what is salat

Salat, also known as namāz, is a form of worship performed by Muslims. It is the second most important pillar of Islam after the shahada (testimony of faith) . Salat is an obligatory form of worship that is performed five times a day. The prayers punctuate the whole day: the first prayer takes place before sunrise, followed by a prayer at midday; the third is at mid-afternoon, another after sunset, and the final prayer when the sky grows dark. Muslims pray facing the qiblah, the direction of the Kaaba with respect to those praying. The prayers involve a sequence of movements and postures such as standing, bowing, kneeling, and touching the ground with the forehead while reciting prescribed prayers. The entire cycle of prayer, its pronouncements, and postures is a concrete expression of the Muslims submission, inner and outer, to the service, adoration, and path of God. The salat provides a regular interruption of the days activities to focus the mind and heart on the first priority of life, service to God. While the salat begins with extolling the transcendence of God, it ends with sending royal praises to God, as if worshippers have entered into His presence. The worshipper formally exits from salat by proclaiming peace on both the right and left sides while in the sitting position.