The Salat is one of the ultimate acts of worship in both the Quran and the Bible. The Quran provides a number of ways for us to worship God, such as: praying to him, reciting the Quran, bowing, prostrating, praising and glorification, self-reflection and reflecting on God, and asking for repentance and forgiveness.
The Salat provides people an opportunity to engage in all of those acts at once, multiple times daily. The purposes for the Salat are to commemorate God, to protect against vice and immorality, and is part of a Muslim’s investment to the afterlife.
[20:14] Indeed, I am God. There is no god except Me, so worship Me and establish the Salat for My remembrance.
[29:45] Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish the Salat. Indeed, the Salat forbids from the enormity and the disapproved, and definitely, the remembrance of God is greater; God knows what you do.
[35:29] Indeed, the ones who recite God’s Book, establish the Salat, and give in secret and in declaration from what We have provided them, expect a trade which may never waste.
If you recall one of this masjid’s three foundational articles, it provides a thorough explanation about why Islam should be followed based on the Quran alone, without deriving Islamic rules and regulations from secondary sources of law that are not even authorized in the Quran such as Hadith.
So this warrants an explanation on how to perform the Salat based on the Quran alone, and that is the goal of this article.
The practices of the Salat are given in the Quran as follows:
- [5:6] O you who believed, when you stand for the Salat, then wash your faces and your hands to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles…
The is the prerequisite to doing the Salat. This is the verse that gives the instructions for ablution. There are four simple steps: Wash the face, wash the arms to the elbows, wipe the head (I do it with the wet hands), and wipe the feet up to the ankles (also with wet hands).
And we must do it before each Salah, right before we’re about to perform the Salah, as indicated by the phrase “when you rise”.
Muslims today not only add more steps than what was mentioned in the Quran, but believe that the ablution could be done any time before the start of the Salah, and if we didn’t “break the ablution” from the previous Salah, then our ablution is still valid.
However, that is incorrect. Verse 5:6 clearly says to do ablution, “when you stand”, and that means to do ablution at the moment when one stands up to perform the Salat. In other words, the ablution is broken whenever one sits down before the Salat starts.
In other words, let’s say someone wants to do Salat at 6:15 PM. They do the ablution at 6 PM, then sit back down at 6:05 PM. Then that person stands up again at 6:15 PM. They need to do ablution again because sitting down before the Salat started nullified the ablution, and the verse says to do it “when you stand for the Salat”.
One must also turn toward the Masjid al-Haram (2:143) during the whole Salat from wherever they are on earth. The direction of Salat is known as the Qiblah. There are plenty of Qiblah compasses to help with this.
Salat Times
Now there are only 3 mandatory Salat named in the Quran. They are: Salat al-Fajr (Dawn Salat), Salat al-Isha (Evening Salat), and Salat al-Wusta (Middle Salat).
The Quran also gives three specific Salat times as well, which match with the three provided names.
The timing for two of the Salat (Dawn and Evening Salat) is given in this verse:
- [11:114] And establish the Salat of the two ends of the day, and ‘zulufan’ (near parts) of the night.
At first impression this may seem like it’s giving the timing for three Salat, but that isn’t true when you take a closer look.
The two “ends of the day” are sunrise and sunset. However, this isn’t complete on its own because if it were, all of us would have to observe the Salat for a very short period of time. Sunrise and sunset take about one minute each to complete, so it would be hard for everyone to do it at this exact timing every day.
Not only that, but it minimizes the overall spirituality of the Salat if it were mandatory to be completed in such a short time.
Also “during the near parts of night” is incomplete on its own because if it were, it would be unknown what the “near parts of night” is supposed to be near to. The question is: near to what?
But if both instructions were joined together, a more complete picture emerges. Verse 11:114 states to do the Salat during the parts of the night which are near to the two ends of day (i.e. near to sunrise and sunset).
Here is further proof that in the Quran, night (al-layl) begins after sunset and ends at sunrise,
- Verse 91:4 says “And the ‘layl’ (night) and what covers it (sun).” This means whenever the sun is covered (goes below the horizon), it is night. Even if it’s twilight.
