Prayer in Islam
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For Muslims, salah is both worship and a rhythm for the day: a recurring pause to remember God, express gratitude and renew one’s intentions.
From the original Afghan Desk image archive
The five daily prayers
The five obligatory prayers are connected to the movement of the sun. Fajr is offered before sunrise, Dhuhr after the sun passes its highest point, Asr in the later afternoon, Maghrib just after sunset and Isha at night.
Each prayer includes a sequence of standing, bowing and prostration known as rak‘ahs, accompanied by recitation and personal supplication. Exact prayer times change by date and location. Communities may also follow different accepted methods for calculating them.
Preparing to pray
Prayer begins with intention and physical preparation. Worshippers perform a ritual washing called wudu, wear clean and suitable clothing, and choose a clean place. They face the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, known as the qibla.
When water is unavailable or its use would be harmful, Islamic tradition provides an alternative form of purification called tayammum. The details of purification and prayer are learned through family, community and qualified religious teachers.
Prayer in community
Prayer may be offered individually or with others. The Friday congregational prayer, Jumu‘ah, brings communities together for prayer and a sermon. During Ramadan, many mosques also hold additional night prayers called Tarawih. Funeral prayer, Eid prayer and voluntary night prayer mark other moments in Muslim life.
In Afghanistan, as elsewhere in the Muslim world, local customs and mosque traditions shape the social setting around worship. The essentials are shared, while details may vary across schools of Islamic thought and communities.