Muslim Prayer

"HOW A MUSLIM PRAYS TO GOD"

Islam lays great stress upon Divine worship. Indeed it is regarded as the purpose of man's creation. 

The object of worship is to strengthen man's relationship with Allah. 

Allah says in Holy Qur'an:

"Call on Me,  I will respond to you." (40:61) 

In Islam, it is a great sin to worship any other besides Allah. 

Islamic worship may be may be divided into two categories:

1: Formal worship such as Prayer Services, Pilgrimage to the House of Allah, Zak-at and Fasting. 

2: Informal worship such as remembrance of Allah, called "Zikr".

Islam prescribes five daily prayer, called 'Salat' at appointed times. They are as follows:   

1: Fajr Prayer....At Dawn

2: Zuhr Prayer....At Noon

3: Asr Prayer....In the Afternoon

4: Maghrib Prayer....After Sunset

5: Isha Prayer....In the Evening

On Fridays there is a special Prayer called 'Salat-ul-Jumma', which is performed in the place of Zuhr Praye. In this Prayer the Imam delivers a sermon before the Prayer. Although a Muslim may say his Prayers anywhere.  

Before each Prayer, Azan is called. The one who calls out the Azan is called a 'Muezzin'. He stands on a raised plate form or on a minaret, with his face towards the Kaaba and makes the announcement, the translation of  which is as follows:

"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah

I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship save Allah 

I bear witness that Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the Messenger of Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) is the Messenger of Allah

Come to Prayer, Come to Prayer

Come to Success, Come to Success

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest

There is none worthy of  worship save Allah"

Hearing this call a Muslim leaves his work and comes to the mosque. 

Fasting is another  form of worship. A Fast means abstention from drink and food from dawn to sunset for the pleasure of God. 

Another form of worship is known as Zakat. It is a compulsory levy imposed on certain types of possessions and wealth The proceeds of Zakat are distributed among the poorer sections of the community.  

Hajj, or the Pilgrimage to Mecca is another form of Islamic worship. It is obligatory upon all Muslims who can afford the journey to perform Hajj  once in their life-time. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from all parts of the world gather at Mecca to to perform this worship every year, during the prescribed days. 

There are two great festivals in Islam. One is called 'Eid-ul-Fitr'. The second festival is called 'Eid-ul-Adha.