Principles of Islam
37. Prayer
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37. PRAYER
Prayer is worship of God. It is obligatory for the
believer to pray five times a day. These prayers are
performed in mosques in congregation.
But prior to the performance of prayer comes
wudu,
ablution. In ablution the hands, face, and feet are
washed with water. This washing in order to
cleanse awakens the feeling in man that he should
always lead a life of purity. Then by uttering the
words ‘God is Great’ he enters into the act of
salat.
This is to acknowledge that all greatness belongs to
God. Thus the proper attitude for man is to lead a
life of modesty and humility.
By reciting some parts from the Qur’an in prayer,
the devotee refreshes his memory about God’s
commandments regarding himself. Then he kneels
and prostrates himself before God, in physical
expression of the idea that the only course that
befits him is to lead his life as a submissive servant
of God.
The prayer is concluded by turning the face first to
the right side, then to the left, and uttering the
