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      Salah in the home and mosque

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how and why Muslims perform salah, both at home and in the mosque.

      Key learning points

      1. Muslims are instructed to pray five prayers each day.
      2. Muslims can pray in any place that is clean and may pray alone or together with others.
      3. There is some diversity in practice between how Sunni and Shi'a Muslims may pray.
      4. Friday congregational prayers are held at the mosque and known as Jummah prayer.

      Keywords

      • Jummah - Friday prayers in the mosque, where a sermon (khutbah) is heard

      • Mosque - it is a communal place of worship for a Muslim community, also known as a masjid

      • Rak'ah - actions and ritual movements made during salah (prayer) consisting of recitations, standing, bowing and prostration

      • Wudu - ritual washing, or ablution before praying and/or touching the Qur'an

      Common misconception

      Only Shi'a Muslims may combine prayers so that the five obligatory prayers are said three times.

      Sunni Muslims are also permitted to combine prayers when needed, such as when travelling, ill or due to hardship.

      Teacher tip

      Students may benefit from a visit to a mosque, or from looking at guides to mosques found online to see some key features which support Jumnah and daily prayers, such as the ablution area, the direction of prayer, the stand where sermons are given and the prayer space.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      Islam is built upon pillars that support a Sunni Muslim’s faith and actions.

      Correct Answer: five, 5

      Q2.
      What does the term 'Sharia' mean in Islam?

      a religious leader
      Correct answer: 'the straight path'
      a festival at the end of Ramadan

      Q3.
      What does the Shahadah express?

      the belief in reincarnation
      the rules of fasting
      Correct answer: the belief in one God and Muhammad as His messenger

      Q4.
      What do some Shi'a Muslims add to the Shahadah?

      prayer directions
      Correct answer: a statement about 'Ali being a friend of Allah
      a reference to Abraham

      Q5.
      Which of the following actions is considered halal in Islam?

      drinking alcohol
      eating pork
      Correct answer: donating to charity

      5 Questions

      Q1.
      How many obligatory prayers are Muslims instructed to perform each day?

      four
      Correct answer: five
      six

      Q2.
      Can Muslims pray alone, or must they always pray in a group?

      only alone
      only with family
      Correct answer: both are allowed

      Q3.
      One difference in prayer between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims is that ...

      Correct answer: Shi’a Muslims may place their forehead on a clay tablet during prostration.
      Shi’a Muslims face a different direction when praying.
      Sunnis do not perform prostration.

      Q4.
      The Friday congregational prayer is known as prayer.

      Correct Answer: Jummah, jummah

      Q5.
      When are Sunni Muslims permitted to combine prayers?

      only during Ramadan
      when feeling lazy
      Correct answer: during periods of travel, illness, or hardship

      To help you plan your 10 religious education lesson on: Salah in the home and mosque, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...