- Verse 36:37 says “And a sign for them is the night; We peel the daylight from it, then at once they are those in darkness.” This verse tells us that some part of the night has some daylight in it. We know this because the daylight is being peeled “from it” (i.e. from the night). That means some part of the night is still experiencing a withdrawal of daylight (that part is called twilight).
So verse 11:114 gives us the starting point of one of the Evening (Isha) Salat (immediately after sunset) and the end point of the Dawn Salat (immediately before sunrise).
So now we have to figure out when the Evening Salat ends and when the Dawn Salat begins.
The Quran states in verse 2:187 that dawn starts when the very first white thread of light appears in the night sky, thus confirming that Fajr (dawn) begins at astronomical dawn and ends at sunrise. Verse 2:187 says the first thread of light has to be “distinguishable” to us; we used to rely on sight alone to distinguish the first thread of light at dawn, but today, precise astronomical calculations allow us to distinguish the first thread of light with science.
- [2:187] …Eat and drink until the white thread may become clear to you from the black thread at dawn. Then complete the fast until the night.
The fact that the Fajr (dawn) Salat starts at the first thread of light tells us that God considers the “near part” of night to be the part of the night that contains even light in it from the sun.
If we apply this to the Isha Salat, the “near parts” of the night after sunset is the part of the night that still contains light in it (also known as twilight). So we now know that Salat of the evening (Isha) starts at sunset and ends after the last thread of light disappears, or after astronomical twilight is finished.
One more Salat (the Wusta, or Middle, Salat) still remains. Let us figure out the time for this Salat, although we can already guess that it will fall somewhere in the middle between Fajr (dawn) and Isha (evening).
- [17:78] Establish the Salat for the decline of the sun, to the darkness of the night…
- [2:238] Guard over the Salawat, including the middle Salat (as-Salat il-Wusta), and stand for God as ones who are devout.
The word “duluk” in the above verse 17:78 means “decline”. The word “decline” means to come down from a high point, and the sun starts coming down from its highest point right after noon. So, the start point of this middle Salat is at noon.
The endpoint of the Salat in 17:78 is stated as “to the darkness of the night”. Some people interpret this as until the beginning of the darkness at night.
Take a look at the following example: If a person says “Keep walking in the sand until you get to the sea”, it doesn’t mean to keep going until you’re totally surrounded with water. It means to stop right when you notice water on your feet. Likewise, “darkness of the night” could mean right when you notice darkness in the sky at night time, which occurs at sunset.
So according to this interpretation, the endpoint of the middle (Wusta) Salat is sunset, and the start is noon.
The other interpretation (which I think is more correct) is that the “darkness of the night” (ghasaq al-layl) refers to when the sky is totally dark, devoid of any sunlight, and that this verse actually encompasses two distinct Salat times (the Middle Salat and the Isha/Evening Salat).
That is because according to the second interpretation, the verse says to do the Salat from noon to total darkness in the sky. But we already know that from sunset to total darkness is the Isha Salat, so we may deduce that from noon to sunset is the time for Salat al-Wusta (the middle Salat).
Therefore, both interpretations, while different, end up leading to the same conclusion about the Salat time for the Wusta Salat: from noon to sunset.
Salat Positions
There are also certain positions that must be performed in each Salat. As the following Quranic verse will show, they are standing, bowing (also known as ruku’ in Arabic), and prostrating (also known as sajdah or sujood in Arabic).
- [2:43] And establish the Salat, give the Zakat, and bow with those who bow.
- [22:77] O you who believed, you shall bow, prostrate, worship your Lord, and do the good, so that you may succeed.
- [4:102] And when you have been among them, then established the Salat for them, you shall thus let a faction of them stand with you, and let them take their weapons. So when they have prostrated, then let them be behind you, and let another group come who does not do Salat. Then let them do Salat with you, and let them take their precaution and their weapons. The ones who disbelieved would have loved if you be unaware of your weapons and your belongings, for they may assault upon you a single assault. But there is no blame upon you if hurt was with you from rain, or you have been sick, that you lay down your weapons. But take your precaution. Indeed, God has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.
