What is Salah?

Salah (also written Salat or Salaat; called Namaz in Urdu/Persian) is the Islamic ritual prayer performed five times each day. It is the second pillar of Islam after the Shahadah (declaration of faith) and is described in the Qur'an and hadith as a direct, unmediated conversation between the servant and Allah. The Prophet ﷺ called it 'the pillar of the religion'.

Salah: The five obligatory daily prayers — the second pillar of Islam and the most regular act of worship for every Muslim.

The five daily prayers

Muslims are obligated to perform five prayers each day: Fajr (dawn, 2 rak'ahs) — before sunrise; Dhuhr (midday, 4 rak'ahs) — after the sun passes its zenith; Asr (afternoon, 4 rak'ahs) — in the late afternoon; Maghrib (sunset, 3 rak'ahs) — just after sunset; Isha (night, 4 rak'ahs) — after darkness falls. Each prayer has a specific time window and must be performed in the direction of the Qibla (towards the Ka'bah in Mecca).

Conditions for valid Salah

For Salah to be valid several conditions must be met: ritual purity (wudu or ghusl), clean body and clothes, covering the 'awrah (modesty requirements), facing the Qibla direction, entering the prayer time, and making the intention (niyyah). The prayer then follows a structured sequence of standing, bowing (ruku), prostrating (sujud), and sitting.

The obligation of Salah

Allah commands in the Qur'an: 'Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.' (Surah an-Nisa, 4:103). The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The covenant between us and them (non-Muslims) is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved.' (Sunan an-Nasa'i 463). Salah is the first thing a person will be questioned about on the Day of Judgement.

Salah, Salat, Namaz — the same prayer

Salah and Salat are transliterations of the same Arabic word (الصَّلَاة). Namaz is the Persian/Urdu word for the same obligatory prayer, widely used by Muslims from South Asia, Turkey, and Iran. All three words refer to the same five daily prayers prescribed in the Qur'an and Sunnah.

Frequently Asked Questions about Salah

How many times do Muslims pray each day?

Muslims pray five times each day: Fajr (dawn), Dhuhr (midday), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset), and Isha (night).

What is the difference between Salah, Salat, and Namaz?

They all refer to the same five daily prayers. Salah and Salat are transliterations of the Arabic word. Namaz is the Persian/Urdu equivalent, commonly used by South Asian and Turkish Muslims.

How long does Salah take?

Each prayer takes approximately 5–10 minutes to perform. Fajr (2 rak'ahs) and Maghrib (3 rak'ahs) are shorter; Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha (4 rak'ahs each) take slightly longer.

Can I pray Salah in English?

The obligatory parts of salah (Surah al-Fatiha, the rak'ah recitations, and specific phrases) must be in Arabic. Duas (supplications) during sujud and sitting positions may be in any language, though Arabic is recommended.

Related Islamic Terms

What is Adhan? What is Wudu? What is Jummah?

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