PERFORM SALAAH CORRECTLY

Abu Ja'far Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-ṬaḥāwĪ, Imam Abu Ja'far al-ṬaḥāwĪ or simply al-ṬaḥāwĪ
was (843 or 853 to 933/321 AH) a famous Sunni Islamic Scholar who followed the Hanafi
madhhab.

Muhammad Amin Ibn Aabideen (1198–1252 AH / 1783–1836 AD) also known as Imam Ibn
Aabideen ash-Shami was a prominent Islamic scholar and Jurist who lived in the city of
Damascus in Syria during the Ottoman era. He was the authority of the Fiqh (Islamic
jurisprudence) of the Hanafi Madhhab (school of law). He states that, "jurists should not proceed
by strictly adhering to the authoritative books and opinions of the madhhab, but should also pay
attention to the needs of the people of his time, or else the harm he does will outweigh the
benefit."

Introduction: Salaah is a pillar of DEEN. The revered Companions, may Allaah be pleased with
them all, took great care while performing each single unit of the act of Salaah, and while doing
so, they continued learning about the Sunnah of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬from each other.

The objective is to explain the Masnoon method of and the step-by-step way of putting it into
practice with due manners. May Allaah Almighty make it beneficial for all of us and give us the
taufeeq it. Aamin.

According to Imam Abu Yusuf, it is commendable to recite the following invocation before Salaah:

(Inni wajjaht-u wajhiya lillazi fatar-s-

samawat-i wal-ardha hanif-am wama
ana min al-mushrikeen. Inna Salati wa
nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamaniillaahu
rabbil aalameen. La shareeka lahu wa
bizalika umirt-u wa ana awwal-uo-
muslimeen).

Holy Qur’aan: Surah-6 An Aam. Verses: 79, 80, 162 and 163.

"I have turned my face sincerely towards that Being Who created the heavens and the earth,
and I am not from among the idolatrous people. My Salaat and my rites of worship and my life
and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the universe, Who has no partner with Him. This is
what I have been enjoined and I am the first to surrender to Him'.

It was narrated that Jabir bin Abdullaah said: “When the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬started to pray, he would
say the takbir, then say: {‘Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lillaahi rabbil-alameen, la
sharika lahu, wa bidhalika umirtu wa ana min al-muslimeen. Allaahummahdini liahsanil-amali wa
ahsanil-akhlaqi la yahdi li ahsaniha illaa anta wa qini sayy'al-a'mali wa sayy'al-ahaqi la yaqi sayy'aha
illaa ant}. Indeed, my salaah (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allaah, the
Lord of all that exists. He has not partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am one of
the Muslims. Ya Allaah, guide me to the best of deeds and the best of manners, for one can
guide to the best of them but You. And protect me from bad deeds and bad manners, for none
can protect against them but You”. Sunan an Nasa’i. 896 Book-11, and Hadith no-21.

This is according to the Hanafi Imams. Imam Malik also has supported this view in one of his
sayings and Imam Shafi'i as well in one of his later pronouncements, though according to
Hadith, it is permissible to pronounce Aamin both audibly and inaudibly. One may follow and
practise either of the ways as both are based on the practice and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ‫ﷺ‬
Faraaidh 13. Outside 7& inside 6 (Mandatory Acts) of Salaah:

Jabir ibn Abdullaah reported: The Messenger of Allaah‫ ﷺ‬, peace and blessings be upon him,
said, “The key to Paradise is prayer, and the key to prayer is ablution. “Source: Sunan At-
Tirmidhi 4, Sahih Muslim and Musnad Ahmed.

1. Cleanliness of Body: The body has to be cleaned of all sorts of impurities,

whether these are impurities in effect or impurities in fact, and one must have
obtained purity either through Wudhu or, if need be, through Ghusl.

ِ ُّ ‫اَّللُ ُُِي‬
َ ‫ب الْ ُمطهه ِر‬
‫ين‬ ٌ ‫“فِ ِيه ِر َج‬Within it are men who love to purify themselves;
‫ال ُُِيبُّو َن أَن يَتَطَهُروا ۚ َو ه‬
and Allaah loves those who purify themselves.” [Surat At-Tawbah; 9:108].

Be careful about your ring wearing in right hand finger, while performing wudhu,
just move it and clean the finger. Water must reach all parts of body. And the ring
must have a nagina (stone) at a weight of 4 ½ Masha.

2. Cleanliness of Garments: All the garments including even the cap, socks, gloves,
etc., that one is wearing or having on one's body must be clean and pure beyond
any shadow of a doubt.

O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer…”
‫مس ي‬
[Al-A’raaf 7:31]. ‫جد‬ َ َ ‫آد َم ُخ ُذوا يزينَ تَ ُك ْم يع‬
ْ ‫ند ُك يل‬ َ ‫َي بَيِن‬
Indeed, Allaah is beautiful and He loves beauty .Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 1

َ‫َللاَ َ َج ِميلَ يُ ِحبَ ا ْل َج َما َل‬

ّ َّ‫إِن‬

‫ي‬ ِِ ُّ ‫اَّللَ ُُِي‬

‫َح ِسنُوا ۚ إِ هن ه‬
َ ‫ب الْ ُم ْحسن‬ ْ ‫ َوأ‬H.Q: 2:195. And do good, indeed Allaah love those who do
good.

