How to Offer Salah Prayer - A Practical Guidebook PDF

How to Offer Salah/Prayer A Practical Guidebook Table of Contents Introduction................................................................................................................................................ 5 What is the Meaning of Salah/Namaz/Prayer in Islam?............................................................. 6 Brief History of Salah..................................................................................................................................... 6 Importance of Salah in Islam...................................................................................................................... 7 Salah in the Quran.......................................................................................................................................... 7 Salah in Sunnah............................................................................................................................................... 9 Benefits of Offering Salah.................................................................................................................... 12 Invoke Allah the Almighty......................................................................................................................... 12 Rewards in the Hereafter........................................................................................................................... 12 Direct Communication with Allah........................................................................................................... 13 Enhances Piety (Taqwa)............................................................................................................................. 13 Protects from Shaitan (Satan) and Evil Powers.................................................................................. 14 Expiates Sins................................................................................................................................................... 15 Keeps Lewdness at Bay............................................................................................................................... 15 Cures Anxiety and Worries........................................................................................................................ 16 Improves Physical Health.......................................................................................................................... 16 Hikmah Behind Offering Salah.......................................................................................................... 18 Rules and Guidelines About Salah.................................................................................................... 19 Fard Prayers................................................................................................................................................... 19 Sunnah Prayers............................................................................................................................................. 19 Wajib Prayers................................................................................................................................................. 19 Nafl Prayers.................................................................................................................................................... 20 Prerequisites of Salah........................................................................................................................... 22 Purity of Body................................................................................................................................................ 22 1 Purity/Cleanliness of Clothes................................................................................................................... 22 Covering the Awrah (Private Parts)....................................................................................................... 23 Wudu (Ablution)........................................................................................................................................... 23 Purity of Place................................................................................................................................................ 23 Time of Prayer......................................................................................................................................... 25 Direction of Qibla................................................................................................................................... 26 Obligatory Duties to Fulfill During Salah...................................................................................... 27 Niyyah (Intention)........................................................................................................................................ 27 Takbir Al-Ihram (Opening Takbir)......................................................................................................... 27 Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha............................................................................................................................. 27 Adding a Short Surah or Verses............................................................................................................... 27 Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha Before the Surah........................................................................................... 27 Performing Consecutive Prostrations................................................................................................... 28 Moderation and Calmness in Pillars...................................................................................................... 28 Reciting Tashahhud..................................................................................................................................... 28 Standing up for the Third Rakat.............................................................................................................. 28 Completion of Prayer with Tasleem....................................................................................................... 28 Reciting Qunoot in Witr.............................................................................................................................. 28 Actions that Invalidate Salah............................................................................................................. 29 Offensive Actions in Prayer................................................................................................................. 30 Sajda-e-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness): How to Revive Perfection in Worship.... 31 Instances Requiring Sajda-e-Sahw.......................................................................................................... 31 Additional Rulings on Sajda-e-Sahw...................................................................................................... 32 Procedure for Sajda-e-Sahw...................................................................................................................... 32 Offering Salah: Step By Step Guide................................................................................................... 33 Step 1: Stand Up............................................................................................................................................. 33 Step 2: Takbiratul Ihram............................................................................................................................ 33 Step 3: Hand Placement.............................................................................................................................. 33 Step 4: Dua Al Istiftah.................................................................................................................................. 34 Step 5: Tauz and Tasmia............................................................................................................................. 34 Step 6: Recite Surah Al-Fatihah................................................................................................................ 35 2 Step 7: Recite Any Surah............................................................................................................................. 36 Step 8: Bow Down for Ruku....................................................................................................................... 36 Step 9: Return to Standing Position:...................................................................................................... 37 Step 10: Go Down to Sujud......................................................................................................................... 38 Step 11: Rise from Prostration................................................................................................................. 39 Step 12: Go Down to the Second Prostration....................................................................................... 39 Step 13: Stand up for the Second Rakat................................................................................................. 39 Step 14: Perform Tashahhud at the End of Every Two Rakats...................................................... 39 Step 15: Recite the Salat on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) After Tashahhud.................... 40 Step 16: Do the Tasleem Turning Right and then Left...................................................................... 41 Five Salah of the Day............................................................................................................................. 43 Fajr..................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Timing of Fajr Prayer..................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Benefits of Fajr Prayer................................................................................................................................................................... 43 Zuhr................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Timing of Zuhr Prayer................................................................................................................................................................... 45 Benefits of Zuhr Prayer................................................................................................................................................................. 45 Asr...................................................................................................................................................................... 46 Timing of Asr Prayer...................................................................................................................................................................... 