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You are here: Home > Islam Basics > Religious Duties > Contact Prayers (Salat)

The Submitters Contact Prayers

SUMMARY

Refers to the five daily Contact Prayers, which involve a specific ritual that establishes contact with our Creator (God). We receive numerous benefits from observing the Contact Prayers including soul growth, avoidance of vice and evil, and health benefits. The Contact Prayer (Salat) must be dedicated to God alone as practiced by prophet Abraham and all prophets and messengers subsequently.

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Introduction to Salat (Contact Prayers)

Salat refers to the five daily contact prayers Muslims perform. The Arabic word Salat means to make contact. Thus, the five daily Contact Prayers (Salat) constitute a specific ritual of contacting our Creator (God) and providing the daily meals for our soul growth. The five daily Contact Prayers are:

  1. The Dawn Contact Prayer (Fajr), to be observed during the two hours before sunrise (Quran 11:114 and 24:58).
  2. The Noon Contact Prayer (Zhuhr), which comes due when the sun declines from its highest point at noon (Quran 17:78).
  3. The Afternoon Contact Prayer (Asr), to be observed during approximately the three-hour period before sunset (Quran 2:238).
  4. The Sunset Contact Prayer (Maghrib), which comes due at sunset and can be observed until the twilight disappears from the sky (Quran 11:114).
  5. The Night Contact Prayer (Isha’), to be observed after the twilight disappears from the sky (Quran 24:58).

Each Contact Prayer consists of a specific number of units (in Arabic Rak’ahs). The five daily Contact Prayers in the order listed above are made up of the following number of units: 2, 4, 4, 3, and 4. Once a week Muslims congregate for Noon Contact Prayers on Friday (Juma’). The Friday congregational prayer is a duty upon every Muslim man and woman (Quran 62:9). Since the Friday congregational prayer is preceded by two sermons (approximately 15 minutes each), the number of units (Rak’ahs) is only 2 instead of the normal 4 for the Noon Contact Prayer.

Each of the Contact Prayers must be observed during the specified period of time (Quran 70:34). Once a Contact Prayer is missed, it cannot be made up. A worshipper can only repent and ask God to do better in the future (Quran 38:30-35).

The Contact Prayers were established through the prophet Abraham and passed down through the generations. The religious practices of Submission (Islam) are referred to throughout Quran as the Religion of Abraham (Millat Ibrahim) (See, for example, 2:130, 135; 3:95; and 4:125). The prophet Muhammad was instructed to follow the Religion of Abraham (Quran 16:123). It is worth noting that Abraham was the first user of the word “Islam” (Submission) and he was the one who called us “Muslims” (Submitters) (Quran 22:78). Furthermore, when Abraham implored God, he did not ask for health or wealth, instead he asked God to “make him one who observes the Contact Prayers (Salat)” (Quran 14:40)!

Contact Prayers are established for our benefit. God is not in need of our worship. However, we are in need of God [Quran 35:15]. Salat helps the believers to remain on the straight path, avoid evil and vice, and remembrance of God throughout the day. “You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.” [Quran 29:45] Submitters are encouraged to pray to God and commemorate Him day and night [Quran ]. Prayers through imploration (D’ua) as well as commemoration of God (Zhikr) are distinct from the specific practice of Salat. Whatever occupies our minds most becomes our God.

How to perform Salat?

Since performing the Contact Prayers is obligatory, it is important to learn to perform it in the prescribed way in order to enjoy the full blessings and benefits of the prayer. One way of learning Salat is from a Submitter (Muslim) friend. There is also a video demonstrating Salat by Dr. Rashad Khalifa.  The following written instruction provide step-by-step the purified Salat practice that has been passed down the generations from the time of prophet Abraham.

Ablution:  Before starting the Contact Prayer, a person is required to perform ablution or wudu. It consists of four steps: (1) washing the face, (2) washing the arms to the elbows, (3) wiping the head and (4) washing the feet to the ankles. Any additional steps of wudu are man made injections that were never authorized by God. The complete detail of ablution can be found in Quran 5:6.