In the Quran, the act of prostrating has been described as an act of submission where one falls down to the ground, whether their chins are touching the ground or the forehead. Almost all Muslims have their forehead make contact with the ground while their chin does not, but really it can be either forehead or chin touching the ground.
- [12:100] And he (Joseph) lifted his parents upon the throne, and they fell down to him as prostrators…
- [17:107] Say, “Believe in it, or do not believe in it.” Indeed, when it is recited upon those who were given the knowledge before it, they fall to their chins as prostrators.
- [37:103] Then when they submitted, and he (Abraham) placed his (Ismael) forehead on the ground.
During both prostration and standing for God, people are invited to sublime God. This means acknowledge the purity and perfection of God. This is known as the act of “tasbeeh” in Arabic as well. This can be done by reciting the common Quranic phrase “Subhan Allah” (the sublimity of God) during each prostration or internally thinking it.
Tasbeeh can also be done by reciting the phrase “Alhamdu lillah” (Praise is for God) or internally thinking it, because the Quran lets you sublime God with praise as well.
- [50:40] And of the night, sublime Him, as well as after prostration.
- [52:48] And be patient for your Lord’s judgement, for indeed, you are by Our eyes, and sublime your Lord with praise when you stand.
The aforementioned verse (verse 4:102) gives the starting position of the Salat, which is standing, and it indicates that the prayer can end after a single prostration.
According to Sunni Islam, sitting is the final Salat position, but that is not correct. The words “once they have prostrated” in this verse tell us that the real Salat ends with prostration, not sitting down.
This implies that bowing is the second position. Thus, a unit of Salat consists of standing, bowing, and prostration.
One may do as many Salat units as they want because the Quran did not specify any limit.
One can even repeat the Salat positions within a single unit as many times as they want as well.
For example, one can do “stand, bow, stand, bow, stand, bow (repeat as many times as they want) until finally prostrating, to complete a single Salat unit. One can also do “stand, bow, bow, stand, bow, bow, bow, stand, bow, and then prostrate, prostrate, prostrate” to complete a single Salat unit. That’s up to you.
The traditional Sunni way is stand, bow, stand, then do two prostrations for each Salat unit, which is okay too.
The thing that should be recited too, in each Salat, is the Quran. Any number of verses from anywhere may be recited.
- [29:45] Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish the Salat. Indeed, the Salat forbids from the enormity and the disapproved, and definitely, the remembrance of God is greater; God knows how you work.
The above verse commands that words from the Quran must be recited in Salat. Before we recite the Quran, we must seek refuge from the devil (verse 16:98). The commonly-used phrase “aoozubillahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem (I seek refuge in God from the outcast devil)” is not word-for-word written in the Quran, so you can recite this phrase before starting the Salat if you want, since we can only recite the Quran during Salat.
If you want to seek refuge in God out loud during the Salat, before reciting anything else of the Quran during Salat, the Quran tells us to say, “rabbi aoozubika min hamazaat ish-shayaateen, wa aoozubika rabbi an yahduroon” (verses 23:97-98). Don’t worry about mispronouncing it if you are a beginner, it sounds in Arabic almost exactly like how I spelled it out just now. Here is what this translates to:
- [23:97-98] And say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the slander of the devils, and I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they be present.”
The following verse gives us the tone of our voice during Salat. Only a moderate tone that isn’t either loud nor murmuring is acceptable.
- [17:110] Say, “Call upon God, or call upon the Almighty. Whatever which you call upon, for Him thus are the Good Names.” And you shall neither be loud in your Salat, nor murmur in it, but seek between that a way.
Many Muslims, during the Salat before and after daytime, have a few units (or raka’at in Arabic) of the Salat being whispered rather than recited out loud, and a few units that are whispered out loud. In addition, they whisper all parts of the Salat during the daytime. They also whisper during bowing and during prostration.