46 Benefits of Asr Prayer.................................................................................................................................................................... 47 Maghrib............................................................................................................................................................ 48 Timing of Maghrib Prayer............................................................................................................................................................ 48 Benefits of Maghrib Prayer.......................................................................................................................................................... 48 Isha.................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Timing of Isha Prayer..................................................................................................................................................................... 49 Benefits of Isha Prayer.................................................................................................................................................................. 49 Witr............................................................................................................................................................. 50 Step-by-Step Guide for Witr Prayer: Embracing the Night with Devotion................................ 50 Step 1: Niyyah (Intention)........................................................................................................................................................... 50 Step 2: First Two Rakats............................................................................................................................................................... 50 Step 3: Read Dua-e-Qunoot in the Third Rakat................................................................................................................... 50 Step 4: Tasleem................................................................................................................................................................................. 51 Surah Selection for Witr Rakats................................................................................................................................................ 51 Duas After Prayer................................................................................................................................... 52 Seeking Forgiveness.................................................................................................................................... 52 Supplicating with Dhikr.............................................................................................................................. 52 3 Dhikr After Maghrib and Fajr..................................................................................................................................................... 52 Dua for Intention.............................................................................................................................................................................. 52 Delicacy in Recitation..................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Selected Du'a...................................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Final Words.............................................................................................................................................. 53 4 Introduction Learning the right way to offer prayer, also called Salah, is crucial because it stands as one of the most valued acts of worship in Islam, engaging the mind, heart, and body. It allows us to display our utmost humility before Allah and represents our readiness for complete obedience. The term “Muslim” itself refers to a person who is obedient and has submitted their will to Allah. It’s obligatory for every Muslim, including men, women, and kids, to offer prayer 5 times a day. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mandated that parents teach their children how to perform Salah from the age of seven. By the age of ten, children should be disciplined if they neglect this essential act. As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) instructed: ‫ﺿِرﺑ ُوھُْم َﻋَﻠْﯾَﮭﺎ َوھُْم أَْﺑَﻧﺎُء َﻋْﺷِر ِﺳِﻧﯾَن َوَﻓِّرﻗُوا َﺑْﯾَﻧُﮭْم ِﻓﻲ‬ ْ ‫ﺻﻼَِة َوھُْم أَْﺑَﻧﺎُء َﺳْﺑِﻊ ِﺳِﻧﯾَن َوا‬ ‫ُﻣُروا أَْوﻻَدَُﻛْم ِﺑﺎﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺿﺎِﺟﻊ‬ َ ‫ِاْﻟَﻣ‬ “Command your children to pray when they become seven years old, and beat them for it (prayer) when they become ten years old; and arrange their beds (to sleep) separately.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 495) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 105) In cases of illness, Islam allows adaptation for prayer—sitting, lying down, or gesturing—emphasizing the significance of prayer. A Muslim believes in accountability for all deeds on the Day of Resurrection, with the first trial being their prayer. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated: ْ َ‫ت َﻓَﻘْد أَْﻓَﻠَﺢ َوأَْﻧَﺟَﺢ َوِإْن َﻓَﺳد‬ ْ ‫ﺻﻠ َُﺣ‬ ‫ت َﻓَﻘْد‬ ُ ‫ِإﱠن أَﱠوَل َﻣﺎ ﯾ َُﺣﺎَﺳ‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَﺗ ُﮫ ُ َﻓﺈِْن‬ َ ‫ب ِﺑِﮫ اْﻟَﻌْﺑد ُ َﯾْوَم اْﻟِﻘَﯾﺎَﻣِﺔ ِﻣْن َﻋَﻣِﻠِﮫ‬ ُ ‫ب َﻋﱠز َوَﺟﱠل اْﻧ‬ َ َ‫ظُروا َھْل ِﻟَﻌْﺑِدي ِﻣْن ﺗ‬ ‫طﱡوعٍ َﻓﯾ َُﻛﱠﻣَل‬ ‫ﺿِﺗِﮫ َﺷْﻲٌء َﻗﺎَل اﻟﱠر ﱡ‬ َ ‫ص ِﻣْن َﻓِرﯾ‬ َ ‫َﺧﺎ‬ َ ‫ب َوَﺧِﺳَر َﻓﺈِِن اْﻧﺗََﻘ‬ ‫ﺿِﺔ ﺛ ُﱠم َﯾُﻛوُن َﺳﺎِﺋُر َﻋَﻣِﻠِﮫ َﻋَﻠﻰ ذَِﻟك‬ َ ‫ص ِﻣَن اْﻟَﻔِرﯾ‬ َ ‫َِﺑَﮭﺎ َﻣﺎ اْﻧﺗََﻘ‬ “Indeed the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost.” (Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 413) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 266) That’s why we have created this guidebook, which will serve you as a complete resource for learning the correct way to offer Salah. It’ll explain each step thoroughly to help you build a clear understanding of this essential practice. So, let's begin this enlightening journey together, exploring the fundamentals and importance of prayer in Islam. 5 What is the Meaning of Salah/Namaz/Prayer in Islam? Salah, also known as Namaz or Prayer, stands as the second pillar of Islam, following the declaration of faith known as Shahadah. It’s the devoted act of offering prayers to Allah the Almighty. As stated by the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): ‫ﺞ‬ ‫ُ َوِإَﻗﺎِم اﻟ ﱠ‬e‫ﻲ َﻋَﻠﻰ َﺧْﻣٍس َﺷَﮭﺎدَِة أَْن ﻻَ ِإَﻟﮫَ ِإﻻﱠ اﱠ‬ َ ‫ﺻَﯾﺎِم َرَﻣ‬ ِ ‫ﺻﻼَِة َوِإﯾﺗَﺎِء اﻟﱠزَﻛﺎِة َو‬ َ ‫إﱠن اِﻹْﺳﻼََم ﺑ ُِﻧ‬ ِ ّ ‫ﺿﺎَن َوَﺣ‬ ‫ت‬ ِ ‫اْﻟَﺑْﯾ‬ “Verily, al-Islam is founded on five (pillars): testifying the fact that there is no god but Allah, establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, fast of Ramadan and Pilgrimage to the House.” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 16d) (In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 22) The word Salah literally translates to “prayer” or “supplication” and is explicitly mentioned as an act of worship at numerous places in the Holy Quran. This obligatory act is designated five times a day. It’s important to note that Salah holds a profound significance in Islam, to the extent that its denial can lead to the classification of an individual as a Kafir. Brief History of Salah According to most scholars, Salah is the first obligatory act of worship in Islam. This happened three years before the Hijra in Makkah. Allah, in a special event called Mi’raj (also called Al-Isra’), invited the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the heavens to make prayer obligatory. During Mi’raj, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), accompanied by the angel Jibril (AS), journeyed to the heavens, witnessing extraordinary wonders and reaching heights beyond earthly limits. In the heavenly conversation during Mi'raj, Salah was given as a special gift to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his community (Muslim Ummah). Allah chose this celestial setting for prayer, highlighting its unique status. Following the special Night’s Journey, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) initiated the performance of obligatory prayers. It's important to note that the dawn or Fajr prayer wasn't the initial prayer performed by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The practice and assignment of prayer require clear guidance, which was provided during the noon prayer. Jibreel (AS) taught the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the 6 specifics of prayer, making the noon prayer the first to be established after divine guidance was given. Importance of Salah in Islam The importance of Salah cannot be overstated because it serves as the cornerstone of a Muslim's spiritual connection with Allah. It provides guidance and discipline and serves as a constant reminder of the divine presence in every aspect of life. Let’s discuss some Quranic verses and hadiths, highlighting the importance of Salah. Salah in the Quran The Holy Quran has made prayer mandatory for all Muslims for various reasons, including the following: A means of self-purification Nurturing spirituality Spending time in remembrance of Allah to prevent wrongdoing A source of strength and patience Bringing peace and tranquility to one's life Distinguishing between a believer and a non-believer (kafir) A mechanism for erasing sins and seeking forgiveness Developing good character and discipline The numerous rewards of performing Salat are explained throughout the Quran in more than 67 verses, and some of them are listed below. ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َوِﻣﱠﻣﺎ َرَزْﻗَﻧٰـُﮭْم ﯾ ُﻧِﻔﻘُون‬ ‫ب َوﯾ ُِﻘﯾُﻣوَن ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫َٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن ﯾ ُْؤِﻣﻧ ُوَن ِﺑﭑْﻟَﻐْﯾ‬ “Allazeena yu'minoona bilghaibi wa yuqeemoonas salaata wa mimmaa razaqnaahum yunfiqoon” “Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them.” (Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:3) ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َوَءاﺗ ُو۟ا ٱﻟﱠزَﻛ ٰوةَ َوٱْرَﻛﻌُو۟ا َﻣَﻊ ٱﻟٰﱠرِﻛِﻌﯾن‬ ‫ََوأَِﻗﯾُﻣو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ “Wa aqeemus salaata wa aatuz zakaata warka'oo ma'ar raaki'een” “Establish prayer, pay alms-tax, and bow down with those who bow down.” (Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:43) 7 ُ ‫ََﺣٰـِﻔ‬ َ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوِة ٱْﻟُوْﺳ‬ ‫ َﻗٰـِﻧِﺗﯾن‬e ِ ‫ﺻَﻠَٰو‬ ِ ‫طٰﻰ َوﻗُوُﻣو۟ا ِ ﱠ‬ ‫ت َوٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ظو۟ا َﻋَﻠﻰ ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ “Haafizoo 'alas salawaati was Salaatil Wustaa wa qoomoo lillaahi qaaniteen” “Be watchful over the Prayers, and over praying with the utmost excellence, and stand before Allah as would utterly obedient servants.” (Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:238) ‫ َﻛَﻣﺎ َﻋﻠﱠَﻣُﻛم ﱠﻣﺎ َﻟْم ﺗَُﻛوﻧ ُو۟ا ﺗَْﻌَﻠُﻣون‬e َ ‫ََﻓﺈِْن ِﺧْﻔﺗ ُْم َﻓِرَﺟﺎًﻻ أَْو ُرْﻛَﺑﺎ ۭﻧًﺎ ۖ َﻓﺈِذَآ أَِﻣﻧﺗ ُْم َﻓﭑْذُﻛُرو۟ا ٱ ﱠ‬ “Fa in khiftum farijaalan aw rukbaanan fa izaaa amintum fazkurul laaha kamaa 'allamakum maa lam takoonoo ta'lamoon” “If you are in danger, pray on foot or while riding. But when you are safe, ˹take time to˺ remember Allah for teaching you what you did not know.” (Reference: Surah AlBaqarah, 2:239) ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َوﯾ ُْؤﺗ ُوَن ٱﻟﱠزَﻛ ٰوةَ َوھُْم َٰرِﻛﻌُون‬ ُ ‫ُ َوَر‬e‫َِإﻧﱠَﻣﺎ َوِﻟﯾﱡُﻛُم ٱﱠ‬ ‫ﺳوﻟ ُﮫ ُۥ َوٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن َءاَﻣﻧ ُو۟ا ٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن ﯾ ُِﻘﯾُﻣوَن ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ “Innamaa waliyyukumul laahu wa Rasooluhoo wal lazeena aamanul lazeena yuqeemoonas Salaata wa yu'toonaz Zakaata wa hum raaki'oon” “Your only guardians are Allah, His Messenger, and fellow believers—who establish prayer and pay alms-tax with humility.” (Reference: Surah Al-Maidah, 5:55) ‫ﺻِﻠِﺣﯾن‬ ّ ِ ‫ََوٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن ﯾ َُﻣ‬ ْ ‫ﺿﯾُﻊ أَْﺟَر ٱْﻟُﻣ‬ ‫ب َوأََﻗﺎُﻣو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ﺳُﻛوَن ِﺑﭑْﻟِﻛﺗَٰـ‬ ِ ُ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ِإﻧﱠﺎ َﻻ ﻧ‬ “Wallazeena yumas sikoona bil Kitaabi wa aqaamus Salaata innaa laa nudeeu'ajral musliheen” “As for those who firmly abide by the Scripture and establish prayer—surely, We never discount the reward of those acting righteously.” (Reference: Surah Al-A'raf, 7:170) ٓ ‫ﻻ ِإَﻟٰـﮫَ ِإ ﱠ‬ ٓ َ ُe‫ٓإﻧﱠِﻧٓﻰ أََﻧﺎ ٱﱠ‬ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ِﻟِذْﻛِرى‬ ‫ﻻ أََﻧ۠ﺎ َﻓﭑْﻋﺑ ُْدِﻧﻰ َوأَِﻗِم ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ “Innaneee Anal laahu laaa ilaaha illaa Ana fa'budnee wa aqimis-salaata lizikree” “It is truly I. I am Allah! There is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Me. So, worship Me ˹alone˺, and establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Reference: Surah Taha, 20:14) 8 ۚ ‫ف ِﻓﯾِﮫ َوٱْﻟَﺑﺎِد‬ ِ ‫ﺻد ﱡوَن َﻋن َﺳِﺑﯾِل ٱ ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ِإﱠن ٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن َﻛَﻔُرو۟ا َوَﯾ‬ ُ ‫ َوٱْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد ٱْﻟَﺣَراِم ٱﻟﱠِذى َﺟَﻌْﻠَﻧٰـﮫ ُ ِﻟﻠﻧﱠﺎِس َﺳَوآًء ٱْﻟَﻌٰـِﻛ‬e ُ ‫ۢ◌ ٍ◌َوَﻣن ﯾ ُِرْد ِﻓﯾِﮫ ِﺑﺈِْﻟَﺣﺎٍۭد ِﺑ‬ ‫ب أَِﻟﯾم‬ ٍ ‫ظْﻠٍۢم ﻧﱡِذْﻗﮫ ُ ِﻣْن َﻋذَا‬ “Innal lazeena kafaroo wa yasuddoona 'an sabeelil laahi wal Masjidil Haraamil lazee ja'alnaahu linnaasi sawaaa'anil 'aakifu feehi walbaad; wa mai yurid feehi bi ilhaadim bizulmin nuziqhu min 'azaabin aleem” “Indeed, those who persist in disbelief and hinder ˹others˺ from the Way of Allah and from the Sacred Mosque—which We have appointed for all people, residents and visitors alike—along with whoever intends to deviate by doing wrong in it, We will cause them to taste a painful punishment.” (Reference: Surah Al-Hajj, 22:25) ‫ﺳوَل َﻟَﻌﻠﱠُﻛْم ﺗ ُْرَﺣُﻣون‬ ُ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َوَءاﺗ ُو۟ا ٱﻟﱠزَﻛ ٰوةَ َوأَِطﯾﻌُو۟ا ٱﻟﱠر‬ ‫ََوأَِﻗﯾُﻣو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ “Wa aqeemus Salaata wa aatuz Zakaata wa atee'ur Rasoola la'allakum turhamoon” “Establish Prayer and pay Zakah and obey the Messenger so that mercy may be shown to you.” (Reference: Surah An-Nur, 24:56) Salah in Sunnah The significance of prayer is further affirmed by numerous hadiths, emphasizing its pivotal role in the life of a devout Muslim. Here are some hadiths about the importance of prayer. ّ ِ ‫ِِإﱠن َﺑْﯾَن اﻟﱠرُﺟِل َوَﺑْﯾَن اﻟ‬ ‫ﺻﻼَة‬ ‫ﺷْرِك َواْﻟُﻛْﻔِر ﺗَْرَك اﻟ ﱠ‬ “Verily between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer.” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 82a In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 153) ُ ‫ُ َﻋﱠز َوَﺟﱠل اْﻧ‬e‫ﺻﻼَﺗ ُﮫ ُ َﻓﺈِْن َﻛﺎَن أَْﻛَﻣَﻠَﮭﺎ َوِإﻻﱠ َﻗﺎَل اﱠ‬ َ َ‫ظُروا ِﻟَﻌْﺑِدي ِﻣْن ﺗ‬ ‫طﱡوعٍ َﻓﺈِْن‬ ُ ‫أَﱠوُل َﻣﺎ ﯾ َُﺣﺎَﺳ‬ َ ُ ‫ب ِﺑِﮫ اْﻟَﻌْﺑد‬ َ َ‫َُوِﺟدَ َﻟﮫ ُ ﺗ‬ ‫ﺿﺔ‬ َ ‫طﱡوعٌ َﻗﺎَل أَْﻛِﻣﻠ ُوا ِﺑِﮫ اْﻟَﻔِرﯾ‬ The first thing for which a person will be brought to account will be his Salah. If it is complete (all well and good), otherwise Allah will say: 'Look and see if My slave did any voluntary prayer.' If he is found to have done voluntary prayers, his obligatory prayers will be completed therewith. (Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 467) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 20) ‫ﻣن ﺻﻠﻰ اﻟﺑردﯾن دﺧل اﻟﺟﻧﺔ‬ 9 “He who observes Al-Bardan (i.e., Fajr and 'Asr prayers) will enter Jannah.” (Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1047) (In-book reference: Book 8, Hadith 57) ‫ ﻓﺈن اﺳﺗطﻌﺗم أن ﻻ ﺗﻐﻠﺑو‬،‫ ﻻﺗﺿﺎﻣون ﻓﻲ رؤﯾﺗﮫ‬،‫ﻋﻠﻰ ﺻﻼة إﻧﻛم ﺳﺗرون رﺑﻛم ﻛﻣﺎ ﺗرون ھذا اﻟﻘﻣر‬ ‫ وﻗﺑل ﻏروﺑﮭﺎ ﻓﺎﻓﻌﻠوا‬،‫ﻗﺑل طﻠوع اﻟﺷﻣس‬ “You will see your Rubb in the Hereafter as you see this moon having no difficulty in seeing it. So, try your best to perform the prayers before the rising of the sun and before its setting.” (Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1051) (In-book reference: Book 8, Hadith 61) ‫ﺻﻼﱠَھﺎ َﻣَﻊ اﻟﻧﱠﺎِس أَْو َﻣَﻊ اْﻟَﺟَﻣﺎَﻋِﺔ أَْو‬ ‫َﻣْن ﺗََو ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ﺻﻼَِة َﻓﺄ َْﺳَﺑَﻎ اْﻟُو‬ ‫ﺿوَء ﺛ ُﱠم َﻣَﺷﻰ ِإَﻟﻰ اﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺿﺄ َ ِﻟﻠ ﱠ‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَِة اْﻟَﻣْﻛﺗ ُوَﺑِﺔ َﻓ‬ ‫ُ َﻟﮫ ُ ذ ُﻧ ُوَﺑﮫ‬e‫ُِﻓﻲ اْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد َﻏَﻔَر اﱠ‬ “He who performed ablution for prayer and performed it properly and then went (to observe) obligatory prayer and offered it along with people or with the congregation or in the mosque, Allah would pardon his sins.” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 232b) (Inbook reference: Book 2, Hadith 16) ْ ‫ت َﺧ‬ َ َ‫َﻣْن ﺗ‬ ْ ‫ َﻛﺎَﻧ‬e ٍ ‫طﱠﮭَر ِﻓﻲ َﺑْﯾِﺗِﮫ ﺛ ُﱠم َﻣَﺷﻰ ِإَﻟﻰ َﺑْﯾ‬ ِ ‫ت ِﻣْن ﺑ ُﯾ ُو‬ ِ‫ضا ﱠ‬ ِ‫ت ا ﱠ‬ ُ ‫طَوﺗَﺎه‬ ِ ‫ﺿﺔً ِﻣْن َﻓَراِﺋ‬ َ ‫ﻲ َﻓِرﯾ‬ ِ ‫ ِﻟَﯾْﻘ‬e َ ‫ﺿ‬ ‫ًِإْﺣدَاھَُﻣﺎ ﺗَُﺣ ﱡ‬ ‫ط َﺧِطﯾﺋَﺔً َواﻷ ُْﺧَرى ﺗَْرَﻓُﻊ دََرَﺟﺔ‬ He who purified himself in his house, and then he walked to one of the houses of Allah for the sake of performing a Fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara'id (obligatory acts) of Allah, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status. (Reference: Sahih Muslim 666) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 354) ‫ﺻﻼَﺗ ُﮫ ُ ِﻓﻲ اْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَة ً َو‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَﺗ ُﮫ ُ ِﻓﻲ َﻣْﺳِﺟِد اْﻟَﻘَﺑﺎِﺋِل ِﺑَﺧْﻣٍس َوِﻋْﺷِرﯾَن‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَةٍ َو‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَة ُ اﻟﱠرُﺟِل ِﻓﻲ َﺑْﯾِﺗِﮫ ِﺑ‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَة ٌ ِﻓﻲ َﻣْﺳِﺟِدي‬ ِ ‫ﺻﻰ ِﺑَﺧْﻣِﺳﯾَن أَْﻟ‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَةٍ َو‬ َ ‫ف‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَة ٌ ِﻓﻲ اْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد اﻷ َْﻗ‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَةٍ َو‬ َ ‫اﻟﱠِذي ﯾ َُﺟﱠﻣُﻊ ِﻓﯾِﮫ ِﺑَﺧْﻣِﺳِﻣﺎﺋَِﺔ‬ ‫ﺻﻼَة‬ ِ ‫ﺻﻼَة ٌ ِﻓﻲ اْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد اْﻟَﺣَراِم ِﺑِﻣﺎﺋَِﺔ أَْﻟ‬ ِ ‫ٍِﺑَﺧْﻣِﺳﯾَن أَْﻟ‬ َ ‫ف‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَةٍ َو‬ َ ‫ف‬ “A man’s prayer in his house is equal (in reward) to one prayer; his prayer in the mosque of the tribes is equal to twenty-five prayers; his prayer in the mosque in which Friday prayer is offered is equal to five hundred prayers; his prayer in Aqsa Mosque is equal to fifty thousand prayers; his prayer in my mosque is equal to fifty thousand prayers; and his prayer in the Sacred Mosque is equal to one hundred thousand prayers.” (Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 1413) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 611) (Grade: Da’if, Darussalam) 10 There’s a beautiful discussion between Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and one of his companions, Mu'adh bin Jabal (RA), which explains the importance of Salah. I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): “Inform me of an act which will cause me to enter Jannah and keep me far from Hell.” He (PBUH) replied: “You have asked me about a matter of great importance, but it is easy for one for whom Allah makes it easy.” He (PBUH) added: “Worship Allah, associate nothing with Him in worship, offer AsSalat (the prayer), pay the Zakat, observe Saum (fasting) during Ramadan and perform Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House of Allah if you can afford it.” He (PBUH) further said: "Shall I not guide you to the gates of goodness? Fasting is a screen (from Hell), charity extinguishes (i.e., removes) the sins as water extinguishes fire, and standing in prayers by a slave of Allah during the last third part of the night.” Then he (PBUH) recited: “Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rabb in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” (Surah As-Sajdah, 32:16-17) Then he added: “Shall I tell you of the root of the matter, its pillar, and its highest point?” I replied: “Yes! Certainly, O Prophet of Allah.” He said: “The root of this matter (foundation) is Islam, its pillar (mainstay is) As-Salat (the prayer) and its highest point is Jihad (fighting in the Cause of Allah).” Then he asked: “Shall I tell you of that which holds all these things?” I said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” So, he took hold of his tongue and said: “Keep this in control.” I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall we really be accounted for what we talk about?” He replied: “May your mother lose you! People will be thrown on their faces into the Hell on account of their tongues.” (Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1522) (In-book reference: Book 17, Hadith 12) 11 Benefits of Offering Salah Offering Salah yields a multitude of benefits, encompassing spiritual, mental, and physical dimensions. It serves as a profound act of worship, fostering a closer connection with Allah, and promoting inner peace, discipline, and mindfulness. Here’s a list of important benefits that offering prayer allows you to reap in the light of Islamic teachings. Invoke Allah the Almighty One of the most remarkable benefits of offering Salah is that it allows you to invoke Allah the Almighty. While there are no limitations on how one may reach out to Allah, Salah is a fundamental obligation from Allah Almighty to all His servants. Invoking Allah through prayer holds a unique significance, as any supplication made within or after Salah is more likely to be accepted by Allah compared to independent supplications. This divine assurance is echoed in the Quran: ‫ﺻٰـِﺑِرﯾن‬ ‫ﺻْﺑِر َوٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ََﯾٰـ ٓﺄ َﯾﱡَﮭﺎ ٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن َءاَﻣﻧ ُو۟ا ٱْﺳﺗَِﻌﯾﻧ ُو۟ا ِﺑﭑﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ َﻣَﻊ ٱﻟ ﱠ‬e َ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوِة ۚ ِإﱠن ٱ ﱠ‬ “Yaaa ayyuhal laazeena aamanus ta'eenoo bissabri was Salaah; innal laaha ma'as-saabireen” “You who believe, seek help through steadfastness and prayer, for God is with the steadfast.” (Reference: Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:153). Rewards in the Hereafter As Muslims, we believe that every person will face accountability for their deeds in the afterlife. The true reward of Salah, however, unfolds in the Hereafter when Allah Almighty bestows blessings upon the person. In the Quran, Allah explains this divine reward: ‫ف‬ ِ ‫ﺻٰـِﻠَﺣٰـ‬ ‫ت َوأََﻗﺎُﻣو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ِإﱠن ٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن َءاَﻣﻧ ُو۟ا َوَﻋِﻣﻠ ُو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ٌ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َوَءاﺗَُو۟ا ٱﻟﱠزَﻛ ٰوةَ َﻟُﮭْم أَْﺟُرھُْم ِﻋﻧدَ َر ِﺑِّﮭْم َوَﻻ َﺧْو‬ ‫ََﻋَﻠْﯾِﮭْم َوَﻻ ھُْم َﯾْﺣَزﻧ ُون‬ “Innal lazeena aamanoo wa amilus saalihaati wa aqaamus salaata wa aatawuz zakaata lahum ajruhum 'inda rabbihim wa laa khawfun 'alaihim wa laa hum yahzanoon” 12 “Indeed, those who believe, do good, establish prayer, and pay alms-tax will receive their reward from their Lord, and there will be no fear for them, nor will they grieve.