Is Prayer Obligatory in Islam?

Introduction

Salah, Is Prayer Obligatory in Islam?, is a cornerstone of the Muslim faith, serving as a direct means of communication and worship with Allah. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, alongside the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith), Zakat (Charity), Sawm (Fasting during Ramadan), and Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca). Salah is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual experience that connects the believer with their Creator, reinforcing their faith and guiding their daily life. This article explores the obligation of Salah in Islam, its significance, rewards, and the essential elements that constitute this sacred practice. By understanding and embracing Salah, Muslims can deepen their relationship with Allah and seek His blessings and mercy.

Salah, the Islamic prayer, is a fundamental act of worship performed by Muslims to honor the Creator. In Arabic, “Salah” translates to “prayer.” Prayer in Islam has both a general and a specific meaning. The general meaning, known as “Dua,” refers to supplication—making requests to Allah, the humble servant appealing to the supreme Master.

The specific meaning of Salah involves a set of prescribed rituals performed in a particular manner and sequence. These rituals are designed to worship God Almighty, demonstrate obedience, and seek His refuge, submitting fully to His will. Salah is the second pillar of Islam, following the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith). It is the most crucial practice in Islam, forming the core of a Muslim’s faith and daily life.

Read More: Prayer In Islam

Yes, prayer is obligatory on all adult sane Muslims.

But what if a Muslim doesn’t pray?

Many scholars count leaving Salah, even if out of laziness, as a deed that gets the person outside of Islam. This nullifies all other deeds, and he has to say Shahadah again and sincerely repent to make up for it.

Many scholars say that leaving any deed (not out of defiance but rather laziness) of Islam doesn’t make the person a non-Muslim—as all people have shortcomings—except for Salah!

Of course, such big statements by scholars are only made because of the evidence that points to that conclusion.

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The covenant that stands between us and them is Salah, whoever leaves it has committed kufr” (Nasai Sahih).

He also said: “The first deed to be accounted for on the day of judgment is Salah, if it’s good every other deed is good, and if it’s bad every other deed is bad.”

This shows us the great importance of Salah as the core pillar of Islam, as it is the everyday manifestation of the meaning of (Muslim): one who submits to his creator.

What are the Rewards of the Salah?

Salah has great rewards for Muslims:

Salah is the key to Paradise (The best place in Jannah) Allah says: “And they who carefully maintain their prayers – (9) Those are the inheritors (10) Who will inherit al-Firdaus. They will abide therein eternally. (11)” (Al Mu’minun 9-11).
Salah is an eraser of small sins. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No one at the time of a written salah, then He makes good of its Wudu, Khushu’, and Rukuh, except that it removes what’s before it from sins. unless it’s a major sin, and that’s for the whole of his life.”He also said: “The five prayers and Friday to Friday erase what’s between them unless a major sin is committed.”
Salah is a light, proof, and salvation on the day of Judgment. On the rewards of Salah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever keeps them, they would be for him a light, proof, and salvation on the day of judgment. And whoever doesn’t keep them, he would have no light, no proof, and no salvation and on the day of judgment he would be with Qaroon, Pharoh, Haman, and Obai ibn Khalaf.”And especially for the prayer of Fajr and Isha, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Give glad tidings to those who walk to Masjid in darkness (meaning the darkness of night at the time of Fajr and Isha) with complete light on the Day of Judgment.”
Salah elevates you and puts down your burdens. With every Sujud, or every step that you walk to the Masjid, your sins are being put down, and you are elevated a step in paradise.The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Keep on doing a lot of Sujud, as you don’t do one Sajdah for Allah except that He elevates you with it a step and puts away a sin.”He also said: “Whoever cleans in his house, then walks to a house from the houses of Allah, to fulfill a Fard of Allah, His two steps one puts away a sin and the other elevates him a step.”
Leaving Salah is one of the core things that gets people into hellfire. Allah tells us: “About the criminals, (41) ‘What put you into Saqar (Hellfire)?’ (42) They replied ‘We were not of those who prayed, (43)’” (Al-Muddaththir 41-43).

The mention of Salah in the Quran is plenty, and as mentioned before, it’s the most important deed after Shahadah that gets people either into Jannah by doing it or hellfire by leaving it.

Prayer Times

The times of daily prayer are essential as Allah says: “Performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times” (Al-Nisa 103).

It’s easy nowadays to know the timings of prayer from Salah.com or other websites.

