prayers to teach your children? Salah Full Guide, All Muslims are taught within the religion that we were created just to worship Allah SWT, and by performing salah, we fulfill our purpose in life. That’s why we should teach salah (prayers) to our kids. But how?
Noor Academy has made a simple complete guide for you to introduce your kids to salah. Keep reading to know more!
What is Salah?
Salah is a particular form of devotion that, after the shahada, is the second most fundamental pillar of Islam (testimony of faith).
It is a five-times-a-day mandatory form of prayer given in al Quran al Kareem and taught to us by Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
With a variety of physical actions such as standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting, the salah unites you with Allah SWT.
It also entails reciting passages from the Holy Quran in Arabic, as well as reciting a number of dua (supplications).
Muslims begin salah by facing the direction of the Kaaba, Allah’s Sacred House in Makkah, whenever they pray.
All of these physical gestures, recitations, and supplications are performed to demonstrate humility and obedience to Allah SWT.
Why Do We Pray?
The reason Muslims pray at all is that Islam believes that the aim of life is to worship Allah SWT alone.
The observance of salah (worship) was one of the first commands revealed to prophet Muhammad by Allah shortly after he became a Prophet.
Allah Almighty tells us in the Holy Quran that mankind was only created for one reason: to worship Him.
“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me (Alone).”
(Surah Ad-Dhariyat)
Types of Salah
Obligatory
In Islam, the mandatory prayers are five that should be performed throughout the day. A Muslim who fails to perform these prayers with no valid reason is considered a sinner.
Our beloved Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“Between a man and polytheism and disbelief, there stands his neglect of the prayer.”
These prayers include:
- Fajr: the dawn prayer. It is a two Rakat Salah.
- Dhuhr: the early afternoon prayer. It is a four Rakat Salah.
- Asr: the late afternoon prayer. It is a four Rakat Salah.
- Maghrib: the sunset prayer. It is a three Rakat Salah.
- Isha: the night prayer. It is a four Rakat Salah.
Additional Prayers
Other additional prayers that are also notable in Islam:
- Jumuah prayers: weekly congregational prayer (replaces Dhuhr on Fridays with two Rakat along with khutba from Shaykh) a male Muslim,
who misses two consecutive Jumuahs is considered a sinner.
- Sunnah: These prayers are encouraged to be performed on a regular basis during the Prophet’s lifetime.
- 2 Rakat Sunnat for Fajr (The Fajr sunnah is offered before Fajr prayers, and Duha prayer after sunrise.)
- 4 Rakat Sunnat for Zuhr (The Zuhr sunnah is 4 rakats before Zuhr and 2 rakats after zuhur.)
- 4 Rakat Sunnat for Asr (The sunnah for Asr is offered before Asr prayer.)
- 2 Rakat Sunnat for Maghrib (The sunnah for maghrib should be offered after Maghrib prayers.)
- 4 Rakat Sunnat for Isha (The sunnah for Isha is 4 Rakat before Isha and 2 Rakat after: named Chafaa and followed by 1 Rakat of Witr.)
Nawafil Prayers
In Islam, Nawafil prayers are supererogatory prayers. They, like sunnah prayer, are not considered obligatory.
but are thought to bestow an additional advantage on the individual who does them. According to Rabi’ah ibn Malik al-Aslami, the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
“Ask (anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise.” The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet (PBUH) said to him: “Then help me by making many prostrations (Supererogatory prayers)”.
(Muslim)
These Nafl prayers include:
- Tahajjud prayers (night prayers): There is no set quantity of rakaat in Tahajjud; instead, you should pray as much as you can.
“The best prayer after the obligatory prayers is the night prayer.”
(Muslim)
- Salat al-Duha: It is often performed in the middle of the morning or late in the morning. This is its most commonly mentioned name in the narrations.
When the sun is shining brightly, it is a late-morning prayer.
- Salat al-Ishraq: is known as the “sunrise prayer,” or the prayer performed around 20 minutes after sunrise.
- Tahiyyatul Masjid: nafl prayer of 2 rakaat when entering the mosque.
How To Introduce Prayer (Salah) For Kids?
Lots of parents ask about the best way to introduce their kids to Salah and how to make it an unconscious practice of their daily lives.
This can be achieved by following these tips below:
Let Them See You Pray
Because your child observes and absorbs your actions more than your words, the example you set as a parent is critical. Even though it appears that your children are not following your example, they are, and it will be stored in their memory banks even after they grow up.
Make sure they see you praying Fajr on time, then praying Dhur or Asr when you get home from work even if you’re tired, then praying Ishaa when it gets dark, and so on. Salah will be engraved in their minds as an important practice that should be respected no matter what.
