The second pillar, “performing the five prayers at their correct time”, (Quran 2:238; 7:170; 20:14) is one of the actions within Islam which build up a Muslim to a practice of discipline. The prayers are set at intervals starting from before sunrise and ending up well after sunset (Quran 4:103). In performing the prayers Muslims follow a set of activities outlined in the Quran and explained in the ahadith. This pillar offers several links towards the Islamic health continuum. From the indirect stage, its psychodynamics of ritual, in the performance of the prayers, offers routine meditation, which results in a sense of relaxation, hopefulness, contentment and positive emotions that could be said are the building blocks of the ‘Sense of Coherence’ coined by Antonovsky (1979, 1987). A more direct link towards health is seen in the habitual steps that a Muslim has to do prior to performing the prayers. One of the steps is performing the ablution, which involves the washing of ones face, washing hands to the elbows, rubbing the head with water and washing the feet up to the ankles respectively (Quran 5:6, Sahih Bukhari Volume 1 Book 4, No 137-140). In this act Muslims are duty-bound to clean themselves at least five times in a day, clearly a sign of the importance of hygiene within Islam.

Reference:

Antonovsky, A. (1987). Unraveling the mystery of health: How people manage stress and stay well. 1st ed. San fransisco. Jossey-Bass Publishers

Antonovsky, A. (1979). Health , Coping and Stress. 1st ed. 433 California street, San Fransisco, Califronia 94104. Jossey-Bass Inc.

Khan M. M.(2001). Sahih Bukhari Translation. Muslim Student Association, University of Southern California. Web site