Note that the timings of prayer change each day and between countries. For more details on what the timings are based on, refer to [Link Five daily prayer article].

When Can You Pray Missed Salah?

You can pray missed Salah when you remember it.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If anyone forgets a prayer he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except that” (Sahih Bukhari).

But it’s better to avoid the times that the Prophet ordered not to pray at:

After Fajr until sunrise and after sunrise by around 15 minutes.
Before Dhuhr by around 15 minutes.
After Asr, and more specifically right before sunset.

If you miss a Salah, say Istighfar and repent to Allah by praying it, even if it isn’t the timing.

You should pray the prayers in sequence as long as you can, so pray the missed first then the one that’s present.

When Was Prayer Made Obligatory?

Al-Bukhari (349) and Muslim (162) narrated from Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) the famous Hadith of the Isra’ (Prophet’s Night Journey) in which it is reported that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said:

“Then Allah revealed what He revealed to me, and enjoined fifty prayers on me every day and night. I came back down to Musa (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and he said: What did your Lord enjoin upon your ummah? I said: Fifty prayers. He said: Go back to your Lord and ask Him to reduce it… I kept going back and forth between my Lord, may He be blessed and exalted, and Musa (peace be upon him), until He said: ‘O Muhammad, they are five prayers each day and night, for every prayer there will be a tenfold (reward), and that is fifty prayers.’”

The scholars unanimously agreed that the five daily prayers were not made obligatory until this night. (See also Fath Al-Bari by Ibn Rajab, 2/104).

Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“On the night of the Isra’, one and a half years before the Hijrah, Allah enjoined upon His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) the five daily prayers, and explained that there were conditions and essential parts and other matters having to do with them, bit by bit.” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 7/164).

Then Jibril (peace be upon him) came down and taught the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) the times of the prayers:

Al-Bukhari (522) and Muslim (611) narrated from Ibn Shihab that Umar ibn Abd Al-Aziz delayed the prayer one day. Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr entered upon him and told him that Al-Mughirah ibn Shubah delayed the prayer one day when he was in Kufah, and Abu Masud Al-Ansari entered upon him and said: What is this, O Mughirah? Do you not know that Jibril came down and prayed, and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed, then he prayed and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed, then he prayed and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed, then he prayed and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed, then he prayed and the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) prayed. Then he said: This is what has been enjoined upon me. Umar said to Urwah: Think what you are narrating, O Urwah! Is Jibril the one who taught the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) the times of the prayers? Urwah said: That is what Bashir ibn Abi Mas`ud used to narrate from his father.

An-Nasa’i (526) narrated that Jabir ibn Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Jibril (peace be upon him) came to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) when the sun had passed its zenith and said: Get up, O Muhammad. That was when the sun had passed the meridian. Then he waited until the (length of) a man’s shadow was equal to his height, then he came to him for Asr and said: Get up, O Muhammad, and pray Asr. Then he waited until the sun set, then he came to him and said: Get up and pray Maghrib. So he got up and prayed it when the sun had set fully. Then he waited until the twilight had disappeared, then he came and said: Get up and pray Isha’, so he got up and prayed it… In this Hadith it says: He (i.e., Jibril) said: The period between two of these two times is the time to pray. (Classed as authentic by Al-Albani in Sahih An-Nasa’i).

`Abd Ar-Razzaq narrated in his Musannaf (1773) and Ibn Ishaq narrated in his Sirah – as it says in Fath Al-Bari (2/286) – that this happened on the morning after the night in which prayer was made obligatory.

Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“(The scholars) did not differ concerning the fact that Jibril (peace be upon him) came down on the morning following the night of the Isra’, when the sun passed its zenith, and taught the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) the prayer and its timings.”

Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Jibril’s explanation of the timings of the prayer came on the morning following the night of the Isra’.” (Sharh Al-`Umdah, 4/148).

When the five daily prayers were first made obligatory, each prayer was two rakahs, then after the Hijrah, that was confirmed in the case of travel, and two rakahs were added for those who are not traveling, except Maghrib, which remained as it was.

Al-Bukhari (3935) and Muslim (685) narrated that Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: Prayer was enjoined with two Rakahs, then when the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) migrated, it was enjoined with four Rak`ahs, but prayer while traveling remained as it had originally been.

How Did the Muslims Pray Before Prayer Was Made Obligatory?