3. Cleanliness of Place: The minimum requirement is that the place where one
intends to stand and where one's knees, hands and forehead would rest in Sajdah,
must be clean, whether it is a piece of plain ground or floor, or a mat, etc., but one
should also avoid standing for the Prayer at a place which is stinking with filth and
dirt around it.

Bukhari Hadith: Narrated by Ibn Abbas: Prophet‫ ﷺ‬was ordered (by Allaah) to prostrate
on seven parts and not to tuck the clothes and hair. Those parts are: the forehead (along
with tip of nose), both hands, both knees, and (toes of) both feet. [Ahmed 1764,].

4. Covering of Satar: For males, it is the part of the body between the navel and
the knee, and for females it is the whole body excluding the face, hands and feet.
Women should see that the ankles do not remain uncovered.
Bukhari: 5783 Book 77, Hadith-1 or Kitabul Libas: Vol-7 Book 7, Hadith-674.
Narrated Abdullaah bin Umar: Allaah’s Prophet‫ ﷺ‬said, 'Allaah will not look at
the person who drags his garment (behind him) out of pride.

Bukhari 5784, Book 77, Hadith-2 or Vol. 7 Hadith 675.Narrated by Abdullaah ibn Umar:
Allaah's Prophet‫ ﷺ‬, said "Allaah will not look, on the Day of Resurrection, at a person
who drags his Izar (behind him) out of pride‫ فخر‬and arrogance‫ تکبر‬. On that Abu Bakr
(r.a) said, “Ya Rasool Allaah ‫ !ﷺ‬One side of Izar (Dehband) hangs low if I do not take care
of it.” The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, 'You are not one of those who do that out of pride."

Bukhari: Narrated by Abu Hurairah: The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, “The part of an Izar which
hangs below the ankles is in the fire.” Also in another hadith: Allaah’s Prophet‫ ﷺ‬said,
'Allaah will not look at the person who drags his garment (behind him) out of pride ‫فخر‬

Bukhari Hadith: Book-12, No.774, 776, 779 Narrated by Ibn Abbas, The Prophet‫ ﷺ‬said,
“We have been ordered to prostrate on seven bones and not to fold the clothes or hair.

An-Nawawī (rah) said: ‘The ‘Ulamah agreed that it is a forbidden act to tuck up clothes,
roll up sleeves or the like in Salaat’. (Sarah Sahih Muslim vol-4 page: 209).

Imām Mālik (rah) said -concerning rolling up sleeves, then performing Salaat in such a
state: ‘If one did this act while working then started his Salaat in such a state, it is all
right but if he did it intentionally for doing Salaat or during it then there is no good in it’.
(Al Mudawwanah al Kubra vol-1, page-96)

An-Nawawī (rah) said: ‘Tucking up clothes or collecting hair is something detested

(disliked). If one does Salaat in such a state, he has done something bad but his Salaat is
correct and valid. Abū Ja’far, Muhammad Ibn Jarīr At-Tabarī held this opinion and related
the ‘Ulamah’s unanimous agreement on it.

Ibn Al-Munthir related from Al-Hasan Al-Basri that if one does such an act and then
performed Salaat, he should repeat it’. (Sharh Sahīh Muslim (vol. 4 / p. 209).)

➢ It is always best to follow the way of the Beloved Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and to keep
your clothing above your ankles due to the fact this is Afzal and Awla.
➢ If pants edges are kept below ankles BECAUSE OF PRIDE, it is HARAM, in this
case Namaaz will be Makrooh-e-Tehreemi (Wajib to repeat Namaaz).
➢ If somebody’s clothing sometimes falls below the ankle but he doesn’t do
this out of takabbur then this is makrooh-e-tanzeehi, it is disliked but it is
not haraam or makrooh-e-tahreemi.
➢ Folding your clothing from the bottom of the trousers or your lower
garment, is known as kaf-e-sawb (the folding of garments) and in the
blessed Ahadith we have been told not to do this, it is not permissible.
 ➢ Therefore, the brothers who perform the kaf-e-sawb only for Salaah they
are doing wrong. It is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi which will make it Wajib to
perform the Salaah (Namaz) again.

➢ Be sure that the dress you are wearing is higher than your ankles.

5. Ascertaining the right time for a Prayer:

AL NISA: 4:103‫ين ِكتَابًا ّم ْوقُوتًا‬ َ َْ‫صالَ َةَ كَا َنت‬

ََ ِ‫ع َلى ا ْل ُم ْؤ ِمن‬ ّ ‫) ِإنَّ ال‬Each Prayer has to be performed
within the time limit prescribed for it. If a Prayer is performed before its time, it will be no
Prayer at all, and if it is offered after the time for it has elapsed, it will have to be offered
as a missed (Qadha) Prayer.

