Muslim prayer is a major aspect of the Islam, explains Imam Daayiee Abdullah, noting its diversity among Islamic denominations.
I first learned about the Muslim prayer growing up in Detroit, but it wasn’t until I was in China that I understood its significance.
Over the decades, as I traveled in Muslim countries, I learned how different madhabs (denominations) perform it differently.
In this guide, I will share what I know about this importance practice.
The Five Pillars
The 5 Pillars of Islam is a concept that represents the important acts of worship that define the practice of a Muslim’s faith. These include the declaration of faith, daily prayers, charity, fasting during Ramadan, and pilgrimage to Mecca.
Each pillar has a specific function, but together they shape the life of a Muslim. They help us to live according to God’s guidance and strengthen our relationship with the Muslim community.
Overall, these pillars are universally important in Islam, but their interpretation and practice can vary among different denominations. For example, the manner of prayer and the significance of certain rituals may differ.
Despite these differences, the core principles of the Five Pillars remain central to Islamic life.
Muslim Prayer
As a Progressive Muslim leader, I should note that there are no particular enforcement of prayer in our community. Progressive Islam proposes that prayers are a personal experience that Progressive Muslims choose to participate in whatever form they choose.
The Muslim prayer or “Salat” (الصلاة) is a fundamental act of worship in a person’s life. It is a direct communication with God, with a series of physical and verbal actions.
During prayer, Muslims perform recitation, bowing, prostration, and sitting in a prescribed sequence.
The Muslim prayer is performed at specific times. In Sunnism, the largest denomination of Islam, daily performances include before dawn, midday, afternoon, sunset, and night.
The Arabic term is its universal name across Muslim cultures. However, in some culture, salat has different names. For example, South Asian Muslims use “namaz,” an Urdu word found across regional languages.
While the core components of the prayers are consistent across Islam, there are minor differences. For example, Shia Muslims combine two of the five daily prayers into three sessions, whereas Sunnis use a five-prayer schedule.
Of course, timings are not the only differences. For instance, Shia place their foreheads on a small tablet made from clay during prostration, which symbolizes connection to the earth.
Also, Sufis have a distinct relationship with these prayers compared to mainstream Muslims. While Sufis approach the prayers from a mystical viewpoint, Sunnis and Shia interpret them from a religious perspective.
Meanwhile, non-Muslims or those new to the faith should take the time to understand that Salat is not only a ritual. This is a deeply spiritual practice with goals of establishing a stronger connection with God, cultivating mindfulness, discipline, and humility in daily life.
Types of Muslim prayer
There are several types of Muslim prayer, and each has to do with different spiritual purpose. Sharia law makes a huge impact on how different Muslim denominations pray, as well.
In addition to the daily obligatory prayers, there are Sunnah prayers. These are voluntary and in use alongside the obligatory ones.
Then, there is the Witr or odd prayer. As the name suggests, this is an odd-numbered prayer, which are usually offered after Isha.
Of course, there is also Tahajjud or night prayer. This is performed during the last third of the night and Muslims believe it holds great reward.
Then, there is the Tarawih, which is a special prayer during Ramadan. As part of the reflective practices of Ramadan, this is by far one of the longest prayers, usually taking hours.
Meanwhile, there is the Salat al-Janazah or the funeral prayer. This is a person’s last rites and is usually the most mournful of all prayers.
Also, there is the Tahiyyat al-Masjid or the Mosque Prayer. This is a prayer that takes place upon entering the mosque.
Of course, different denominations may have slightly different association. However, each prayer type plays a role in strengthening a Muslim’s connection to God and fulfilling spiritual needs.
Muslim Prayer Times
Like a lot of things that have to do with the Islamic calendar, the five daily prayer times are central to a Muslim’s day. These are moments for reflection and connection with God, usually lasting from five to fifteen minutes.
In most denominations, five prayers are offered throughout the day. In Sunnism, the first prayer, Fajr (فَجْر), is performed about dawn, setting the tone for the day. Prayer during this time is most peaceful.
Then, Muslims take a break before Dhuhr (ظُهْر) follows in midday, and Asr (عَصْر) in the afternoon, about halfway to sunset. Many people love these as they interrupt their day to reflect on spirituality.
To bring the day to an end, Maghrib (مَغْرِب) takes place immediately after sunset, and Isha (عِشَاء) completes the cycle at night when the twilight has faded. These prayers, though consistent, are observed slightly differently across denominations.
