22ndnd Pillar: Salat Pillar: Salat Prayer draws people closer to Allah, Prayer draws people closer to Allah,

promotes discipline and puritypromotes discipline and purity Prayers in a mosque at midday FridayPrayers in a mosque at midday Friday Prayers are always said facing the holy Prayers are always said facing the holy

city of Meccacity of Mecca Purifies and focuses the mind and hearts Purifies and focuses the mind and hearts

on Allahon Allah Salat begins with washing (wudu)Salat begins with washing (wudu) Prayers are made on mats that have an Prayers are made on mats that have an

arch on them, which is pointed to Meccaarch on them, which is pointed to Mecca

Wudu (means “making Wudu (means “making pure”pure”

1.1. Worshipper announces his intention to worship Allah with Worshipper announces his intention to worship Allah with a pure heart (niyyah)a pure heart (niyyah)

2.2. Hands are washed three timesHands are washed three times3.3. Mouth is rinsed three timesMouth is rinsed three times4.4. Nostrils are washed three times. The face is then washed Nostrils are washed three times. The face is then washed

three timesthree times5.5. Arms are washed as far as the elbows three timesArms are washed as far as the elbows three times6.6. Top of the head, the ears and the back of the head are Top of the head, the ears and the back of the head are

washedwashed7.7. The feet are washed as far as the ankle three timesThe feet are washed as far as the ankle three times8.8. The shoes are left outside before entering the mosque to The shoes are left outside before entering the mosque to

praypray

*if no water is available, sand is used.*if no water is available, sand is used.

Rak’ah: Prayer positionRak’ah: Prayer position

To perform salat, Muslims follow a To perform salat, Muslims follow a sequence of movementssequence of movements

Involves standing, bowing or kneeling Involves standing, bowing or kneeling face down on floor (called prostration)face down on floor (called prostration)

Each cycle of movements is called rak’ahEach cycle of movements is called rak’ah Before prayer sequence begins, Muslims Before prayer sequence begins, Muslims

must make their devotion to Allah clear must make their devotion to Allah clear by reciting the Shahadahby reciting the Shahadah