6. Facing the Qibla(Ka’aba direction): If a person performs his Prayer with his face
turned towards a direction other than that of the Qibla, unless there is a genuine
reason for that, his Prayer will not be deemed to have been performed.

7. Niyyah (Intention): Having the intention in the mind, which may also be
expressed with the tongue, to offer a particular Fardh Prayer at a prescribed time,
or a particular missed Prayer afterwards.

For the Sunnah or Nafl Prayers, however, the mention of the time is not
necessary. If one is going to offer a Prayer under the leadership of an Imam, one
has to express intention to that effect, too.

PILLARS OF PRAYER:

These are the pillars or principles which have to observed during the Prayer:

1. TAKBIR TAHREEMA: To begin the Prayer with (Allaahu

Akbar), (Allaahu A'zam) or (Allaahu A'la) etc., expressing the
greatness and glory of Allaah. This is called Takbir Tahreemah because after one
has pronounced it, one is forbidden to move about, talk or drink, etc.

➢ At the time of saying Takbeer-e-Tahreemah (i.e. ) you should stand

upright and your eyes should be focused on the spot where you make your
Sajdah.
➢ This is Takbeer is Fardh and [rest all Takbeer in Salaah are Sunnah, if you
miss to say, no problem].
➢ Bending your neck and resting your chin on the chest is makruh
(inexcusable).
➢ Your arms are close to the arms of those who are standing on your right and
left and that there is no gap in between.
➢ Your both legs gap should not be closer than four fingers and leg should not
be spread wider than your shoulder width.
Sunan at Tirmidhi: Hadith no: 239 Narrated / Authority of: Abu Huraira that Allaah's
Messenger‫ ﷺ‬kept his fingers straight and upwards when he called the takbir (Allaahu
Akbar).

2. Qiyam: To stand upright in a Fardh or Wajib Prayer at least for so long that one
may complete recitation of that much [of a] portion of the Qur'aan, which one has
to recite as an imperative duty. In the Nafl Prayer, however, Qiyam is not
necessary.

➢ If you are making your Salaah alone [Munfardh], or leading it as Imam, you
first recite Sanaa and then Tawoozu; (Sunnat e Mu’akkada) & then Surah
al-Fatihah. Saying Aamin is Mustahab (Ghair e Mu’akkada).
➢ If you are behind an Imam [Muqtadi], you only recite Thana’: Then stand
silent listening attentively to the recitation of the Imam. If the Imam’s
recitation is not loud enough for you to hear, you should be thinking of
Surah al-Fatihah using you heart and mind without moving your tongue.
➢ When you are reciting yourself, it is better that you, while reciting Surah al-
Fatihah, stop at every verse and break your breath. Recite the next verse
with fresh breath.
➢ Do not move any part of your body without the need and only extreme
circumstances. More than 3 times in a rukun, prayer become invalid.
➢ Transferring all the weight of the body on to one leg and leaving the other
weightlessly loose. Abstain from it.
➢ When standing for Salaah, keep your eyes looking at the spot where you
make your Sajdah. Abstain from looking to your right and left, up or front.

3. Qira'at: To recite by heart one verse of the Qur'aan, consisting of at least two
words, like (Allaah-us-Samadh). According to Imam Muhammad and Abu
Yusuf, one should make it a habit to recite more of the Qur'aan, for instance,
three short verses or one long verse, though according to Imam Abu Haneefah,
one short verse containing at least two words will suffice for the purpose.

Qira'at is obligatory in any two of the raka’ah of the Fardh Prayer, e.g., in the first
and second, second and third, third and fourth, or the first and last, but in the
Wajib, Sunnah, or Nafl Prayer, Qira'at has to be done in all the raka’ah.

4. Ruku: To bend down to the extent that the hands reach the knees is obligatory
once in each raka’ah.

➢ Bend the upper part of your body up to a point where the neck and back
nearly level up. Do not bend any more or less than that.
➢ While in Ruku’, do not bend the neck to the limit that the chin starts
touching the chest, nor raise it is high that the neck goes higher than the
waist level.
 ➢ In Ruku’, keep feet straight & do not place outward or inward slant. Place
both hands on your knees in a way that fingers on both hands stay open.
➢ In the state of Ruku’, wrists and arms should remain stretched straight.
Staying there for at least one Tasbeeh time is Wajib.
➢ "Saubhana Rabbiyal Adheem" could be said 3 times calmly and
comfortably. Muqtadi can say 5, 7, 9 or more times in odd if time permits.
➢ In the state of Ruku’, the eyes should be looking towards the feet. Body
weight should be evenly distributed on both feet.

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 758: Narrated Al-Bara: The bowing, the
prostration the sitting in between the two prostrations and the standing after the bowing
of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬but not Qi yam (standing in the prayer) and Qai'd (sitting in the prayer)
used to be approximately equal (in duration).

