What is Salah?
Salah or formal ritual worship, is the second pillar of Islam. Muslims are required to perform the formal worship five times daily-at dawn, mid-day, in the afternoon, after sunset, and at night. Salah is the foremost act which demonstrates that a Muslim’s shahadah is not simply lip service, for in the various movements of the worship act a symbolic submission to God can be discerned. Moreover, salah reinforces God-consciousness, thereby reducing the likelihood of a Muslim’s disobeying God and committing sins, and provides an opportunity to thank God for His blessings and to ask for His forgiveness. Salah also provides a respite from the day’s challenges and cimcumstances, enabling a believer to refresh his or her intimate, personal relationship with God. Typically, after completing the formal worship, Muslims engage in du’a, or personal prayer, in which they may pray for good health, prosperity, happiness, assistance in times of distress, or anything one may desire. While salah is perf
