The Praying Tradition (Leaving Cert Religious Education): Revision Notes
Islam
Salah - the second pillar
Salah represents the second pillar of Islam and refers to the practice of prayer. This form of worship serves as the most significant way for Muslims to connect with God. Prayer functions as a duty that all Muslims must fulfil five times each day. The Prophet Muhammad described prayer as the 'pillar of religion', emphasising how it helps believers remember to express gratitude for God's blessings and recognise the importance of surrendering to God's will.
Prayer operates as a physical, mental, and spiritual activity that brings believers closer to God. The Qur'an contains over 700 verses that reference prayer, demonstrating its central importance in Islamic faith and practice.
The centrality of prayer in Islam is reflected not only in its position as the second pillar, but also in the extensive Qur'anic references to it. This emphasis shows how prayer serves as the foundation for a Muslim's daily spiritual life.
Preparation for prayer
Mental and spiritual preparation
Proper preparation for prayer requires developing a deep sense of respect and reverence when approaching God. Prayer begins with a declaration of intent called niyyah, which must be a deliberate act. Muslims need to set aside time to focus on God and enter a state of 'God consciousness'. This preparation allows Muslims to concentrate on God's greatness, offer thanks and praise, and seek forgiveness.
Wudu (ablution)
Before beginning prayer, Muslims must complete wudu, which involves washing specific parts of the body. This washing follows a particular order and includes the hands, mouth, nose, face, arms, head, and feet. Wudu serves as an outward sign of the inner cleanliness required when facing God. This ritual purification ensures both physical and spiritual cleanliness before entering prayer.
Both mental preparation (niyyah) and physical purification (wudu) are essential requirements before prayer. Without proper preparation, the prayer cannot be considered complete or valid in Islamic practice.
How to pray
The five daily prayers
The Qur'an and Sunnah (record of Muhammad's way of life) provide clear guidance about when and how to pray. Muslims perform Salah five times each day at specific times:
- Fajr - performed just after dawn
- Zuhr - performed just after midday
- As'r - performed in the late afternoon
- Maghrib - performed just after sunset
- Isha - performed after dark
Prayer direction and location
Muslims must find a suitable space with room to stand, bow, and prostrate themselves. Prayer can take place at the mosque, at home, or anywhere that is safe and clean. All Muslims pray facing towards Makkah, and this direction is called Qibla. This unified direction helps create a sense of unity among Muslims worldwide during prayer.
The flexibility in prayer location demonstrates Islam's practical approach to worship, allowing Muslims to maintain their prayer schedule regardless of their circumstances or location.
The rak'ahs (prayer movements)
A rak'ah consists of a sequence of movements that follow a set pattern, forming the prayer routine. Different prayers during the day require different numbers of rak'ahs. During worship, the believer performs these movements:
- Takbeerat - standing quietly whilst reciting prayers from the Qur'an
- Al-Qiyam - bowing low with hands placed on knees
- Ruku' - prostrating on the floor in submission to God
- Qiyam - kneeling with feet folded under the body
- Sajjah - prostrating with forehead touching the ground
- Tashahhud - sitting position for recitation
- Salam - final standing position, reciting 'Peace be upon you, and God's blessing', once facing right, once facing left
These physical movements demonstrate submission to God and create a rhythm that helps maintain focus during prayer.
Prayer Sequence Example:
A typical rak'ah follows this pattern:
- Takbeerat - Stand and recite opening prayers
- Al-Qiyam - Bow with hands on knees
- Ruku' - Prostrate in submission
- Qiyam - Kneel in preparation
- Sajjah - Full prostration with forehead touching ground
- Tashahhud - Sit for recitation
- Salam - Final greeting, turning right then left
This sequence is repeated the required number of times for each prayer period.
The aims of prayer
Islamic prayer serves multiple important purposes that benefit both individual Muslims and the broader community:
- Acts as a constant reminder of God's presence
- Shows submission to God's will
- Helps cleanse away corruption from the world
- Unites all Muslims in shared practice
- Brings about peace in the world
- Removes sins, functioning like water that washes away dirt
These aims highlight how prayer benefits both individual Muslims and the wider community.
Types of prayer
Jumu'ah (congregational) prayers
Jumu'ah refers to congregational prayers that take place on Fridays. Muslim men are expected to gather at the mosque (or masjid - meaning 'place of prostration') for Friday midday prayers. Women may attend these community prayers, but traditionally they often pray at home.
A key feature of Jumu'ah prayers includes the sermon (khutbah) delivered by the imam. Unlike the Sabbath for Jews and Christians, Friday is not necessarily considered a 'holy' day in some Muslim countries and may function as a normal working day in Western countries.
Du'a (personal) prayer
While Salah prayers represent a duty for all Muslims five times daily, Muslims who love God often choose to spend additional time in personal connection with God. Du'a prayers have no set times and provide spontaneous opportunities for believers to spend time in God's presence. These personal prayers allow Muslims to develop their individual relationship with God.
Du'a prayers complement the structured Salah prayers, offering Muslims flexibility to communicate with God throughout the day according to their personal needs and circumstances.
Missed prayers
Muslims should attempt to pray at the designated times clearly outlined in the Islamic prayer schedule. However, if someone misses a prayer, it becomes acceptable to make up for it later. Nevertheless, regularly missing prayers without valid reason would be considered sinful behaviour.
Why Muslims pray five times a day?
The night journey
Both the Qur'an and Hadith contain the story of Prophet Muhammad's night journey, which explains the origin of the five daily prayers. According to Islamic tradition, Muhammad was taken on a winged horse to Jerusalem and then transported through seven levels of heaven to God's presence.
Initially, God revealed that Muslims should pray continuously, fifty times each day. However, Moses intervened, suggesting this requirement was too demanding. Eventually, it was agreed that Muslims should perform five prayer times each day, though worship should remain a constant presence throughout life. This story demonstrates God's mercy in providing a manageable but meaningful prayer schedule.
The story of the night journey illustrates how the five daily prayers represent a balance between continuous worship and practical human limitations, showing divine wisdom in establishing a sustainable spiritual practice.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Salah is the second pillar of Islam and represents the most important way Muslims worship God five times daily
- Proper preparation includes both spiritual readiness (niyyah) and physical cleanliness (wudu)
- The five prayer times are Fajr, Zuhr, As'r, Maghrib, and Isha, performed facing towards Makkah
- Prayer movements (rak'ahs) follow specific patterns that demonstrate submission and help maintain focus
- Prayer serves multiple aims including remembering God, showing submission, promoting unity, and bringing peace