Even when you’re outside for a picnic or a road trip as a family, tell them that being outside is not an excuse to miss Salah. Use their help to find a good spot to pray and perform prayers in front of them.
Show Positivity Towards Salah
Examine how you feel about salah and if you have a warm and good attitude toward it. You’ll be able to convey a welcoming and pleasant attitude regarding salah to your children this way. Don’t lazily get up to pray and don’t look annoyed when you do it.
This is also important for when you ask them to pray. Don’t wake them up for Fajr with annoyance saying things like “if you don’t get up now you’ll miss Fajr and you’ll be punished!” instead, use the most peaceful patient attitude with it.
Tell Them Islamic Stories
Stories about Salah and Jannah are a great way to get your children excited about praying. Tell them how Allah SWT prepared amazing things for those who pray to gain his acceptance. Use your imagination to portray the perfect dreamworld for them as Jannah.
Make sure to never tell them frightening stories about the punishment of salah abandoner. Many Islamic studies for kids teachers used this method in the past thinking it would encourage children to pray but in fact, it backfired.
When you initially start salah teaching, you don’t want your child to associate prayer with punishment. Instead, tell your children of Allah SWT’s enormous love for them and how grateful we are to Him for all we have.
Be Patient
Yes, there are rules for performing salah, and you must gradually educate your children on the fiqh of salah. Simply begin with the most important rules and gradually add additional as they complete the previous steps. Have sympathy for your children and teach them with kindness and understanding, especially while teaching salah to them for the first time.
Be patient and keep in mind that you want your child to make salah a habit. To know that they may get consolation in salah, resulting in a stronger desire to pray. You want your child to understand that salah is a must, not an option and that it is an essential component of being a believer and having faith.
How To Pray In Islam Step By Step?
In order to teach your children how to pray correctly, after familiarizing them with the concept of salah and why we pray, you need to take salah step by step for them to understand.
Making Wudu
First, they need to make correct wudu. Take them by the hand and perform wudu step by step and ask them to imitate you. Here are the steps you should follow:
Make your intention (niyyah) to perform wudu
There are no particular words or remarks that need to be made here. It is a matter of the heart and intellect to create the purpose.
Say Bismillah
This is a critical phase in the wudu-making process. We must say Bismillah before we begin washing. (In the Name of Allah). You may say it to yourself quietly.
Wash Your Hands Three Times
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) told us to start with our right side. That implies you’ll have to wash your right hand three times from the fingers to the wrist. Make certain that the water hits every part of the hand. After that, repeat the same moves three times with your left hand.
Rinse Your Mouth Three Times
Rinse your mouth three times with water taken in your right grip. Do this thoroughly to ensure that no food or dirt remains in your mouth.
Inhale Water Into Your Nostrils Three Times
Three times, snort or inhale the water into your nose and then blow it out. If you take in too much water, you may injure yourself, so be careful.
Wash Your Face Three Times
Every part of the face must be cleansed. That is, from ear to ear and from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin. Repeat this procedure three times.
Wash Your Arms Three Times
Wash your right arm three times from the fingers to the elbow. Make sure that there is no area left dry. After that, repeat the technique three times with your left arm.
Wipe Your Wet Hand On Your Hair
Move your wet hands from the top of the forehead to the back of the head, and then from the back of the head to the top of the forehead; for women,
a wet hand on the first sections of the hair is enough. This is only done once.
Clean Your Ears
Using wet hands, wipe the inside of your ears with your index fingers and the area behind your ears with your thumb. This is also done for once.
Wash Your Feet Three Times
We will also wash our feet three times as we did with our hands. Begin with your right foot’s toes and work your way up to and include your ankle.
Ensure that water hits every part of the right foot, particularly the area between the toes and the back of the ankle.
Repeat three times with the right foot, then three times with the left foot. If you have socks on, use your right hand to wipe gently over the top of your right foot.
This is done only once and then repeated for the left foot.
Recite Shahadah And Dua
To imitate Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) we say Shahada and dua after we’re done with wudu. He used to say:
“Ash-hadu anna la ilaha illal lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh”
Following this sentence, he would recite the following dua:
“Allahuma ij‘alnee mina at-tawabeen wa ij-‘alnee minal mutatahireen”
Performing Salah
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Alt-text: steps of prayers (Salah)
After making wudu, it’s time to perform salah. Here’s a list of simple steps you can use as a guide to help your children learn how to pray:
(1) Clear your mind
Before you begin, block out any distractions and noises to allow your mind to clear. Your complete attention should be on the prayer and nothing else.
