1 of 8

Sifat-us-Salaah (The Prophets Prayer Described)

By Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-Uthaymeen
Explained by Abu Muadh Taqweem ( audio lectures on www.learntaboutislam.co.uk)
Send feedback @ bintshareef@hotmail.com

Lesson 1
INTRODUCTION
Sheikh Uthaymeen begins with an introduction in which he mentions the linguistic and legislative
meaning of the prayer, its virtues, great benefits and how it prevent you from falling into evil
actions and activities.

MEANING OF THE WORD AS-SALAH

Linguistically the word salah means duaa (supplication)
An example from Quraan where this word has been used for the meaning of supplication is from
Suratut-Tawbah ayah 103

and invoke Allah for them. Verily! Your invocations are a source of security for them (9:103)
And from the Prophets narration if one of you is invited for food, then accept that invitation
and if you were fasting then (yusalli) make duaa for that person atleast and if youre not fasting
then eat. (not actual wordings of the hadeeth)

Legislative meaning: in the shariah it has more specific meaning than just supplication.

Side note: Scholars mention that for a particular word, its shariah meaning will be same as its linguistic
meaning but with a few additions/restrictions.

So in the shariah salah is duaa (supplication) but it is a particular type of duaa, a particular type
of worship with specific statements and specific actions, which begin with the takbeer and end with
the tasleem.
This includes five daily prayers, jumuah prayer, janazah prayer,etc.
Sheikh mentions a further explanation would the tawaaf around the kabah be considered as
salah? Because there is a narration that tawaaf around the kabah is salah.

2 of 8
But this doesnt mean the shariah meaning of the salah. It rather would be a general supplication.
Sheikh also mentions that this narration is not proven/established anyway.

WHEN WAS THE PRAYER ESTABLISHED

Sheikh Uthaymeen states that the five daily prayers were prescribed before the Hijrah.
Our Prophet Muhammad became Prophet at the age of 40. He stayed in Makkah for
approximately 13 years before making the Hijrah. And the prayer was established just prior
to the end of that 13th year of prophethood because after that the Hijrah occurred.
Many scholars say it was just prior to the Hijrah not 10 or 5 years but 1 or 2 years
Many scholars say establishment of the prayer was on the night of Al-Isra wal-Meraj as it
is mentioned in the narration regarding Moosa that prayer was prescribed on the
night of Al-Isra wal-Meraj when the Prophet was taken up to the heavens physically
with his body and his soul (some people say it was a dream, and this saying isnt true).
Sheikh Uthaymeen says that it is not precisely known when the night of Al-Isra wal-Meraj
occurred. Some scholars say it was one year, some say 3 years and some say 5 years before
Hijrah. However, many say that it was closer to the Hijrah, a year or two prior to it.
Initially Allaah prescribed the prayer as 50 times a day. Prophet accepted that and he began
descending submitting to the command of Allaah. He is the leader of this ummaah, so him accepting
that would therefore mean an obligation upon the whole ummah. While descending he passed by
Moosa on the sixth heaven. Based upon his advice, our Prophet kept returning to his
Lord, getting the prayer reduced by 10 times upon every return (40,30,20,10) up until it was
reduced to 5 times a day. Again when Moosa advised him to ask for further reduction, he,
Muhammad said I have asked my Lord until I have become shy. Now with this five, I will be
content and will submit to that.
As he passed, a caller called out that I have given this ruling that youre content and I have lightened
the affairs upon my servant Saheeh Bukhari, Muslim (not actual wording of the hadeeth)
Thats when the prayer was established, on the night of Al-Isra wal-Meraj

NUMBER OF UNITS/RAKAH
Another point to note is that initially when the prayer was prescribed, all the prayers were 2 rakah
except for maghrib which has always been 3 rakah. Then when the Prophet made the Hijrah,
the prayer of a resident was increased to four rakah so, dhuhr asr, ishaa became 4, and
maghrib remained 3. Fajr also stayed at 2 as it is sunnah to elongate the fajr prayer. This
will be discussed in detail later.
As for a traveller, the ruling remained the same as the original 2 units, fajr, dhuhr, asr, and
ishaa 2 units, maghrib was always 3 rakah and it stayed at 3.

3 of 8
Narration by Imam al-Bukhari that the prayer was prescribed in 2 rakah, then the prophet
made the hijrah and after that it was prescribed as four. But for the traveller it was left upon its
original state, it was maintained as it was in 2s.
Imaam Ahmad mentioned in addition to the above narration except for the maghrib
because that is the odd number, and the morning prayer, the fajr, because in that one a person is
supposed to make long the recitation of fajr prayer.

Did the prayer exist in some form prior to the night of Al-Israa wal-Meraj?

