Authentic Salah References in Quran & Sunnah

The Authentic Guide to Salah in Quran & Sunnah

Salah, or Islamic prayer, is one of the five pillars of Islam and the cornerstone of a Muslim’s faith. It is the direct connection between the believer and Allah (SWT), offering spiritual fulfillment, discipline, and a constant reminder of submission to the Creator. The Quran and Sunnah—the teachings and practices of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)—provide extensive guidance on Salah, detailing its obligation, method, timings, and rewards. This article compiles all the key references to Salah from the Quran and authentic Hadith (classified as Sahih or Hasan), presenting them in a structured and accessible manner for students, researchers, and every sincere seeker of knowledge.

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1. Introduction to Salah

Salah is more than a ritual; it is an act of worship that engages the body, mind, and soul. Prayed five times a day, it reinforces a Muslim’s commitment to Allah (SWT) and instills discipline, peace, and purpose in everyday life. The Quran establishes Salah as a fundamental duty, while the Sunnah provides detailed explanations on its correct performance. Together, these sources form an inseparable framework for practicing Salah in its purest form.

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2. Quranic References to Salah

The Holy Quran explicitly mentions Salah in over 67 verses. These verses cover its obligatory nature, spiritual benefits, and detailed instructions. For clarity and ease of study, the references have been categorized by theme.

a. The Command to Establish Salah

These verses command Muslims to establish Salah regularly and with sincerity.

Surah	Verse Numbers
Al-Baqarah (2)	3–4, 43, 45, 83, 110, 153, 177, 238, 239, 277
An-Nisa (4)	36, 43, 77, 101, 102, 103, 142–143, 162
Al-Ma’idah (5)	6, 12, 49, 55, 58, 91, 106
Al-An’am (6)	72, 92, 162
Al-A’raf (7)	31, 170
Al-Anfal (8)	3
At-Taubah (9)	5, 11, 14, 18, 54, 71
Yunus (10)	57, 87
Hud (11)	87, 114
Ar-Ra’d (13)	22
Ibrahim (14)	31, 37, 40
Al-Isra (17)	78, 79, 82, 110
Maryam (19)	30–32, 55, 59–60
Ta-Ha (20)	14, 130, 132
Al-Anbiya (21)	73
Al-Hajj (22)	26, 35, 41, 78
Al-Mu’minun (23)	1–2
An-Nur (24)	37, 41, 56, 58
An-Naml (27)	3
Al-Ankabut (29)	45
Ar-Rum (30)	17–18, 31
Luqman (31)	4, 17
Al-Ahzab (33)	33, 56
Fatir (35)	18, 29–30
Ghafir (40)	66
Ash-Shura (42)	38 (and, in some compilations, up to 40)
Al-Mujadilah (58)	13
Al-Jumu’ah (62)	9, 10
Al-Ma’arij (70)	22–23, 34–35
Al-Muzzamil (73)	20
Al-Muddaththir (74)	43
Al-Bayyina (98)	5
Al-Ma’un (107)	4–6

Example:
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:43) states, “And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship].” This verse not only enjoins the performance of Salah but also underlines its communal nature and connection to other acts of worship.

b. The Spiritual Benefits of Salah

These verses emphasize the inner peace, guidance, and protection that come from regular prayer.

Surah	Verse Numbers
Al-Baqarah (2)	45, 153
Al-Mu’minun (23)	1–5 (emphasizing the believers’ attributes including regular prayer)
Al-Ankabut (29)	45
Al-Ma’arij (70)	19–23, 34–35

Example:
Surah Al-Ankabut (29:45) reminds us, “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing…” This highlights Salah as a means of spiritual purification.

c. Specific Instructions and Guidelines for Salah

These verses detail the timings, conditions, and methods of performing Salah.

Surah	Verse Numbers
An-Nisa (4)	43, 101, 102, 103
Al-Ma’idah (5)	6, 91
Al-Isra (17)	78, 110
An-Nur (24)	58
Al-Muzzammil (73)	20

Example:
Surah Al-Isra (17:78) instructs, “Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [until] the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an [recitation] at dawn.” This verse provides clear guidelines on the prayer timings, ensuring that believers perform Salah within its designated periods.

For further reading and detailed exegesis on these verses, you may visit trusted Islamic websites such as myislam.org.

