The Muslims Prayer: How to Make Salah

There are five pillars in Islam; one of the most important is Salah. As a Muslim if one does not perform Salah (establishment of prayer) it is a great sin. Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was reported as saying, by way of instruction to us: "If one of you has a canal of water flowing in front of his door, and he washes himself up in it five times a day, will he still remain dirty? The companions replied, no, he will become absolutely clean and pure. The prophet (pbuh) said the five daily prayers have the same effect. Allah the Most High wipes off the dirt of sins of the one who offers them (prayers) regularly." After one has made Wudhu, or Ablution; cleaning of ones body to prepare for prayer, he or she is ready for Salah.

For the prayer to be valid one must first make sure of the following:

1. There are stated times for prayer, so first one must make sure that they are praying within the prescribed time. Times change and depend on where the sun is at during the day.

Fajr- morning prayer- between the break of dawn and sunrise
Zhur-Afternoon Prayer - when the sun is at its highest peak in the sky
Asr- Mid Day Prayer around - it begins after Zhur ends and a few minutes before sunset
Mahgrib- Sunset Prayer- it begins after sunset until the disappearance f the twilight
Isha- Night prayer- begins after the disappearance of twilight until day break

2. One must make sure that not only has he made wudhu, but also that his or her clothes are clean of impurities, such as urine, semen

3. One must be sure that ones private parts are covered. For men that means everything from the navel to the knee, and for women that includes everything except the face and hands.

4. Finally prior to actually beginning the pray, one should face the Qibla, which in the U.S. is North due east, towards the kabbah in Mecca. Muslim do not worship the Kabbah, however it was the first place of worship established in history. Built by Abraham and his son. The purpose of Muslims facing the Kabbah is a symbolism of Unity.