Some of the scholars say that before the night of ascension, there was no prescribed
obligatory prayer as such except what has been mentioned about the night prayer, which is
something without any restriction or obligation on it.
Some of them took the opinion that there was a particular type of prayer that was obligated
upon the Muslims prior to the prescribing of the five prayers that we know now which
was one for the morning and one for the evening.
And Sheikh says that Allaah knows best.
What we know with certainty is that on the night of Al-Israa wal-Meraj, the five obligatory prayers
were prescribed just prior to the Hijrah of the Prophet .

IMPORTANCE OF THE PRAYER IN ISLAAM

Sheikh Uthaymeen mentions - indeed the prayer has great importance and a very high
position/rank in Islam.
1. The Second highest/greatest pillar of Islaam
It is the most important pillar of Islaam after the shahaadatain. This indicates the level and
the status of the prayer.
2. If a believer was to abandon the salah, he becomes a kaafir/exits out of the fold of Islaam
Sheikh Uthaymeen says: We are not just saying that to scare people or to encourage people
to pray, but rather this saying is based upon evidences from the Book and the Sunnah and the
statements of the sahaaba that the one who abandons the prayer is a kaafir. Details will be
discussed later.
As for the other pillars, saum, zakah, they are issues which the scholars have not mentioned
to this level of severity that one who abandons them becomes a kaafir. This indicates how
important this pillar (as-salah) is.
3. Prophet taken up to receive the revelation

4 of 8
Normally when the revelation was to come, Jibreel would bring it to the Prophet
. However with the prayer, its legislation was not revealed in the same way, it wasnt brought
down to the Prophet by Jibreel . In fact the opposite occurred. The Prophet himself was
taken up to the heavens to receive this revelation. This indicates the greatness of this pillar
4. Legislation directly from Allaah
Previously revelation used to come via Jibreel . This time it was given to the
Prophet directly by Allaah subhanahu wa taala.
5. The Number of Units
The very fact that initially Allaah prescribed it as 50 rakah indicates the love of Allaah for
this worship. It also indicates its importance and that it is deserving that a servant should
spend his time in the prayer. If it was 50 then a large amount of our time would have been
spent in the prayer.
6. Reward of 50 for 5
When it was lightened from 50 to 5 from the mercy of Allaah subhanahu wa taala. The
actual action is only 5, but it is equivalent to 50 in the meezaan (scale)
7. Obligation to be upon purity
This act of worship cannot be done unless youre upon purification whereas other acts of
worship can be done without wudhoo. Not only the person has to be upon purity, his
clothing, the ground on which he prays has to be upon purity. The person has to be upon
purity internally (heart) and externally. For other acts of Islaam (charity, etc.), such
conditions are not made.

VIRTUES OF THE PRAYER

There are a great number of benefits and virtues a servant achieves through sticking to the five
daily prayers and performing them.
Sheikh says there are multiple narrations in the Book of Allaah and in the sunnah of the Messenger
which indicate the virtue of the prayer and to guard over that prayer, to encourage you upon the
performance of that prayer.
One such example from Quran is from Suratul Muminoon;

-
Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full
submissiveness. (Suratul Muminoon, 23:1-2)
Here, Allaah has linked success with the establishment of the prayer with khushoo.

5 of 8
Similarly it is mentioned in other aayaat of the Quraan regarding how Paradise is for the people
who guard over their prayers;

-



And those who guard their Salat (prayers) well. Such shall dwell in the Gardens (i.e. Paradise)
honoured. (Surat Al-Ma`arij, 70:34-35)

Recite (O Muhammad ) what has been revealed to you of the Book (the Quran), and perform AsSalat (Iqamat-as-Salat). Verily, As-Salat (the prayer) prevents from Al-Fahsha' (i.e. great sins of
every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every
kind of evil wicked deed, etc.) and the remembering (praising, etc.) of (you by) Allah (in front of the
angels) is greater indeed [than your remembering (praising, etc.) Allah in prayers, etc.]. And Allah
knows what you do. (Surat Al-Ankaboot, 29:45)
The fact that Allaah specifically mentioned about establishing the prayer, indicates its importance
and virtues.
Hadeeth of Abdullah bin Umar radiyallahu anhuma where a man came to the Prophet asking
about the best act of worship. Prophet said as-salah. The man asked three times and all three times
the Prophet said as-salah (not actual wording of the hadeeth)
Another hadeeth in ibn Majah - Prophet said know the best of your actions of obedience is assalah. (not actual wording of the hadeeth)