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 759: Narrated Abu Hurairah: Once the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬
entered the mosque, a man came in, offered the prayer and greeted the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. The
Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬returned his greeting and said to him, "Go back and pray again for you have
not prayed." The man offered the prayer again, came back and greeted the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬.
He said to him thrice, "Go back and pray again for you have not prayed." The man said,
"By Him Who has sent you with the truth! I do not know a better way of praying. Kindly
teach me how to pray." He said, "When you stand for the prayer, say Takbir and then
recite from the Qur'aan what you know and then bow with calmness till you feel at ease,
then rise from bowing till you stand straight. Afterwards prostrate calmly till you feel at
ease and then raise (your head) and sit with calmness till you feel at ease and then
prostrate with calmness till you feel at ease in prostration and do the same in the whole
of your prayer."

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 760: Narrated 'Aisha: The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬used to say
in his bowing and prostrations, "Subhanaka-Allaahumma Rabbana wa-bihamdika
Allaahumma-ghfirli.' (I honour Allaah from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to
Him. O Allaah Our Lord! And all the praises are for You. O Allaah! Forgive me)."

Returning to the standing position from Ruku: (QAWMA).

➢ While returning from Ruku’, back to the standing position, see that you
stand straight leaving no sag in the body. In this position, as well, eyes
should be fixed on the spot where you do your Sajdah.
➢ There are those who simply make a ‘gesture’ of rising from the Ruku’
instead of rising fully and standing upright when it is time to do so and who,
in that every state, when their body is still bent downwards, go on to do
their Sajdah - for them it becomes obligatory that they make their Salaah
all over again. Therefore, abstain from it very firmly.

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 764: Narrated Rifa'a bin Rafi AzZuraqi: One
day we were praying behind the Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. When he raised his head from bowing, he
said, "Sami'a-l-laahu Liman hamidah." A man behind him said, "Rabbana wa laka-l
hamd hamdhan Kathiran taiyiban mubarakan fihi" (O our Lord! All the praises are for
You, many good and blessed praises). When the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬completed the prayer, he
asked, "Who has said these words?" The man replied, "I." The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, "I saw
over thirty angels competing to write and will inform first to Allaah.” Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬rose
(from bowing) and stood straight till all the backbones of his spinal column came to a
natural position.

If you say those verses, it is Mustahab or Ghair e Mu’akkada.

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 762: Narrated Abu Huraira: Allaah's Prophet ‫ﷺ‬
said, "When the Imam says, "Sami' a-l-laahu Liman hamidah," you should say,
"Allaahumma Rabbana wa laka-l-hamd." This saying is Sunnah Mu’akkada. (It is best
to say “Allaahumm…Hamd according to many Ulama). And if the saying of any one of
you coincides with that of the angels, all his past sins will be forgiven."

5. Sajdah: To prostrate oneself twice in every raka’ah.

➢ All your full weight should apply on your head, must feel hardness of ground
in your nose tip and forehead (Full forehead must touch ground & it is
Wajib). This is very important maslah.
➢ In Sajdah, fingers on both hands should remain close together, that is, the
fingers should be adjacent to each other leaving no space in between them
and the direction of the fingers should be towards the Qibla.
➢ The elbows should stay raised off the floor. It is not correct to rest the
elbows on the floor.
Sahih al Bukhari: Hadith no: 509 & 785. Narrated by Anas (radhi), The Prophet ‫ﷺ‬said,
“Do the prostration properly, and don’t put forearms flat with elbows touching the
ground like a dog”.

➢ Both arms should stay apart from armpits and sides. Never keep them
tucked in.
➢ Do not, at the same time, poke your elbows far out to your right and left
causing discomfort to those making Salaah next to you.
➢ The thighs should not come in contact with the stomach-wall
➢ Both feet should be placed upright on the floor with heels showing on top
and all fingers turned flat on the floor in the direction of the Qiblah. Those
who cannot turn all their fingers because of the physical formation of their
feet, they will still do well to turn them as much as they can. It is incorrect
to place the fingers vertically on the floor just for no valid reason.
➢ Be careful that your feet do not lift off the floor during Sajdah. Some
people do their Sajdah while none of the fingers on their feet come to rest
on the floor even for a moment. This way the obligation of Sajdah is not
discharged at all, as a result, the Salaah too becomes invalid. Be very
particular in abstaining from this error. Your leg fingers bottom (stomach)
portions should touch the ground. It is Wajib for 3 fingers and Fardh for 1
finger. At least Thumbs.
 ➢ In the state of Sajdah, the least time you can give yourself should be
sufficient enough to say (wajib) "Saubhana Rabbiyal Aa'la" 3 times, calmly
and comfortably. Raising the forehead immediately after having rested it
on the floor is prohibited.

In between the two Sajdah: (JALSA)

➢ Rising from the first Sajdah, sit up straight, calmly and comfortably. Then go
for the second Sajdah. Doing the second Sajdah after raising the head just a
little bit and without becoming straight is a sin.

