Huge difference in the way Islamic prayer and majusi prayer are conducted.

Zoroastrians traditionally pray several times a day. Some wear a kusti, which is a cord knotted three times, to remind them of the maxim, 'Good Words, Good Thoughts, Good Deeds'. They wrap the kusti around the outside of a sudreh, a long, clean, white cotton shirt. They may engage in a purification ritual, such as the washing of the hands, then untie and then retie it while reciting prayers.

Prayers are primarily invocational, calling upon and celebrating Ahura Mazda and his good essence that runs through all things. Prayers are said facing the sun, fire or other source of light representing Ahura Mazda's divine light and energy.

Purification is strongly emphasised in Zoroastrian rituals. Zoroastrians focus on keeping their minds, bodies and environments pure in the quest to defeat evil (Angra Mainyu). Fire is seen as the supreme symbol of purity, and sacred fires are maintained in Fire Temples (Agiaries). These fires represent the light of God (Ahura Mazda) as well as the illuminated mind, and are never extinguished. No Zoroastrian ritual or ceremony is performed without the presence of a sacred fire.Each Salah is made up of repeating units known as rakat (Arabic: رَكَعَات sing. rak'ah). Each prayer may consist of two to four rakat. Each rak'ah consists of specific movements and recitations. On the major elements there is consensus, but on minor details there may be different views. Between each position there is a very slight pause. The takbir which is read as Allahu Akbar (lit. Allah is The Greatest), is recited during the time when one goes from one position of prayer to another.

Beginning Edit

Before prayer, a Muslim should always perform Wudhu, an act in which he first washes his hands, cleans his mouth and nose, washes his face, washes his arms up to the elbow, then with his wet hands wipes over his head including his ears and then finally washes his feet.

Intention, known as niyyah, is a prerequisite for salah, and what distinguishes real worship from 'going through the motions'. Some authorities hold that intention suffices in the heart, and some require that it be spoken, usually under the breath.[16][17]

The person praying begins in a standing position known as qiyam, although people who find it difficult to do so may begin while sitting or lying on the ground.[5] This is followed by the raising of the hands to the head and recitation of the takbīr, known in combination as takbīrat al-iḥrām or takbīrat at-taḥrīmah (consecratory takbir).Takbir is read as Allahu Akbar (lit. Allah is The Greatest). One then lowers their hands. First Takbir represents the beginning of prayer. From this point forward one praying may not converse, eat, or do things that are otherwise halal. A Muslim must keep his vision low during prayer, looking at the place where his face will contact the ground during prostration.[17][18][19]

Common elements of each rakat Edit

Still standing, the next principal act is the recitation of Al-Fatiha, the first chapter of the Quran. This chapter begins with praise of Allah and then a supplication is made to Allah . In the first and second rakat, another portion of the Quran is recited following the Fatiha. This is followed by saying Allah O Akbar ( lit. " Allah is The Greatest ") and raising the hands up to the ear lobes(Rafah yadain) followed by Rakooh which is bowing from the waist, with palms placed on the knees (depending on the madhhab, rules may differ for women). While bowing, those praying generally utter words of praise under their breath, such as سبحان ربي العظيم (lit. "Glory be to my Lord, the Most Magnificent"), thrice or more. As the worshipper straightens their back, they say سمع الله لمن حمده (lit. "God hears the one who praises him.") and ربنا لك الحمد (rabbanā laka l-ḥamd, "Our Lord, all praise be to you.")[17]

Mosque.jpg Yemeni Muslim in sujūd, performing salah in the desert during the North Yemen Civil War (above). Syrians in sujūd performing salah in jama'ah behind an imam (below).

This is followed by saying Allah O Akbar ( lit. " Allah is The Greatest ") and raising the hands up to the ear lobes and then the worshipper kneels and prostrates with the forehead, nose, knees, palms and toes touching the floor, saying سبحان ربى الأعلى (lit. "Glory be to my Lord, the Most High"). After a short while in prostration the worshipper very briefly rises to sit, then returns to the ground a second time. Lifting the head from the second prostration completes a rak'ah. If this is an odd (first or third) rak'ah, one returns to a standing position and begins another rak'ah. If an even (second or fourth) unit, the worshiper proceeds to sit and recite the tashahhud, salawat and other prayers.[17] Many schools hold that the right index finger is raised when reciting the salawat.[17] If the worshipper then intends to finish their prayer, they perform the taslim (illustrated below), or continue with a new rak'ah. Mistakes in salah are believed to be compensated for by prostrating twice at the end of the prayer, known as sujud sahwi.[20] The taslim is read as Assalamualaikum wa rahmatullah (lit "Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you All"). Taslim represents end of prayer.totally different procedure.