Prayer time in UAE

Muslim Prayers: Salah Timings, Adhan, and Rakats

Understanding Salah

Salah, meaning “prayer” or “supplication,” is central to Islamic practice and is also referred to as “Namaz” by non-Arab Muslims. It is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which include:

1. Shahada (Profession of Faith): Declaring that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His messenger.
2. Salah (Prayer)
3. Zakat (Charity)
4. Sawm (Fasting)
5. Hajj (Pilgrimage to Mecca)

Salah is obligatory for all adult Muslims and is performed five times daily at specific times based on the Sun’s movement:

• Fajr: At dawn, before sunrise
• Dhuhr: At midday, after the Sun passes its peak
• Asr: In the late afternoon
• Maghrib: Just after sunset
• Isha: Between sunset and midnight

Praying in Congregation at the Masjid

While Muslims can pray anywhere, many choose to pray in a congregation at a masjid, or mosque. Congregational prayer reinforces unity and equality among Muslims, demonstrating that all are equal in the eyes of Allah.

Jumuah Prayer

In addition to the five daily prayers, Muslims are required to attend a special congregational prayer called Jumuah every Friday. This prayer takes the place of the midday Dhuhr prayer and includes a sermon.

The Call to Prayer: Adhan

The call to prayer, known as the Adhan, is announced by a muezzin, the designated caller, from the masjid. It begins with “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) and continues with the following phrases:

• Allahu Akbar (God is great)
• Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah)
• Ashadu anna Muhammadar Rasool Allah (I bear witness that Muhammad is Allah’s messenger)
• Hayya’ ala-s-Salah (Hasten to the prayer)
• Hayya’ ala-l-Falah (Hasten to success)
• Assalatu khairum-minan-naum (Prayer is better than sleep; recited only for Fajr prayer)
• La ilaha illallah (There is no god but Allah)

The Adhan invites Muslims to prayer five times daily and is a common sound in areas with significant Muslim populations. It is recited facing the Kaaba in Makkah, symbolizing unity in worship.

Performing Wudu Before Salah

Before prayer, Muslims perform wudu, a ritual ablution that involves washing specific parts of the body. Wudu is required to maintain cleanliness and readiness for prayer or the recitation of the Quran.

Rakats in Salah

A rakat is a unit of prayer that includes a sequence of movements and recitations from the Quran. The obligatory rakats for each prayer are as follows:

• Fajr: 2 rakats
• Dhuhr: 4 rakats
• Asr: 4 rakats
• Maghrib: 3 rakats
• Isha: 4 rakats

In addition to these, other prayers include:

• Jumuah (Friday prayer at noon)
• Tahajjud (a voluntary night prayer)
• Tarawih (a special prayer during Ramadan)
• Eid prayers (offered on Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha)

Significance of Prayer Positions

During Salah, various positions provide both physical and spiritual benefits:

• Qiyam (standing): Enhances blood circulation and strengthens leg muscles.
• Ruku (bowing): Benefits the spine and flexibility in joints.
• Sajdah (prostration): Improves blood flow to the brain, stimulating key glands.
• Tashahhud (sitting): Resembles Vajrasana in yoga, which is known to improve digestion, strengthen leg muscles, and support posture.

Through these positions and recitations, Salah nurtures spiritual mindfulness while offering physical benefits to the body.