It is Wajib to sit peacefully in between (Jalsa) two Sajdha. Sit for a time (Wajib this much time)
during which "Saubhan-Allaah"could be said at least once and you can recite

‫ للھم اغفر لی و ارحمنی و اھدنی و اجبرنی و ارزقنی‬As narrated by Abdullaah ibn Abbas (RA): The
Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬used to say between the two prostrations: "O Allaah, forgive me, have mercy on me,
guide me, heal me, and provide for me." [Abu Dawud] But, reciting this during Fardh (obligatory)
Salaah is not necessary. It is better to do so in Nafl Salaah. Sunan at Tirmizi 284: Ahmed 2897,
Abu Dawud 850, Ibn e Majah 898.

➢ Otherwise, Salaah is invalid. Unknowingly/mistakenly did means he has to

Sajdah Sahw. Knowingly did means Salaah is invalid and must repeat.

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 766: Narrated Al-Bara': The bowing, the
prostrations, the period of standing after bowing and the interval between the two
prostrations of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬used to be equal in duration. Ahmed 18621, Nasai 1061,
Abu Dawud 862, Muslim 461.

Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said: “The worst thief is the one who steals from his own prayer .”
People asked: ‘Messenger of Allaah ‫ ! ﷺ‬How could one steal from his own
prayer?’ He said: “By not completing its Ruku and Sujood” [at-Tabarani &
Hakim].

Abu Hurairah (RA) said: "My beloved friend Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬forbade me to perform postures of prayer
copying the picking of a rooster; (signifying fast performance of prayer), moving eyes around
like a fox and the sitting like monkeys (i.e. to sit on thighs)." [Ahmed].

➢ Some people let both feet remain in upright position and sit on the heels.
This method is incorrect.
➢ While sitting, both hands should be placed on the things but fingers should
not spill down onto the knees.
➢ While sitting, let your eyes be on the lap.

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 784: Narrated Thabit: Anas (radhi) said, “I will leave no
stone unturned in making you offer the prayer as I have seen the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬making us offer it.”
Anas used to do a thing which I have not seen you doing. He used to stand and after the bowing
for such a long time that one would think that he had forgotten the prostration and he used to
sit in between the prostrations so long that one would think that he had forgotten the second
prostration.
The second Sajdah and rising from it:

➢ When rising from Sajdah, first raise the forehead off the floor, then the
nose-tip, then the hands, and then the knees. While rising, it is better not to
take the support of the floor.
➢ After you have risen back to your standing position, recite "Bismillaah"
before Surah al-Fatihah in the beginning of each raka’ah.

6. Qa’idah Akhirah: To sit in the prescribed way at the end of the last raka’ah of
the Prayer for so long that one may complete recitation of Tashahhud.

➢ The method of sitting in Qa’idah shall be the same as mentioned in

connection with the method of sitting between Sajdah.
➢ When you reach "Ashhadu Allaah-ilaha" while reciting "At-tahiyyat" raise
the shahadah finger (the fore-finger or the index finger) with a pointing
motion and let it fall back at "Illal-laah".
➢ Raise the shahadah finger in a way that it is pointed towards the Qiblah. It
should not be raised up straight in the direction of the sky.
➢ However, lower the shahadah finger while saying "Illal-laah" but retain,
right through the end, the initial formation of the rest of the fingers you
already had when making the pointing motion. After AtTahiyyat, Daroodh,
ask plenty Qur’aanic Du’aa. It is correct method and accepted.

Salam: To end the prayer with a voluntary action or words not included in the
Prayer after one has performed the full Prayer and brought it to completion.

➢ When turning for Salam, eyes should be towards the shoulders, & cheeks
become visible to the person sitting behind you.
➢ When turning your neck to the right and left, say "Assalaamu Alaikum Wa-
Rahmatullaah” (it is Wajib) make an intention that you are offering your
Salam greetings to all human beings, Imam and angles. Left Salaam should
be in low and soft voice. It is Sunnah. Ex: In Makkah & Madinah masjids you
can see & hear this. Actually Prayer finishes on Meem letter in
Assalaamu…..

Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 12, Number 802: Narrated Abu Ma'bad: (the freed slave of Ibn
'Abbas) Ibn 'Abbas told me, "In the lifetime of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬it was the custom to
celebrate Allaah's praises aloud after the compulsory congregational prayers." Ibn
'Abbas further said, "When I heard the Dhikr, I would learn that the compulsory
congregational prayer had ended."

