Introduction:
This blog is going to talk about the history of the obligatory prayer in Islam.In their Islamic studies, kids learn that eight years after the first revelation, prophet Mohammad had a really tough year. Prophet Mohammad called it the year of sadness. In the eighth year, Khadijah, the prophet’s wife. caring heart and first love as well as Abu Talib, the prophet’s uncle and guardian; they both died the same year. Meanwhile the people of Makkah and at-Taif rejected the prophet’s call. Prophet Mohammad went on the journey of al-Isra and al-Miraj during which obligatory prayer was prescribed as for Muslims.
The night journey of Al-Isra and Al-Miraj:
To console His dear prophet and messenger, Allah invited prophet Mohammad to go on the Ascension journey. Kids learn that it was a miraculous night journey during which prophet Mohammad traveled from Mekkah to Jerusalem and returned home in one and the same night. On this journey, prophet Mohammad rode al-Buraq, an animal between the size of a mule and that of a horse. This land journey is called al-Israa’; which means “a night travel”. From Jerusalem, prophet Mohammad ascended the sky accompanied by the angel of revelation, Jibril.. At the end of this journey, the obligatory prayer was prescribed for Muslims.
Where was prayer made obligatory for Muslims ?
The true and authentic hadith assures that prophet Mohammad ascended the seven heavens accompanied by Jibril. At the seventh heaven, Jibril told prophet Mohammad to go ahead till he reached what Muslims know as “Sidrat al-Muntahah ” It was there where prophet Mohammad made prostration before his Lord Who asked prophet Mohammad to raise his head. When he did, prophet Mohammad received the command of Allah in which Allah prescribed fifty obligatory prayers for Muslims each day and night. Meeting prophet Mousa on his way back and down to earth, Mousa advised prophet Mohammad to ask Allah to make the number of the daily prayers less. A matter which prophet Mohammad repeatedly did till the number was reduced to five in number and fifty in reward.
The conditions of a valid ,accepted prayer :
Online, the E-aalim book teaches kids that ever since Allah prescribed prayers for Muslims, Muslim scholars have closely studied prayer and its validity conditions. Muslim scholars say that there are eight conditions for the validity of a Muslim’s prayers. Kids learn that the person who performs prayers should be a Muslim in the first place. Second, a worshiper should make their intention to pray. Prayer is a conscious and deliberate act. However, this intention doesn’t have to be made aloud. Third, the worshiper should be sane, not an idiot for example.
More conditions of a valid prayer :
Fourth, the prayering worshiper should pass the age of puberty. The prayers of children are accepted, but they are not accounted for. The fifth condition of the validity of prayers is purity. It is a must that a Muslim is pure in clothes and body; also the place where a Muslim prays must be pure too. Muslim scholars said it is a must for the worshiper to cover their awrah when offering their prayers. The seventh condition for the validity of prayer is to direct one’s face towards Makkah or al-Kaabah. Finally a Muslim should observe the right time of each prayer for the validity of their prayers.
The obligatory acts (pillars) of prayer :
Similarly, kids learn that there are ten pillars or obligatory acts which a Muslim must do during their prayers. First, a Muslim must intend to pray. Second, a Muslim must stand upright and say “Allahu Akbar”. Third, a Muslim must read surah al-Fatihah in each rakat. Fourth, a worshiper must make ruku’ (kneel) in each rakat. Fifth, after kneeling, a worshiper must stand upright again. Sixth, a worshiper must make sujud (prostrate themselves). Seventh, a worshiper must sit between the two prostrations. Eighth, a worshiper must sit for the last tashahhud when they read as-salatu al-Ibrahimiah. Nineth, a worshiper must say the first tasleem by turning their face to the right saying “assalamualaikum warahmatullah” Finally, a worshiper must observe the order of the obligatory acts of prayer.
