Fatima S.Ar
Happiness = Islam
Introduction
Salah is the second pillar of Islam. It refers to the compulsory daily prayers. Salah is offered five times a day individually or in congregation.
We offer Salah to remember Allah and bring us closer to Him. Allah says in the Noble Qur'an, what can be translated as, “Establish Salah to remember Me (Allah).” (Qur'an, 20:14)
{وأقم الصلاة لذ كري }
Salah is proof of our faith in Allah and Islam. It has been made compulsory at certain times of the day. Allah says in the Noble Qur'an, what can be translated as, “Salah at fixed times has been enjoined on the believers.” (Qur'an, 4:103)
{إن الصلاة كانت على المؤمنين كتابا مو قوتا }
The five daily prayers are: Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha'.
Preparation to Perform Salah
To perform your Salah you must be clean and pure. Allah says in the Noble Qur'an, what can be translated as, “Surely Allah loves those who turn to Him and those who care for cleanliness.” (2:222)
{إن الله يحب التوابين ويحب المتطهرين }
Cleanliness of the body, clothing, and the places where the prayer is performed is called Taharah (purification).
How to Purify Things
In general, water can purify anything that is impure.
One must remove all impurities from his/her private parts by using any pure matter (i.e. toilet tissue) three times, or by using water, or both.
1. Purifying the body and clothing:
This is performed by washing them with water until they are cleansed of impurities. This is especially important in the case where the impurity is visible, such as menstrual blood. If there are some difficult stains that remain after washing, they can be overlooked. If the impurity is not visible, such as urine, it is sufficient to wash it once, but preferable to wash it three times.
2. Purifying clothing from a male infant’s urine:
This is performed by sprinkling water on the stained clothing. If it is stained by the urine of a female infant, then it must be washed.
3. Purifying the bottom of shoes:
This is performed by rubbing them against the ground until the remains of Najassah (impurity) are removed.
4. Purifying the ground:
(a) Pour water over the impurity on the ground (soil or sand).
(b) Allowing the ground (soil or sand) to dry from the impurity (such as urine) will make the area pure, only if there are no visible traces of the impurity left.
5. Purifying utensils if they were touched by dog saliva:
This is performed by washing the utensil seven times with water. The first cleansing should be mixed with soil. However, if the saliva has touched the body or clothing, then only one cleansing is needed.
The body must also be free of Hadath (ritual impurities).
Minor Hadath and Major Hadath
1. Minor Hadath:
This requires Wudu (ablution). It happens after one or more of the following occurs: natural discharges like urine, excrement, passing gas, falling asleep, or unconsciousness of any kind.
2. Major Hadath:
This requires washing the whole body. It could be caused by unconscious ejaculation (e.g. in one's sleep), intercourse, menstruation or post-childbirth bleeding. This type of washing requires bathing the whole body, including, the head with pure water.
