Page 86 - Seekers Guide Book

Islam and the Quran
4. Sunset prayer (Maghrib): three rak’ahs between sunset
and early evening

5. Evening prayer (Ishaa): four rak’ah from the
disappearance of twilight until dawn

During the prayer, a believer refreshes his memory
about God’s commandments regarding himself. Then
he kneels and prostrates himself before God, in physical
expression of the idea that the only course that befits
him is to lead his life according to the creation plan of
God. The prayer is concluded by turning the face first
to the right side, then to the left, and uttering the words
Assalamu-alaykum, which means, ‘May the peace and
blessings of God be upon you!’ This is a demonstration
that spiritually conditioned by prayer, the worshipper is
now entering into the world with no other thoughts and
feelings in his mind but those of mercy towards others
and peace for all mankind.

Prayer strengthens a believer’s resolve to remain a
peaceful member of the society, and to harbour no ill-
feelings towards anyone. Prayer in one respect is to
surrender before God, attributing all kinds of greatness
to Him alone. In yet another respect, prayer prepares the
individual to lead a worthy life among fellow human-
beings, adopting an attitude of modesty, sympathy and
good-will in all his dealings. In short, prayer perfects a
person’s relation with God as well as with other human
beings. According to a verse, a believer is enjoined thus:

Prostrate yourself and come closer to God.
(Quran 96:19)

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