Salah is the second pillar of Islam. It consists of a series of movements and words repeated several times. Each series or cycle of this movement is called a raka’a (or 'bowing'). In salah, chosen passages of the Quran are recited. It is the duty of every adult Muslim to perform five daily prayers, individually or in congregation. For salah to be acceptable to God, it should be performed at the proper times, in purity, and facing the Qibla, the direction of the Kabah. These five obligatory prayers have to be observed at fixed times. Prayers which are missed at the correct times should be made up afterwards. Prayer as a general duty or service is frequently enjoined in the Quran. Prayer is the second of the five fundamental principles or pillars of practical devotion in Islam. It is a devotional exercise which every Muslim is required to engage in five times a day. Prayers remind us five times daily that we are accountable to a God who is watching us.
The Spirit of Namaz