All of this whispering is NOT allowed as per the instruction of 17:110. The Salat at all times must clearly be recited out loud in moderate tone, no whispering or murmuring.
Also, Sunni Muslims tend to whisper or recite many phrases during the Salat which are not in the Quran, such as: “sami allahu liman hamidah”, “subhana rabbi al-azeem”, “subhana rabbi al-ala”, “rabbana wa lakal hamd, hamdan kathiran tayyiban mubarakan feeh”, the tashahud, etc.
Those phrases can be spoken in the head during Salat, however, they should not be whispered or recited out loud. Because from a Quran-alone perspective, only the Quran should be recited in Salat, and nothing should be whispered.
When switching the Salat positions, Sunnis typically say, “Allahu akbar” (God is greater). From a Quran-alone perspective this is optional while you are doing Salat by yourself. And instead of Allahu akbar you can say other phrases in the Quran if you want while switching the Salat positions, such as “subhan allah” or “alhamdulillah”, it is up to you.
But while leading the Salat in a congregation or group, it is useful to say a phrase from the Quran to let the people you are leading know to change positions, such as “Allahu akbar”, or “subhan allah” or “alhamdulillah”.
If there is any fear, emergency, and unusual circumstance, you can say the entire Salat while on foot or riding something, and disregard the positions. Just have the intention that you are doing the Salat and recite whatever you want of the Quran. After your recitation, the Salat ends.
- [2:239] But if you have feared, then on foot, or rides. Then when you have been safe, you shall thus remember God, as He has taught you what you may not know
How I Personally Do Salat
This is what I personally do for Salat: After ablution and facing Mecca, I say the “rabbi auzubika min hamazat ish-shayateen, wa auzubika rabbi an yahduroon” (the words in verses 23:97-98, seeking refuge from the devil).
Then I recite the first Surah (al-Fatiha), then another Surah or passage of the Quran, then I say “Allahu akbar” to get down to the bowing position. I don’t whisper or recite anything during bowing, all the remembrance and reflection during bowing that I do occurs in my head.
Then I say “Allahu akbar” and get up from the bowing position. Then I recite some prayers or invocations that are found within the Quran. such as: “rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanah, wa fil-akhirati hasanah, wa qina adhab an-nar” and any Quranic prayer in my memory that starts with “rabbana” (which means our Lord) or “rabbi” (which means “my Lord”).
Then after that, I say “Allahu akbar” and get down to prostration. I say in my mind (without whispering or reciting out loud) “subhan allah, al hamdulillah” and I stay in prostration for as long as I want. Then I sit up, and immediately after sitting up, I go down to another prostration and do the same thing.
Then after word, I say “Allahu akbar” and start a new Salat unit where I do the same thing all over again.
After the final prostration in the second Salat unit, I say “Allah akbar” and sit down, and the Salat ends there.
Congregational Salat
The Salat that must be done on Friday is congregational.
- [62:9-10] O you who believed, when the Salat of Friday has been announced, then hasten towards the remembrance of God, and leave behind the trade. That is good for you, if you were to know. But when the Salat has concluded, then disperse in the earth, seek of God’s favor, and remember God in abundance, so that you may succeed.
The Salat of Friday is one of the three Salat and it takes place during the day. The Quran said the day is for our livelihood (business and all survival-related things), while the night is for sleep (verse 78:10-11), thus we know that the Salat of Friday refers to the only daytime Salat (the Wusta Salat) on Friday because we are to “leave behind trade” for this.
This Salat is a mandatory congregation. It must be done with other people. How do we know it’s congregational? That’s because the verse 62:10 says the words “disperse” (the Arabic word is “intashiru” and it means to disperse). A single person on his/her own isn’t going to spread out, so it must be with a group of people. The Arabic word for Friday that is used in the Quran is “Yawm al-Jumuah (Day of the Congregation)”, thus we know that the Salat is congregational.
There is no specified amount of people to include in the gathering for the Friday Salat, so the minimum for a congregation here is two people. But it is best to have as much people as possible.
