Why Muslims pray 5 times a day?

[Soledad]

I'm not a Muslim, but I would like to know why Muslims pray 5 times a day, what I mean is why a specific number is set?

(Please let me know also if I'm posting in the right board, I''m a newbie here)

[Ali]

Hey soledad !

Muslims pray five times a day because those are the obligatory prayers.

But one can pray more than the obligatory prayers too.

And welcome to the board.

-- Ali

[radiyah]

Al salam 'ala man itabaa' al huda.

welcome Soledad to the forum, I hope my answer will be sufficient to u may Allah Almighty be my assistant.

Bismillah Al- Rahman Al- Raheem) In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful.

We pray 5 times a day for the following

reasons :

1- Because it is ordered in the quran to

pray, it is an order from God.

In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful.

. Alif-Lâm-Mîm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân and none but Allâh (Alone) knows their meanings].

2. This is the Book (the Qur'ân), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqûn [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allâh much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allâh much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].

3. Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e. give Zakât , spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allâh's Cause - Jihâd, etc.]. The Holy Quran2:1,2,3

2- It is the second Pillar in Islam, if u do

not perform it u r not a faithful

muslim.

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful.

238. Guard strictly (five obligatory) As_Salawât (the prayers) especially the middle Salât (i.e. the best prayer _ 'Asr). And stand before Allâh with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salât (prayers)]. The Holy Quran 2,238

3- When we pray, we should forget every thing humanly, and guide our soul in submission to Allah, and during prayer we supplicate to him to forgive our sins(we do not need mediator to ask for forgiveness)

In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful.

53. Say: "O 'Ibâdî (My slaves) who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of Allâh, verily Allâh forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

So the Main reason as muslims is that we abide strictly to what Allah Almighty

commands us to do without argument or arrogance, and we seek Allah mercy and guidance. In prayer we feel tranquility and closeness to God and purification of the soul, we bow our heads and prostrate to Allah Almighty asking his forgiveness and submit to his onnes and that he is the only one that is trustworthy of worship.

These are the main reasons for praying, I hope u r satisfied, if I am right it is by Allah's aid, if I am mistaken it is from my ignorance and mistake. I am not a scholar I tried my best may Allah Almighty be my guidance.

These are links that will help u know more about prayers and Islam.

http://www.islamonline.net/english/discove...discover6.shtml

http://www.islamonline.net/english/introdu...article02.shtml

http://www.angelfire.com/me4/islaam/pray14.html

http://www.angelfire.com/me4/islaam/pray15.html

http://www.al-sunnah.com/call_to_islam/index.html

http://www.muslim-answers.org/

If u need to ask any more questions please do not hesitate, we will be more than happy to help you.

[Soledad]

Thanks for the answers what about if a Muslim don't pray 5 times a day? I mean they pray once or twice? also, I know muslim pray using their bodies in movement, what about if the person is handicapped and cannot move at all?

[Dan]

Bismillah

Then they go to hell!

Really, Islam is reasonable just like any major religion. If a person is poor, then they cannot give charity. If a person cannot speak, then they cannot say the declaration of Faith. Allah Knows Best the conditions of His slaves and the intentions in their hearts. People are not punished for what they have no control over like handicapped people.

Peace

[Soledad]

Oh okay, thanks for the answer

[Abu Dujanah]

The Prophet of Allah (saw) said, "The Head of the Matter is Islam and its Pillar is Salah [prayers] and the Peak of this Matter is Jihad."

So as you can see from the above Hadeeth of the Prophet, the Prayer is very important in Islam, Ali Ibn Abi Talib (ra) narrated that the last words that Allah's Messenger (saw) spoke were: "Prayer, Prayer and Fear Allah about those whom your right hands possess"

Ibn Abbas, sai'd bin Jubyr & others among the Salaf said that the good righteous deeds that last are the five daily Prayers ....{See Tafseer at-Tabaree}

Likewise the Prophet said, "Do you think that if there was a flowing river at the door of anyone of you and he bathed in it five times everyday, would there be any dirt on him? They said, "No, O Messenger of Allah!" He [The Prophet] said, "This is like the five daily Prayers, for Allah uses them to wipe away the sins and wrongdoings."

[radiyah]

You are most welcome, and about :

I know muslim pray using their bodies in movement, what about if the person is handicapped and cannot move at all?

As brother Dan said"People are not punished for what they have no control over like handicapped people."

As long as they have brains and can think

and know what is going around them they can pray with their eyes moving it upward and downward, and if they can't they pray by their brains as long as they are sain. But if they are insane then they are not punished or asked for their prayers.

Salam