Prayer & worship Muslims pray at five set times every day. Muslim prayers
all follow the same format, including set phrases and movements.
A Muslim can pray anywhere, but it is especially good to pray with other
Muslims in a mosque.
Mosque Interior of Mosque during prayers ©
Muslims worship in a building called a mosque. An alternative word for
mosque, from the original Arabic, is masjid, meaning place of prostration.
Outside every mosque, or just inside the entrance, is a place where
worshippers can remove and leave their shoes. There is also a place where they
can carry out the ritual washing required before prayer.
The main hall of a mosque is a bare room largely devoid of furniture. There
are no pictures or statues. Muslims believe these are blasphemous, since there
can be no image of Allah, who is wholly spirit.
Everyone sits on the floor and everywhere in the mosque is equal in status.
A niche in one of the walls, called a mihrab, shows the direction that the
worshippers should face in order to face Mecca.
Many mosques have a minaret which is a tall thin tower. A muezzin stands at
the top of the tower and calls Muslims to prayer at the five ritual times of
the day. Not all mosques in the UK have a minaret.
Women can attend the mosque and when they do they sit separately from the
men. This is out of modesty and to prevent any distraction. It is more usual
for women to pray at home.
Takbir
Although Muslims can pray to God at any time or place, and in any language,
there are five prayers they are obligated to perform throughout the day. They
follow the same pattern so everyone can follow in congregation, and set prayers
are always recited in Arabic.
Takbir is entering into the state of prayer by glorifying God. Muslims face
towards Makkah and make the intention to pray. To begin the act of prayer, they
say 'Allahu Akbar' meaning God is great, raising the hands to the ears or
shoulder.
Qiyaam
Muslims place their right hand over their left on their chest or navel while in
the standing position. A short supplication glorifying God and seeking His
protection is read. This is then followed by Surah Al Fatiha, which is the
first chapter in the Qur'an. Verses from any another chapter are then recited.
Ruku
Ruku means bowing. During ruku, Muslims says 'glory be to God, the Most Great',
three times.
During prayer, it is forbidden to fidget or look around. Muslims must pray as
though they are in the presence of God, and therefore must be in a state of
concentration.
Brief qiyaam
While moving into the upright position, Muslims recite 'God listens to the one
who praises Him' and while in the standing position, 'To God belongs all
praise' then is recited. 'God is Great' is recited again. Hands are loosely at
the sides this time.
Each movement is always preceded by the phrase 'God is Great'. This indicates
to followers of the prayer that the leader is about to make the next movement.
Sujud
Sujud means to prostrate. While in the prostration position 'Glory be to God,
the Most High' is repeated three times. Palms, knees, toes, forehead and nose
must be the only body parts touching the ground.
The Prophet said, "The worst thief is he who steals from his prayer." His
companions asked, "O Messenger of Allah, how does he steal from his prayer?" He
said, "He does not perfect its ruku and sujud".
Brief sitting
'God is Great' is recited while moving to the sitting position. Muslims pause
here for a few seconds, either staying silent, or reciting a shorter prayer.
'God is Great' is recited once more as the sujud position is taken again.
The Prophet recommended that each movement must last at least the time that it
takes for the bones to settle. He compared some people's ruku' and sujud to the
way that a crow pecks on the ground, because of the speed at which they perform
it. (Ibn Khuzaymah)
Sujud
This sujud is the same as the first one.
After reciting 'Glory be to God, the Most High', one 'raka'ah', or unit is
complete. Each salah has its own number of units though. The shortest prayer,
Fajr, has two.
To continue the prayer from the sujud position, Muslims say 'God is Great' and
stand up to repeat everything from Surah Al Fatiha, until they reach this sujud
again.
Tashahhud
After saying God is Great, Muslims return to the sitting position. They recite
a set number of short prayers in Arabic, praising God, and sending peace on the
Prophet. They repeat the declaration of faith, raising the forefinger of their
right hand, in order to act as a witness.
They then ask God to bestow blessings and peace upon Prophet Abraham and his
family, and ask for the same for Prophet Muhammad. Finally, Muslims ask for
forgiveness and mercy, and ask God to bless them and their children until the
Day of Judgement.
Peace to the right
To end the prayer, Muslims first turn their face to the right saying 'Peace be
upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah.'
This is said to the Angels which Muslims believe accompany each human being to
record their actions.
Peace to the left
'Peace be upon you, and the mercy and blessings of Allah' is repeated turning
to the left side now.
Muslims believe the Angel on the right side records all good actions and
thoughts, while the one on the left records all bad actions.
Hands
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said 'cleanliness is half of faith'. Wudhu is
the ritual washing performed by Muslims before prayer. Muslims must be clean
and wear good clothes before they present themselves before God.
Muslims start in the name of God, and begin by washing the right, and then the
left hand three times.
Mouth
The mouth is then cleaned three times.
Nose
Water is breathed in gently through the nose three times.
Face
The face includes everything from the top of the forehead to the chin, and up
to both ears. The face is one of the essentials in wudhu, and must be washed at
least once, or the wudhu is incomplete. However, it is usually washed three
times.
Right arm
The arms up to the elbow, and including the hands, are one of the four
essential areas that need to be washed. The right arm is washed three times
first.
Left arm
Then the left three times.
There is a certain ritual order in which wudhu is normally performed, but as
long as Muslims wash the four essentials at least once, by taking a shower for
example, it counts.
Hair
Water from wet hands is passed from the beginning of the hairline and over the
head. This is only done once. The wiping of the hair is the third of the four
compulsory acts.
Ears
Using damp hands, the back and inside of the ears are wiped.
The Prophet also said "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he
took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" His
companions said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That
is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out evil deeds."
(Bukhari)
Right foot
The feet represent the last of the four compulsory areas of washing. The right
foot is washed up to the ankles three times.
Although there are only four compulsory acts of washing, and each has to be
washed only once, Muslims follow the example of the Prophet. He usually
extended the washing ritual to ensure cleanliness before prayer, and even used
to brush his teeth before each prayer.
Left foot
Then the left foot up to the ankles three times.
Wudhu does not need to be performed before every prayer, although this is
recommended. Each wudhu lasts for up to a day when not travelling, but must be
performed again after going to the toilet, passing wind, bleeding heavily,
contact with excrement, vomiting, falling asleep, and taking intoxicating
substances.
With many thanks to Didsbury Mosque in Manchester.
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