Q (i) Outline the main teachings in the Qur’an and Prophetic Hadith

about prayer (Salat) as the foundation of Islam.

(ii) Describe how Muslims prepare themselves for prayer. [10]
OUTLINE:

1. TIMINGS
2. PREPARATION
3. METHOD
4. IMPORTANCE

Prayer is a pillar of Islam therefore it is obligatory as the Holy Quran says, “Establish prayer and practice charity”. This
means that praying is mandatory on all Muslims. Thus when a Muslim prays regularly, he not only gets closer to Allah but
also earns his blessings.

Prayer not only brings a Muslim closer to Allah but also secures his place in paradise. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “Prayer
is a key to paradise”. Thus, pray would make a believer successful in the Hereafter.

Furthermore, when a Muslim performs his prayer regularly, he remembers his Lord more frequently, and becomes aware
of his presence. This keeps a Muslims away from shameful and indecent acts and he leads a pious life. Holy Prophet
(PBUH) said, “Prayer keeps a Muslim away from shameful and indecent acts”.

There is a very thin line between a believer and a non believer and that is prayer. Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “The
difference between a believer and a non believer is the abandonment of prayer”.

There are certain preparations of prayer. For instance, facing Qiblah is one of the prerequisite of prayer. The Holy Quran
says, “Turn your faces in the direction of the sacred mosque, wherever you are, turn your faces in that direction”. Thus
when all Muslims face the Holy Kabah, there promotes equality as all of them are facing the same direction.

Similarly, Muslims must perform wudu (ablution) before the prayer for cleanliness and purity. This is because ablution is
the foremost requisite of prayer. The Holy Quran says, “O you who believe! When you prepare for prayer, wash your
faces and your hands to the elbows and slightly rub your head, and wash your feet to the ankles”. Thus, this proves that
without performing Wudu, prayer would be null and void.

Allah has ordered in the Holy Quran that prayer is compulsory on all adult Muslims; however, the method of prayer is not
mention in the Holy Quran. It has been explained by Holy Prophet (PBUH) who said, “Pray as you see me praying”.

Similarly, the recitations of Prayer are also performed as per Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH), for example in Qiyam,
Muslims recite Surah Fatiah as he (PBUH) said, “No Salat without Fatiah”. Thus, this shows the compulsion of Surah
Fatiah in prayer. Other recitations made in the prayer like Tasbih-e-Sajdah and Tasbih-e-Ruku are also the words of Holy
Prophet (PBUH).

Muslims perform five daily prayers. Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha and these prayers are offered at fixed timings as
Holy Prophet (PBUH) said, “No doubt, prayers have been made compulsory upon the believers on their fixed timings”