O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall: (1) wash your faces, (2) wash your arms to the elbows, (3) wipe your heads, and (4) wash your feet to the ankles. If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.

Some circumstances such as sexual orgasm require bathing (Quran 5:6 and 4:43). Also if water is not available, dry ablution (Tayammum) can be performed (Quran 5:6 and 4:43)

Azan:  A member of the congregation performs the Calling to the Prayer (Azan) to notify others that it is time to do Salat. The Azan is not a part of the Contact Prayers nor is it required. However, it provides a common ground for a group of Submitters in congregation to signal time for Salat. An acceptable Azan just like all other religious practices must be dedicated to God alone and should not include Muhammad’s name or anyone else besides God.  The call to the prayers proceeds in the following manner:  “Allahu Akbar”  (God is Great) 4 times, then  “Laa Elaaha Ellah Allah” (There is no other god beside God) once.  Thus the person calling to the prayer would speak or chant the following:

Allahu Akbar         Allahu Akbar

Allahu Akbar         Allahu Akbar

Laa Elaaha Ellah Allah

Prayer Leader:  There is no hierarchical authority or religious leaders in Submission (Islam), A Submitter from the congregation is chosen to lead the Contact Prayers. This Submitter is designated as the Imam (prayer leader) for that Contact Prayer. Members of the congregation usually share that responsibility.

Step-by-Step SalatThe specific words that God gave us to establish contact with Him through Salat are those contained in Sura (Chapter) 1 of Quran titled “The Key” (Al-Fatehah). The Arabic words of “The Key” are mathematically composed beyond human capability establishing physical proof of authenticity and the importance of reciting “The Key” in Arabic during Salat. Other parts of the Contact Prayer may be done in any language, while the recitation of The Key in Arabic unifies all Submitter’s regardless of their first language.  The tone of the Contact Prayers should be a moderate one, neither loud nor silent: “…You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.” (Quran 17:110)

First: Direction-  For each contact prayer, one faces the direction of the Kaaba, or the Sacred Mosque built by Abraham in Mecca.  From North America, the worshipper would turn their face towards the East/Southeasterly direction. “Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces (during Salat) towards it.” (Quran 2:150)

Second:  Intention-  State your intention to observe the Contact Prayers and which one (Dawn, Noon, Afternoon, Sunset, or Night).

Third:  Hands-  Raise your hands to the side of your head, thumbs on the side of your head at the ears and palms facing forward.

Fourth: Opening statement- Say “Allahu Akbar” (God is great).

startsalat                          standingposition

Fifth:  Hands down-  Lower your hands to your side or crossed over your stomach for the remainder of the reciting of The Key.

Sixth:  Recitation-  Recite Al-Fatehah,  Sura 1 in Arabic. 

The Arabic pronunciation of The Key (Quran 1:1-7), El- Fatehah, during Salat –

  • BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM                        keyverse1
    (In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.)
  • AL HAMDU LILLAAHI RABBIL AALAMEEN                keyverse2
    (Praise be to God, Lord of the universe.)
  •  AR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM                                     keyverse3
    (Most Gracious, Most Merciful.)
  • MAALIKI YAWMID DEEN                                      keyverse4
    (Master of the Day of Judgment.)
  • EYYAAKA NA BUDU, WA EYYAAKA NASTAYEEN      keyverse5
    (You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.)
  • EHDENAS SIRAATAL MUSTAQEEM                            keyverse6
    (Guide us in the right path;)
  • SIRAATAL LAZINA AN AMTAA  ALAYHIM                   keyverse7a      (the path of those whom You blessed;)                            
              •          keyverse7b
  • GHAYRIL MAGHDOOBI  ALAYHIM WALADDAALLEEN
    (not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.)

Seventh:  The bowing position or Rukoo-  Bow down from the standing position at the waist.  As you move into the bowing position you say “Allahu Akbar” or God is great.   The knees stay straight while bending at the waist in a 90° angle.  Your face should be turned toward the floor while saying “Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem” or Glory to my Lord the greatest.

bowing

Eighth:  Return to standing-  As you return to standing from the bowing position, you say “Sami Allahu Liman Hamidah”, or God responds to those who praise Him.

