Conditions of Salath

Conditions of Salat (Islamic Prayer)

 

The importance of prayer in Islam is great as it is the foremost duty of Muslims and one of the pillars on which the structure of Islam stands. It distinguishes Muslims from non-Muslims. The Holy Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said:

"What stands between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer."

"Know that among your duties, prayer is foremost."

The object of prayer is to remember Allah. That is why prayer was dearest to the Prophet, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as he said:

Preconditions (Shuroot) of Salat

There are mainly five pre conditions for performing Salat. They are:

1- To be clean from impurity.

2- To make body, dress and place of worship clean from dirtiness in.

3- To cover nudity (Aurat)

4- To know its time.

5- To face Qibla (the direction of Ka’aba in Makka in Saudi Arabia)

The cleanliness (Taharat)

The Messenger of Allah told:

مفتاح الصلاة الطهور

“Cleanliness is the key of Salat”

And also he said:

لا تقبل صلاة من أحدث حتى يتوضأ

“No Salat is valid without cleanliness”

There are two types of cleanliness.

1- Cleanliness from the minor impurity (Wudhu)

2- Cleanliness from the major impurity (Ghusl)

The minor impurity can be discarded by performing Wudu (Islamic Ablution) while the major can be averted by Ghusl (Ritual Bath)