(2) Make intention (niyya) to pray
We began the prayer, like wudu, by making a heartfelt intention to pray to Allah SWT.
(3) Raise your hands to your ears and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Takbir)
The prayer will begin as soon as you say “Allahu Akbar.” From now on, you should concentrate solely on the prayer and try your hardest to disregard all distractions.
(4) place your hand over your naval
After Takbir, you place your right hand on your left hand both over your naval and start reciting Quran Kareem.
Your eyes should be fixed on one spot, which is the very front of you where you’ll prostrate.
(5) Recite Fatiha and a short Surah from al quran al kareem
First, you recite Fatiha, then, you pick any short Surah you memorize from al Quran al Kareem and recite it afterward.
(6) Make Ruku (bow down)
Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ as you bow down. Maintain a straight back, hands on your knees, and your eyes fixed on the ground where you will be prostrating.
(7) Stand up again
As you rise from the ruku to the standing posture, raise your hands to your ears and say Samee Allahu leeman hameeda.
(8) Make Sujud (prostrate)
After saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ again before prostrating, make sure your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees,
and both toes are touching the ground and say Subhanna rabbiya al alaa.
(9) Rise up to sit down before making the second Sujud
Before making the second sujud, you should rise up from the ground, sit down, and say Rabbigh-fir lee. Then, repeat Sujud.
(10) Recite Tashahhud after the first two rakaahs
After the first two rakaat, recite this first part of Tashahhud:
“At Tahiyyaatu lilaahi was Salawaatu wat tayibaatu
Assalaamu alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatu Allahi wa barakaatuh
Assalaamu alaynaa wa alaa ebaadillaahis saaliheen,
Ash hadu allaa ilaha illa Allah Wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhuu wa rasuuluh”
After the second (last) two rakaat, recite the whole Tashahhud, adding this part as well:
“Allahumma salli ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad
Kamaa salayta ala aali Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim
Innaka Hameedun Majeed
Wa baarik ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammad
Kamaa baarakta ala Ibraaheem wa ‘ala aali Ibrahim
Innaka Hameedun Majeed”
(11) Make Tasleem
After reciting Tashahhud, make Tasleem as the end of your salah by looking to your right and saying: “Assalamu alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah”
and then to look to the left and say it again: “Assalamu alaykum wa Rahmatu Allah”
When Should You Start Introducing Salat To Kids?
In terms of fiqh, parents should start teaching their children to pray at the age of seven, and by the age of 10, they should apply discipline if necessary. This is a parental responsibility (wajib).
In terms of general parenting, parents should encourage and praise their children to pray from a young age. As with many great and moral activities, it is made simpler if the parents pray at home on a daily basis, as children love to imitate what their parents do.
All the preparations end at the start of puberty. All religious responsibilities, and accountability in general, begin at puberty for the children: at that point, all five prayers must be completed on time.
How To Encourage Kids To Pray (Salah) So It Becomes A Life-long Habit?
- Pray in front of them. Taking you as an example is the best way to instill the love of salah in your children as a first step in making it a life-long habit.
- Teach them at a young age. Starting even before they’re seven makes it easier for them to make it a habit in the future.
- Start with simple steps. Don’t overwhelm them with things they should do in order to make the correct way to pray salah. Simple steps always have a long-lasting effect in the future.
- Help them understand the benefits of Salah. Telling them that it’s obligatory is not enough to make them commit to salah. List them why salah is important and what benefits they get from making salah.
- Teach them consistency. Although we want our children to enjoy prayer, there will be moments when they are too lazy to pray. It is essential to be consistent in these times and never allow them to skip a salah because they are outside or feeling lethargic. Habits form as a result of consistency.
Hadith on Salah
- Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “The parable of the five prayers is that of a river running at your door in which he cleanses himself five times a day.”
Source: Sahih Muslim 668
- Zaid b. Thabit said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to offer the Zuhr prayer in the midday heat, and no prayer was harder on the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) that this one. Hence the revelation came down: “Be guardians of your prayers, and of the midmost prayer” (2:238). He (the narrator) said: There are two prayers before it and two prayers after it.
- Abdullah ibn Mas‘ood said, “I asked the Prophet ‘What is the best deed?’ He said: ‘Performing prayer in its due time.’ I further asked, ‘Then what?’ He replied: ‘Dutifulness toward parents.’ I further asked, ‘Then what?’ He replied: ‘Performing Jihad in the Cause of Allah The Exalted.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
- Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet said: “The five daily (obligatory) prayers, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, are expiation of the sins committed in the interval between them, so long as major sins are avoided.”