Ninth:  The prostration position or Sujood-  While moving into a full prostration position, you say “Allahu Akbar” or God is great.  In a full prostration, you would be sitting on your knees in the ground and bend at the waist to place your head and nose on the floor with your hands next to your head.  During prostration, you say “Subhaana Rabbiyal Allaa” or Glory to my Lord the Highest.

prostration                fullprostration

Tenth:  Rise to sitting-  As you rise to a sitting position still on your knees, you say “Allahu Akbar”.

Eleventh:  Return to prostration-  Return for a second full prostration while saying “Allahu Akbar”.  When in the prostration position, you repeat “Subhaana Rabbiyal Allaa.” This completes one unit (Rukkah), and you would rise to a standing position to begin the second unit or Rukkah.

Twelfth:  The Ending-  At the end of every 2 units as well as at the end of the last unit of the Contact Prayer, you remain sitting and pronounce the First Pillar of Submission, the Shahaadah – you say “Ash-Haduun La Elaaha Ellaa Allah. Wahdahu Laa Shareeka Lah.” Or I bear witness that there is no other god beside God. He has no partners.  So for the Dawn Prayer you would declare Shahaadah once, and twice each for the Noon, Afternoon, Twilight, and Night prayers.

endsalat

In completion of the Prayers you look to the right and say “Assalaamu Alaikum” then look to the left and say “Assalaamu Alaikum” or peace be with you.

Nuances of Group Prayers:  When more than one person observes the Contact Prayers, one person leads the group prayer, uttering "The Key" in a voice to be heard by everyone in the group. Other utterances with the exception of “Allahu Akbar” are done silently. Anyone may join the group anytime during the prayer. He or she must make the same moves as the group, then, at the end of the prayer, he or she would continue on and make up whatever portion was missed.

At Friday Congregational Prayers, each sermon must begin with “Al-Hamdu Lillah” (Praise be to God), “Laa Elaaha Ella Allah” (There is no other god beside God). Each sermon should last approximately 15 minutes and is delivered in the language of the congregation. At the end of the first sermon, the congregation is asked to repent, when the Imam declares “Tooboo Ela Allah.” The Imam then sits down for a short repentance with the congregation following in repentance, then stands up for the second sermon. The second sermon ends with a member of the congregation saying the Azaan. The Imam then leads the remaining 2 units of prayer. A video demonstration of Juma’ (Friday Congregation Prayer) is available.

The custom after completion is to say “Congratulations” and shake hands or hug. This is because the Contact Prayers are a gift from God for us to nourish and develop our souls.

Perfect preservation of Salat

The specific practice of Salat was given to prophet Abraham and passed down through the generations (14:40 and 21:73). Quran teaches us that prophets and messengers who came after prophet Abraham practiced Salat (see for example Quran 10:87, 19:55, and 31:17). Therefore, the practice of Contact Prayers was already in place at the time of prophet Muhammad (Quran 8:35) and he was instructed in Quran to follow the religious practices of Abraham (Milat Ibrahim) (Quran 16:123). Furthermore, God refers to the Contact Prayers in Quran as Al-salat; the preceding “Al” signifies a specific known practice that does not need to be explained. However, any part of the practice in Salat that has been corrupted over the years is corrected in Quran and restored to its pure form. For example, ablution has been corrupted to include additional steps and practices that were based on false traditions attributed to the prophet. Thus, ablution is detailed in Quran (Quran 5:6 and see above). The following verses from Quran illustrate that Salat was given to Abraham, was already in place at the time of prophet Muhammad, and he was a follower of Abraham:

SALAT TAUGHT TO ABRAHAM

[14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please answer my prayers.                          
     
[21:73] We made them imams who guided in accordance withour commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact  Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.                                 
  
SALAT EXISTED WHEN MUHAMMAD STARTED HIS MISSION

[8:35]  Their Contact Prayers (Salat) at the shrine (Ka`bah) were no more than a mockery and a means of repelling the  people (by crowding them out). Therefore, suffer the retribution for your disbelief.             
  