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3. Hadith References in the Sunnah

The Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) complements the Quran by providing detailed instructions and clarifications on Salah. The following authentic Hadith are drawn from collections that are universally recognized as Sahih (sound) or Hasan (good).

a. Comprehensive List of Sahih Hadith on Salah

Sahih al-Bukhari

• References: 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 391, 438, 699, 700, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 1117, 223, 3291, 3435, 361, 6251, 6667, 740, 750
  

Sahih Muslim

• References: 28a, 384, 736, 737, 738, 741, 743, 744, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 1073, 1102, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1546, 1547, 1548, 1549, 1550, 1688, 402
  

b. Comprehensive List of Hasan Hadith on Salah

Sunan Abu Dawud

• References: 495, 567, 650, 727, 736, 737, 741, 745, 754, 756, 757, 758, 763, 771, 772, 775, 1116
  

Jami` at-Tirmidhi

• References: 4, 170, 221, 266, 329, 413, 1267, 2618, 2829, 3499, 515
  

Sunan an-Nasa’i

• References: 466, 467, 1286, 1297, 5470
  

Sunan Ibn Majah

• References: 1079, 1140, 1406, 3837
  

Key Examples:

• Sahih al-Bukhari 618: Narrated by Hafsa(R.A), where the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered two rak’ahs before the Fajr Iqama.
  
• Sahih al-Bukhari 694: Narrated by Abu Huraira(R.A), highlighting that the reward for correct congregational prayer is shared between the Imam and his followers.
  
• Sahih Muslim 710a: Emphasizes that no prayer is valid after Iqama except the obligatory one.
  
• Sunan Abi Dawud 2429: States that the best prayer after the obligatory ones is the night prayer.
  

These narrations underscore both the importance and the precise method of performing Salah as guided by the Prophet’s example.

For additional details and further exploration, scholars and students can visit Sunnah.com, which provides access to these collections.

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4. Conclusion

Salah is the fundamental pillar of Islam, derived from the authentic teachings of the Quran and the Sunnah. The Quranic verses not only command its performance but also outline its spiritual benefits and proper execution. Meanwhile, the authentic Hadith in Sahih and Hasan collections clarify every detail—ensuring that our practice of Salah remains pure and in line with the prophetic tradition.

I urge every Muslim to study these references carefully and integrate them into daily worship. By adhering strictly to these authentic sources, we ensure that our Salah is performed correctly and that our connection with Allah (SWT) is continually strengthened.

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5. Complete List of References

Quranic Verses Referencing Salah

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2): 3–4, 43, 45, 83, 110, 153, 177, 238, 239, 277
  
• Surah An-Nisa (4): 36, 43, 77, 101, 102, 103, 142–143, 162
  
• Surah Al-Ma’idah (5): 6, 12, 49, 55, 58, 91, 106
  
• Surah Al-An’am (6): 72, 92, 162
  
• Surah Al-A’raf (7): 31, 170
  
• Surah Al-Anfal (8): 3
  
• Surah At-Taubah (9): 5, 11, 14, 18, 54, 71
  
• Surah Yunus (10): 57, 87
  
• Surah Hud (11): 87, 114
  
• Surah Ar-Ra’d (13): 22
  
• Surah Ibrahim (14): 31, 37, 40
  
• Surah Al-Isra (17): 78, 79, 82, 110
  
• Surah Maryam (19): 30–32, 55, 59–60
  
• Surah Ta-Ha (20): 14, 130, 132
  
• Surah Al-Anbiya (21): 73
  
• Surah Al-Hajj (22): 26, 35, 41, 78
  
• Surah Al-Mu’minun (23): 1–2
  
• Surah An-Nur (24): 37, 41, 56, 58
  
• Surah An-Naml (27): 3
  
• Surah Al-Ankabut (29): 45
  
• Surah Ar-Rum (30): 17–18, 31
  
• Surah Luqman (31): 4, 17
  
• Surah Al-Ahzab (33): 33, 56
  
• Surah Fatir (35): 18, 29–30
  
• Surah Ghafir (40): 66
  
• Surah Ash-Shura (42): 38 (up to 40 in some readings)
  
• Surah Al-Mujadilah (58): 13
  
• Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62): 9, 10
  
• Surah Al-Ma’arij (70): 22–23, 34–35
  
• Surah Al-Muzzamil (73): 20
  
• Surah Al-Muddaththir (74): 43
  
• Surah Al-Bayyina (98): 5
  
• Surah Al-Ma’un (107): 4–6
  

Authentic Hadith References on Salah

Sahih Hadith Collections

• Sahih al-Bukhari: 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 391, 438, 699, 700, 703, 704, 705, 706, 707, 708, 709, 1117, 223, 3291, 3435, 361, 6251, 6667, 740, 750
  
• Sahih Muslim: 28a, 384, 736, 737, 738, 741, 743, 744, 746, 747, 748, 749, 750, 1073, 1102, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1546, 1547, 1548, 1549, 1550, 1688, 402
  

Hasan Hadith Collections

• Sunan Abu Dawud: 495, 567, 650, 727, 736, 737, 741, 745, 754, 756, 757, 758, 763, 771, 772, 775, 1116
  
