Every Muslim man and woman are aware of the five pillars of Islam and Salah is one of these pillars. The basis of offering Salah is to grow faith and form a special connection with Allah. It gives us a chance to talk to Allah on a spiritual level. The benefits of Salah are numerous. Muslims who regularly offer their prayers develop a sense of discipline and punctuality.
As beginners, many Muslims struggle to remember the timings of Salah. Some may even find it hard to build their daily schedule around it. However, with proper understanding, dedication and guidance praying Salah can become easier. In this article, we will guide you on how to follow Salah’s timings easily as a beginner.
What is the Importance of Salah?
Allah talks about the importance of praying Salah in various instances in the Quran. For example, in Surah An-Nisa, Allah says;
And praying at fixed hours is prescribed for the faithful.
[Al-Quran, 4:103]
This verse is just one of the many verses that state the importance of the Salah. Not just that it also talks about the importance of offering your prayers on time. It is obligatory for every Muslim man and woman to pray at specified times during the entire day. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) also placed importance on the very same thing.
Narrated Ibn Mas’ud:
“A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) “What deeds are the best?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “(1) To perform the (daily compulsory) prayers at their (early) stated fixed times, (2) to be good and dutiful to one’s own parents, (3) and to participate in Jihad in Allah’s Cause.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 7534]
The Basics of the Five Daily Prayers
In Islam, Muslims must pray five times a day; Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha. Each of these prayers has its own distinct start and end time. It is important for every Muslim to memorize and learn about these times.
⦁ Fajr (Prayer at Dawn)
The fajr prayers mark the beginning of the day. It must be performed before sunrise and consists of two Rakat.
Observe the service of prayer from the sun’s declining from the meridian to the darkening of the night, and the recitation at dawn. Indeed the Recitation at dawn is palpably evident.
[Al-Quran, 17:78]
⦁ Dhuhr (Prayer at Noon)
The Dhuhr prayers are performed after the sun crosses its zenith. It consists of four rakat. This prayer reminds us that we must take a break from everyday tasks and focus on our spiritual well-being.
The prayer timings for Dhuhr may vary slightly throughout the year as it depends on the shifting position of the sun. You can check any reliable Islamic calendar or a mobile app that can help you determine the exact prayer time.
⦁ Asr (Prayer in Evening)
The Asr prayer consists of four rakat. It is performed in the evening or late afternoon before the sun starts to set. In one instance, Prophet Muhammad described the importance of prayer.
Narrated Ibn Umar: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Whoever misses theAsr prayer (intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property.”
[Sahih al-Bukhari 552]
The prayer timings may be different for all the Muslims in the world. Prayer timings for Muslims in Brisbane may be different than those in Turkey. Moreover, the timings may also vary depending on the school of thought that the Muslims follow.
⦁ Maghrib (Prayer at sunset)
Maghrib is the fourth prayer of the day, which is prayed after sunset. It signifies the transition from day to night and consists of three Rakat.
⦁ Isha (Night Prayer)
Isha is the fifth and final prayer of the day and consists of four Rakat. It is performed after the twilight fades. This prayer signifies the end of the day and allows Muslims to seek forgiveness and remember Allah.
Common Tools to Track Salah Time
Modern everyday life is very busy and it gets quite difficult to keep track of time. Therefore, staying consistent with prayer five times a day can also seem daunting, especially for new believers. However, there are several ways you can keep track of time.
⦁ Mobile Apps
There are several apps like Muslim Pro or Islamic Finder that are available for your smartphone and can guide you in understanding Salah timings based on your current location.
⦁ Local Mosques
Local mosques and Islamic centres in your area also display the local prayer timings on their website or notice boards. Muslim-dominant countries also call out the Adhan five times a day to remind you to offer your prayers on time.
⦁ Digital Alarm Clocks
Digital Alarm Clocks are now easily available online and in stores that ring alarms on the exact prayer timings. These are usually synced to the current location and are simple tools for those who find gadgets to be a hassle.
Preparing for Salah
There are a few basic steps that you must incorporate into your daily habits before starting your prayers.
⦁ Wudhu
Before starting your Salah, you must perform Wudhu according to the Islamic manners.
⦁ Dressing Appropriately
Islam places special importance on modesty and simplicity. Therefore, we must ensure that the clothes we wear during prayers are clean and cover all the parts of the body.
⦁ Facing Qibla
All the Salah must be performed while facing the Kaaba. There are multiple apps online that give you the accurate direction of the Kaaba.
Some Common Challenges for Beginners
For any Muslim beginner, some of the most common challenges include:
⦁ Remembering prayer timing can be difficult. Using apps and reminders can help you stick to the schedule.
⦁ As a beginner, you may find it hard to remember the basics and supplication to pray during Salah. You can start off by memorizing small duas and then build yourself up to the longer ones.
⦁ Beginners may find it difficult to manage Salah with work. You can plan your prayers around breaks and pray in designated areas.
Practical Tips for Beginners
⦁ Start small and begin with one or two prayers. You can slowly start adding prayers to your regular routine and become habitual of it.
⦁ Set alarms and reminders if you have a habit of forgetting. These alarms will remind you to pray on time regularly.
⦁ Find a friend or a prayer buddy who can help you stay motivated and adopt the practice in a better way.
⦁ Visit a mosque or an Islamic center and offer your prayers in congregation. This helps t create a sense of community and belonging. Offering your prayers in groups also creates a sense of accountability.
Conclusion
Understanding and sticking to the Salah schedule is a crucial step in any Muslim’s journey. For beginners, it may be overwhelming at the start. However, with consistency, effort, and guidance, you can easily establish these Islamic practices.
You must remember that Salah is a sign of sincerity and devotion towards Allah. As you start on this important path, you will notice that it helps in honing your faith. Moreover, praying on a timely basis also helps to bring peace and discipline to your everyday life.
وَاَقِيْمُوا الصَّلٰوۃَ وَاٰتُوا الزَّكٰوۃَ وَارْكَعُوْا مَعَ الرّٰكِعِيْن
Be firm in devotion; give zakat (the due share of your wealth for the welfare of others), and bow with those who bow (before God).
[Al-Quran 2:43]