Meanwhile, in Shia Islam, while the five prayers are still a requirement, Shias combine Dhuhr and Asr prayers, as well as Maghrib and Isha prayers. That is, most Shias pray three times per day.
Also, Sufi practices generally align with the larger traditions, depending on whether one is a Sunni Sufi or Shia Sufi, but may include additional mystical rituals. Therefore, in some Sufi circles, a prayer can last an hour or more.
Muslim Call to Prayer
The Muslim call to prayer or “Adhan” (أَذَان) is another daily ritual in Islam. It announces the time for the Muslim prayer, although non-Muslim laws like U.S. law limits this.
A muezzin recites the Adhan from a mosque’s minaret or loudspeaker. The practice is to invite the community to pause and engage in worship.
The words of the Adhan are simple but profound, beginning with the declaration of God’s greatness, followed by testimonies of faith, and then telling the faithful how the Muslim prayer leads to spiritual success. Morning Adhan, before Dawn, is the most impactful as it wakes people up.
While the Adhan is essentially the same across the denominations, there are slight differences in the wording and emphasis. For example, Shia Muslims may add Ali into the faith testimony. Because of the position of the Imamship is just below the prophet, adding the first Imam (Ali) is a way to revere this holy position.
Meanwhile, during the Adhan, Muslims may respond to specific parts of it, and usually silently to oneself. For example, saying “You have spoken the truth and acted sincerely” (صَدَقْتَ وَبَرَرْتَ) is customary to some sections.
Muslim Washing
Before performing the Muslim prayer, the faithful are required to purify themselves through a ritual washing. Wudu or ablution (وُضُوء) is the Muslim washing.
In most denominations, the washing starts with the hands, then mouth, nose, face, arms, head, and feet. Each school of thought may have a prescribed order for physical and spiritual cleanliness.
The purpose of wudu is to prepare the body for prayer, symbolizing purity and mindfulness prior to standing before God. As a result, this is a deeply spiritual act that nurtures a feeling of readiness and reverence for the upcoming act of worship.
Meanwhile, when water is not available for wudu, Muslims perform tayammum or dry ablution (تَيَمُّم). One may strike clean earth or dust with the hands, then wipe the face and hands. As you can see, it’s a shorter form of wudu.
In most denominations, a Muslim will start with invoking Bismillah or the Name of God (بِسْمِ اللَّهِ) before washing. Sufis may also recite a silent dhikr the entire time, using one of the 99 Names of God.
Muslim Prayer Rug
The Muslim prayer rug or sajjada (سجادة) is a small carpet that people use to perform their prayers. In most cases, this is a way to have a clean and designated space for prayer, symbolizing both physical and spiritual purification.
The rug typically features beautiful designs, and usually with a niche-like pattern at one end. In most cases, the pattern represents the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, the focal point for Muslim prayer.
Therefore, the sajjada are sacred space where the worshiper can focus entirely on their connection with God, free from distractions. For this reason, you will notice the designs are not too elaborate. They will also never feature living beings.
While the basic function of the prayer rug is the same across all denominations, there are subtle differences in how one uses it. For example, Sunni Muslims generally use the rug only for prayers, whereas Sufis may use it to meditate or reflect, sit and read spiritual texts, and even to nap.
Meanwhile, the most popular materials for Muslim prayer rugs are wool (for softness), cotton (lightweight), and sometimes silk (luxury) and synthetic (budget). However, anything can really serve as sajjada.
If you’re planning to get one, I would recommend the simple, inexpensive types. However, consider using an environmentally-friendly one such as wool or cotton.
Recitations
During the Muslim prayer, specific recitations are integral to the ritual. These are used to strengthen the worshiper’s submission to God and to acknowledge His greatness.
Recitations are in Arabic in most denominations, and the reasoning is usually that the Quran is sacred and untranslatable in its original form.
In most denominations, the central recitation in every prayer is Al-Fatiha (الفاتحة), the first chapter of the Quran. The Al-Fatiha recitation appears in every unit (rak’ah) of the prayer. It praises God, acknowledges His sovereignty, and asks for guidance.
After Al-Fatiha, Muslims typically recite another portion from the Quran, with the Ikhlas (Chapter 112 of the Quran) being one of the most popular.
While Sunnis and Shias both recite Al-Fatiha in their prayers, there are minor differences in the practices. For example, Sunnis typically recite it aloud during the first two units of prayer. On the other hand, Shias generally recite it silently in the obligatory prayers, although they may pronounce it aloud in other contexts.