[9:54]  What prevented the acceptance of their  spending is that they disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and when they observed the Contact Prayers (Salat), they observed them lazily, and when they gave to charity, they did so grudgingly.

MUHAMMAD - A FOLLOWER OF ABRAHAM
  
[16:123]  Then we inspired you (Muhammad) to follow the religion of Abraham, the monotheist; he never was an idol worshiper.

Another important corruption of Salat that Quran corrects is the practice of mentioning the names of others besides God. We are commanded to only mention God in our worship as all other creatures including angels, prophets, messengers, saints, etc. are powerless. The following Quranic passages highlight the importance of dedicating Salat and all practices of worship to God alone:

[72:18]  The places of worship belong to GOD; do not call on anyone else beside GOD.

Masjids that Oppose God and His Messenger*

[9:107]  There are those who abuse the masjid by practicing idol worship, dividing the believers, and providing comfort to those who oppose GOD and His messenger. They solemnly swear: "Our intentions are honorable!" GOD bears witness that they are liars.

Do Not Pray in Those Masjid*

[9:108]  You shall never pray in such a masjid. A masjid that is established on the basis of righteousness from the first day is more worthy of your praying therein. In it, there are people who love to be purified. GOD loves those who purify themselves.

*9:107 Any masjid where the practices are not devoted absolutely to God ALONE belongs to Satan, not God. For example, mentioning the names of Abraham, Muhammad, and/or Ali in the Azan and/or the Salat prayers violates God's commandments in 2:136, 2:285, 3:84, & 72:18. Unfortunately, this is a common idolatrous practice throughout the corrupted Muslim world.

God states clearly “mention in the scripture” for names of some prophets and saints.   Over the years innovations have crept into worship practices and these names have been wrongly associated next to God’s during supplication or prayer- this practice is unauthorized, and the following verses serve as reminders that these names do not belong in Salat, but are mentioned in the Scripture as examples:

[19:16]  Mention in the scripture Mary. She isolated herself from her family, into an eastern location.

[19:41]  Mention in the scripture Abraham; he was a saint, a prophet.

[19:51]  Mention in the scripture Moses. He was devoted, and he was a messenger prophet.

[19:54]  And mention in the scripture Ismail. He was truthful when he made a promise, and he was a messenger prophet.

[19:56]  And mention in the scripture Idris. He was a saint, a prophet.

An overwhelming mathematical structure of Salat has been uncovered, which provides further evidence of its authenticity. By speaking the words in Salat, we in turn are opening a gateway to our LORD. Al-Fateha, the sura that we recite during our Contact Prayers literally means "the opening” or “the key.” It is like we are making "contact" with GOD through a "key” or an "opening.” These words have been numerically structured. The number "19" is the mathematical basis of the numerical structure of the Quran, and when we recite "Al-Fateha" our lips touch each other exactly "19" times. For more information about the Mathematical structure of our Contact Prayers and the Quran, click here.

Where can we find Salat in Quran? How about extra Salat?

All FIVE Contact Prayers (Salat) are mentioned in Quran. Any additional/extra Salat are fabrications and have no basis in Submission. Thus, Contact Prayers not mentioned in the Quran originate from a source other than God.
 
[11:114] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) at both  ends of the day ( DAWN AND SUNSET PRAYER), and during the night (NIGHT PRAYER). The righteous  works wipe out the evil works. This is a reminder for thosewho would take heed.
  
[24:58]  O you who believe, permission must be requested by your  servants and the children who have not attained puberty  (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances - before the Dawn Prayer (DAWN PRAYER), at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Night Prayer (NIGHT PRAYER). These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another.  GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is  Omniscient, Most Wise.
  
[17:78]  You shall observe the Contact Prayer (Salat) when the sun declines from its highest point at noon, as it moves towards sunset (NOON PRAYER). You shall also observe (the recitation of) the Quran at dawn. (Reciting) the Quran at dawn is witnessed.
  
[2:238]  You shall consistently observe  the Contact Prayers,  especially the middle prayer (AFTERNOON PRAYER 2-3 hours before sunset), and devote yourselves totally to GOD.
  
[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational (FRIDAY JUMMAH PRAYERS)  Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew.

THE END


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