The correct answer is 10th Nabvi. The mandate for the five daily prayers (Salat) was established during the 10th year of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mission in Makkah, a period commonly referred to as the 10th Nabvi. This specific year... Read More
The correct answer is 10th Nabvi. The mandate for the five daily prayers (Salat) was established during the 10th year of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mission in Makkah, a period commonly referred to as the 10th Nabvi. This specific year is profoundly significant in Islamic history, not only for this legislative change but also because it is known as the Aam-ul-Huzn (the Year of Sorrow) due to the passing of the Prophet's beloved wife, Hazrat Khadija (RA), and his protective uncle, Abu Talib. It was against this backdrop of personal grief that the miraculous journey of Isra wal-Mi'raj (The Night Journey and Ascension) took place, during which the gift of the five prayers was bestowed upon the Muslim Ummah.
According to historical and hadith literature, the Prophet (PBUH) was transported from the Great Mosque in Makkah to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and from there, he ascended through the seven heavens. It was at the highest point of this celestial journey, beyond the Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Furthest Boundary), that the command for prayer was directly communicated by Allah.
Initially, the command was for fifty prayers a day. However, historical accounts narrate a series of returns where the Prophet (PBUH), following the advice of Prophet Musa (AS), requested a reduction in the number to alleviate the burden on his followers. Eventually, the number was reduced to five, yet with the divine promise that the reward for these five would equal the reward of fifty. This established the 10th Nabvi as the formal start of the daily prayer cycle as we know it today.
Before the 10th Nabvi, the early Muslim community did not pray five times a day. Historical records indicate that in the very early years of Islam, the believers typically performed two prayers—one in the morning and one in the evening. The transition to the five specific timings (Fajr, Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha) marked a maturing of the Islamic faith and provided a rigorous spiritual structure for the growing community. This change served to distinguish the Muslims' daily routine from the pagan rituals of Makkah and the practices of other contemporary religions.
The introduction of compulsory prayer in the 10th Nabvi acted as a spiritual anchor for the Muslims during their most difficult years of persecution. Following the Year of Sorrow, the community was under immense pressure. The institution of Salah provided a systematic way for the believers to recharge their faith five times a day. It fostered a sense of discipline and collective identity that would be essential for the upcoming Hijrah (migration) to Madinah just three years later.
Since that moment in the 10th Nabvi, the structure of the five prayers has remained unchanged for over 1,400 years. Unlike other religious laws that evolved or were modified, the "Five Prayers" became a permanent pillar of the faith. This historical milestone is a testament to the central role of Salah; it was the only obligation delivered directly to the Prophet (PBUH) in the heavens, rather than through the Angel Jibril on Earth. This unique delivery method underscores why the 10th Nabvi remains one of the most studied and respected years in the Islamic chronological timeline.
Discussion
Leave a Comment