How many times do Sikhs pray?

Answer 1

I read somewhere Sikhs pray 5 times a day. I did not know this as I am a Sikh myself and I thought there were 2 main prayers, Morning and evening. Can someone shed some light on this, thank you.

Sikhs are to go to Gurudwara two times a day, in the morning and in the evening. For prayers, there is nitnem which is that, Sikh would read and contemplate on five banis in the morning, one in the evening and one before bedtime.

So there are three times when a Sikh would pray in a day. But as you said depending on how much one can put his/her effort one can do two times a day too.

3rd Answer

Again, like most other things religion is optional. If religion is optional then so are prayers. There are different types of Sikhs: the everyday Sikhs that look like you and me (cut their hair, eat meat and maybe don't pray much) and then on the other hand there are Amritdhari Sikhs. In word an Amritdhari Sikhs would be referred to as "baptised" Sikhs.

These Sikhs are required to do there 5 banis (5 morning prayers) every morning, Rehras Sahib in the afternoon and then Soheila Sahib also know as Kirtan Soheila in the evening (bedtime prayer). These type of Sikhs are also required to do Ardaas after every prayer. Ardaas is simple way of thanking god for all that he has given you, for making a wish and remembering those who sacrificed their lives long ago.

Now going back to the other types of Sikhs, some may follow this commitment and others may not. Nothing is forcefully done in the Sikh faith as everything is optional; however, in the Sikh holy scriptures it is implied many times that a Sikh is to be an Amritdhari Sikh.