The word Salat ( الصَّلَاة) comes from the root و ص ل, which means to join, connect, or establish a connection. This is the reason Salat is translated as the Contact Prayer. Some individuals confuse the root for Salat with the root ص ل و, which means to pray, supplicate, or bless. This is why the Salat is not just a normal prayer, but specifically our mechanism to make contact with our Creator.
An example of the root utilized in the Quran can be seen in the following verses:
13:19 Is one who recognizes that your Lord’s revelations to you are the truth equal to one who is blind? Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
13:20 They are the ones who fulfill their pledge to GOD, and do not violate the covenant.
13:21 They join what GOD has commanded to be joined, reverence their Lord, and fear the dreadful reckoning.
13:22 They steadfastly persevere in seeking their Lord, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), spend from our provisions to them secretly and publicly, and counter evil with good. These have deserved the best abode.
They enter the gardens of Eden, together with the righteous among their parents, their spouses, and their children. The angels will enter to them from every door.
“Peace be upon you, because you steadfastly persevered. What a joyous destiny.”
As for those who violate GOD’s covenant after pledging to keep it, and sever what GOD has commanded to be joined, and commit evil, they have incurred condemnation; they have incurred the worst destiny.
The Quran uses multiple words for different forms of supplication. Each word has a specific meaning and root associated with it.
This shows that the Salat (Contact Prayer) is different than other forms of supplication and, as we will see, comes with specific requirements that are not imposed on the other forms of prayer or supplication.
Abraham Was First Person Who Was Taught the Salat
The first person who was taught how to perform the Salat was Abraham. Prior to Abraham, there is no mention of Salat in the Quran by any of God’s messengers.
21:73 We made them imams who guided in accordance with our commandments, and we taught them how to work righteousness, and how to observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat). To us, they were devoted worshipers.
One of the words in the Quran for religious rituals or rites is the word nasik ( نَاسِكَ). This word is often utilized in conjunction with Abraham and the rituals that he passed down (2:128, 2:196, 2:200, 6:162, 22:34, 22:67).
For instance, we see that Abraham made the following prayer after establishing the Sacred Masjid as a focal point for the people as well as a place for prayer. As we saw in 21:73, God, in response to this prayer, taught Abraham how to perform the Salat. This indicates that Salat is a ritualistic worship practice.
2:128 “Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful.
22:67 For each congregation, we have decreed a set of rites that they must uphold. Therefore, they should not dispute with you. You shall continue to invite everyone to your Lord. Most assuredly, you are on the right path.
Muhammad was Commanded to Follow the Rituals of Abraham
The rites and rituals of our religion all come from Abraham, and Muhammad was commanded to follow the religion of Abraham (milat Ibrahim). The word milat ( مِلَّةَ) comes from the root which means to dictate but also signifies the specific religious practices of Abraham. So this expression, milat Ibrahim ( مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ), can be understood as the religious practices dictated through Abraham.
2:130 Who would forsake the religion of Abraham (milat Ibrahim), except one who fools his own soul? We have chosen him in this world, and in the Hereafter he will be with the righteous.
6:161 Say, “My Lord has guided me in a straight path—the perfect religion of Abraham (milat Ibrahim), monotheism. He never was an idol worshiper.” 6:162 Say, “My Contact Prayers (Salat), my worship practices, my life and my death, are all devoted absolutely to GOD alone, the Lord of the universe.
It is worth mentioning that the Quran never had to inform Muhammad what the Salat is or how to perform the Salat. This is because this practice was already in existence since it was established by Abraham.
Salat Must Be Dedicated to God Alone
It is incumbent that the Salat should be dedicated to God alone and no other names should be mentioned in the Salat.
1:5 You alone we worship; You alone we ask for help.
(٥) إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
98:5 All that was asked of them was to worship GOD, devoting the religion absolutely to Him alone, observe the contact prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat). Such is the perfect religion.
39:45 When GOD ALONE is mentioned, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion. But when others are mentioned beside Him, they become satisfied.
62:10 Once the Contact Prayer (Salat) is completed, you may spread through the land to seek GOD’s bounties, and continue to remember GOD frequently, that you may succeed.
29:45 You shall recite what is revealed to you of the scripture, and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), for the Contact Prayers prohibit evil and vice. But the remembrance of GOD (through Salat) is the most important objective. GOD knows everything you do.
The Quran describes that the believers are reverent during their Salat.
23:2 who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).
(٢) الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي صَلَاتِهِمْ خَاشِعُونَ
The Quran says that the hypocrites observed the Salat lazily both in coming to the Salat (9:54) and standing for the Salat (4:142).
9:54 What prevented the acceptance of their spending is that they disbelieved in GOD and His messenger, and when they observed the Contact Prayers (Salat), they observed them lazily, and when they gave to charity, they did so grudgingly.
