Muslims believe in making a direct connection to Allah through daily worship. Daily prayers incorporate special words and actions which symbolize and express a person's faith. In prayer, Muslims praise Allah, seek guidance and forgiveness, and develop self-discipline. Here you can find all you need to know about Islamic prayer.
Islamic Glossary: Adhan
Definition: (noun) the Islamic call to prayer
To hear what the adhan sounds like, please visit one of the audio links to the right.
Pronunciation: Athan where "th" is as in the English word "the"
Alternate Spellings: azan, athan
Examples:
When the adhan was called, the Muslims went to the masjed for prayer.
Iqamah
Definition: A shorter “call to prayer” that is made immediately prior to each of the five daily Islamic prayers, to let people know that the prayer is about to begin.
The “adhan” (call to prayer) is usually called about 15-20 minutes before the prayer starts, to give worshippers time to make ablutions and gather at the mosque. When everyone has arrived and the prayer is about to begin, the “iqamah” is then called to bring the worshippers to attention that the prayer is getting underway. At that moment, the worshippers are to be ready and standing in rows, with their full attention on the worship of Allah.
The words of the “iqamah” are similar to those of the adhan, but it is said more quickly: “Allah is Great; Allah is Great; I bear witness that nothing is worthy of worship except Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Come to Prayer; Come to Success; Prayer has begun; Prayer has begun; Allah is Great; Allah is Great; There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah.”
Pronunciation: i-qa’-ma
Alternate Spellings: Iqama
Examples:
When we heard the iqama, we knew that the prayer was about to begin.
Making Wudu (Ablution)
Here's How:
1. A Muslim begins every action with intention. To yourself, make the intention to cleanse yourself for prayer, for the sake of Allah.
2. To yourself, say "Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem" (In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful).
3. Wash your hands three times, making sure the water reaches between the fingers and all over the hands. 4. Bring a handful of water to your mouth and rinse it thoroughly three times.
5. Sniff water into your nose three times to clean it. Use your right hand to bring up the water, and your left hand to expel it.6. Wash your entire face three times.
6. Wash your arms, up to the elbows, three times. Start with the right.
8. Use your wet hands to wipe over your head once, from front to back and front again.
9. Use your wet fingers to wipe the inside and outside of your ears, once.
10. Wash your feet up to the ankles three times. Start with the right.
11. Dry off.
12. Make the supplication,"Ashhadu anlaa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareekalahu, washhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasooluhu (I witness that none should be worshipped except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).
Tips:
Only a small amount of water is needed for wud'u, and Muslims are not to be wasteful. Fill a small water container, or your sink, and do not leave the water running.
It is recommended to perform a two-rakah prayer after completing wud'u.
Qiblah
Definition: The direction that Muslims face when engaged in ritual prayer.
In Muslim religious practice, worshippers must all turn to face one single direction during daily prayers. This qiblah is the direction of the Ka'aba in Mecca, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. When possible, mosques are constructed in such a way that one side of the building faces the qiblah, to make it easier to organize worshippers into rows for prayer. The direction of the qiblah is also often marked in the front of the mosque with an ornamental indentation in the wall, known as a mihrab.
It should be noted that Muslims do not worship the Ka'aba. The Ka'aba is a capital and focal point of the entire Muslim world.
Pronunciation: "qib" (rhymes with "bib" with a strong, gutteral "q" sound) - "la"
Alternate Spellings: qibla, kiblah, kibla
Examples:
When Hashim was preparing for prayer, he laid his prayer rug and faced the direction of the qiblah.
What are prayer rugs, and how are they used by Muslims?
Answer: Muslims are often seen kneeling and prostrating on small embroidered rugs, called "prayer rugs." For those unfamiliar with the use of these rugs, they may look like small "oriental carpets," or simply nice pieces of embroidery.
During Islamic prayers, worshippers bow, kneel, and prostrate on the ground in humility before God. The only requirement in Islam is that prayers be performed in an area that is clean. Prayer rugs are not universally used by Muslims, nor specifically required in Islam. But they have become a traditional way for many Muslims to ensure the cleanliness of their place of prayer, and to create an isolated space to concentrate in prayer.
