zenith and there is not a time for the afternoon prayer and the time for the afternoon prayer is so long as the sun does not become pale and its first visible part does not set, and the time for the evening prayer is that when the sun disappears and (it lasts) till the twilight is no more and the time for the night prayer is up to the midnight.

Arabic Text:
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ الأَزْدِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ طَهْمَانَ - عَنِ الْحَجَّاجِ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ حَجَّاجٍ - عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ وَقْتِ الصَّلَوَاتِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ وَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ مَا لَمْ يَطْلُعْ قَرْنُ الشَّمْسِ الأَوَّلُ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الظُّهْرِ إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ عَنْ بَطْنِ السَّمَاءِ مَا لَمْ يَحْضُرِ الْعَصْرُ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الْعَصْرِ مَا لَمْ تَصْفَرَّ الشَّمْسُ وَيَسْقُطْ قَرْنُهَا الأَوَّلُ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الْمَغْرِبِ إِذَا غَابَتِ الشَّمْسُ مَا لَمْ يَسْقُطِ الشَّفَقُ وَوَقْتُ صَلاَةِ الْعِشَاءِ إِلَى نِصْفِ اللَّيْلِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Additional Prohibited Times for Non-Obligatory Prayers:
  • After the Fajr Prayer Until the Sun Rises:
    • The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no prayer after the Fajr prayer until the sun rises." (Sahih Bukhari 586, Sahih Muslim 612)
    • Reason: To emphasize the importance of the obligatory Fajr prayer and to prevent any confusion with non-obligatory prayers.
  • After the Asr Prayer Until the Sun Sets
    • The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is no prayer after the Asr prayer until the sun sets." 
    • Reason: To emphasize the importance of the obligatory Asr prayer and to prevent any confusion with non-obligatory prayers.
Inferences from the Quran:
While the Quran does not explicitly list these specific times, it provides general guidance about prayer times and emphasizes regularity and consistency in offering prayers. For instance, in Surah Al-Baqara (2:238), it mentions: "Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e., the best prayer - 'Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience."

The specific prohibition of performing Salat during certain times is based primarily on the Hadith, reflecting the Prophet Muhammad's guidance to distinguish Islamic practices from those of sun worshipers and to maintain the sanctity of obligatory prayers. By adhering to these guidelines, Muslims ensure their prayers are offered in a manner that aligns with the prophetic traditions and avoids any association with non-Islamic practices.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Photo | Source of Hadith:  Sahi Muslim 612a

Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat - Prayers for more on As Salat.

For more Q&A about 
Understanding Islam, please refer to our reference page: Understanding Islam - Frequently asked Q&A

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on FacebookYou may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Monday, 20 April 2020

Reference Page: As Salat - Prayers

After entering the religion of Islam, it is obligatory on ever adult Muslim man and woman every to offer five prayers a day to glorify the dignity of Allah. Prayer or as Salat is the second most important pillar of Islam after Shahada (testimony of faith). 

At a number of places in the Qur'an, Allah has commanded believers to offer prayers for it prayers directly connect a believer to Allah:

اِنَّنِىۡۤ اَنَا اللّٰهُ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا فَاعۡبُدۡنِىۡ ۙ وَاَقِمِ الصَّلٰوةَ لِذِكۡرِىۡ‏ 
"Verily I am Allah. There is no god beside Me. So, serve Me and establish Prayers to remember Me." (Surah 20 Ta Ha :14) 
This is the real object of Salat. It has been prescribed to remind people that they should not become neglectful of Allah by worldly diversions and that they should remember that man is not an unbridled free being but a servant of Allah. Salat has been prescribed five times a day to remind man of Allah’s presence.
The five prayers are offered before dawn, noon, midafternoon, just after sunset and then at night.

Once a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the most virtuous deed. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that the most virtuous deed is prayer. The man asked again and again. The first three times, the Prophet (peace be upon him) again answered, "The prayer," then on the fourth occasion he stated, "Jihad in the way of Allah." [This is from a hadith recorded by Ahmad and ibn Hibban. According to al-Albani, the hadith is Hasan. Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani, Sahih al-Targheeb wa al-Tarheeb (Beirut: al-Maktab al-Islami, 1982), vol. 1, p. 150]

The importance of offering prayers can be gauged from one of the saying of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him):
"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503.
In view of the importance of prayers in Islam, we have initiated a number of posts regarding prayers / As Salat to guide those who have recently come under the fold of Islam and this reference page gives out reference to all such posts so that anyone having any questions regarding prayers and its method of offering could be guided. Remember: If your feet do not lead you to prayers (As Salat), these would not lead you to Jannah (Paradise) EITHER!!

Herein under are the posts related to As Salat / Prayers in general, followed by posts specific to Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah (The Friday Congregational Prayer):

General Information / Q&A
Adhan - The call for prayer
Salat ut Tahajjud
Ṣalāt al-Jumuʿah (The Friday Congregational Prayer)

Please refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
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