Prayer in Islam vs. Christianity: Key Differences
- Jun 9
- 8 min read
Updated: Jun 10
Understanding Islamic Prayer: A Guide for Christians
When was the last time you offered to pray for someone? For many of us, prayer can fluctuate between a daily delight and an occasional reaching out. However, understanding how our Muslim neighbors view prayer—Salat—is a powerful way to engage them with the Gospel.
Muslims are obligated to pray in hopes of earning Allah’s favor and salvation, but Christians delight in the Lord through prayer. To understand Islamic prayer, we need to answer three questions: Why do Muslims pray, when do Muslims pray, and how must Muslims pray? Then we will discuss how Christian prayer is different from Muslim prayer.
Why do Muslims pray?
In Islam, prayer is not a conversation; it is the second of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is a mandatory practice required of every believer. There are three primary reasons a Muslim performs their prayers:
1. To Avoid the Sin of Neglect
In Islam, neglecting prayer is considered a grave sin. According to Sahih Muslim 82b, Islam’s prophet, Muhammad, stated that abandoning prayer is equivalent to rejecting Islam entirely. For a Muslim, prayer is the primary boundary between belief and unbelief.
2. To Fulfill a Mandatory Duty
The Quran establishes prayer as a strict requirement for all believers.
"Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times." Quran 4:103
3. To Earn Points Toward Paradise
Islamic theology often views deeds on a scale. Prayers are seen as "points" or "good deeds" that can outweigh evil deeds on the day of judgment.
Cleansing from Sin: In Sahih al-Bukhari 528, prayer is compared to a river that washes away dirt, symbolizing the removal of sin.
A Requirement for Heaven: The Quran suggests that "good deeds wipe out evil deeds" (Quran 11:114), and specific prayers are tied directly to salvation. For example, Sahih al-Bukhari 574 claims that those who pray the two "cool prayers" (Fajr and Asr, the dawn and late afternoon prayers), will enter paradise.
Clearly, Islam teaches that prayer purchases forgiveness from Allah, while failing to pray puts a Muslim’s salvation in jeopardy.
When do Muslims pray?
Muslims do not get the freedom to choose when to pray or even how much they pray. The Quran requires five specific prayer times throughout the day, known as the Five Daily Prayers:
Fajr: Before sunrise
Zuhr: At midday
Asr: Late afternoon
Maghrib: After sunset
Isha: In the late evening
How long does Islamic prayer take?
On average, observing these five required prayers means that a Muslim prays for a minimum of 20–30 minutes per day, though many Muslims spend considerably longer. The difference in time depends on how quickly the Muslim says the prayers, and whether they choose to repeat them more than the minimum for additional points.
Some Muslims will spend a longer time reciting additional glorification of god (Tasbih) and blessings upon the prophet (Salawat) (source).
The Structure of Prayer: What is a Rakaat?
Islamic prayers consist of segments called Rakaat (meaning “kneelings”). Each of the five daily prayers has to include the correct number of these segments to be valid. (source).
Salat vs. Du-aa: When Does Allah Listen? It is important to distinguish between mandatory ritual prayer (Salat) and personal requests, known as Du-aa (supplication).
Salat: Fixed, repetitive, and ritualistic.
Du-aa: Personal requests that must be done separately.
Interestingly, Islamic tradition teaches that there are specific times of the day when Allah is more "ready" to hear these personal supplications: (source)
The last third of the night: Believed to be the most powerful time, when Allah calls out to see who is seeking his help.
During prostration (sujud): This is the time when a believer is considered physically and spiritually closest to God.
Between the two calls to prayer: The window between the Adhan and the Iqamah.
While rain is falling: Because rain is viewed as a physical descent of Allah's mercy.
The final hour of Friday: The short window just before sunset on the holy day.
What a stark contrast from the God of the Bible, the Heavenly Father, who is ready to hear His children at any time!
How must Muslims pray? (The rules of Salat)
For a Muslim’s prayers to be heard, Muslims are told that they must follow a rigid set of guidelines. As our co-founder Samya explains: “Every aspect of the Muslim’s prayer has rewards if practiced correctly and penalties if ignored.” (source)
To ensure their prayer is accepted, Muslims must:
Face Mecca: All prayers must be directed toward the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca).
Pray in Arabic: Regardless of their native language, the prayer must be recited in formal, classical Arabic—similar to a modern English speaker being required to use Shakespearean English.
Imitate the Imam: When praying in a mosque, men especially must perfectly mirror the movements of the leader (Imam).
Pay back missed prayers: If a prayer is missed, it is treated like a debt or a loan that must be "paid back" later. (source)
The Requirement of Ablution (Wudu)
One of the most important rules of Islamic prayer is ablution because the Quran demands physical cleanliness. Ablution is the purification of specified parts of the body by washing with cold water before prayer. Here are the steps of ablution:
Saying the words: “In the name of Allah, most gracious and most merciful.”
Washing the hands, mouth, nose, face, and arms (up to the elbows) 3 times thoroughly.
Washing the head once and the inside and outside of the ears once, using the hands.
