2nd Pillar: Prayer
A key element of Muslim life is the obligatory, ritual prayer. These prayers are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and Allah. This very personal relationship with the Creator allows one to fully depend, trust and love Allah; and to truly achieve inner peace and harmony, regardless of the trials one faces.
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him) said: "Indeed, when one of you prays, he speaks privately with his Lord."
Prayers are performed at dawn, mid-day, late-afternoon, sunset and nightfall; reminding one of Allah throughout the day. Regular prayer helps prevent destructive deeds and gives one the opportunity to seek Allah's pardon for any misgivings.
The Prophet once asked his companions: "Do you think if there was a river by the door and one of you bathed in it five times a day; would there remain any dirt on him?"
The Prophet then said: "That is how it is with the five (daily) prayers; through them Allah washes away your sins."
Friday is the day of congregation for Muslims. The mid-day prayer on Friday is different from all other prayers in that it includes a sermon. Prayers at other times are relatively simple, they include verses from the Qur'an and take only a few minutes to complete.
Muslims are greatly encouraged to perform their five daily prayers in congregation, and in a Mosque. A Mosque, in its most basic form, is simply a clean area designated for prayers. Mosques throughout the world have taken on various architectural forms, reflecting local cultures. They range from detached pavilions in China to elaborate courtyards in India; from massive domes in Turkey to glass and steel structures in the United States. However, one unique and very obvious feature remains - the "call to prayer."
The first person to call Muslims to prayer was a freed African slave from Abyssinia, Bilal ibn Rabah (peace and blessing be upon him). He was a beloved companion of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessing be upon him), whose rich and melodious voice called the Muslims of Madinah to prayer five times a day.
A translation of the call to prayer is:
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest;
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
I testify there is no deity except Allah;
I testify there is no deity except Allah.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah; I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
Come to prayer! Come to prayer!
Come to success! Come to success!
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
There is no deity except Allah.
Read the other Pillars of Islam
1st Pillar: Testimony
2nd Pillar: Prayer
3rd Pillar: Charity
4th Pillar: Fasting
5th Pillar: Pilgrimage
Read the other article to learn about Islam
What Do Muslim Believes In?
Who is Allah
Who is Mohammad (pbuh)
What Do Muslim think about Jesus (pbuh)?
What Do Muslim think about Mary (pbuh)?
Five Pillars of Islam
Common Misunderstanding about Islam
Misunderstanding about Muslim Women
What is Qur'an
Why do Women dress the way they do
Why is the family so important to Muslims
Apart from the Qur'an is there any other Sacred Source?
Do Islam, Christianity and Judaism have different origins?
Does Islam give Women Equal Rights?
Does Islam Protect Women from Violence?
Does Islam Want Women to be Public and Political?
How are Muslim and America related?
How Did Muhammad (pbuh) become a Messenger of Allah?
How did Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) related to Christians?
How did the spread of Islam affect the World?
How do Muslim view the Elderly death and the Afterlife?
How does Islam Elevate the status of Women
How does Islam guarantee Human Rights?
Is Islam respectful of other Beliefs?
What does Islam say about War
What does Islam say about Wives & Husband?
What does the Qur'an say about women's Creation and purpose?
What is written in the Quran about Motherhood?
Misunderstanding about Muslim Women
Who are American Muslims?
Who were some of the Great Muslim Scientists and Thinkers