[Muslim] - Buraydah narrated that the Prophet said: “Convey glad tidings to those who walk to the mosques in the darkness of a perfect (and full) light on the Day of Judgment.”
[Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi and Al-Albani classified as authentic] - Thawban, the freed slave of the Prophet reported that he said: “Make frequent prostrations to Allah, the Exalted, for you will not make one prostration except that Allah Almighty raises you to a higher degree and removes a sin from your record because of it.”
[Muslim] - Ahu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: He who purifies himself (performs ablution) in his house and then walks to one of the Houses of Allah (mosque) to perform an obligatory prayer of those ordained by Allah Almighty, one step of his will wipe away sin and another step will raise his degree in Paradise.
[Muslim] - Ahu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “He who goes to the mosque at dawn or dusk (for the congregational prayers), Allah prepares a hospitable abode for him in Paradise, every time he does so.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] - Uthman said: I heard the Messenger of Allah say: “If a Muslim performs ablution thoroughly and offers prayer, he will be forgiven for all the sins that are committed between this prayer and the next one.”
[Muslim]
- Uthman ibn ‘Affan reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: When the time for a prescribed prayer is due and a Muslim performs ablution for it thoroughly, observes khushoo‘ (concentration, submissiveness) in it and performs its bowing and prostration properly, this prayer will be the expiation for the sins committed before it, so long as he does not commit major sins, and this applies for every prayer.
[Muslim] - Ahu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: The reward for a prayer that is performed by a person in congregation is more than twenty times greater than that of the prayer performed in one’s house or shop. When one performs ablution perfectly and then proceeds to the mosque with the sole intention of performing prayer, and nothing urges him to proceed to the mosque except the prayer, for every step he takes towards the mosque, he is upgraded one degree in reward and one of his sins is eliminated until he enters the mosque. When he enters the mosque, he is considered as performing prayer as long as it is the prayer that prevents him (from leaving the mosque); and the angels keep on supplicating Allah for him as long as he remains in his place of prayer. They (the angels) say: “O Allah, have mercy on him; O Allah, forgive his sins, O Allah, accept his repentance.” This will continue as long as he does not invalidate his ablution.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim] - Ahu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: “Shall I not tell you something by which Allah erases sins and elevates ranks (in Paradise)?” The Companions said; “Certainly, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Performing ablution thoroughly even if it is hard to, walking with more paces to the mosque, and waiting for a prayer after a prayer; indeed that is ar-ribat, indeed that is ar-ribat .”
[Muslim] - Abu Umamah reported that the Prophet said: If anyone goes out from his house after having performed ablution so as to offer the prescribed prayer in congregation (in the mosque), his reward will be like that of a pilgrim who is in a state of ihram. Whoever goes out to offer Dhuha prayer, and takes the trouble for this purpose, will obtain the reward like that of a person who performs ‘Umrah. And a prayer followed by a prayer with no worldly talk during the gap between them will be recorded in ‘Illiyyeen (seventh heaven).
[Abu Dawood and Al-Albani considered as good] - Ahu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: Whoever performs ablution perfectly, and then goes to the mosque and finds that the people had finished the prayer (in congregation), Allah will give him a reward like one who prayed in a congregation and attended it in full; the reward of those who prayed in the congregation will not be curtailed.
[Abu Dawood and Al-Albani classified as authentic] - Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet said: If any of you performs ablution in his house and then goes to the mosque, he is considered in prayer until he returns; (therefore,) he should not intertwine his fingers while staying in the mosque as he is [considered to be] in prayer.
- Abu Hurayrah narrated (the narration attributed directly to the Prophet ) hadeeth that the Prophet said: “since one departs his house, walking to my mosque, his steps are counted as one is recorded as a reward and the other expiate a sin.”
[Ibn Hibban, An-Nasa’i and Al-Albani classified as authentic]
Benefits of Salah in This World
It is essential to list the various benefits of salah in order to instill a love of salah in your children’s hearts. Try to simplify and explain the following principles to them while you go about your regular activities.
Some of the several advantages of salah include:
- It is a direct connection with Allah.
- brings peace to our hearts and mindfulness in our lives.
- a strong identity of a Muslim.
- unites the Ummah.
- It keeps us away from bad deeds and Satan.
- rids us of laziness.
- improves our mental and physical health.
- teaches us discipline.
- brings more barakah.
- It is thanking Allah for His It is blessings.
- It cleanses us.
- It provides protection from Allah.
- There is a special gate of Jannah for those who pray.
- It is a means for admission to Jannah.
- It will be the first deed to be accountable for in the Hereafter.
