Miscellaneous / General
By
Justice Maulana Muhammad Taqi Usmani
Was Salah Obligatory On The Previous Ummahs?


Q. The Five times salah (namaz) is obligatory on the muslims was it also obligatory on other ummahs?
                                                                                             (S.A.Naviwala,Karachi)
A
It is evident from the study of the Holy Quran and Sunnah that the salah was also obligatory on all the previous prophets and their followers, but there is not authentic record available to show exact form of prayer enjoined upon different prophets. Similarly it cannot be said with certainty as to how many times in day they were ordered to perform prayers. there are some reports giving some details in this respect, but they are too weak to be relied upon.