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:277) This verse makes a clear promise that no fear or grief will touch those who believe, perform righteous deeds, establish prayers, and fulfill their prescribed alms will find their ultimate reward with Allah. Direct Communication with Allah Islam teaches us that Salah is basically direct communication with Allah almighty. This connection is universal, and prescribed to all of us, as it provides a pathway to contentment, peace, and happiness. The Quran itself explains this continuous connection with Allah in the verse: ْ ‫ ِﻗَﯾٰـًۭﻣﺎ َوﻗُﻌُو ۭدًا َوَﻋَﻠٰﻰ ُﺟﻧ ُوِﺑُﻛْم ۚ َﻓﺈِذَا ٱ‬e َ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوة‬ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ۚ ِإﱠن ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫طَﻣﺄ َْﻧﻧﺗ ُْم َﻓﺄ َِﻗﯾُﻣو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺿْﯾﺗ ُُم ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ َ ‫َﻓﺈِذَا َﻗ‬ َ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َﻓﭑْذُﻛُرو۟ا ٱ ﱠ‬ ْ ‫َﻛﺎَﻧ‬ ‫ت َﻋَﻠﻰ ٱْﻟُﻣْؤِﻣِﻧﯾَن ِﻛﺗَٰـ ۭﺑًﺎ ﱠﻣْوﻗُو ۭﺗ ًﺎ‬ “Fa izaa qadaitumus Salaata fazkurul laaha qiyaamanw wa qu'oodanw wa 'alaa junoobikum; fa izatma'nantum fa aqeemus Salaah; innas Salaata kaanat 'alal mu'mineena kitaabam mawqootaa” “After performing the ritual prayer, continue to remember God- standing, sitting, and lying on your sides- and once you are safe, keep up regular prayer, for prayer is obligatory for the believers at prescribed times." (Surah An-Nisa 4:103) This verse underscores the versatility of staying connected with Allah through various postures and the obligation of regular prayer for believers at appointed times. Enhances Piety (Taqwa) Salah plays a crucial role in enhancing one's Taqwa, which is a state of mindfulness and caution in a Muslim's actions. Taqwa goes beyond fear of consequences, as it's a conscious avoidance of what Allah Almighty has prohibited. It involves being aware of Allah in every action and step taken. The Quran highlights the connection between Salah and Taqwa in following verses: ‫ب ۛ ِﻓﯾِﮫ ۛ ھُ ۭدًى ِﻟّْﻠُﻣﺗ ﱠِﻘﯾن‬ ُ ‫َ ٰذَِﻟَك ٱْﻟِﻛﺗَٰـ‬ َ ‫ب َﻻ َرْﯾ‬ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َوِﻣﱠﻣﺎ َرَزْﻗَﻧٰـُﮭْم ﯾ ُﻧِﻔﻘُون‬ ‫ب َوﯾ ُِﻘﯾُﻣوَن ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫َٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن ﯾ ُْؤِﻣﻧ ُوَن ِﺑﭑْﻟَﻐْﯾ‬ 13 “Zaalikal Kitaabu laa raiba feeh; hudal lilmuttaqeen” “Allazeena yu'minoona bilghaibi wa yuqeemoonas salaata wa mimmaa razaqnaahum yunfiqoon” “This is the Book! There is no doubt about it—a guide for those mindful of Allah.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:2) “Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:3) These verses mean that those with Taqwa are guided by the Scripture, believe in the unseen, perform Salah, and contribute from what Allah has bestowed upon them. Therefore, Salah allows us to achieve a state of piety that goes hand in hand with the teachings of the Quran. Protects from Shaitan (Satan) and Evil Powers Shaitan’s primary goal is to lead people into darkness, enticing them to commit sins and deviate from the path of righteousness. The journey into sin may begin with a single temptation, and once ensnared, Shaitan works persistently to lead individuals deeper into ignorance and oblivion. Distinguishing between right and wrong becomes challenging unless one repents and strives for self-improvement. This is where prayer plays a crucial role. In the Quran, Allah Almighty states: َ ‫ﺷْﯾ‬ ‫ِإﻧﱠَﻣﺎ ﯾ ُِرﯾد ُ ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ َوَﻋِن‬e ِ ‫ﺻد ﱠُﻛْم َﻋن ِذْﻛِر ٱ ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ﺿﺎ َٓء ِﻓﻰ ٱْﻟَﺧْﻣِر َوٱْﻟَﻣْﯾِﺳِر َوَﯾ‬ َ ‫طٰـُن أَن ﯾ ُوِﻗَﻊ َﺑْﯾَﻧُﻛُم ٱْﻟَﻌ ٰدََوةَ َوٱْﻟَﺑْﻐ‬ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوِة ۖ َﻓَﮭْل أَﻧﺗ ُم ﱡﻣﻧﺗَُﮭون‬ ‫َٱﻟ ﱠ‬ “Innamaa yureedush Shaitaanu ai yooqi'a bainakumul 'adaawata wal baghdaaa'a fil khamri wal maisiri wa yasuddakum 'an zikril laahi wa 'anis Salaati fahal antum muntahoon” “Satan’s plan is to stir up hostility and hatred between you with intoxicants and gambling and to prevent you from remembering Allah and praying. Will you not then abstain?” (Surah Al-Maidah 5:91) It means that Shaitan uses vices like intoxicants and gambling to foster enmity and hinder people from remembering Allah and performing prayer. Prayer, therefore, serves as a protective shield against the influence of Shaitan and evil forces, helping us remain on the right path. 14 Expiates Sins Sins are inevitable, and whether in the past or present, everyone may find themselves having committed wrongs. To cleanse ourselves from the spiritual impurities we accumulate, prayer stands as a powerful means. The ablution performed before prayer holds a remarkable significance, as it alone expiates sins from every body part touched by water. The mercy of Allah is truly abundant, and we should earnestly seek His blessings and mercy. As affirmed in the hadith: ‫ َﻗﺎﻟ ُوا ﻻَ َﯾْﺑَﻘﻰ‬.‫ت َھْل َﯾْﺑَﻘﻰ ِﻣْن دََرِﻧِﮫ َﺷْﻰٌء‬ ٍ ‫س َﻣﱠرا‬ ِ ‫أََرأَْﯾﺗ ُْم َﻟْو أَﱠن َﻧْﮭًرا ِﺑَﺑﺎ‬ َ ‫ب أََﺣِدُﻛْم َﯾْﻐﺗَِﺳُل ِﻣْﻧﮫ ُ ُﻛﱠل َﯾْوٍم َﺧْﻣ‬ َ ‫ُ ِﺑِﮭﱠن اْﻟَﺧ‬e‫ت اْﻟَﺧْﻣِس َﯾْﻣُﺣو اﱠ‬ ‫طﺎَﯾﺎ‬ ِ ‫ﺻَﻠَوا‬ ‫ َﻗﺎَل " َﻓذَِﻟَك َﻣﺛَُل اﻟ ﱠ‬.‫ِﻣْن دََرِﻧِﮫ َﺷْﻰٌء‬ “Just see, can anything of his filthiness remain (on the body of) any one of you if there were a river at his door in which he washed himself five times daily? They (Companions (RA) of Prophet PBUH)), said: Nothing of his filthiness will remain (on his body). He said: That is like the five prayers by which Allah obliterates sins.” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 667) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 355) This analogy illustrates the profound impact of the five daily prayers, acting as a cleansing river that erases various sins and purifies the soul. Keeps Lewdness at Bay One of the key roles of Salah is to shield oneself from the prevalent lewdness in today's world. As Muslims raised in diverse environments, our exposure to various influences can impact our well-being and understanding of the world. Coupled with peer pressure promoting a hedonistic lifestyle, the temptation to stray from the righteous path becomes a real challenge. To combat the allure of lewdness, Muslims must seek refuge in Salah. Allah, in the Quran, asserts: ُ ۗ ‫ أَْﻛَﺑُر‬e ِ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ﺗَْﻧَﮭٰﻰ َﻋِن ٱْﻟَﻔْﺣَﺷﺎ ِٓء َوٱْﻟُﻣﻧَﻛِر ۗ َوَﻟِذْﻛُر ٱ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ۖ ِإﱠن ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ب َوأَِﻗِم ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ﻰ ِإَﻟْﯾَك ِﻣَن ٱْﻟِﻛﺗَٰـ‬ َ ‫ٱﺗُْل َﻣﺎ ٓ أوِﺣ‬ ‫ﺻَﻧﻌُون‬ ْ َ‫ُ َﯾْﻌَﻠُم َﻣﺎ ﺗ‬e‫ََوٱﱠ‬ “Utlu maaa oohiya ilaika minal Kitaabi wa aqimis Salaata innas Salaata tanhaa 'anil fahshaaa'i wal munkar; wa lazikrul laahi akbar; wal laahu ya'lamu maa tasna'oon” 15 “Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, genuine prayer should deter one from indecency and wickedness. The remembrance of Allah is an even greater deterrent. And Allah fully knows what you all do.” (Surah AlAnkabut 29:45) This verse shows the preventive power of prayer, serving as a barrier against immoral and reprehensible actions. Through prayer, we can find the strength to resist the temptations of the world and maintain a steadfast commitment to virtuous living. Cures Anxiety and Worries The impact of Salah on alleviating anxiety and worries has been examined in a scientific study conducted in seven Muslim countries. (Reference: https://news.gallup.com/poll/6814/role-prayer-islamic-world.aspx) The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between prayer and the soothing of personal worries. In six of these countries, more than two-thirds of Muslims reported that prayer greatly helps in easing their anxieties. The study also delved into the motivations behind why Muslims pray in five of these countries, including Pakistan, Iran, Morocco, Indonesia, and Lebanon. Approximately three-fifths or more cited duty or ritual as their personal reason for praying. Additionally, some Muslims expressed that prayer makes them feel better and closer to Allah, or it brings about a sense of peace, serenity, and relief from pressure. Many stated the immediate positive effects they experience during prayer as a significant motivation to engage in this spiritual practice. Improves Physical Health Beyond the spiritual and emotional benefits of performing Salah, it's essential to recognize its impact on physical health. A study by Ghazal Kamran, a Senior Physiotherapist at the Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Institute, Al Ain Hospital, revealed that performing the five daily prayers can burn approximately 80 calories a day. (Reference: https://www.heighpubs.org/jnpr/jnpr-aid1020.php) It’s important to note that Salah not only contributes to calorie burning but also involves continuous, gentle muscle contraction and relaxation with perfect harmony and balance. It incorporates various types of stretching and isometric contraction exercises, making it suitable for people of all ages and conditions. According to Prof Dr Wan Azman Wan Ahmad, a Cardiology Consultant Specialist from the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), “12 Rakʿah (unit for a set of actions 16 in a prayer) is equivalent to 30 minutes of light exercises daily as recommended by health experts”. (Reference: https://www.heighpubs.org/jnpr/jnpr-aid1020.php) This underscores the physical exercise aspect of Salah, highlighting its potential to contribute positively to overall physical health. 