Worship Essentials
Salah, fasting, dua and the Quran.
- Is it okay to pray in my own language instead of Arabic? The fixed parts of salah, above all the recitation of al-Fatiha, are said in Arabic, because the Quran is the Arabic revelation and the Prophet ﷺ said "pray as you have seen me praying". A new Muslim who cannot yet recite can say simple words of remembrance while learning. Personal dua outside the prayer can be in any language.
- How can I focus and have khushu in my prayer? Khushu means humble, present-hearted prayer, and the Quran ties success to it. The Prophet ﷺ taught practical help: pray as though you see Allah, remember that He answers your Fatiha line by line, avoid looking around, do not pray while hungry for food in front of you or needing the toilet, and when Shaytan distracts you, seek refuge in Allah.
- How do I make wudu (ablution) step by step? Wash your hands, rinse your mouth and nose, wash your face, then your arms up to the elbows, wipe your head, and wash your feet up to the ankles. The Quran names the face, arms, head and feet; the Prophet ﷺ showed the rest. Each part can be washed once, twice or three times, and passing wind, urine or stool breaks wudu.
- Why do Muslims pray five times a day? Because Allah made five daily prayers obligatory. They were given to the Prophet ﷺ on the night of the Mi'raj, first as fifty and then reduced to five that carry the reward of fifty. The Quran commands prayer at fixed times, and the Prophet ﷺ taught those five times exactly, as Jibril taught him.
- What are the best voluntary (sunnah) fasts outside Ramadan? The Prophet ﷺ encouraged fasting the day of Arafah, the day of Ashura (with the 9th), six days of Shawwal, Mondays and Thursdays, three days every month, and the month of Muharram. The fast of Dawud (AS), every other day, is the most excellent. Fasting on the two Eid days is forbidden, and Friday should not be singled out.
- When is Laylat al-Qadr and what should I do on it? Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) is a night in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely an odd night, and it is better than a thousand months. Its exact date was not fixed for us, so the Sunnah is to strive in all of the last ten nights with prayer, Quran, dua and seeking forgiveness.
- What breaks the fast in Ramadan? Deliberately eating, drinking or having sexual intercourse during daylight breaks the fast, as does deliberate vomiting and the start of menstruation. Eating or drinking by genuine mistake does not break it. Intercourse during a Ramadan fast also requires a heavy expiation (kaffarah).
- Who does not have to fast in Ramadan? The sick and travellers may leave the fast and make up the days later. The very old and the chronically ill who cannot fast feed one poor person for each day (fidya). Menstruating women do not fast and make the days up later, and pregnant and breastfeeding women are also given relief.
- Why do Muslims fast in Ramadan? Muslims fast because Allah prescribed it "that you may become righteous" (gain taqwa). Fasting trains self-control, shields from sin and the Fire, and carries a reward Allah keeps for Himself. Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and hope of reward has his past sins forgiven.
- What are the best times to make dua? Allah hears dua at every moment, but the Sunnah names special times: the last third of the night, while in sujud (prostration), between the adhan and iqamah, a special hour on Friday, and the dua of a father, a traveller and someone who has been wronged.
- Can I make dua for other people, including non-Muslims? Yes. Making dua for others is a beloved Sunnah, and when you pray for a fellow Muslim in their absence an angel says "and the same for you". You may pray for non-Muslims to be guided, as the Prophet ﷺ did. The Quran only forbids asking forgiveness for those who clearly died upon shirk.
- How do I make my dua accepted? Allah promises to answer: "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." Begin by praising Allah and sending blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, ask with certainty and humility, raise your hands, keep your income halal, do not ask for sin or cutting family ties, and never give up because the answer seems slow.
- Why is my dua not being answered? Every sincere dua of a Muslim is answered, but not always in the form or timing we expect: Allah either grants it or turns away an equal harm. What blocks dua is asking for sin, haram income, or giving up. So keep asking, check what you can fix, and trust that Allah knows what is best.
- How can I memorise the Quran and not forget it? Allah has made the Quran easy to remember, so begin with sincere intention and dua, learn it from a good reciter, memorise small portions every day, and revise constantly, because the Prophet ﷺ said it escapes the heart faster than camels slip their ropes. If it is hard for you, you get a double reward for the struggle.
- Is there reward in reading the Quran if I don't understand Arabic? Yes. Reciting the Arabic Quran is rewarded letter by letter, even for someone who struggles. But the Quran was revealed to be understood and reflected on, so the best way is both: recite the Arabic, and read a trusted translation and tafsir to understand what you are reciting.
- Can I read the Quran without wudu or during my period? Reciting the Quran from memory without wudu is allowed; the Prophet ﷺ recited it before making wudu and remembered Allah at all times. Most scholars require wudu to touch a printed mushaf. On reciting during menstruation scholars differ: the majority restrict it, while the Malikis and others allow it.
- What is the reward for reading the Quran? Every letter of the Quran you recite earns a good deed multiplied by ten. The one who struggles and stumbles gets a double reward, the Quran will come as an intercessor on the Day of Resurrection, and the best people are those who learn it and teach it.