Washing the feet up to the ankles three times.
Drying the body with a clean towel and reciting the creed of Islam: “I witness that there is no god but Allah, and I witness that Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.” (source)
Reward Levels for Physical Posture
Muslims also have to position themselves in specified ways during prayer (source). Each prayer position earns a Muslim a reward. According to the Hadith, Muslims get:
A complete reward for standing while praying
A half reward for sitting while praying
A fourth of a reward for lying down while praying
The Seven Steps of Prayer for Muslims
There are seven stages or steps of prayer that Muslims must complete perfectly for the prayer to “count” and please Allah:
Opening: The Muslim recites “Allahu Akbar,” which means “god is the greatest”
Surah Al-Fatiha: Muslims recite the entire opening chapter of the Quran
Ruku (Bowing): Muslims bow and say “Subhana rabbiyal adheem” which means “glory be to my lord almighty”
I’tidal (Standing): As Muslims rise from the bow, they say “Allah hears those who praise him” and “our lord, praise be to you”
Sujud (Prostration): Muslims lower themselves to be facedown on the ground and say “Glory be to my lord, the most high”
Tashahhud (Sitting): Muslims then sit up and state the Shahadah, Statement of Faith, “There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is his messenger”
Taslim (Closing): Muslims turn their head right and left and say “Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you”
Prayer Rules: Muslim Men vs. Muslim Women
The requirements for prayer change based on gender:
Men are expected to attend congregational prayer on Fridays at noon. Praying in a mosque is said to earn 25 times more rewards than praying alone.
Women must pray behind or apart from men (preferably at home) and must cover their hair and body (except face and hands) during prayer (source).
What "Breaks" a Muslim's Prayer?
As you can see, Muslims have to do many things for their prayers to be accepted, but they must also avoid many things during prayer. They must:
Never forget to recite the first chapter of the Quran
Avoid putting their hands on their hips
Never look up during prayer (the Hadith says the person will be blinded)
Avoid being passed by a woman, a monkey, a donkey, or a black dog, so the prayer will not be rejected
Never burp or pass gas
Always be fully clothed
The Weight of Perfection in Islamic Prayers
Islamic prayer is filled with attempts at perfection and concerns about praying correctly. See our source here.
In Hadith 1312, Hadhaifah (one of Mohammad’s followers) saw a man praying whose bowing and prostration were lacking, and told him he had not truly been praying for forty years. Can you imagine being told that every prayer you ever said meant absolutely nothing? This is a constant fear Muslims wrestle with.
What makes Christian Prayer different from Muslim Prayer?
1. Prayer as Devotion, Not a Path to Salvation
Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer…” echoes the command to pray which is found throughout the Bible. But unlike Islamic prayer, the act of Christian prayer itself is not a way to be cleansed of sin nor to gain salvation.
2. The Limits of Human Effort
Isaiah 64:6 explains the twofold truth: that humans are unclean and that our “righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.” In other words, no amount of bathing or prayerful devotion can make a person clean enough to be in God’s presence. We cannot earn the Lord’s forgiveness and favor with our own deeds; That is why God prepared the way through the redemption work on the cross.
3. Spiritual Cleansing: The Role of Jesus Christ
We are incapable of spiritually cleansing ourselves and are utterly hopeless without Jesus. Jesus is the only One who can wash us clean. As Titus 3:5 says: “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit…” This is exactly why Jesus says to Peter in John 13:8 “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
To learn more about the difference between Christian and Islamic prayer, read here.
Why do Christians Pray?
Hebrews 10:22 urges Christians to “draw near” to the Lord, as our hearts have been "sprinkled clean” and our bodies “washed with pure water.” As Christians, we should pray out of love for our Redeemer. Through prayer, we can talk to the Heavenly Father who lovingly listens and answers.
When do Christians Pray?
Christians are taught to converse with God all the time through prayer and talk about anything and everything. Consider these verses:
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
How do Christians Pray?
Jesus modeled prayer for the disciples with the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
Just a few verses earlier, in Matthew 6:6, Jesus warned the disciples against praying to get attention: “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”
How to Engage in Conversation with Muslims about Prayer
Muslims have the burden of making themselves presentable to Allah, but the blood of Christ makes all who believe in Him presentable to God. Christians pray like a child speaking to a loving father, while Islamic prayer is a structured obligation whose acceptance depends on correct performance — a stark contrast to the grace freely given through Christ.
When speaking with your Muslim friends about prayer, emphasize that Jesus loves us so much that He offers to wash away our sins forever. Ask your Muslim friend the questions posed in this blog:
Why do you pray?
When do you pray?
How do you pray?
Do you enjoy praying?
Does Allah answer your supplications?
Listen as they share their experience, then share about your own prayer life and how you have seen the Lord’s love, provision, and faithfulness.
Dear Lord, thank you for washing me of all my sins. Thank you also for the relationship I have with You through prayer. Please help Muslims see their need to be cleansed by You and to understand that salvation comes only through Your Son. Guide my conversations and shine Your light through me. Amen.