Also, pronunciations of the words are based on the Classical Arabic and not the Modern Standard. As a result, even when they have a local dialect Muslims use Classical Arabic in their prayers.
Rak’at or Units
The Muslim prayer has a certain amount of raka’at or units (ركعة) in each prayer. Each raka’at consists of a set sequence of physical movements and recitations.
Depending on the denomination, the raka’at usually include standing, bowing, prostration, and sitting. For example, in Sunnism, the Morning Prayer, which has 2 raka’at, includes 2 standing, 2 bowing, 2 prostration, and 1 sitting.
Meanwhile, Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers consist of four raka’at each, and Maghrib has three raka’at. Plus, Sunni Muslims have as many as 17 raka’at offered as supplemental throughout the day.
While the basic structure of the raka’at is consistent across Sunni and Shia denominations, there are slight differences in their practices. For instance, Shia Muslims may pause longer during the sitting position (tahiyyat) in certain raka’at and have additional recitations in the final sitting posture, such as invoking blessings on the family of the Prophet.
Dua or Supplication
In Islam, Dua or supplication (دعاء) is a situation where a Muslim asks God for guidance, mercy, or help in any aspect of life.
Although Dua is usally part of the Muslim prayer, and typically after finishing the obligatory one, it’s informal and can be done at any time, in any language, and for any need.
Of course, there are several types of dua, and each is suitable for a different purpose. Dua for requests (Dua al-Mas’alah) is for personal needs, such as guidance, health, or success.
On the other hand, Dua for forgiveness (Dua al-Maghfirah) is to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness for sins. As a result, it is one of the most common supplications.
Meanwhile, Dua for protection (Dua al-‘Afiyah) is to ask for safety from harm, misfortune, or evil. The Dua phrase “I seek refuge with God from the accursed Satan” is one of the most popular phases.
Also, some supplications are done in groups. For example, the imam may lead in a supplication after the prayers. He or she may say it outloud, followed by a hum of the congregation.
Muslim Prayer Beads
The Muslim prayer beads or Misbaha (مسبحة) are a string of beads or rosaries that appear in diverse culture. In most cases, they are in use to assist in the remembrance of God through the practice of dhikr (remembrance).
Across the different cultures, Misbaha typically consist of 12, 33, or 99 beads. Their primary purpose is to help keep track of recitations of sacred phrases, such as “Subhanallah” (Glory be to God), “Alhamdulillah” (Praise be to God), and “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest).
In Sufism, Misbaha are an integral part of the daily spiritual exercises or Wird. The practice is a way to focus the mind, increase spiritual awareness, and seek closeness to God, and the beads act as a tool for keeping count during these repetitions.
Meanwhile, the use of Misbaha shares with other faiths, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and others.
Of course, like the prayer rugs, the rosaries are usually plain. Muslims frown upon distracting rosaries, although using multi-color, geometric design, or diverse materials is perfectly fine.
Between Wudu
In Islam, the concept of being “between wudu” refers to the state when a person has completed wudu but that state of purity is not broken until the next prayer.
In most denominations, a wudu may break due to certain actions like using the restroom, sleeping deeply, or other physical activities that invalidate the ablution.
Of course, some situations lend themselves into this. For example, if someone went to the mosque for Afternoon Prayer and decides to stay and read the Quran until Sunset Prayer, that person may not need to renew wudu.
Meanwhile, serious discussions on the subject appear across diverse spiritual texts. In most cases, there is a recommendation that one should not force themselves to do this, citing it may burden the individual.
Also, wudu is such a spiritual experience that it may be best to forego other reasons. For example, while it may be great to save water, what would be the point if you are holding passing gas.
Conclusion
The Muslim prayer is an incredible practice that nurtures a deep connection with God, provides spiritual purification, strengthens faith, encourages discipline, and promotes humility, gratitude, and mindfulness in daily life.
For someone new to the faith, the best way to start is by learning the basic steps. It may be helpful to use a prayer guide or app to follow the correct steps, and seek guidance from a knowledgeable person if needed.
Of course, consistency and sincerity are key. It’s perfectly fine to start slow, focusing on understanding the meaning and significance of each action.
May Allah continue to guide us all.
Imam Daayiee Abdullah is the Executive Director of MECCA Institute and the author of “Progressive Islam,” a historic book that defines Progressive Islam.