And if you fear (an enemy), perfrom Salât (pray) on foot or riding^[]. And when you are in safety, offer the Salât (prayer) in the manner He has taught you, which you knew not (before).

The verse mentioned above refers to Allah telling us that in any condition, regardless if one is in a war, or any other condition, it is a must to perform prayers. Now one can see most of the time, that the enemies are more than the believers in the battle field, but still there is no forgiveness for prayer, because in any condition help comes only through prayer (salah), regardless in the time of peace, or in the time of an emergency, or if someone is sick, or if one is in a financial difficulty. Whoever does not seek help through salah (prayer) from Allah, then he or she is only misguided by Satan. 

Before praying any prayer, ablution (wudhu) is a must. (click here to find out how to perform ablution.) 

This prayer is performed during the afternoon. The timings of this prayer roughly is in winter after 12:30, and in the summer after 1:15.

The accurate timings can be observed according to there local cities, which maybe available through Islamic centers, and mosques. 

If one enters a mosque after performing ablution (wudhu), he or she should pray two voluntarily prayers, this should be done every time except, if the congregation in a mosque already has started, then that person must join the prayer immediately, do not try and read sunnah or voluntary prayers.

And perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give Zakât, and Irka' (i.e. bow down or submit yourselves with obedience to Allâh) along with Ar­Raki'ûn.

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salât (the prayer). Truly! Allâh is with As-Sâbirin (the patient ones, etc.).

• Have an intention in your mind before starting any prayer. Whether one is reading sunnah or obligatory prayers (fardh). This intention is not to be mentioned verbally. 

• The first four sets (rak'a) which are performed are according to Prophetic traditions (sunnah).

• Then after one must perform obligatory (fardh) four sets (rak'a).

• After finishing performing obligatory prayers, perform two more sets (rak'a), which is according to prophetic tradition. 

• One has an option after this to perform two voluntary prayers, if one has time. .

• The benefits of performing afternoon prayer apply to one if he works in a field, or has a white collared job. This prayer falls during the middle of the day, and we can see that the person has to stop work because of prayer. 

• One has to perform ablution (wudhu), which releases stress in the middle of the day, and gives us a chance to clean our exposed parts of our bodies. 

• One can enjoy a meal during this time, and this is a perfect break. And this is very good for our bodies' system in order, to take a break and eat at the right time. If one does not perform this prayer, he works like a horse, until sunset without any breaks. And he or she is happy that they were very busy, that they didn't have a chance to eat. And this is the way of Satan, and this causes as a result diabetes, and many other diseases, because of this eating disorder. 

• In some Islamic countries some take a siesta, where they lie down and sleep, and this action is found in the traditions of the Prophet. 

Now one may ask, what benefit is Allah getting when his creature is practicing Islam?

Allah is our creator, and he orders the best for us. And by following his orders he does not benefit, but we as his creations benefit, and we have a peaceful and easy life.