Say: La Ilaha Illallah 11 times, and Salawaat on Prophet .‫ﷺ‬

Keeping right hand on forehead say this Du’aa:

‫اذهب َع ِّن اَهلَهم َو احلُز َن‬ ‫م‬

‫ه‬ ‫هل‬‫ا‬
َ ‫يم‬ ِ‫بِس ِم هللاِ اله ِذى ال اِله اال هو ا هرمحن الهر‬
‫ح‬
َ ُ َُ َ
Bimillaahil Lazi La Ilaaha Illaa Huwar Rahmaanur Raheem. Allaahuma Izhab Anni
AlHamma Wal Huzn.
In the name of Allaah there is none worthy of worship but HE, The Most Gracious,
The Most Merciful, O’ Allaah, free me of worry and depression. (Tabrani-vol-2,
Mj’jamu al Zawaid-vol-10).
But: About the saying of “Ya Qawiyyu”-7 or 11 times for Memory, while pacing
your hand on the forehead and “Ya Nooru”-7 times and the verse: Surah Qaaf:
Verse-22

‫ص ُر َك ْاليَ ْو َم َحدِيد‬
َ َ‫اءك فَب‬
َ ‫ط‬ َ ‫نك ِغ‬
َ ‫ع‬َ ‫ش ْفنَا‬
َ ‫ فَ َك‬for eye sights and rub the eyes are not
mentioned in Shari’ah.
They are tried and tested by the people. One may follow the practices and
experiences of people on condition one does not regard them to be compulsory in
Shari’ah. If one regards such acts as compulsory in Shari’ah, it will be an act of
bidah.
Reciting 7 times: Tasbeeh Counting: Bukhari: Volume 8, Book 75, Number 330:
Narrated 'Ali: Fatima complained about the blisters on her hand because of using a
mill-stone. She went to ask the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬for servant, but she did not find him (at
home) and had to inform 'Aa’isha of her need. When he came, 'Aa’isha informed
him about it. Ali added: The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬came to us when we had gone to our beds.
When I was going to get up, he said, "'Stay in your places," and sat between us, till
I felt the coolness of the feet on my chest. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬then said, "Shall I not tell
you of a thing which is better for you than a servant? When you (both) go to your
beds, say 'Allaahu Akbar' 34 times, and 'Subhan Allaah' 33 times, 'Alhamdu
'lillaah' 33 times, for that is better for you than a servant." Ibn Sirin said, "Allaahu'
Akbar (is to be said for) 34 times."
It is reported from the hadith of 'Abdullaah bin 'Amr who said: "I saw the Messenger of
Allaah‫ ﷺ‬counting his tasbeeh on his right hand”. Abu Dawood, At Tirmizi: 5/521.

Bukhari: Aa’isha (RA) said that the Prophet‫ ﷺ‬used his left hand only for Istinjaa', (or
cleaning himself after responding to the call of nature). He never used it for tasbeeh. And
any job he uses to start with right hand in all his affairs; such as combing hair, wearing
sandals, wearing clothes etc.;
Narrated by Yasirah: Prophet ‫ﷺ‬: ' "Oh group of women, keep count with the joints of the
fingers, for verily, (on the Day of Qi yāmah) these fingers will be questioned and they
will be made to speak." [Al-Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood, Ahmad, amongst others]

The above Hadith indicates that it is preferable to count tasbeeh on the fingers of
the right hand than to do so on masbahah (prayer beads).

Q.H: 59:7. ‫ول فَ ُخ ُذوهُ َوَما ََنَا ُك ْم َعْنهُ فَانتَ ُهوا‬

ُ ‫آَت ُك ُم الهر ُس‬
َ ‫ َوَما‬...And whatsoever the
Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬gives you, take it. And whatsoever he forbids, abstain (from it). (Holy
Qur’aan: 59:7).
WAJIB (14) Parts in the Prayer:

These are those essential parts which have to be carried out during the Prayer, and if one of
these is missed due to forgetfulness, one has to perform Sajdah Sahw to rectify the mistake. If
Sajdah Sahw is not performed, or an essential part if ignored deliberately, the Prayer will be
rendered void and will have to be repeated. The essential parts are:

1. To recite a portion of the Qur'aan in the first two raka’ah of the Fardh Prayer.

2. To recite Al-Fatihah in the first two raka’ah of the Fardh Prayer and in all the
raka’ah of the other Prayers.

3. To recite another Surah or passage containing one long verse or three short
verses after Al-Fatihah in the first two rak'ats of the Fardh Prayer and in all the
raka’ah of the other Prayers.

4. To recite Al-Fatihah before the other Surah or passage.

5. To observe the sequence in recitation, Ruku, Sajdah and the raka’ah.

6. To observe Qaumah, i.e. to stand upright after Ruku.

7. To observe Jalsah, i.e. to sit upright between the two Sajdah.

8. To perform Ruku, and Sajdah peacefully and with perfect tranquillity.

9. To observe Qai'dah Ula, first sitting for Tashahhud after two rak'ah in the
Prayer consisting of three or four rak'ah.

10. To recite Tashahhud at least once in the two Qai'dah.

11. To recite Al-Fatihah and an additional passage (for the lmam) aloud in the two
Fardh rak'ahs of the Fajr and Jumu'a Prayers and in the first two Fardh rak'ah of
the Maghrib and Isha Prayers, and in the 'EId and Taraveeh Prayers, and to recite
it inaudibly in the last rak'ah of Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib and 'Isha' Prayers.

12. To bring the Prayer to completion with salutation: (As-

Salamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullah).

