Do Muslims have to pray 5 times a day and why 5?

Question

Someone told me to not ask do and don't questions about Islam but ask about the spiritual aspect of Islam. If I were Muslim would I get in trouble for not praying 5 times - what if I only prayed 3? I am just curious about Islam. Another question is are you allowed to pray for others - can you do that like Christians do?

Ardent, thank you for the answer. I do want to clarify Christians do pray more then once a week. As a matter of fact I can tell you I pray every day. I pray at least a few times - not a set number but sometimes it is more then 5 and sometimes less (at least 3). I usually have a dialoge with God and tell Him how I am feeling and why I am feeling that way and what should I do, etc.

Answer 1

In Islam, prayer or worship is known as "salat".

According to Karen Armstrong's book "Islam : A Short History" Muslims originally prayed 3 times a day. Some assume this number was chossen because the Jewish Bible ( The Old Testament ) mentions The Prophet Daniel praying 3 times a day (Daniel 6:10-13).

The Number 3 was later changed to 5 in a story that is told in the sayings or "hadeeth" of the Prophet Muhammad.

"The Prophet said, "Then Allah enjoined fifty prayers on my followers when I returned with this order of Allah, I passed by Moses who asked me, 'What has Allah enjoined on your followers?' I replied, 'He has enjoined fifty prayers on them.' Moses said, 'Go back to your Lord (and appeal for reduction) for your followers will not be able to bear it.' (So I went back to Allah and requested for reduction) and He reduced it to half. When I passed by Moses again and informed him about it, he said, 'Go back to your Lord as your followers will not be able to bear it.' So I returned to Allah and requested for further reduction and half of it was reduced. I again passed by Moses and he said to me: 'Return to your Lord, for your followers will not be able to bear it. So I returned to Allah and He said, 'These are five prayers and they are all (equal to) fifty (in reward) for My Word does not change.' "
- Sahih Bukahri Volume 1, Book 8, Number 345

In Islam, there is a systematic way of worship that consist of certain movements and sayings that must be performed according to the traditions or "sunah" of the Prophet Muhammad. Once you do these prescribed movements and sayings, then, at the end of each worship you are allowed to add your own personal prayer request or "du'a". You are allowed to pray for the well being others.

According to Islam, Muslims have to pray 5 Times a day but only God will judge the Muslim if they do not pray the prescribed 5 times.

Answer 2

5

Answer 3

You can ask any question about Islam, so long as you're willing to learn and not just trying to cause chaos and discord.

As for the prayer question, yes Muslims must pray five times a day. The true reason for the number five is only knownst to God. There's a long story to how it became five, so if you really want to know, e-mail me. Every Muslim, no matter in what condition, must pray five times a day. (There are compensations for particular situations, but overall, everyone has to pray five times a day)

To leave any one prayer by accident or by lethargy is considered a major sin. To consider prayer something you don't have to do is grievous enough to take you out of the fold. (Note the subtle difference)

No, we cannot pray once a week like the Christians. It's better this way for many reasons. One reason that's pretty obvious is that it teaches punctuality and order. Muslims pray to God most frequently of all other faiths. Its extremely important-there is practically no excuse.

IF you have any other questions, please e-mail me.

Answer 4

Yes..Muslims have to pray five times and its compulsory ...most of the other thing like Haj which are a requirement to be muslim have other options (if you are unable to perform Haj) but there is no other option for Salat/Namaaz.

It difficult to understand but it is an important aspect of being a Muslim.

The quran mentions that this life is a test that everyone has to go through. Allah gave us guidance at various times through many messengers (starting from Adam , Moses, Jesus and Mohammed [peace be upon all of them] and many more in between them). Each of them had a message specific to their people. Prophet Mohammed was the last messanger through whom the final message of God was revealed in the form of Quran. Quran gives guidance on how to pass this test and praying five times is a very important part of passing this test and getting Jannah(paradise) in after life.

I know for many especially Non-Muslims this looks unbelievable and unrealistic and i used to believe so. But many times i had the question on why we are here and whats the use of all that we achieve in life when we are finally going to pass away. Its all about deep thought and honest questioning with ourselves and God will start giving the answers.

Prayers is a way to connect to GOD wherein we recite the verses of Quran in arabic and kneel down in the direction of Kaaba (Mecca). We dont worship the kaaba but God ensured that all Muslim pray towards the same direction.

Answer 5

Ardent quotes:
"You can ask any question about Islam, so long as you're willing to learn and not just trying to cause chaos and discord."


"No, we cannot pray once a week like the Christians."



Please seek knowledge in other faiths before making such ignorant comments. We do not pray just once a week.

Answer 6

yes u have to pray 5 times its the most important thing in this religion and its said that after u die the first thing that ull be asked about is if u prayed regularly while u were in the world ,but many dont pray. and yes someone else can pray for u but only if u r dead and u missed many prayers when u were alive then ur family can pray for u or pay to do that.

Answer 7

The Quran mentions specific times of prayer which add up to 5. and of course youre allowed to pray for others! Islam encourages that but at the same time it says that you should pray for yourself also. Also, Islam says that God WANTS you to ask Him for things such as forgiveness and happiness. God gets great pleasure when you ask Him and pray to Him only. This is what muslims get rewarded for on the Day of Judgment, that they did not set up partners with God and they asked Him for help in the crucial times and thanked Him in good times.

Answer 8

you pray 5

you obviously don't know what you're talking about
ask on an Islamic site

Answer 9

They pray to the moon god 5 times a day.

Answer 10

They pray 5 times cause they can't count to 6