Prayer times

Eid prayer information can be found in the Documents section.

For muslims, the day is broken into five parts. In each of these parts, one takes some 5 to 10 minutes off from the daily hassles and stress of life to calm down the mind and body, meditate and try to concentrate on giving thanks, seeking forgiveness and favours from the Source of All Goodness, God. The body - limbs and so on - are also relaxed and gently exercised in the prayer motions and positions. The idea is grateful submission to the Originator of all existence around us.

The five muslim prayers and their times are as follows:

• Fajr (or Subh) which is at dawn before the sunrise
• Zuhr which is just after the noon of day
• Asr which comes somewhere in the middle of the day between noon and sunset
• Maghrib which comes immediately after sunset
• Isha which is in the evening or early part of the night

You get to "refresh" yourself for each of the five portions of the day.

These prayers called salaat are well spread out during the day and are not as difficult or take as long as some people may think. One can also offer voluntarily, optional prayers outside these main five ones.

While a person may perform his or her prayers alone in any condusive environment, prayer in congregation is deemed spiritually more rewarding and helps increase social bonding with others. In Aberdeen, for instance, praying together in the mosque brings muslims of different nationalities, races and ethnic groups together in one place, carrying out a common humble act.

In congregational prayers, one person - the Imam leads while others follow.

On Fridays, the Zuhr prayer is replaced by the Jumma'ah prayer which is a general gathering of muslims in the community. The Imam gives a khutbah (sermon) and then leads the community in prayer.