17 Hikmah Behind Offering Salah The act of offering Salah in Islam carries profound wisdom and significance, as it extends beyond the expiation of sins and the fulfillment of a religious obligation. The origin of this act of worship lies in its endowment, which means Namaz is performed as mandated by Islamic law without alteration. The duty of a Muslim is to fulfill this act even without necessarily comprehending the full wisdom behind it. In simple words, the main purpose of offering Salah is to display obedience to divine commands without questions and reservations. Imam Al-Ghazali, in his renowned work 'Ihya Ulum al-Din,' acknowledges that certain acts of worship, like Zakat and fasting, have apparent wisdom. For instance, Zakat helps maintain societal balance and solidarity by redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor and fosters a harmonious coexistence. Fasting, on the other hand, serves to curb desires, discipline the soul, instill patience, and increase obedience. However, there are acts of worship whose wisdom may not be immediately apparent. Examples include the symbolic rituals during Hajj, such as stoning the Jamarat and running between Safa and Marwa. The true motive behind these acts lies in the love and compliance with the command of Allah. Performing these acts allows us to show our sincerity, commitment, and submission to the wise Sharia. In the same way, the act of bowing and prostrating during Salah is a demonstration of humility before Allah Almighty. The repetition of prostration, in contrast to the other pillars, is a means to compel Satan, who refused to prostrate, and as an expression of gratitude to God for answering supplications in the initial prostration. Additionally, Salah also serves as a psychological necessity for us. Regardless of our worldly power or knowledge, the act of prayer symbolizes a connection with Allah, seeking refuge and help from the Almighty. This psychological impact brings tranquility to the soul to maintain its balance and acts as a healing balm for guilt by emphasizing the forgiveness of sins through prayer. It alleviates fear, protects against psychological disturbances, and instills strength and resilience that a person lacking faith in prayer may not experience. In simple words, it’s a profound expression of submission and devotion that helps us attain psychological well-being and spiritual tranquility. 18 Rules and Guidelines About Salah Engaging in Salah is a structured process, with a set of principles that one must follow. The cornerstone of this practice is the performance of five daily obligatory (Fard) prayers, each with its designated time and Rakats (units of prayer). Fard Prayers Fajr: 2 Rakats before sunrise. Zuhr: 4 Rakats at midday. Asr: 4 Rakats between Zuhr and sunset. Maghrib: 3 Rakats at sunset. Isha: 4 Rakats after complete darkness till midnight. Sunnah Prayers Sunnah Prayers are additional Rakats of Prayer that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) offered beyond the obligatory prayers. They are considered necessary by most scholars, and their intentional neglect is considered censurable in the sight of Allah. The Sunnah Prayers include: Fajr Prayer: 2 Rakats before the Fard Prayer of Fajr. If someone joins the congregation without having offered these 2 Rakats, they can be performed after the congregational lead Prayer. Zuhr Prayer: 4 Rakats before the Fard and 2 Rakats after the Fard. If, due to unavoidable circumstances, a person misses the 4 Rakats of Sunnah before the congregational 4 Rakats, they can be performed after the congregational Prayer. Important Note: There is a difference in practice among Muslims, with some offering 4 Rakats before and 2 Rakats after the Fard of Zuhr, while others, like Ahmadi Muslims, offer 4 Rakats before and four Rakats after the Fard. Maghrib Prayer: 2 Rakats of Sunnah after the Fard. Isha Prayer: 2 Rakats of Sunnah after the Fard Rakats. These Sunnah Prayers serve as a means for believers to enhance their connection with Allah and supplement the obligatory prayers with additional acts of devotion. Wajib Prayers Wajib (necessary) prayers encompass specific acts of worship that are obligatory for believers. Observing these prayers is essential for Muslims, and neglecting them without valid reasons is considered contrary to the teachings of Islam. 19 Each of these prayers holds significance in specific contexts and occasions, contributing to the comprehensive practice of the Islamic faith. Witr Prayer: 3 Rakats and is performed individually, usually after the ‘Isha’ Prayer. Eid-Fitr and Eid-Adha Prayers: 2 Rakats each and are performed on the respective festive days of Eid-Fitr and Eid-Adha. Tawaf Prayer: 2 Rakats performed during the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka‘bah. Nafl Prayers Apart from the obligatory, Sunnah, and Wajib prayers, Muslims also have the option to engage in voluntary prayers, known as Nafl (plural: Nawafil), which are performed for personal benefits and additional spiritual rewards. Some of these Nafl prayers include: Tahajjud Prayer: 8 (2+2+2+2) Rakats and is performed during the night after waking up from sleep. It means that you must go to sleep to offer this prayer during the last hour of the night. Zuhr Prayer: Additional 2 Rakats performed after the Sunnah prayers at the end of the Zuhr Prayer. Asr Prayer: Performed before the obligatory ‘Asr Prayer, consisting of 4 Rakats. Maghrib Prayer: Extra 2 Rakats offered after the Sunnah prayers after the Maghrib Prayer. Ishraq Prayer: 2 Rakats and is performed shortly after sunrise. Chasht Prayer: Chaasht prayer, also known as the Forenoon or Duha prayer, is a voluntary prayer performed during the daytime. The best time for this Nafl is after some part of the day has passed until just before Zawaal (midday). Typically, it is performed around 10:00 AM. It can consist of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, or 12 Rakats (units of prayer), and it is an excellent opportunity for believers to earn additional spiritual rewards. Salat ul Taubah: This prayer is meant to be performed when a person feels the need for repentance. Typically consisting of 2 Rakats, the sincere and truthful performance of this prayer is believed to lead to the forgiveness of sins. It serves as a way for individuals to turn back to Allah in repentance and seek His mercy. Salat ul Istikhaarah: This prayer can be performed at any permissible time and usually includes 2 Rakats. Salat ul Istikhaarah is known as the Prayer for Guidance. Muslims turn to this prayer when they are faced with decisions and seek Allah's guidance in making the right choice. It is a way of seeking divine help and wisdom. 20 Salat ul Hajat: Reserved for times of need, Salat ul Hajaat usually involves 2 Rakats. It is performed when a person is in a difficult situation or facing challenges and is seeking Allah's help. The prayer is a way of expressing dependence on Allah and seeking His assistance in times of hardship. Tahiyyat ul Wudu: After performing Wudu (ablution), a Muslim can offer 2 Rakats known as Tahiyyat ul Wudu. This prayer is considered a way of expressing gratitude for the cleanliness achieved through Wudhu and is believed to bring blessings. Tahiyyat ul Masjid: Upon entering the masjid (mosque) and before sitting down, Muslims are encouraged to perform 2 Rakats known as Tahiyyat ul Masjid. This is a way of showing respect to the mosque and seeking Allah's blessings upon entering. It is a Sunnah prayer associated with visiting the mosque. 21 Prerequisites of Salah Prerequisites of Salah are essential conditions for the validity of the prayer, ensuring purity and correctness in the worship. These conditions encompass the worshiper, the environment, and the act itself. Let's delve into each prerequisite as outlined in the Quran and Hadith: Purity of Body The requirement for purity of the body before Salah is an essential condition for the validity of the prayer. The Quran, in Surah Al-Ma'idah, guides believers on the necessity of physical purification before approaching Allah: ‫ق َوٱْﻣَﺳُﺣو۟ا ِﺑُرُءوِﺳُﻛْم‬ ‫َﯾٰـ ٓﺄ َﯾﱡَﮭﺎ ٱﻟﱠِذﯾَن َءاَﻣﻧ ُٓو۟ا ِإذَا ﻗُْﻣﺗ ُْم ِإَﻟﻰ ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوِة َﻓﭑْﻏِﺳﻠ ُو۟ا ُوُﺟوَھُﻛْم َوأَْﯾِدَﯾُﻛْم ِإَﻟﻰ ٱْﻟَﻣَراِﻓ‬ ‫ۚ◌ ۟◌َوأَْرُﺟَﻠُﻛْم ِإَﻟﻰ ٱْﻟَﻛْﻌَﺑْﯾِن ۚ َوِإن ُﻛﻧﺗ ُْم ُﺟﻧ ُ ۭﺑًﺎ َﻓﭑ ﱠ‬ ‫طﱠﮭُروا‬ “Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanoo izaa qumtum ilas Salaati faghsiloo wujoohakum wa Aidiyakum ilal maraafiqi wamsahoo biru'oosikum wa arjulakum ilal ka'bayn; wa in kuntum junuban fattahharoo” “O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of ˹full˺ impurity,1 then take a full bath. (Ghusl).” (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:6) This Quranic directive sets the foundation for the importance of cleanliness in worship. Purity/Cleanliness of Clothes The purity or cleanliness of clothing is also linked to the acceptance of Salah. An authentic Hadith provides practical insights into this prerequisite. The incident narrated by Umm Qais bint Mihsin illustrates the Prophet's (PBUH) reaction when a child urinated on his garment. The Prophet (PBUH) asked for water to pour over it, underscoring the importance of maintaining purity in one's clothing for prayer. The exact words of the hadith are: ُ ْ ‫ُأَﻧﱠَﮭﺎ َﻗﺎَﻟ‬ ‫ َﻓدََﻋﺎ ِﺑَﻣﺎٍء َﻓﺄ َﺗَْﺑَﻌﮫ ُ ِإﯾﱠﺎه‬،‫ َﻓَﺑﺎَل َﻋَﻠﻰ ﺛَْوِﺑِﮫ‬،ٍ ‫ﻲ‬ ِ ‫ﺳوُل ا ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ﻲ َر‬ َ ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم ِﺑ‬e ّ ‫ﺻِﺑ‬ َ ‫ت أِﺗ‬ “A child was brought to Allah's Messenger (PBUH) and it urinated on the garment of the Prophet. The Prophet (PBUH) asked for water and poured it over the soiled place.” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 222) (In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 88) 22 Covering the Awrah (Private Parts) The requirement to cover the private parts during Salah is a fundamental aspect of modesty and decency in Islamic worship. The Quran, in Surah al-Araf, instructs believers: ‫ب ٱْﻟُﻣْﺳِرِﻓﯾن‬ ‫ََﯾٰـَﺑِﻧٓﻰ َءادََم ُﺧذ ُو۟ا ِزﯾَﻧﺗَُﻛْم ِﻋﻧدَ ُﻛِّل َﻣْﺳِﺟٍۢد َوُﻛﻠ ُو۟ا َوٱْﺷَرﺑ ُو۟ا َوَﻻ ﺗ ُْﺳِرﻓُٓو۟ا ۚ ِإﻧﱠﮫ ُۥ َﻻ ﯾ ُِﺣ ﱡ‬ “Yaa Banneee Adama khuzoo zeenatakum 'inda kulli masjidinw wa kuloo washraboo wa laa tusrifoo; innahoo laa yuhibbul musrifeen” “O children of Adam, take your adornment [i.e., wear your clothing] at every masjid, and eat and drink, but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.” (Surah Al-Araf, 7:31) This verse shows the significance of covering one's private parts as a form of adornment during prayer. Men should cover their bodies from shoulders to knees, while women are required to cover their entire bodies except for the face and hands. These guidelines contribute to the maintenance of modesty and the sanctity of the prayer space. Wudu (Ablution) Wudu, or ablution, is a crucial prerequisite for Salah, and its significance is reiterated in various hadiths. