Salah

Salah (Arabic: ٱلصَّلَاةُ, romanized: aṣ-Ṣalāh) is the principal form of worship in Islam. Facing the Kaaba in Mecca, it consists of units called rak’ah (specific set of movements), during which the Quran is recited, and prayers from the Sunnah are typically said. The number of rak’ah varies from prayer to prayer. Minor details of performing salah may differ according to the madhhab (school of Islamic jurisprudence) of the person performing it.

Salah may refer to the form of worship in general, or specifically to the daily obligatory prayers performed by Muslims, observed three or (most commonly) five times a day. The obligatory prayers play an integral part in the Islamic faith, being the second and the most important pillar (After Shahadah) from the Five Pillars of Islam for Sunnis, and one of the Ancillaries of the Faith for Shiites. In addition, supererogatory salah may be performed by Muslims at any time with a few exceptions, or at specific times in accordance with the Sunnah.

Wudu (Ritual Purity) is a must prerequisite for performing salah. Muslims may perform salah alone or in congregation. Some of these prayers are special and are exclusively performed in congregation, such as the Friday salah and Eid prayers, both are performed with a khutbah (sermon). Some concessions are made for Muslims who are physically unable to perform the salah in its original form, or are travelling.

Muslims before (even during time of prophet Muhammad) were praying toward Bayt al-Maqdis (بيت المقدس, bayt al-maqdis) prior to change of qiblah (قبلة), then they started to turn their faces toward al-Masjid al-Haram.Another thing is that Daniel was praying toward Jerusalem, and was praying three times a day. In the Bible, it is stated about Daniel מצלא, meaning “one who prays” or “prayer”. Root of the adjective is stated as either צְלָא or צָלִי or צלה. The root of מצלא has a cognate in Arabic, and also the adjective has a cognate in Arabic as مُصَلٍّ (muṣallin) and also a version of that adjective is found in the Quran as الْمُصَلِّينَ.

wikipedia/en/Salah

The unique and elevated status of salah (prayer) in Islam, it is the only command of Allah that was not revealed through wahy (revelation) but was instead given as a gift to the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) when he was called to the heavens during the Isra wal Mi’raj (Night Journey and Ascension).

Istikhara and istishara are both Islamic practices for making decisions: 

• Istikhara

  A prayer for guidance from Allah, seeking the best and most appropriate choice. The term literally means “to seek that which is good”. Istikhara is often performed for big decisions, such as choosing a career, getting married, or buying a house.

• Istishara

  Consulting with trusted individuals who are knowledgeable about the topic at hand. The Prophet Muhammad often consulted with Abu Bakr and Umar.

Istikhara is part of a three-step decision-making process: 

1. Preparation: Use your own reasoning and assess your circumstances.
2. Istishara: Ask for advice from someone who is knowledgeable about the topic.
3. Istikhara: Ask Allah for guidance if you are still conflicted in making your final decision.

To perform istikhara, you can: 

1. Wash yourself
2. Pray two non-obligatory rak’ahs
3. Recite the du’a of istikhara, mentioning your need

The answer to an istikhara may be your heart inclining towards one option, or it may be something better that Allah brings about.