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and his Companions used to pray before the five daily prayers were made obligatory.

It says in Al-Mawsu`ah Al-Fiqhiyyah (27/52-53):

“Prayer was originally enjoined in Makkah at the beginning of Islam, because there are Makkan verses that were revealed at the beginning of the Prophet’s mission that encourage praying. As for the five daily prayers in the form that is well-known, they were made obligatory on the night of the Isra’ and Mi`raj.”

Some of the scholars are of the view that prayer was made obligatory at the beginning, two Rakahs in the morning and two Rakahs in the afternoon.

Al-Hafiz (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Al-Fath:

“A number of scholars are of the view that before the Isra’ there was no obligatory prescribed prayer, but prayers were offered at night, without any number of Rakahs being specified. Al-Harbi was of the view that prayer was made obligatory, two rakahs in the morning and two rakahs in the afternoon. Ash-Shafii narrated from some of the scholars that prayer at night was obligatory, then it was abrogated by the verse (interpretation of the meaning): {So, recite you of the Quran as much as may be easy for you} [Al-Muzammil 73:20]. So it became obligatory to pray for part of the night. Then that was abrogated by the five daily prayers.”

He also said:

“Before the Isra’, the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) definitely used to pray, as did his Companions, but there is a scholarly difference of opinion as to whether any kind of prayer was made obligatory before the five daily prayers or not. It was said that what was obligatory at first was prayer before sunrise and prayer before sunset. The evidence for that is the verse in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): {and glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting} [Ta-Ha 20:130], and similar verses.” (See also Tafsir Ibn Atiyyah (1/204); At-Tahrir wat Tanwir by Ibn Ashur (24/75)).

Faraid of Salah

Salah is one of the five pillars of Islam and an essential part of our daily lives as Muslims. On the Day of Judgment, it’ll be one of the first things we’re judged on.

“The first thing that the servant will be judged for on the Day of Judgment will be his Salah.” (Sunan Abi Dawood).

It’s more than a few motions we do as an act of worship—it’s our way of connecting with Allah five times a day. But did you know that certain parts of Salah are absolutely crucial? These are the Faraid of Salah—the must-do elements that make our prayer valid in the eyes of Allah.

Think of the Faraid as the foundation of your prayer. If we miss out on any of these parts, our prayer might not count, and none of us wants that, right? Think of it: you meet your creator five times daily; wouldn’t you want each time to be perfect?

In this article, we’re going to understand more about Faraid of Salah. We will see why they are important and how we can make sure we’re doing them right. Let’s get started.

What Are the Faraid of Salah?

The word “Faraid” in Arabic: فرايض او فرائض comes from the Arabic word فرض “Fard,” which means obligatory, or required. In the same way, the Faraid of Salah are the actions that Allah has made compulsory for every Muslim.

Furthermore, scholars unanimously agreed that they’re obligatory and one must do them for Salah to be complete. Missing even one can mean that your prayer might not be accepted.

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The Seven Faraid of Salah

Muslims pray five times a day:

Fajr Prayer (after dawn and before sunrise) consists of 2 units (raka’ah).
Dhuhr Prayer (noon) consists of 4 units (raka’ah).
Asr Prayer (late afternoon) consists of 4 units (raka’ah).
Maghrib Prayer (at sunset) consists of 3 units (raka’ah).
Isha Prayer (nighttime) consists of 4 units (raka’ah).

There are, of course, important things to do first to be able to perform the Salah:

Wudu or ablution (cleaning the body)
Wearing proper clean clothes that cover Al Awra (For males, it is the part of the body between the belly button and the knee, and for females, it is the whole body excluding the face, hands, and feet).
Praying during the time of Salah
Facing the Qibla (towards the Kaaba)
Find a clean place to pray.

We pray five times a day. Salah consists of several structured motions and sayings. They are the essential parts of Salah. So what is the Faraid of Salah? Let’s find out!

