There is only one Creator and therefore only one way to pray. However, there are 3 major Abrahamic religions and each has their own way of praying. Since Quran is the last revelation of Gods word, Muslims have the most clear understanding of prayer. This article will discuss how Muslims pray as well as why Muslims pray 5 times a day.
Firstly, similar to other monotheistic religions, Muslims are generally expected to attend Friday prayers. The attendance you see at any masjid is symbolic & important in terms of maintaining unity as Muslims. During congregational prayer, or Jummah, there is one person in front to lead the prayer and there are rows of people in straight lines behind him. Everyone prays at the exact same time, facing the same direction. Even when praying alone, Muslims pray in the same direction as other Muslims, since we all face the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia. Every Muslim is expected to make pilgrimage to the Kaaba to perform Hajj.
Besides the Friday congregational prayer, there are also requirements for Muslims when praying alone. Before praying Muslims make Wudu, or perform ablution. This is a process where you purify yourself before praying to your Creator. In short, a person completely washes themself with water before standing in prayer. If someone isn’t able to wash themself completely with water, they must find mud & use that instead. While someone can remember Allah SWT at any time, a prayer will not be accepted if Wudu/ablution is not performed.
After ablution, Muslims stand facing the Qiblah, which is the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia now. Before Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) built the Kaaba, the Qiblah was Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem. This is why Palestine is so important to Muslims today.
Takbir
After facing the Qiblah, Muslims raise their hands next to their ears to begin the prayer routine. This is called takbir.
Next, you close your arms over your chest, right over left.
When you’re done praying, you raise your hands to your ears again and bow to Allah.
After bowing, you fall on your knees and prostrate to Allah twice. The Arabic word for prostration is sujood.
Once you complete this process, that is known as one rakah. People do as many rakahs as they feel they need, but two is the standard. When you have finished your prayer, you greet the angels on your right & left sides; in that order.
You greet the angels the same way you greet another Muslim, with the Arabic greeting ‘peace be upon you’. The prononciation of the Arabic greeting is ‘Asalaam Waalaykum’. Some like to give a more robust greeting and say ‘peace be upon you with the mercy & abundance of Allah’. This is pronounced ‘Asalaam Waalaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatu’.
After greeting the angels, your prayer is concluded & you are free to go about your business. That’s how Muslims pray.
Proper prayer is important for everyone, not just Muslims. When a proper prayer is performed, your body is refreshed & your mind restored. In addition to reciting Quran & reminding yourself what your priorities should be, there are physical benefits that have been scientifically proven.
When you bow & perform prostration, you are putting yourself in the two only positions where your head is below your heart. Putting your head below your heart restores blood flow to your brain & increases your level of mental clarity. If racists don’t like Muslims taking over the world, they better do some yoga or something.
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