BENEFITS OF THE PRAYER

1. It brings peace and tranquilty to the soul of the person who guards his five daily prayers
properly
2. It is the coolness of the eyes (hadeeth), peacefulness of the soul, tranquility of the heart
3. In another narration, Prophet used to say to Bilaal radiyallahu anh stand O Bilal (do the
adhan, iqamah), and give us peace and comfort with the prayer (not actual wording of the
hadeeth)
4. The prayer is supplication (duaa) hadeeth. And the remembrance of Allaah brings upon
comfort to the heart (Quraan 13:28)
5. The prayer will prevent you from committing evil and acts of disobedience (Quran 29:45)
6. Sheikh mentions - The one who establishes prayer and guards over it, it will help him in his
religious affairs (makes them better for you) and his worldly affairs (things will be
improved)
7. As mentioned in some of the narrations regarding prayer that it expiates your minor sins

6 of 8
-

If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day,
would you notice any dirt on him?" They [the companions] said, "Not a trace of dirt would
be left." The Prophet then said: "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allaah
wipes out evil deeds." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
The five daily prayers, and from one Jumuah to the next, are an expiation for whatever
sins come in between, so long as one does not commit any major sin [Muslim 233]

8. Prayer is a connection between yourself and your Lord. So if a person stands to pray, Allah
is in front of you/connection establishes. Closest you are to your Lord, is when you are in
prostration-hadeeth

7 of 8

WORKSHEET 1
Q1: What is the meaning of the Arabic word "salah" linguistically?
A1: The linguistic meaning of Arabic word salah is duaa (supplication)
Q2. What is the meaning of salah legislatively speaking?
A2: In the legislation, salah is a particular type of duaa, a particular type of worship with specific
statements and actions, which begin with the takbeer and end with the tasleem.
Q3. When was prayer prescribed upon this ummah?
A3. The prayer was prescribed before Hijrah on the night of Al-Isra wal-Meraj. Scholars differ with
regard to the number of years before Hijrah. Some say one or two years, some say three or five or
upto ten years before Hijrah. However the majority of them say that it was prescribed an year
or two prior to the Hijrah. Allahu Alam
Q4. Explain how the prayer was initially prescribed and what occurred between the prophet
sallallaahu alayhi wasallam and Moosa alayhis-salaam
A4. The Prophet was taken up to the seventh heaven and Allaah commanded him with 50 prayers in
a day. While descending, on the sixth heaven the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam met Moosa
alayhis-salaam who advised him to get the prayer reduced as he feared that Prophet Muhammads
ummah will not be able to carry it out just like his (Moosa alayhis-salaam) ummah couldnt carry it
out. So our Prophet sallallaahu alayhi wasallam kept returning to his Lord and getting the prayer
reduced by 10s (40,30,20,10) upon every return until it was finally reduced to 5 times a day. When
Moosa alayhis-salaam adviced him to ask for further reduction, he (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam)
said that he is content with it now and is shy of his Lord.
Q5. Mention 5 distinguishing factors of the prayer indicating its importance.
A5. As follows:
1. It is the second greatest important pillar of Islam
2. One who abandons it is a kaafir
3. All other revelations and commandments came down to the Prophet, while for the
prayer he was taken up to the heavens.
4. Jibreel alayhis-salaam was an intermediary for all other revelations, while the
command for prayer was received directly from Allaah
5. The very fact that it was initially prescribed as 50 times a day indicate the love of Allaah
for this act of worship
Q6. Mention 2 virtues of the prayer.
A6. Mentioned below
1. In Suratul Muminoon, Allaah has linked success with the establishment of the prayer with
khushoo

8 of 8
2. In Suratul Maarij, those who guard over their prayers, such people will dwell in the
Paradise
Q7. Explain how the prayer brings tranquillity to the heart?
A7. The one who guards over his five prayers every day, properly, it brings tranquility to his heart.
It is the coolness of the eyes, peacefulness of the soul, tranquility of the heart. Prophet said: the
coolness of my eyes (i.e. which gives the tranquility, the serenity, the peace) is in the salah (not
actual wordings of the hadeeth).
Q8. Explain how the prayer prevents a person from incorrect actions and behavior
A8. One who performs/establishes the prayer properly with khushoo, then it will help him from
performing evil acts and acts of disobedience as it occurs in Quraan 29:45
Q9. Explain how the prayer aids a person in his religious and worldly affairs
A9. The one who establishes his prayers and guards over it, will be aided in his religious affairs as
well as worldly affairs will be improved for him.
Q10. Explain how the prayer expiates sins
A10. The prayer wipes out the minor sins as it occurs in Saheeh Bukhari and Muslim that it is the
example of the prayer that it wipes out the sins. Also, five prayers and prayer from Jumuah to
Jumuah wipes out the sins that occur between them.
Q11. Explain the concept of the prayer being a connection between the servant and his Lord
A11. If a person stands to pray then Allaah faces him and the connection between the servant and
his Lord occurs. The closest a person to his Lord, is when he is in prostration (hadeeth-not actual
wordings)
Q12. Mention 2 ayahs of the Qur'an that warn against slacking or losing the prayer
A12. Not discussed in the first lesson.