Faraid of Salah: Niyyah (intention) The first and foremost Fard of Faraid Salah is Niyyah or intention. Every act of worship in Islam begins with intention. Before you start your Salah, you must make a conscious, clear intention. It’s not something you need to say out loud, but it’s important to set your mind and heart on it.“Actions are judged by intentions, so each man will have what he intended.” (Sahih Bukhari). This hadith reminds us that our intention is the foundation of our prayer.
Faraid of Salah: Takbir-i-Tahrimah (Opening Takbeer) The Salah in Islam starts with the Takbir al-Ihram, which is saying “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) while raising your hands.Takbir Al-Ihram is the first of Faraid Salah. After you say it, you are not allowed to move about, talk, drink, etc. It’s a signal that your prayer has started. When saying it, you separate yourself from everything around you and start a special time and connection with Allah SWT.
Faraid of Salah: Qiyam (the posture of standing) The Qiyam is a standing position. One of Faraid of Salah to recite certain parts of the prayer (such as Surah Al-Fatiha) is obligatory, particularly for those who are physically able to do so. It shows your submission, readiness, and attentiveness before Allah.Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient. (Quran 2:238)
Faraid of Salah: Recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha Surah Al-Fatiha (the essence of the Quran) is the opening chapter of the Quran, and it must be recited in every Rak’ah of Salah.Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha during the Qiyam is another one of the Faraid of Salah. Without it, the prayer is incomplete.There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatiha). (Sahih Bukhari)
Faraid of Salah: Ruku‘ (bowing down) After reciting the Quran, you move into Ruku’. Ruku is when you bow by bending at the waist. In this posture, you keep your hands on your knees. Your back and neck should be as straight as possible at 90 degrees with your leg.Your body should be relaxed while your eyes are focused on the ground. This position shows humility and submission to Allah. It’s one of the essential acts that must be done in every unit of prayer (Rak’ah).O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good—that you may succeed. (Quran 22:77)While bowing, say Subhanna Rabbiyal Adheem three times.After Ruku, you stand back up and take a moment before moving to the next Faraid, which is Sujud.
Faraid of Salah: Sujud (Prostration) Sujud is when you bow down and touch the ground with your forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes. It’s the deepest form of humility and connection with Allah; you lower yourself completely in recognition of His greatness. It is one of the Faraid of Salah that must be done twice in each rakaa’, and you sit up between the two for a moment.Moreover, when in Sujud, you’re the closest to Allah. It’s a moment of peace where you can pour out your heart, ask for forgiveness, or do anything you wish for.“The closest that a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make lots of supplication.” (Sahih Muslim). Missing Sujud would mean missing the essence of Salah.When in Sujud, you say Subhanna Rabbiyal Al-ala three times.
Faraid of Salah: The Final Qa‘dah (sitting) In the second Rakaa of your prayer, you sit in what’s called the Qa’dah Akhirah (the final sitting). So how is it done, and what shall you say in it? This is when you sit on your knees and put your hands on your thighs.Keep all fingers together in a fist and stick the index finger of the right hand straight out. Then you recite the Tashahhud (the testimony of faith):At-tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-salaawaatu wat-tayyibaat. As-salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. As-salaamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibaad-illaah-his-saaliheen. Ash-hadu al-aa ilaaha ill-Allah wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhuSalutations to God and prayers and good deeds. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, as well as God’s mercy and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of God. I bear witness that there is no deity but God, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.In a three-Rak’ah Salah (as in Maghrib) or a four-Rak’ah Salah (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) you stand up for the remaining Rak’ah(s) after you have done Tashahhud in the second Rakaa and you do it again in the final rakaa.For a two-Rak’ah Salah you remain seated after Tashahhud and then recite silently Assalatul-Ibrahimiyah:Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeed, wa baarik ‘ala Muhammad, wa ‘ala aali Muhammad, kama baarakta ‘ala Ibraaheem, wa ‘ala aali Ibraaheem, fil aalameen innak hameedun majeedO Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraheem and the family of Ibraheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibraheem and the family of Ibraheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory.
Tasleem (Salutation of Peace) Tasleem is when you finish your Salah by turning your head to the right and saying, “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you). Then turn your head to the left, saying the same. This action brings your prayer to a peaceful close, signaling your return to everyday life.

Accidentally Skipping Faraid of Salah

Now that we know the Faraid of Salah, we might ask, What if I accidentally skip one of Faraid of Salah?

Let’s face it, sometimes we get distracted or lose focus, and we may forget to do one of Faraid of Salah! For example, you forget to recite Fatiha in one of the Rakaat! So what happens in this case? Well, don’t worry! You can perform Sujud as-sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) to make up for it.

This can either be done when you reach the last Rakat after Tashahhud, you perform 2 additional prostrations (with subhana rabiyal a’la three times), then do Tasleem.

However, if you realize the mistake after the prayer, it’s best to repeat it.

