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Salah (Establishment of the daily prayers)
Salah is the name for the obligatory prayers that are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform. There is no hierarchical authority in Islam and there are no priests. Prayers are led by a learned person who knows the Qur’an and is generally chosen by the congregation (Imam).
Prayers are said at dawn (FAJR), mid-day (DHUHR), late-afternoon (ASR), sunset (MAGHRIB) and nightfall (ISHA), and thus determine the rhythm of the entire day. These five prescribed prayers contain verses from the Qur’an, and are said in Arabic, the language of the Revelation. Personal supplications, however, can be offered in one’s own language and at any time.
Although it is preferable to worship together in a mosque, a Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories and universities. Oftentimes visitors to the Muslim world are struck by the centrality of prayers in daily life.
Arabic transliteration of the adhan is as follows:
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah. Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah.
Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah. Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasool Allah.
Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah. Hayya ‘ala-s-Salah.
Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah. Hayya ‘ala-l-Falah.
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
La ilaha illa Allah.
A translation of the Adhan or Call to Prayer is:
God is Great ! God is Great ! God is Great ! God is Great !
I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God.
I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God. I testify that Muhammad is the messenger of God.
Come to prayer . Come to prayer .
Come to success. Come to success.
God is Great! God is Great!
There is none worthy of worship except God.