How does any congregational Salat work? Verse 7:204 says that if the Quran is being read out loud, we must listen to it and pay attention. That means to keep silent when it’s being read aloud. This applies to the congregation on Friday because only one person in the group is going to be saying the entire Salat while everyone else keeps silent and follows along with the leader (imam).
This also applies to any optional congregation on any other day, when at least two people are performing the Salat together. One person recites the Quran and does the talking during the entire Salat, and the rest of the group members listen and be quiet, and follow along with the leader.
Frequently-asked Questions
Question: Can women be imams or lead the Salat for a mixed group (men and women)? Can women deliver sermons before Friday Salat prayers? Can men and women stand next to one another during Salat? Can women be in front of men during Salat?
Answer: The answer is yes for all of the questions, as the Quran does not prohibit any of those. Also, when doing congregational Salat, one is advised to move elsewhere if standing next to any particular person causes discomfort or disturbance.
Question: Can voluntary Salat be done?
Answer: Yes, as long as it is done outside the specified Salat times. It would not make sense to do a voluntary Salat during dawn for example. The time to offer a voluntary Salat is either the period after sunrise and before noon, or the period after astronomical twilight and before astronomical dawn.
Question: Is there an easy resource to check Salat times at any location for the three daily Salat?
Answer: Yes, go to quranic-clock.xyz and input your location and today’s date.
Question: For a beginner who has never done a Salat before or is new to Quran-alone Salat, what is the bare minimum way to do Salat?
Answer: First step is ablution, then face Mecca on your prayer mat, then seek refuge in God from the devil in your mind, then recite out loud the entire Surah al-Fatiha, then bow, then prostrate and say in your mind during prostration “subhan allah” or “alhamdulillah” (these are phrases of tasbeeh or proclamations of God’s sublimity, as verse 50:40 says to do this during prostration). That’s the bare minimum Salat unit. After Salat, feel free to remain seated for a few moments and reflect or make dua (prayers/invocations) to God. This is all the bare minimum.
Qiyam ul-Layl
There is an additional act of worship that is essentially a voluntary Salat if you include bowing during this ritual. It is mentioned in the Quran, and many Muslims call it “Qiyam ul-Layl (standing during the night)” or Tahajjud salat.
- [3:113] They have not been equal. Among the People of the Book is an upstanding community. They recite God’s Ayat during the hours of the night while they prostrate.
- [39:9] Is he who is devout during the hours of the night as prostrators and those who stand, wary of the Hereafter, and expecting his Lord’s mercy? Say, “Are the ones who know and the ones who do not know equal?” Only people of hearts will remember.
- [3:17] The patient ones, the truthful, the devout, the spenders, and the ones who seek forgiveness in the hours before dawn.
- [51:17-18] They used to sleep but a little of the night, while they seek forgiveness in the hours before dawn.
- [17:79] And of the night, you thus shall stay awake with it (the Quran) in addition for you. Perhaps it has been that your Lord may raise you to a praised station.
- [76:26] And during the night, a lengthy night, you shall thus prostrate to Him and sublime Him.
- [73:20] Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand less than two thirds of the night, and half of it, and one third of it, as well as a faction of the ones who are with you; God measures the night and the day…
The “hours before dawn” and the “hours of the night” in which believers are invited to voluntarily stay awake and worship God refer to the hours after the evening (Isha) salat (which ends after astronomical twilight) and before the dawn (Fajr) salat. This time period (around 7-8 hours) is from the end of astronomical twilight to the beginning of astronomical dawn, the time period where people normally go retire in bed for the night.
Qiyam ul-layl is not necessarily a Salat. You don’t have to face Mecca or do ablution. It’s just standing, reciting Quran, asking God for forgiveness, and prostration, totally at your own frequency and rhythm.
But if you want to make the Qiyam ul-Layl into a voluntary Salat, then do ablution, face Mecca, and do it like you would do any of the mandatory Salat (standing, bowing, prostration, recitation of Quran), with as many units as you want.
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