Final Words

Faraid of Salah are important; they keep our prayer structured and focused. When we do them in the correct order while being mindful and precise about them, we are showing respect to attentiveness to this holy act of worship.

Allah says:

So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer. (Quran 107:4-5)

Whether it’s in Standing, Ruku, or Sujud, going through the motions isn’t enough—we should pray with focus and attention to detail, keeping our mind and heart in every act. So it’s important not to rush through your Salah. Allow yourself enough time to perform each Faraid of Salah with care and focus.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized this in his hadith about prayer:

Pray as if you see Him, for even if you do not see Him, He sees you. (Sahih Bukhari)

Remember that it’s about sincerity and continuous effort. Each action, from the Niyyah to the Tasleem, plays a crucial role in connecting you with Allah. May Allah guide us all to perform our Salah correctly and accept our prayers.

Conclusion

Salah is not just a ritual but a profound connection with Allah. It is obligatory for every Muslim to perform Salah with sincerity and attention to detail. By understanding the Faraid of Salah and adhering to them, we ensure that our prayers are accepted and rewarded. May Allah guide us all to perform our Salah correctly and accept our prayers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Salah, and why is it important in Islam?

Salah is the Islamic term for the obligatory prayers that Muslims perform five times a day. It is a fundamental act of worship that allows Muslims to connect with Allah, seek forgiveness, and express gratitude. Salah is important because it is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is considered the first act that Muslims will be judged upon on the Day of Judgment.

2. Is Salah obligatory for all Muslims?

Yes, Salah is obligatory for all adult Muslims who are of sound mind. This obligation is derived from the Quran and the Hadith, which emphasize the importance of regular prayer in maintaining a strong spiritual connection with Allah.

3. What are the five daily prayers in Islam?

The five daily prayers are:

Fajr: The dawn prayer, performed before sunrise.
Dhuhr: The midday prayer, performed just after the sun reaches its highest point.
Asr: The late afternoon prayer, performed in the late afternoon.
Maghrib: The sunset prayer, performed just after sunset.
Isha: The night prayer, performed before midnight.

4. What happens if a Muslim misses a prayer?

If a Muslim misses a prayer, they should make it up as soon as they remember. However, there are certain times when it is not recommended to make up missed prayers, such as shortly after Fajr and just before Dhuhr. It is important to maintain the sequence of prayers and to pray with sincerity and attention to detail.

5. What are the rewards of performing Salah?

The rewards of performing Salah are numerous and include:

Serving as a key to entering Paradise.
Acting as an eraser of small sins.
Being a light, proof, and salvation on the Day of Judgment.
Elevating the believer spiritually and reducing the burden of sins.
Protecting the believer from the punishment of Hellfire.

6. What are the essential elements (Faraid) of Salah?

The essential elements of Salah include:

Niyyah (Intention): The conscious intention to pray.
Takbir-i-Tahrimah (Opening Takbeer): Saying “Allahu Akbar” to begin the prayer.
Qiyam (Standing): Reciting verses from the Quran while standing.
Ruku’ (Bowing): Bowing down in humility and submission.
Sujud (Prostration): Prostrating with the forehead touching the ground.
Qa’dah (Sitting): Sitting for the recitation of Tashahhud and other supplications.
Tasleem (Salutation of Peace): Concluding the prayer with a salutation of peace.

7. What should one do if they accidentally skip an essential element of Salah?

If an essential element of Salah is accidentally skipped, one should perform Sujud as-Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) to make up for the error. If the mistake is realized after completing the prayer, it is best to repeat the entire prayer.

8. How does Salah benefit Muslims spiritually and mentally?

Salah benefits Muslims spiritually by purifying the soul, seeking forgiveness, and expressing gratitude to Allah. It also provides mental and emotional stability by offering a moment of tranquility and reflection, promoting mindfulness and meditation, and reducing stress and anxiety.

9. Can technology help in maintaining regular prayer?

Yes, technology can be a useful tool in maintaining regular prayer. Apps and websites provide prayer times, reminders, and educational resources on prayer, making it easier for Muslims to integrate Salah into their daily lives.

10. How can the Muslim community support individuals in maintaining regular prayer?

The Muslim community can support individuals in maintaining regular prayer by providing a space for congregational prayer, offering encouragement and advice, and sharing experiences. Praying together fosters a sense of unity and strengthens the bond between Muslims.