The five prayers of the day

A Muslim's day has the rhythm of five prayers, from morning to night:

1. الْفَجْر Al-Fajr: at dawn, before sunrise. 2 rak'ahs 🌅 2. الظُّهْر Aẓ-Ẓuhr: just after midday. 4 rak'ahs ☀️ 3. الْعَصْر Al-'Aṣr: in the afternoon. 4 rak'ahs 🌤️ 4. الْمَغْرِب Al-Maghrib: right after sunset. 3 rak'ahs 🌇 5. الْعِشَاء Al-'Ishaa': at night, when it is dark. 4 rak'ahs 🌙

A rak'ah is one "round" of prayer: we stand, we bow, we prostrate. You will see all this in the next course.

Each prayer has its time. Allah says: إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَّوْقُوتًا inna ṣ-ṣalaata kaanat 'ala l-mu'miniina kitaaban mawquutaa "Prayer is prescribed for the believers at set times." (meaning of verse 4:103)

How do we know it is time? We hear the adhan, the call to prayer, which begins with: اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ Allaahu akbar: Allah is greater! and says: حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ ḥayya 'ala ṣ-ṣalaah: come to prayer! You can also check the prayer times on the centre's website.

On Friday, at the time of Dhuhr, Muslims meet at the mosque for the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah), with the imam's sermon.

Little activity: with your parent, look at today's prayer times. Draw a clock and put the five prayers on it!

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The five prayers are a gift from Allah. The Prophet ﷺ received them during the great night journey, when he rose up to the heavens (the Mi'raaj). At first, Allah had asked for fifty prayers a day; then He made it lighter, down to five, with the reward of fifty (Bukhari 349, Muslim 162). Five little moments, and a huge reward: that is Allah's generosity! Each prayer has its time, like an important appointment: we try not to miss it and not to delay it without a reason. The prayers are spread over the whole day: so, from morning to night, we never forget Allah for very long.

Lessons to draw from it • I know the names of the five prayers and their times. • I try to be on time for prayer, as for an important appointment. • I thank Allah: He made prayer easy for us, with a great reward.

Key points to remember • Fajr 2, Dhuhr 4, 'Asr 4, Maghrib 3, 'Isha 4 rak'ahs. • Prayer is done at set times (4:103). • The five prayers were given during the Mi'raaj (Bukhari 349, Muslim 162). • The adhan calls: "Ḥayya 'ala ṣ-ṣalaah", come to prayer.

The main message Five prayers, at five moments of the day: from morning to night, Allah invites me to come back to Him.