Introduction :
On many occasions, the Holy Quran asserts the importance of purification. Prayer is not just a way of worship. It is a social activity in which Muslims meet five times a day. Islam is keen on bringing Muslims together. The function of Salah is to bring Muslims together. First, the congregational prayer is twenty-seven or twenty-eight times better than the individual prayer. So, Islam urges and encourages Muslims to attend the congregation. Second, Muslims pray in one and the same place. This guarantees that Muslims often meet during the day. In this way a Muslim never feels lonely.
Unity, discipline and order in Islam:
Third, Muslims all over the world direct their faces towards the Kaaba. This gives Muslims worldwide a sense of unity and togetherness. Fourth, the worshipers pray behind one and the same Imam. There can never be two congregations in one and the same place for the same prayer. This teaches Muslims not to divide or split. Unity is power. Split is a weakness. Fifth, it is a must that all the worshipers follow and obey their Imam. Otherwise, the worshiper’s prayer becomes invalid and unacceptable. In short, prayer symbolizes the unity and the discipline of Muslims.
The acts of prayer in detail:
Now that a Muslim has heard the Adhan, they go to ablution. Following the teachings of prophet Mohammad, a Muslim first eases themselves inside the toilet. They wash their private parts very well. This is to make a Muslim easy and comfortable during their prayer. It is a part of the toilet etiquette that a Muslim enters the toilet with their left foot first. While sitting in the toilet, a Muslim is well screened and they keep silent, avoiding any kind of chat or talking.
The Wudu' in detail:
Now that a Muslim has done Istinja, they leave the toilet with their right foot first. Then, a Muslim makes wudu. Wudu is to wash the body parts and organs in the way the prophet did. The worshiper starts by washing their hands, making sure that they have washed their fingers well. After that, the worshiper washes their mouths by gargling and spitting the water. This happens three times. Having washed their mouths very well, a worshiper washes their noses with water by sniffing the water off, giving it a fairly sufficient blow of air. A worshiper does this three times also. Later, a worshiper washes their faces three times. They wash their faces from ear to ear; and from their chin to the hair line.
Washing one's limbs :
Next, a worshiper washes their arms till their elbow; starting with their right arm. After that, a worshiper rubs their ears, necks and hair. Finally, a worshiper washes their feet till the ankles, always starting with the right foot. If the worshiper is bearded, he should rub his beard with water. Islam also recommends that a worshiper shouldn’t dry themselves after ablution. It is better to let water drip off, because with every falling drop of water, the sins of a worshiper fall off. Of course, a worshiper starts their ablution with Bismillah and ends it with dua. Having done with the ablution, a worshiper uses a Siwak to brush their teeth. It is a part of the sunnah of prophet Mohammad.
How a Muslim starts their prayer :
After Iqamah, a worshiper stands in a row behind the Imam to perform their prayer. After the Imam says “Allah Akbar”, the worshiper raises their hands, touches their earlobes and says “Allah Akbar”. After Takbeerat Al-Ihram, the worshiper says dua’ al-Istiftah. Then, the worshiper listens to the recitation of the Imam attentively. When the Imam says “Allah Akbar” and bows down, the worshiper follows the Imam. When the Imam says “Allah Akbar”, raises his head and says: “Sami’ Allah Liman Hamidah”, the worshiper says: “Rabbana Laka Al-Hamd”. When the Imam says: “Allah Akbar” again and makes prostration, the worshiper follows the Imam in every movement. A worshiper must never precede the Imam in any act of prayer.
The Imam and the latecomers:
Prophet Mohammad once said in an authentic Hadith: “Come quietly to your prayer; Pray what you have caught up with and complete what you have missed. When the Imam concludes the prayer with Tasleem, the latecomer stands up again to complete the rakat they have missed.