13. To raise hands with Takblr for the Qunut and to recite the Qunut in the last
rak'ah of the Witr Prayer.

14. To pronounce the additional Takbir in the 'EId Prayers.

SUNNAH (21) Parts in the Prayer:

The Holy Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬observed certain other things in his Prayer besides the Fardh
and Wajib parts, which though not equal to Fardh or Wajib in status, deserve to
be observed by Muslims to make their Prayers as much like the Holy Prophet's as
possible. If a Sunnah part is missed or ignored, it does not entail Sajdah Sahw, nor
does it render the Prayer void.

1. To raise the hands before Takbir Tahreemah to ear-lobes for males, and to
shoulder level for females, though the males may also raise them only to shoulder
level in case of a genuine reason.

2. To keep the fingers apart and straight in the natural state at the time of Takbir
Tahreemah and to turn the palms towards the Qibla.

3. To keep the head erect while pronouncing Takbir Tahreemah.

4. To place the hands after Takbir Tahreemah under the navel or on the breast for
females. The prescribed way is that the palm of the right hand should be placed
over the back of the left hand and the wrist of the left hand should be gripped
with the thumb and little finger of the right hand and the three middle fingers
spread on the wrist of the left hand, though for the females it is not necessary to
grip the left wrist with the thumb and the little finger of the right hand.

5. The Imam has to pronounce all the Takbirs aloud beginning from Takbir
Tahreemah for moving from one article of the Prayer to the other.

6. To recite Thana.

7. To pronounce Ta'awwuz:

8. To recite Bismillaah before Al-Fatihah in every raka’ah.

9. To recite only Al-Fatihah in the third and fourth raka’ah of the Fardh Prayer.

10. To pronounce Aamin behind the Imam as well as the individual Prayer after
finishing Al-Fatihah.

11. To pronounce Thana, Ta'awwuz, Bismillaah and Aamin inaudibly.

12. To perform recitation to the extent as prescribed for various Prayers.

13. To pronounce Tasbeeh (Subhana Rabbi-yal-'Azim) in Ruku

and (Subhana Rabbi-yal-A'ala) in Sajdah at least thrice.
14. To keep the head and the back level and aligned in Ruku and to grip the knees
with the hands

15. The lmam has to pronounce (Sami-Allaahu-li-man

hamidah) during Qaumah and the followers (Rabba-na la-kal-Hamd). The person
offering the Prayer independently has to pronounce both.

16. To place the knees first on the ground while going down for Sajdah, then the
two hands, then the nose and last of all the forehead.

17. To sit on the left foot placed flat on the ground during Jalsah and Qa'idah and
to keep the right foot upright in a manner that the tips of the toes are turned
towards the Qiblah, and to place the open hands naturally on the thighs.

18. To raise the forefinger of the right hand while pronouncing La Ilaha in
Tashahhud.

19. To recite salat in the final Qa’idah after Tashahhud.

20. To recite any of the prescribed supplications after Salaat.

21. To turn the face first to the right with salutation ( As-
Salaamu 'Alaikum wa Rahmatullaah) and then to the left, over the shoulders.

Cutting Nails:

Start from right hand Kalma finger, end it in small finger of left hand, then left
thumb and right thumb.

Whereas feet finger to be started from right foot small finger and end it right foot
small finger.

JazakhAllaah Khair. Compiled by: Syed Siddique Ahmed.S.N.

Tiruchirappalli.
Hadith no: 434 Narrated / Authority of: Abu Huraira that Allaah’s Messenger ‫)ﷺ‬
said, “If anyone prays six Rakah after Maghrib, not speaking an evil word in-
between, there is a reward for him there against of worship of twelve years” [Ibn e
Majah 1374]
Hadith no: 167 Narrated / Authority of: Abu Huraira reported that Allaah's
Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬said, "Were it not that my Ummah would be distressed by it, I would
have them to postpone the Salaah of Isha to a third or half of the night." [Ahmed
7416, Ibn e Majah 691]
Hadith no: 171 Narrated / Authority of: Ali reported that the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said to
him, "O Ali! Do not postpone three things: prayer when it is time for it, funeral
when it is ready and the marriage of an unmarried woman when a suitable match
is found. [Ahmed 828, Ibn e Majah 1486]
Hadith no: 174 Narrated / Authority of: Aa’isha said that apart from two times,
Allaah's Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬never offered Salaah at its last hour, till he died.

