Kinds Of Prayers In Islam

Given their rich culture and history spanning hundreds of years, followers of Islam are highly religious and prayerful people. Although perceived to be bound with extremely rigid and unbending religious laws, these monotheists insist on harboring a steadfast kind of discipline and an unwavering obedience of rules. There are many kinds of prayers in islam, all of which hold equal importance and relevance in a Muslim’s life. This list identifies the different kinds of prayers in Islam, as well as their meaning and significance.

– Dua – This is an informal kind of prayer in Islam wherein one reaches out to Allah for whatever purpose or request. Dua can be said silently before or during any occasion, whatever one’s location may be. For instance, one can make a dua to ask for guidance before an exam, or request for things to go their way during a difficult time, or even make wishes for better health, more wealth, happiness or love. In other words, the dua can be said for whatever reason or intentions a Muslim has.

– The five daily prayers, or Salah – These prayers are formal, obligatory kinds of prayers in Islam. The Salah can be seen as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a collective of the five integral Islamic acts that all Muslim followers who have reached puberty are mandated to follow. The salah is made up of five ritualistic prayers that a Muslim is required to say in a certain fashion and at a particular time of day:

– Fajr – The prescribed period for the Fajr is a few minutes before sunrise occurs up until the point that it appears across the horizon.

– Zuhr – This takes place at after noon until mid-afternoon.

– Asr – This third prayer is said during the afternoon until the time before the sun sets.

– Maghrib – Muslims are required to say this after the sun disappears beyond the horizon, before dusk settles.

– Isha – This is the night time prayer for Muslims, and is the last of all five daily prayers.

There are certain preparations made to make the prayers valid, such as donning clean clothes that cover the body’s private parts, or imbibing a posture and position that faces the Ka’ba (the Sacred house located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.)

– The funeral prayer – The Salat Al-Janazah, or funeral prayer, like the previous kind of prayer in Islam, is a prayer obligated from a congregation of Muslims who ask for pardon for their deceased loved ones. As part of Muslim tradition, attendees of a funeral say this prayer in a prescribed manner. Attendees of a funeral also make a dua, or an informal prayer for any request, while saying the Salat Al-Janazah.

– The congregational prayer that takes place every Friday, also called Jumuah – This kind of prayer in Islam takes place every Friday. This substitutes the Zuhr prayer, the second ritualistic prayer that is said around noon time. Men are required to say the prayer in congregation, while women are given the option to join or to perform the Zuhr instead. The Jumuah begins with a sermon or Khutba led by the mosque leader or Imam, which intends to impart a certain lesson or teaching to followers.