4:142 The hypocrites think that they are deceiving GOD, but He is the One who leads them on. When they get up for the Contact Prayer (Salat), they get up lazily. That is because they only show off in front of the people, and rarely do they think of GOD.
The following verse informs us that one needs to not be intoxicated when performing Salat so that the person is aware of what they are saying.
4:43 O you who believe, do not observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) while intoxicated, so that you know what you are saying. Nor after sexual orgasm without bathing, unless you are on the road, traveling; if you are ill or traveling, or you had urinary or fecal-related excretion (such as gas), or contacted the women (sexually), and you cannot find water, you shall observe Tayammum (dry ablution) by touching clean dry soil, then wiping your faces and hands therewith. GOD is Pardoner, Forgiver.
It is worth noting that the word used for intoxicated ( سُكَارَىٰ / sukara) is not limited to just drunkness. The Quran also describes people who are intoxicated by lust (15:72), shock (15:15, 22:2), or sleep (50:19) as well. So this informs us that one’s mind should be focused when they are performing their Salat.
Salat Has Specific Times
There are five Salat times mentioned in the Quran, and the Salat should be completed at their respective times.
4:103 Once you complete your Contact Prayer (Salat), you shall remember GOD while standing, sitting, or lying down.* Once the war is over, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat); the Contact Prayers (Salat) are decreed for the believers at specific times.
More details regarding the Salat times can be found here and here.
Prior to Salat, One Should Ablute
The Quran informs us that prior to performing Salat, one should perform ablution. If water can’t be found, the person can perform dry ablution (Tayammum). If one is unclean due to sexual orgasm, they should bathe (4:43).
5:6 O you who believe, when you observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), you shall:
(1) wash your faces,
(2) wash your arms to the elbows,
(3) wipe your heads, and
(4) wash your feet to the ankles.
If you were unclean due to sexual orgasm, you shall bathe. If you are ill, or traveling, or had any digestive excretion (urinary, fecal, or gas), or had (sexual) contact with the women, and you cannot find water, you shall observe the dry ablution (Tayammum) by touching clean dry soil, then rubbing your faces and hands. GOD does not wish to make the religion difficult for you; He wishes to cleanse you and to perfect His blessing upon you, that you may be appreciative.
The Qibla is the direction one faces when performing Salat. The Quran informs us that during Salat we are to face the Sacred Masjid (Masjid Al-Haram), which is the Ka’aba in Mecca. Details showing that the Ka’aba and the Sacred Masjid are the same place can be found here.
2:125 We have rendered the shrine (the Ka’aba) a focal point for the people, and a safe sanctuary. You may use Abraham’s shrine as a prayer house. We commissioned Abraham and Ismail: “You shall purify My house for those who visit, those who live there, and those who bow and prostrate.”
2:149 Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid. This is the truth from your Lord. GOD is never unaware of anything you all do. 2:150 Wherever you go, you shall turn your face (during Salat) towards the Sacred Masjid; wherever you might be, you shall turn your faces (during Salat) towards it. Thus, the people will have no argument against you, except the transgressors among them. Do not fear them, and fear Me instead. I will then perfect My blessings upon you, that you may be guided. 2:151 such as the sending of a messenger from among you to recite our revelations to you, purify you, teach you the scripture and wisdom, and to teach you what you never knew. 2:152 You shall remember Me, that I may remember you, and be thankful to Me; do not be unappreciative. 2:153 O you who believe, seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). GOD is with those who steadfastly persevere.
Salat Must Be Recited in a Moderate Tone
The following verse informs us that the Salat consists of something that should be recited in a moderate tone.
17:110 Say, “Call Him GOD, or call Him Most Gracious; whichever name you use, to Him belongs the best names.” You shall not utter your Contact Prayers (Salat) too loudly, nor secretly; use a moderate tone.
The Quran informs us that under unusual circumstances, one may pray while walking or riding. This means under normal conditions, one should be stationary to perform Salat.
2:239 Under unusual circumstances, you may pray while walking or riding. Once you are safe, you shall commemorate GOD as He taught you what you never knew.
The Quran consistently uses the term aqīm ( أَقِمِ) in conjunction with Salat ( الصَّلَاة). This word means stand but is typically translated as “observe” as in practice.
2:3 who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.
The following verse describes Salat, which we know from the above verses consists of specific movements, showing that bowing is also used in conjunction with Salat.
2:43 You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and bow down with those who bow down.
5:55 Your real allies are GOD and His messenger, and the believers who observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they bow down.
According to 4:101 that during war the Salat can be shortened. Since 4:102 consists of two units and each group does only a single unit, then this must be a shortened form of the Salat.
4:101 When you travel, during war, you commit no error by shortening your Contact Prayers (Salat), if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you. Surely, the disbelievers are your ardent enemies.