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the indispensability of wudu before prayer. The hadith in Abu Dawood quotes the Prophet (PBUH), stating: َ َ‫ﺻﻼَةَ أََﺣِدُﻛْم ِإذَا أَْﺣد‬ ‫ﺿﺄ‬ ‫ث َﺣﺗ ﱠﻰ َﯾﺗََو ﱠ‬ َ ُe‫َﻻَ َﯾْﻘَﺑُل اﱠ‬ “Allah does not accept the prayer of any of you when you are defiled until you perform ablution.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 60) (In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 60) Wudu serves as a symbolic purification, preparing the believer both physically and spiritually for the act of worship. The specific actions involved in wudu, such as washing the face, hands, and feet, signify the removal of sins and impurities before standing in the presence of Allah. Purity of Place The importance of a pure place for prayer is emphasized in both the Quran and authentic hadiths. In Surah Al-Hajj Allah instructs: 23 ‫ﻰ ِﻟﻠ ﱠ‬ َ ‫ت أَن ﱠﻻ ﺗ ُْﺷِرْك ِﺑﻰ َﺷْﯾ ۭـ†ﺎ َو‬ ‫ﺳُﺟود‬ ِ ‫َِوِإْذ َﺑﱠوأَْﻧﺎ ِ ِﻹْﺑَٰرِھﯾَم َﻣَﻛﺎَن ٱْﻟَﺑْﯾ‬ ‫طﺎ ِٓﺋِﻔﯾَن َوٱْﻟَﻘﺎ ِٓﺋِﻣﯾَن َوٱﻟﱡرﱠﻛِﻊ ٱﻟ ﱡ‬ َ ‫طِّﮭْر َﺑْﯾِﺗ‬ “Wa iz bawwaanaa li Ibraaheema makaanal Baiti allaa tushrik bee shai'anw wa tahhir Baitiya litaaa'ifeena walqaaa' imeena warrukka 'is sujood” “And remember when We assigned to Abraham the site of the House, saying, ‘Do not associate anything with Me in worship and purify My House for those who circle the Kaaba, stand in prayer, and bow and prostrate themselves’.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26) This verse highlights the sanctity of the prayer space and the necessity of maintaining its purity. A Hadith reinforces the concept of choosing a clean and pure spot for prayer. َ ‫ َﺣﺗ ﱠﻰ ِإذَا َﻓَر‬." ُ ‫ﻋوه‬ ‫غ دََﻋﺎ ِﺑَﻣﺎٍء‬ ُ َ‫ﻲ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم َرأَى أَْﻋَراِﺑﯾˆﺎ َﯾﺑ ُوُل ِﻓﻲ اْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد َﻓَﻘﺎَل " د‬ ‫أَﱠن اﻟﻧﱠِﺑ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺻﺑﱠﮫ ُ َﻋَﻠْﯾﮫ‬ َ ‫َﻓ‬.ِ “The Prophet (PBUH) saw a Bedouin making water in the mosque and told the people not to disturb him. When he finished, the Prophet (PBUH) asked for some water and poured it over (the urine).” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 219 In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 85) The physical cleanliness of the prayer space aligns with the spiritual purity sought in Salah. It symbolizes the believer's respect for the sacredness of the act and the environment in which they communicate with Allah. 24 Time of Prayer The timing of Salah holds great importance in Islamic worship. Each prayer has a designated time and offering it outside of its prescribed time frame renders it invalid. The Quran, in Surah An-Nisa, states: ْ ‫ ِﻗَﯾٰـًۭﻣﺎ َوﻗُﻌُو ۭدًا َوَﻋَﻠٰﻰ ُﺟﻧ ُوِﺑُﻛْم ۚ َﻓﺈِذَا ٱ‬e َ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوة‬ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ۚ ِإﱠن ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫طَﻣﺄ َْﻧﻧﺗ ُْم َﻓﺄ َِﻗﯾُﻣو۟ا ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺿْﯾﺗ ُُم ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ َ ‫َﻓﺈِذَا َﻗ‬ َ ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ َﻓﭑْذُﻛُرو۟ا ٱ ﱠ‬ ْ ‫َﻛﺎَﻧ‬ ‫ت َﻋَﻠﻰ ٱْﻟُﻣْؤِﻣِﻧﯾَن ِﻛﺗَٰـ ۭﺑًﺎ ﱠﻣْوﻗُو ۭﺗ ًﺎ‬ “Fa izaa qadaitumus Salaata fazkurul laaha qiyaamanw wa qu'oodanw wa 'alaa junoobikum; fa izatma'nantum fa aqeemus Salaah; innas Salaata kaanat 'alal mu'mineena kitaabam mawqootaa” “When the prayers are over, remember Allah—whether you are standing, sitting, or lying down. But when you are secure, establish regular prayers. Indeed, performing prayers is a duty on the believers at the appointed times.” (Surah An-Nisa, 4:103) 25 Direction of Qibla Facing the Qiblah, the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, is also obligatory. The Quran, in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:150), directs believers: ْ ‫ت َﻓَوِّل َوْﺟَﮭَك َﺷ‬ ُ ‫َوِﻣْن َﺣْﯾ‬ ‫طَر ٱْﻟَﻣْﺳِﺟِد ٱْﻟَﺣَرام‬ َ ‫ث َﺧَرْﺟ‬ “Wa min haisu kharajta fawalli wajhaka shatral Masjidil Haraam” “Wherever you are, O Prophet, turn your face towards the Sacred Mosque (i.e., Masjid al haram/Kaaba)." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:150) This verse establishes the Qiblah as a focal point for unity and uniformity in prayer. If an individual finds themselves in a location where determining the Qibla direction is challenging, such as a desert or forest, they are encouraged to make earnest efforts to identify the Qiblah. In circumstances where pinpointing the exact direction proves difficult, the person may proceed to perform their Salah in any direction they deem to be the Qiblah. But it’s emphasized that the sincerity of intention is paramount, and Allah will accept the prayer. Notably, Salah should commence in the direction of the Qiblah, and any changes in direction during the prayer are inconsequential—relevant, for instance, to those praying in an airplane, ship, or train. 26 Obligatory Duties to Fulfill During Salah There are some obligatory duties that one must fulfill while offering Salah to make sure it’s performed in accordance with the prescribed manner outlined by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Each of the following elements contributes to the holistic and complete nature of the prayer, and it allows you to reflect on your deep connection between yourself and the Divine. Niyyah (Intention) Niyyah, or intention, is the foundational element that you need to make right before starting your Salah. It’s basically the internal commitment and consciousness of offering the prayer exclusively for the sake of Allah. While niyyah is not uttered verbally, it’s essential for the validity of Salah. Takbir Al-Ihram (Opening Takbir) The opening Takbir, “‫( ”ﷲ أﻛﺑر‬Allahu Akbar), marks the initiation of Salah. It signifies the transition from worldly affairs to the sacred act of worship. This Takbir is a declaration of Allah's greatness and the worshiper's submission to Him. Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory in every Rakat of Salah. It is the opening chapter of the Quran and holds profound significance. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) stated: ‫ﺻﻼَةَ ِﻟَﻣْن َﻟْم َﯾْﻘَرأْ ِﺑَﻔﺎِﺗَﺣِﺔ اْﻟِﻛﺗَﺎب‬ َ َ‫ِﻻ‬ “Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid.” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 756) (In-book reference: Book 10, Hadith 150) Adding a Short Surah or Verses In addition to Al-Fatiha, it is obligatory to recite a short surah or at least three verses/lines after it in the first two Rakats of the obligatory prayer. This practice enhances the completeness of the prayer. Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha Before the Surah Ensuring the sequence of reciting Surah Al-Fatiha before the additional surah or verses is imperative for the proper order of the prayer. 27 Performing Consecutive Prostrations The performance of consecutive prostrations without a significant time gap is also obligatory. This ensures the fluidity and continuity of the prayer. Moderation and Calmness in Pillars The execution of all pillars of Salah with moderation and calmness is obligatory. Rushed or hasty movements can compromise the completeness of the prayer. Reciting Tashahhud Reciting the Tashahhud in the first sitting and the last sitting of the prayer is also obligatory. The Tashahhud is a testimony to the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH). Standing up for the Third Rakat Upon completing the Tashahhud, standing up promptly for the third Rakat without undue delay is obligatory. Completion of Prayer with Tasleem Leaving the prayer is finalized by saying “‫ﺣَﻣﺔ ُ ﷲ‬ ْ ‫ﺳﻼَُم َﻋَﻠْﯾُﻛْم َوَر‬ ‫( ”ِاﻟ ﱠ‬Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you) twice, signifying the conclusion of the prayer. Reciting Qunoot in Witr In the third Rakat of Witr, after completing Al-Fatiha and the surah, reciting the supplication of Qunoot is mandatory. This unique aspect of Witr prayer adds a distinctive component to the obligatory duties during Salah. 28 Actions that Invalidate Salah There are certain actions that one must avoid while offering Salah because they invalidate the act of worship. Missing Conditions or Pillars of Salah: The Salah is a structured act of worship with specific conditions and pillars, discussed above. Missing any of these integral components, intentionally or unintentionally, can invalidate the prayer. Speaking During Salah: Engaging in speech, whether intentional or unintentional, disrupts the focused connection with Allah during Salah. Maintaining silence is crucial to the integrity of the prayer. Nullifying Ablution (Wudhu): A valid Salah requires the worshiper to be in a state of ritual purity. Any action that nullifies ablution, such as using the restroom without subsequent ablution, invalidates the prayer. Fainting: Loss of consciousness or fainting during Salah disrupts the continuity of the prayer. Maintaining awareness and consciousness is vital to the validity of the worship. Sunrise during Fajr Salah: Completing Fajr Salah after sunrise contradicts the specified time for this prayer. Performing the Fajr Salah before sunrise is essential to its validity. If you can’t offer it before sunrise, you can do it once the sun has risen fully. Eating or Drinking: Consuming food or drink while in the process of Salah is offensive and disrupts the concentration required for prayer. A focused and undistracted state is crucial during Salah. Laughing: Laughter during Salah undermines the solemnity of the prayer. Maintaining a composed demeanor is integral to the sanctity of the act. Turning Over the Chest from the Side of Qibla: Maintaining the proper orientation towards the Qibla is essential during Salah. Turning away from this direction deliberately can invalidate the prayer. Impurity Touching Clothes or Body: If impurity (najas) comes into contact with one's clothes or body during Salah, it compromises the purity required for worship. Excessive Activity: Engaging in excessive activities such as repeated scratching or unnecessary movement disrupts the tranquility of the prayer. Intending to Cut the Prayer: Having the intention to cut short the Salah before its completion is offensive and undermines the commitment to complete the act of worship. 