Prayer rugs are usually about one meter long, just enough for an adult to fit comfortably when kneeling or prostrating. Modern, commercially-produced rugs are often made of silk or cotton.
While some rugs are made in solid colors, they are usually adorned. The designs are often geometric, floral, arabesque, or depict Islamic landmarks such as the Ka'aba in Mecca or Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. They are usually designed so that the rug has a definite "top" and "bottom" -- the bottom is where the worshipper stands, and the top points towards the direction of prayer.
When the time for prayer comes, the worshipper lays the rug on the ground, so that the top points towards the direction of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. After prayer, the rug is immediately folded or rolled, and put away for the next use. This ensures that the rug remains clean.
The Arabic word for a prayer rug is "sajada," which comes from the same root word (SJD) as "masjed" (mosque) and "sujud" (prostration).
How To Perform the Muslim Prayers
Five times each day, Muslims bow down to Allah in prayer. If you are learning how to pray, or are just curious about what Muslims do during prayers, follow along with these general guidelines. For more specific guidance, check out these online prayer tutorials to help walk you through it.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 10 minutes
Here's How:
Make sure your body and place of prayer are clean. Perform ablutions if necessary. Make the intention to perform your obligatory prayer.
Standing, raise hands up and say "Allahu Akbar" (God is Most Great).
Standing with hands folded over chest, recite the first chapter of the Qur'an in Arabic. Then recite any other verses of the Qur'an that you would like.
Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar." Bow, reciting three times, "Subhana rabbiyal adheem" (Glory be to my Lord Almighty).
Rise to standing while reciting "Sam'i Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal hamd" (God hears those who call upon Him; Our Lord, praise be to You).
Raise hands up, saying "Allahu Akbar." Prostrate on the ground, reciting three times "Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High).
Rise to a sitting position, saying "Allahu Akbar." Prostrate again in the same manner.
Rise to a standing position, saying "Allahu Akbar."
This concludes one rak'a (cycle or unit of prayer). Begin again from Step 3 for the second rak'a.
After two rak'as, one remains sitting after the prostrations and recites the first part of the Tashahhud in Arabic.
If the prayer is to be longer than these two rak'as, one now stands up and begins again to complete the prayer, sitting again after all rak'as have been completed.
Recite the second part of the Tashahhud in Arabic.
Turn to the right and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" (Peace be upon you and God's blessings).
Turn to the left and repeat the greeting. This concludes the formal prayer.
Tips:
There are five daily prayer timings. Formal prayers can be done during a window of time between the start of one prayer and the start of the following prayer.
If Arabic is not your native tongue, learn the meanings in your language while trying to practice the Arabic.
Online tutorials are available that can help you learn the correct positions and Arabic pronunciations. Better yet, pray with other Muslims to learn.
What You Need
The heart-felt intention to perform the prayer
A clean body with correct ablutions
A clean place to pray
A prayer rug (optional)
Why do we say "Ameen" during prayers?
In the Islam Forum, aspar asks: Why do Muslims end prayers with "Ameen" and Christians with "Amen?" Where did these words come from and what do they mean?
Answer: Amen (also pronounced Ahmen, Aymen, Ameen or Amin) is a word which is used in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam to express agreement with God's truth. It is believed to have originated from an ancient Semitic word consisting of three consonants: A-M-N. In both Hebrew and Arabic, this root word means truthful, firm, and faithful. Common English translations include "verily," "truly," "it is so," or "I affirm God's truth."
This word is used in Judaism and Christianity as an ending word for prayers and hymns. When saying "amen," worshippers confirm their belief in God's word, or affirm agreement with what is being preached or recited.
In Islam, the pronuciation "ameen" is often recited during daily prayers at the end of Surah Al-Fatihah (the first chapter of the Qur'an). It is also said during and at the end of personal supplications (du'a).
Any use of ameen in Islamic prayer is considered optional (sunnah), not required (wajib). The practice is based on the example and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. He reportedly told his followers to say 'ameen' after the imam (prayer leader) finishes reciting the Fatiha because: "If a person's saying 'ameen' at that time coincides with the angels saying 'ameen', his previous sins will be forgiven."
There is some difference of opinion among Muslims about whether "ameen" should be said during prayer in a quiet voice or a loud voice. Very few debate about whether it should be said at all; its use is widespread among Muslims.
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