Hadith no: 175 Narrated / Authority of: Ibn Umar that the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, "If
anyone misses the Salaah of Asr, it is as though he has lost his family and
property." [Ahmed 4545, M626, Abu Dawood 414, Nisai 504, B552, Ibn e Majah
685]
Hadith no: 206 Narrated / Authority of: Ibn Abbas narrated that Allaah's
Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬said, "If anyone calls the adhan for seven years with the intention of
reward then freedom from Hell is recorded for him." [Ibn e Majah 727]
Hadith no: 215 Narrated / Authority of: Ibn Umar reported that Allaah Messenger
‫ ﷺ‬said, "Salaah offered with the congregation is 27 ranks more excellent than
that offered individually." [Ahmed 5683, Muslim 650, Ibn e Majah 789, Bukhari
645]
Hadith no: 225 Narrated / Authority of: Abu Huraira ‫ ﷺ‬also said, "If people learn
of the reward on calling the adhan and praying in the first row, and they cannot
get that without drawing lots, they would draw lots surely."
Bukhari: Narrated by Ibn Umar: Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬had said, “Offer some of your prayers
(Nawafil) at home, and do not take your houses as graves.
Bukhari: Narrated by Abu Qatadha al Aslami: Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬had said, “If anyone of
you enters a mosque, he should pray two Rakah before sitting.
Bukhari: Narrated by Abu Hurairah: Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, “The angels keep on asking
Allaah’s forgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Musalla, and he does
not pass wind. They say, Ya Allaah! Forgive him, Ya Allaah be Merciful to him.”
Hadith no: 231 Narrated / Authority of: And, Muhammad ibn Bashshar reported
from Muhammad ibn Ja'far from Shu'hah from Amr ibn Murrah from Hilal ibn
Yasaf from Amr ibn Raashid from Wabisah ibn Ma'bad that: "A man prayed alone
behind a row and the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬asked him to repeat the Salaah."

Bukhari: Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar: Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, “Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer
(intentionally) then it is as if he lost his family and property.”
Wajibs: 1. Fatihah in all Rakah except 3rd and 4th Rakah in Farz. 2. Qauma after
Rukoo (at least stay 1 Tasbeeh saying time). 3. In Jalsa sit one Tasbeeh saying time.
4. Rukoo and Sajdah do it calmly. 5. Sitting Qaida Oola 6. Qunoot reciting in Witr
and 7. Takbeer saying.
Knowingly leave Wajib, Salaah must be repeated. But in Jama prayer, it is not
necessary even you have forgotten to do any wajib. Knowingly leaving Tashahud
(wajib) without saying. If Imam commits mistakes in Salaah, for him it is sin but for
us Namaaz is valid.
Sunnah E Mu’akkadha: Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬did this most of the times but few times left
it. Ex: Raising hands, tying hand below novel, reciting Sana….
Adding / Reciting full Surah is Sunnah e Mu’akkada in Fardh, Wajib are Sunnah e
Mu’akkada. Saying Allaahu Akbar in all Rakah.
Sunnat E Ghair e Mu’akkadha or Mustahab: Few times he did it, most of the
times left it. For example, Asr Sunnah 4 Rakah. There is 1 hadith.
Mubah: Leave or do not leave but if you do it is good. And saying with good
intention for the sake of Allaah, it is good.
Qushoo: A time will come Masjid will be full but there won’t be Qushoo.
Leaving mind somewhere and praying.
Saf: Should not be gap in between shoulders. After Iqama, Bilal used to go
around and check the saf straight or not. Umar (r.a) also used to check. For first 3
Saf Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬prayed (asked du’aa).

Sajdah Sahw: 1. If you repeat 2 times Surah Fatihah. 2. Leaving any Wajib. 3.
Doing late any Wajib amal.
When it is become necessary for Imam to perform Sajdah Sahw, he will say
Assalaamu...turning right, late comer Muqtadi must not say Salam or turn towards
left, but perform 2 Sajdah along with Imam and then when he says Assalaamu… to
complete prayer, that time Muqtadi should get up perform if they have left over
any Rakah. If they turn Salam along with Imam, then Muqtadi prayers become
invalid and must repeat it.
During Jum’aa Qutbah Muslim Imams used to curse Ali (kar), in same way Shi’a
used to curse Abu Bakr and Umar bin Kattab (radhi Allaahu Anhum). But during
the famous Islamic Khalifa Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (2 Nov 682-26 Safar 63 A.H.-31 Jan
720-25 Rajab 101 A.H.Friday) it was changed and ordered to recite the following
Ayah. Since then it is going on throughout Islamic world. His mother, Umm ‘Asim
bint (the daughter of) ‘Asim ibn ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattâb.

‫إِ هن هاَّللَ ََيُْمُر ِِبلْ َع ْد ِل َو ِْاْل ْح َس ِان َوإِيتَ ِاء ِذي الْ ُقْرَ َٰب َويَْن َه ٰى َع ِن الَْف ْح َش ِاء َوالْ ُمن َك ِر َوالْبَ ْغ ِي ۚ يَعِظُ ُك ْم لَ َعله ُك ْم تَ َذ هكُرو َن‬
Allaah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He
forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye
may receive admonition-(Surah: 16:90).

The number of regular Salah mentioned by their respective names in Arabic in the
Qur'an are three as follows:

1. Ṣalāt Fajr (Dawn Prayer) H.Q: 52:49

2. Aṣ-Ṣalāt al-Wusṭā (The Middle Prayer) H.Q: 38:32
3. Ṣalāt cIshā' (Night Prayer) H.Q: 38:32

There is no reference to Qasr during travel within the Qur'aan itself; the Qur'aan
allows for Qasr when there is fear of attack, but does not forbid it for travel in
non-hostile circumstances.

************