• Jami` at-Tirmidhi: 4, 170, 221, 266, 329, 413, 1267, 2618, 2829, 3499, 515
  
• Sunan an-Nasa’i: 466, 467, 1286, 1297, 5470
  
• Sunan Ibn Majah: 1079, 1140, 1406, 3837

Muwatta Imam Malik

• Timing of Prayers: Discussion of prayer times based on shadow length (often considered the basis for calculating Dhuhr and Asr). (e.g., Muwatta Malik, Book 1: The Times of Prayer, Hadith 1.1.1 in Yahya ibn Yahya narration). Graded Sahih.
• Virtue of Congregational Prayer: The Hadith stating congregational prayer is 27 times more virtuous than praying alone. (e.g., Muwatta Malik, Book 5: Prayer in Congregation, Hadith 5.1.1). Graded Sahih (also found in Bukhari/Muslim but present and authentic here).
• Performing Wudu Correctly for Prayer: Emphasis on performing Wudu properly as a prerequisite for prayer’s acceptance. (e.g., Muwatta Malik, Book 2: Purity, Hadith 2.6.28). Graded Sahih.
• The Sutrah (Barrier for Prayer): Hadith recommending praying towards a sutrah (barrier). (e.g., Muwatta Malik, Book 9: Shortening the Prayer, Hadith 9.15.58). Graded Sahih.

Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal

• Importance (First Deed Judged): The Hadith mentioning that the first deed a servant will be accountable for on the Day of Judgment is Salah. If it is sound, the rest of his deeds will be sound. (e.g., Musnad Ahmad 16949, from Anas ibn Malik; Graded Sahih by Al-Albani and Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut). (Also found in Tirmidhi/Nasa’i, but has strong chains here).
• Method (Raising Hands): Narrations from Abdullah ibn Umar detailing the Prophet (PBUH) raising his hands at the beginning of prayer, before bowing, and upon rising from bowing. (e.g., Musnad Ahmad 4721, 5006; Graded Sahih by Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).
• Wudu as Prerequisite: The Hadith “Allah does not accept the prayer of one who nullified his ablution until he performs ablution.” (e.g., Musnad Ahmad 10166, from Abu Huraira; Graded Sahih by Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).
• Timings (Gabriel teaching the Prophet): The detailed Hadith where Angel Gabriel (Jibril) led the Prophet (PBUH) in prayer at the beginning and end times for each prayer over two days. (e.g., Musnad Ahmad 3274, from Ibn Abbas; Graded Hasan li ghayrihi – Hasan due to supporting evidence – by Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).

Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah

• Recitation (Necessity of Fatihah): The Hadith “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Fatihah (Opening Chapter of the Quran).” (e.g., Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 489, 490 from Ubadah ibn al-Samit). Graded Sahih.
• Method (Prostration on Seven Bones): The Hadith commanding prostration on seven bones: the forehead (including the nose), the two hands, the two knees, and the tips of the two feet. (e.g., Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 633, from Ibn Abbas). Graded Sahih.
• Method (Placing Hands on Chest): Narration from Wa’il ibn Hujr describing the Prophet (PBUH) placing his right hand over his left on his chest during prayer. (e.g., Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 479). Authenticity discussed by commentators like Al-A’zami; often considered Sahih or Hasan.

Sahih Ibn Hibban (Often arranged by topic divisions – Taqasim wa Anwa’)

• Virtue (Expiation of Sins): The Hadith stating that the five daily prayers, and Jumu’ah to Jumu’ah, expiate the minor sins committed between them, so long as major sins are avoided. (e.g., Sahih Ibn Hibban 1733; Graded Sahih by Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).
• Method (Opening Takbir): Hadith emphasizing the importance and method of the opening Takbir (Allahu Akbar). (e.g., Sahih Ibn Hibban 1770, 1880; Graded Sahih by Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).
• Khushu’ (Concentration): Hadith encouraging concentration, such as praying as if it is one’s last prayer. (e.g., Sahih Ibn Hibban 738; Graded Hasan by Shu’ayb al-Arna’ut).

Sunan al-Darimi

• Importance (Pillar of Islam): Mentioned within Hadith that list the foundations of Islam, establishing Salah as a core pillar. (e.g., Sunan al-Darimi 66, related to the foundations of Islam). Graded Sahih.
• Method (Sitting Position/Tashahhud): Descriptions of how the Prophet (PBUH) sat for Tashahhud. (e.g., Sunan al-Darimi 1356, 1357). Graded Sahih.
• Congregation (Emphasis): Hadith highlighting the virtue and importance of praying in congregation, especially for men in the mosque. (e.g., Sunan al-Darimi 1274, 1275). Graded Sahih.

May this comprehensive guide serve as a reliable resource for deepening your understanding and practice of Salah. Insha’Allah, by following the authentic teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, our worship remains pure and our connection with Allah (SWT) ever strong.

We have strived to make this guide a valuable resource for understanding the foundations of Salah in the Quran and Sunnah. If you find anything missing, incorrect, or in need of updating, please do let us know in the comments below, and Insha Allah (God willing), we will review and update this article accordingly to ensure its accuracy and comprehensiveness