29 Offensive Actions in Prayer The following actions, while not necessarily invalidating the prayer, are considered offensive and go against the recommended etiquettes of Salah. Unnecessary Looking Back and Forth: Constantly looking back and forth without a valid reason is considered an unnecessary distraction during Salah. Leaning on Objects: Leaning on external objects during Salah disrupts the self-reliant and focused posture required for prayer. Looking at the Sky: Gazing at the sky during Salah deviates attention from the prayer and is considered an undesirable act. Curling Clothes or Hair: Engaging in unnecessary actions like curling clothes or hair can distract from the solemnity of the prayer. Relying on Only One Leg: Standing on one leg during Salah is an unconventional and distracting posture that goes against the recommended manner of praying. Praying with Reliance on Something: Depending on external support or objects unnecessarily during Salah undermines the self-sufficiency required in prayer. Bending Head Extra in Rukoo’: Excessive bending of the head during the rukoo' (bowing) position is considered an exaggeration and is discouraged. Wearing Distracting Clothes: Wearing clothes that distract from the concentration of Salah is discouraged, emphasizing the need for simplicity and focus. Spitting on the Side of Qibla: Spitting in the direction of Qibla is considered offensive and disrupts the sanctity of the prayer. Praying When Needed for Defecation: Initiating Salah when one needs to go to the toilet contradicts the state of physical cleanliness required for worship. Praying in Inappropriate Places: Praying in inappropriate places, such as bathrooms or non-Muslim places of worship, goes against the reverence and sanctity required for Salah. Praying when Food is Ready: Starting Salah when food is ready and desired contradicts the focused and undistracted state required for prayer. 30 Sajda-e-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness): How to Revive Perfection in Worship The Prostration of Forgetfulness, or Sajda-e-Sahw, is a merciful provision in Islam, allowing us to rectify our errors or omissions made during Salah. Its legitimacy finds validation in the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayrah and recorded by Al-Bukhari. ‫ت َﯾﺎ‬ ِ ‫ﺻَر‬ ِ ‫ﺳوَل ا ﱠ‬ َ ‫ﺻﻼَة ُ أَْم َﻧِﺳﯾ‬ ُ ‫أَﱠن َر‬ ‫ت اﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ُ‫ف ِﻣِن اﺛَْﻧﺗَْﯾِن َﻓَﻘﺎَل َﻟﮫ ُ ذ ُو اْﻟَﯾدَْﯾِن أَﻗ‬ َ ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم اْﻧ‬e َ ‫ﺻَر‬ ‫ﺳوُل‬ ِ ‫ﺳوُل ا ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ﺳوَل ا ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ َﻓَﻘﺎَم َر‬.‫س َﻧَﻌْم‬ ُ ‫ َﻓَﻘﺎَل َر‬e ُ ‫َر‬ ُ ‫ َﻓَﻘﺎَل اﻟﻧﱠﺎ‬." ‫ﺻدََق ذ ُو اْﻟَﯾدَْﯾِن‬ َ َ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم " أ‬e ْ َ‫ﺳُﺟوِدِه أَْو أ‬ ‫طَوَل ﺛ ُﱠم َرَﻓﻊ‬ ِ ‫ا ﱠ‬.َ ُ ‫ﺻﻠﱠﻰ اﺛَْﻧﺗَْﯾِن أ ُْﺧَرَﯾْﯾِن ﺛ ُﱠم َﺳﻠﱠَم ﺛ ُﱠم َﻛﺑﱠَر َﻓَﺳَﺟدَ ِﻣﺛَْل‬ َ ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم َﻓ‬e “Once Allah's Messenger (PBUH) offered two Rakat and finished his prayer. So, DhulYadain asked him, ‘Has the prayer been reduced or have you forgotten?’ Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, ‘Has Dhul-Yadain spoken the truth?’ The people replied in the affirmative. Then Allah's Messenger (PBUH) stood up and offered the remaining two Rakat and performed Tasleem, and then said Takbir and performed two prostrations like his usual prostrations, or a bit longer, and then got up.” (Reference: Sahih alBukhari 1228) (In-book reference: Book 22, Hadith 5) Instances Requiring Sajda-e-Sahw The following are some conditions when you need to perform Sajda-e-Sahw. Neglecting Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah: If one forgets to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in the first two Rakats of obligatory prayers or in any of them, Sajdae-Sahw becomes necessary. Similarly, if one forgets to recite Surah Al-Fatihah in the first two Rakats of any Navaafil or Witr and recites it in the last two Rakats instead. Neglecting to Include Any Surah: If any Surah is omitted along with Surah Al-Fatihah in the first two Rakats or any one of them in obligatory prayers. Reciting Al-Fatihah Twice: If Al-Fatihah is recited twice due to delaying another Surah from its designated place. Omissions in Tashahhud: If one leaves the first sitting for Tashahhud in the triple prayer or forgets to recite the Tashahhud. Neglecting Qunoot: If the Thakbeer of the Qunoot is omitted in the Witr or if reciting the Qunoot in the Witr before bowing is overlooked. Errors by the Imam: If the imam recites aloud during silent prayers or the other way around (reciting silently during loud prayers) Time Exceeding First Sitting: If the time in the first sitting exceeds that required for reciting Tashahhud, such as reciting Salah on the Prophet (PBUH) or remaining silent for an extended duration. 31 Additional Rulings on Sajda-e-Sahw Here are some additional rulings about Sajda-e-Sahw. If the imam forgets something and performs Sajda-e-Sahw, it becomes obligatory for both the imam and the Makmum (a person being led in Prayer) to follow the imam in this forgetfulness. If the Makmum alone forgets something, Sajda-e-Sahw is not obligatory. If the Makmum forgets something and completes his prayer after the imam’s Tasleem, Sajda-e-Sahw becomes obligatory. Procedure for Sajda-e-Sahw To perform Sajda-e-Sahw, you need to follow these steps. 1. After the Tashahhud in the last sitting, perform one Tasleem to the right. 2. Say the Takbeer and offer two prostrations similar to those in regular Salah. 3. Sit again, perform the obligatory Tashahhud, recite Salah on the Prophet, and supplicate for oneself. 4. Complete with the Tasleem to exit the Salah. 32 Offering Salah: Step By Step Guide Let's delve into the comprehensive guide on how to offer Salah in Islam. Step 1: Stand Up Begin your Salah by standing up when you are ready to perform it. It is obligatory to perform Salah in a standing position unless there is a valid excuse. Those who can't stand may sit, and those who can't sit may lie down. The key is to ensure the conditions of Salah are met. Step 2: Takbiratul Ihram Say Takbiratul Ihram, the opening declaration, “‫”ﷲ أﻛﺑر‬, which means ‘Allah is Great’ by raising both hands parallel to your ears/shoulders. Once Takbiratul Ihram is uttered, you have officially entered the realm of Salah. Step 3: Hand Placement After Takbiratul Ihram, place your right hand on your left hand under your navel without any time gap. However, it's worth noting that some individuals, following different scholarly opinions, may place their hands above the navel. Regardless of the 33 specific placement, the key objective is to assume the posture as a means of initiating the prayer. Step 4: Dua Al Istiftah Begin with Dua Al Istiftah, the opening prayer. Recite silently: ‫ َوﻻَ ِإﻟﮫَ َﻏْﯾُرك‬.‫ ﺗََﺑﺎَرَك اْﺳُﻣَك َوﺗََﻌﺎَﻟﻰ َﺟد ﱡَك‬.‫ﺳْﺑَﺣﺎَﻧَك اﻟﻠﱠُﮭﱠم َوِﺑَﺣْﻣِدَك‬ ُ َ “Subhanakallahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka, wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk” “How perfect You are, O Allah. I praise You; How blessed is Your name; How lofty is Your position, and none has the right to be worshiped but You.” Step 5: Tauz and Tasmia Before reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, recite: َ ‫ﺷْﯾ‬ ‫ ِﻣَن اﻟ ﱠ‬e ‫طﺎِن اﻟﱠرِﺟﯾم‬ ِ ‫ﻋوذ ُ ِﺑﺎ ﱠ‬ ُ َ ‫ِأ‬ “A'oodhu Billaahi Min Ashshaitaanir Rajeem” “I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.” 34 ‫ﷲ اﻟﱠرْﺣﻣِن اﻟﱠرِﺣﯾم‬ ِ ‫ِِﺑْﺳِم‬ “Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem” “In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.” Step 6: Recite Surah Al-Fatihah Surah Al-Fatihah, the opening chapter of the Quran, is obligatory in each Rakat of all five daily Salah. Recite it with reverence, understanding its meanings: ‫ب اْﻟَﻌﺎَﻟِﻣﯾن‬ ِ ‫َاَْﻟَﺣْﻣد ُ ِ ﱠ‬ ِ ّ ‫ َر‬e ‫ِاﻟﱠرْﺣَٰﻣِن اﻟﱠرِﺣﯾم‬ ‫َِﻣﺎِﻟِك َﯾْوِم اﻟ ِد ّﯾن‬ ‫ُِإﯾﱠﺎَك َﻧْﻌﺑ ُد ُ َوِإﯾﱠﺎَك َﻧْﺳﺗَِﻌﯾن‬ َ ‫ﺻَرا‬ ‫ط اْﻟُﻣْﺳﺗَِﻘﯾم‬ ّ ِ ‫َاْھِدَﻧﺎ اﻟ‬ َ ‫ﺻَرا‬ ‫ﺿﺎ ِﻟّﯾن‬ ‫ب َﻋَﻠْﯾِﮭْم َوَﻻ اﻟ ﱠ‬ َ ‫ط اﻟﱠِذﯾَن أَْﻧَﻌْﻣ‬ ُ ‫ت َﻋَﻠْﯾِﮭْم َﻏْﯾِر اْﻟَﻣْﻐ‬ ِ ‫ﺿو‬ ِ َ “Alhamdu lillaahi Rabbil 'aalameen” “Ar-Rahmaanir-Raheem” “Maaliki Yawmid-Deen” “Iyyaaka na'budu wa lyyaaka nasta'een” “Ihdinas-Siraatal-Mustaqeem” “Siraatal-lazeena an'amta 'alaihim ghayril-maghdoobi 'alaihim wa laddaaalleen” “All praise is for Allah - Lord of all worlds. The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. It is You we worship, and You, we ask for help. 35 Guide us to the Straight path. The path of those You have blessed- not those You are displeased with, or those who are astray.” Step 7: Recite Any Surah After Al-Fatihah, recite any Surah or three short verses or at least one long verse. For example, you can recite Surah Al-Ikhlas: ‫ُ أََﺣد‬e‫ٌﻗُْل ھَُو اﱠ‬ ‫ﺻَﻣد‬ ‫ُ اﻟ ﱠ‬e‫ُاﱠ‬ ‫َْﻟْم َﯾِﻠْد َوَﻟْم ﯾ ُوَﻟد‬ ‫ٌَوَﻟْم َﯾُﻛن ﻟﱠﮫ ُ ُﻛﻔًُوا أََﺣد‬ “Qul huwal laahu ahad” “Allah hus-samad” “Lam yalid wa lam yoolad” “Wa lam yakul-lahoo kufuwan ahad” “Say, He is Allah, [who is] One. Allah – the Sustainer (needed by all). He has never had offspring, nor was He born. And there is none comparable to Him.” Step 8: Bow Down for Ruku Say ‘Allahu Akbar’ and perform Ruku’. Ensure a proper posture with straight arms holding onto the knees, keeping the back and head balanced. In Ruku’, say the following “Dua” at least three times: ‫ﻲ اْﻟَﻌِظﯾم‬ ُ ْ َ ّ‫ﺳْﺑَﺣﺎَن َر ِﺑ‬ “Subhan Rabbiyal Azim” 36 “How perfect is my Lord, the Magnificent.” Step 9: Return to Standing Position: After Ruku, return to the standing position saying this dua: ‫َُﺳِﻣَﻊ ﷲُ ِﻟَﻣْن َﺣِﻣدَه‬ “Samia Allahu liman hamidah” “Allah hears the one who praises Him.” And then: ‫َرﺑﱠَﻧﺎ َوَﻟَك اْﻟَﺣْﻣد‬ “Rabbana wa lakal hamd” “Our Lord, Praise is to You.” 37 After saying these, stand calmly for a moment and then move to the next step. Step 10: Go Down to Sujud Say “Allahu Akbar” and proceed to Sujud/prostrations. Place your knees, hands, and head on the floor, ensuring that the nose and forehead touch the ground. In Sujud, say this dua at least 3 times: ‫ﻲ اْﻷ َْﻋَﻠﻰ‬ ُ َ ّ‫ﺳْﺑَﺣﺎَن َر ِﺑ‬ “Subhan Rabbiyal A'la” “Glory be to my Lord, the Highest”. 38 Step 11: Rise from Prostration After performing the first Sajdah, say “Allahu Akbar” and raise your head from the prostration. Sit briefly with your hands on your knees. Step 12: Go Down to the Second Prostration Say “Allahu Akbar” to proceed to the second Sajdah. In this position, repeat the same dua at least three times. Step 13: Stand up for the Second Rakat Say “Allahu Akbar” and stand up straight from the second prostration. It’ll complete your first Rakat. Repeat these steps for the next Rakat, excluding the initial handraising, and recitation of Dua Al Istiftah and Tauz. Step 14: Perform Tashahhud at the End of Every Two Rakats After completing the prostration of the second Rakat, sit on your left leg, place the right leg pointing towards the Qibla, and recite the Tashahhud: 39 ‫ت َواﻟ ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ط ِﯾَّﺑﺎ‬ ُ ‫ﺻَﻠَوا‬ ُ ‫اﻟﺗ ﱠِﺣﯾﱠﺎ‬ ‫ﺳَﻼُم َﻋَﻠْﯾَﻧﺎ َوَﻋَﻠﯨِﻌَﺑﺎِد‬ ‫ َوَﺑَرَﻛﺎﺗ ُﮫ ُ اﻟ ﱠ‬e ‫ت اﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ﻲ َوَرْﺣَﻣﺔ ُ ا ﱠ‬ ِ‫ت ِﱠ‬ ‫ َواﻟ ﱠ‬e ‫ﺳَﻼُم َﻋَﻠْﯾَك أَﯾﱡَﮭﺎ اﻟﻧﱠِﺑ ﱡ‬ ‫ﺳوﻟ ُﮫ‬ ِ ‫ُا ﱠ‬ ُ ‫ُ َوأَْﺷَﮭد ُ أَﱠن ُﻣَﺣﱠﻣدًا َﻋْﺑد ُه ُ َوَر‬e‫ﺻﺎِﻟِﺣﯾَن أَْﺷَﮭد ُ أَْن َﻻ ِإَﻟﮫَ ِإﱠﻻ اﱠ‬ ‫ اﻟ ﱠ‬e “Al-Tahiyyatu lillahi wa al-salawatu wa al-tayyibat, assalamu 'alayka ayyuha al-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, assalamu 'alayna wa 'ala 'ibadillahi al-salihin. Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh.” “All the salutations, prayers, and nice things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the blessings of Allah, and His grace. Peace on us and on all the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that none but Allah is worthy of worship and bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of Allah.” Point your index finger during the Tashahhud, raising it when saying “‫ِإَﻟﮫ‬ it down when saying “e ‫اﱠ‬ ‫ ”ََﻻ‬and putting ‫”ُِإﱠﻻ‬. Step 15: Recite the Salat on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) After Tashahhud If you’re offering a two Rakat Salah, like Al-Fajr, recite the following after Tashahhud: ،ٌ ‫ت َﻋَﻠﻰ ِإْﺑَراِھﯾَم َوَﻋَﻠﻰ آِل ِإْﺑَراِھﯾَم ِإﻧﱠَك َﺣِﻣﯾد ٌ َﻣِﺟﯾد‬ َ ‫ﺻﻠﱠْﯾ‬ َ ‫اﻟﻠﱠُﮭﱠم‬ َ ‫ َﻛَﻣﺎ‬،‫ﺻِّل َﻋَﻠﻰ ُﻣَﺣﱠﻣٍد َوَﻋَﻠﻰ آِل ُﻣَﺣﱠﻣٍد‬ ‫ت َﻋَﻠﻰ ِإْﺑَراِھﯾَم َوَﻋَﻠﻰ آِل ِإْﺑَراِھﯾَم ِإﻧﱠَك َﺣِﻣﯾد ٌ َﻣِﺟﯾد‬ َ ‫ َﻛَﻣﺎ َﺑﺎَرْﻛ‬،‫ٌاﻟﻠﱠُﮭﱠم َﺑﺎِرْك َﻋَﻠﻰ ُﻣَﺣﱠﻣٍد َوَﻋَﻠﻰ آِل ُﻣَﺣﱠﻣٍد‬ “Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama sallaita 'ala Ibraheema wa 'ala ali Ibraheema, innaka Hamidun Majid. Allahumma 40 barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, kama barakta 'ala Ibraheema wa 'ala ali Ibraheema, innaka Hamidun Majid.” “O Allah, send salah upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent salah upon the family of Ibrahim, and send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim among the nations. You are indeed Worthy of praise, Full of glory.” After that, make Dua as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, such as: ‫ب اﻟﻧﱠﺎر‬ َ ‫َرﺑﱠَﻧﺎ آِﺗَﻧﺎ ِﻓﻲ اﻟد ﱡْﻧَﯾﺎ َﺣَﺳَﻧﺔً َوِﻓﻲ اﻵِﺧَرِة َﺣَﺳَﻧﺔً َوِﻗَﻧﺎ َﻋذَا‬ “Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan waqina 'adhaban-nar.” “And among them are some who say, "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” You can also offer any other dua taught by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as well. For three or four Rakat Salah, do not add to the first Tashahhud. Instead, get up after completing the Tashahhud for the third Rakat, saying “Allahu Akbar”. Recite Surah AlFatihah alone in the third Rakat (e.g., Maghrib), and in the fourth Rakat (e.g., Zuhr and Asr) as well. Then, bow and prostrate as in the first two Rakats, sit down, recite the Tashahhud in the last sitting, and pray the Salat on the Prophet (PBUH) as mentioned above. Step 16: Do the Tasleem Turning Right and then Left The Tasleem is how you exit from the Salah after completing it by saying: ‫ﺳﻼَُم َﻋَﻠْﯾُﻛْم َوَرْﺣَﻣﺔ ُ ﷲ‬ ‫ِاﻟ ﱠ‬ “Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” “May the peace and mercy of Allah almighty be upon you.” 41 While saying this, turn your face to both your sides, first right and then left. Keep the intention in mind that you offer this prayer in the Tasleem for all believers present with you, the good jinn, and the Angels. 42 Five Salah of the Day As mentioned already, all Muslims must offer Salah 5 times a day. Let’s discuss each Salah, along with their benefits. Fajr The Fajr prayer is the first Salah of the day, consisting of two Rakats. It plays a crucial role in setting the tone for the day and seeking Allah's guidance and pleasure. Timing of Fajr Prayer The time for Fajr prayer starts from the breaking of dawn until the sun begins to rise. This is explained in the hadith where the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: ْ ‫ﺻﻼَِة اْﻟَﻔْﺟِر َﻣﺎ َﻟْم َﯾ‬ ‫طﻠ ُْﻊ َﻗْرُن اﻟ ﱠ‬ ُ ‫َُوْﻗ‬ ‫ﺷْﻣِس اﻷ َﱠول‬ َ ‫ت‬ “The time for the morning prayer (lasts) as long as the first visible part of the rising sun does not appear.” (Reference: Sahih Muslim 612e) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 223) According to the narrations from Umm-ul-Momineen Aisha (RA): ‫ ﻻَ ﯾ ُْﻌَرْﻓَن ِﻣَن‬،‫ﺻِرْﻓَن ِﻧَﺳﺎُء اْﻟُﻣْؤِﻣِﻧﯾَن‬ ِ ‫ﺳوَل ا ﱠ‬ ُ ‫أَﱠن َر‬ ‫ﺻ ِﻠّﻲ اﻟ ﱡ‬ َ ‫ﺻْﺑَﺢ ِﺑَﻐَﻠٍس َﻓَﯾْﻧ‬ َ ُ ‫ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم َﻛﺎَن ﯾ‬e ‫ﺿﺎ‬ ً ‫ﺿُﮭﱠن َﺑْﻌ‬ ُ ‫ف َﺑْﻌ‬ ُ ‫ أَْو ﻻَ َﯾْﻌِر‬،‫اْﻟَﻐَﻠِس‬ “Allah's Messenger (PBUH) used to offer the Fajr prayer when it was still dark and the believing women used to return (after finishing their prayer) and nobody could recognize them owing to darkness, or they could not recognize one another.” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 872) (In-book reference: Book 10, Hadith 263) Benefits of Fajr Prayer The Fajr prayer holds numerous spiritual and worldly benefits: Protection from Hell-Fire The Prophet (PBUH) mentioned that one who performs the Fajr and Asr prayers will not enter Hell. The exact words of the hadith are: ‫ﻟن ﯾﻠﺞ اﻟﻧﺎر أﺣد ﺻﻠﻰ ﻗﺑل طﻠوع اﻟﺷﻣس وﻗﺑل ﻏروﺑﮭﺎ‬ 43 “He who performs Salat (prayers) before the rising of the sun and before its setting, will not enter Hell.” (Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1048) (In-book reference: Book 8, Hadith 58) Angelic Witness The recitation of the Quran during Fajr is witnessed by angels. This highlights the importance of morning recitations and the spiritual significance attached to this time. As mentioned in the Quran: ‫ﺻَﻠ ٰوةَ ِﻟد ُﻟ ُوِك ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ق ٱﻟﱠْﯾِل َوﻗُْرَءاَن ٱْﻟَﻔْﺟِر ۖ ِإﱠن ﻗُْرَءاَن ٱْﻟَﻔْﺟِر َﻛﺎَن َﻣْﺷُﮭو ۭدًا‬ ‫أَِﻗِم ٱﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ﺷْﻣِس ِإَﻟٰﻰ َﻏَﺳ‬ “Aqimis Salaata liduloo kish shamsi ilaa ghasaqil laili wa quraanal Fajri inna quraa nal Fajri kaana mashhoodaa” “Observe the prayer from the decline of the sun until the darkness of the night and the dawn prayer, for certainly the dawn prayer is witnessed by angels.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:78) All-Day Protection The one who prays the Fajr Salah is under Allah's protection throughout the day. It serves as a shield against various challenges and tribulations. It’s mentioned in a hadith: ‫ َﻋﱠز َوَﺟل‬e ِ ‫ﺻْﺑَﺢ َﻓُﮭَو ِﻓﻲ ِذﱠﻣِﺔ ا ﱠ‬ ‫ﺻﻠﱠﻰ اﻟ ﱡ‬ َ ‫ََّﻣْن‬ “Whoever offers the morning prayer, he is under the protection of Allah, the Mighty, and Sublime.” (Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3946) (In-book reference: Book 36, Hadith 21) Surpassing Worldly Blessings The two Sunnah Rakats of the Fajr prayer are deemed better than the entire world and its possessions. This emphasizes the immense value of dedicating time to worship in the early morning. ‫رﻛﻌﺗﺎ اﻟﻔﺟر ﺧﯾر ﻣن اﻟدﻧﯾﺎ وﻣﺎ ﻓﯾﮭﺎ‬ “The two Rakat before the dawn (Fajr) prayer are better than this world and all it contains.” (Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1102) (In-book reference: Book 8, Hadith 112) 44 Pathway to Paradise Regularly performing Fajr prayer is a pathway to Paradise. On the Day of Judgment, Salah will be a focal point of questioning, and consistent Fajr prayer is a key element for entering Jannah. Zuhr The Zuhr prayer, also known as the midday prayer, holds a special place among the five obligatory Salah (Islamic prayers). It consists of 4 Rakats and is to be performed silently from beginning to end. Timing of Zuhr Prayer The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) established the timings for the Zuhr prayer, as narrated by Abu Barzah Al-Aslami. It is to be prayed at midday, just after the sun has crossed its zenith. This marks the transition from morning to afternoon. ‫ﻋوَﻧَﮭﺎ اﻟ ﱡ‬ ‫ت اﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ﺷْﻣس‬ ِ ‫ﺿ‬ ُ ‫ﺻﻼَةَ اْﻟَﮭِﺟﯾِر اﻟﱠِﺗﻲ ﺗَْد‬ َ ‫ظْﮭَر ِإذَا دََﺣ‬ َ ُ ‫ُﯾ‬ َ ‫ﺻ ِﻠّﻲ‬ “The Prophet used to pray the Hajir prayer, which you call ‘Zuhr’ when the sun had passed its zenith.” (Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 674) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 8) The Zuhr prayer is part of the daily routine of a practicing Muslim, aligning actions with the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Benefits of Zuhr Prayer Let’s discuss some benefits of offering Zuhr prayer. Protection from Hell-Fire The Prophet (PBUH) highlighted the significance of regularly praying four Rakats before and four after the Zuhr prayer. This practice is associated with the assurance that one who maintains this routine will be spared from entering the Hell-fire. ‫ت َﻗْﺑَل اﻟ ﱡ‬ َ ‫َِﻣْن َﺣﺎَﻓ‬ ‫ظْﮭِر َوأَْرَﺑﻊٍ َﺑْﻌدََھﺎ َﺣُرَم َﻋَﻠﻰ اﻟﻧﱠﺎر‬ ٍ ‫ظ َﻋَﻠﻰ أَْرَﺑِﻊ َرَﻛَﻌﺎ‬ “If anyone keeps on praying regularly four Rakats before and four after the noon prayer, he will not enter the Hell-fire.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1269) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 20) 45 Special Hour of Acceptance Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned that the Zuhr prayer is offered during an hour when the gates of heaven are opened. This signifies a special time for the acceptance of good deeds, making Zuhr a spiritually potent prayer. ‫ِأَْرَﺑٌﻊ َﻗْﺑَل اﻟ ﱡ‬ ‫ﺳَﻣﺎء‬ ‫ب اﻟ ﱠ‬ ُ ‫س ِﻓﯾِﮭﱠن ﺗَْﺳِﻠﯾٌم ﺗ ُْﻔﺗَُﺢ َﻟُﮭﱠن أَْﺑَوا‬ َ ‫ظْﮭِر َﻟْﯾ‬ “The gates of heaven are opened for four Rakats containing no Tasleem (salutation) before the noon prayer.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1270) (In-book reference: Book 5, Hadith 21) Wisdom in Timing The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised us to be flexible with Zuhr prayer time in extreme heat, showing kindness by considering the intense heat similar to the severity of Hellfire. This demonstrates the wisdom and mercy embedded in Islamic teachings. ْ ‫ﺢ َﺟَﮭﻧﱠم‬ ‫َِإذَا اْﺷﺗَد ﱠ اْﻟَﺣﱡر َﻓﺄ َْﺑِرد ُوا َﻋِن اﻟ ﱠ‬ ِ ‫ َﻓﺈِﱠن ِﺷد ﱠةَ اﻟَﺣِّر ِﻣْن َﻓْﯾ‬،‫ﺻﻼَِة‬ “If it is very hot, then pray the Zuhr prayer when it becomes (a bit) cooler, as the severity of the heat is from the raging of the Hellfire.” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 533, 534) (In-book reference: Book 9, Hadith 12) Asr The Asr prayer, also known as the afternoon prayer, holds immense importance in Islam. Similar to Zuhr, it consists of four Rakats and is performed silently. Timing of Asr Prayer The Asr prayer is observed a few hours before sunset, representing the afternoon prayer. As narrated by Anas bin Malik that: ‫ﺻَر َواﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ب‬ ِ ‫ﺳوَل ا ﱠ‬ ُ ‫س ُﻣْرﺗَِﻔَﻌﺔ ٌ َﺣﯾﱠﺔ ٌ َﻓَﯾْذَھ‬ ْ ‫ﺻ ِﻠّﻲ اْﻟَﻌ‬ ُ ‫أَﻧﱠﮫ ُ أَْﺧَﺑَره ُ أَﱠن َر‬ ُ ‫ﺷْﻣ‬ َ ُ ‫ ـ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم ـ َﻛﺎَن ﯾ‬e ‫ب ِإَﻟﻰ اْﻟَﻌَواِﻟﻲ َواﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫س ُﻣْرﺗَِﻔَﻌﺔ‬ ُ ‫ٌاﻟذ ﱠاِھ‬ ُ ‫ﺷْﻣ‬ “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to pray 'Asr when the sun was still hot and high, and if a person were to go to the suburbs (of Al-Madinah) he would be able to reach it while the sun was still hot and high.” (Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 682) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 16) 46 It is crucial for Muslims to adhere to the prescribed timings, aligning their actions with the Sunnah. Benefits of Asr Prayer Here are some important benefits of offering Asr prayer. Angel's Testimony The angels of the night and the angels of the afternoon bear witness to the state of believers during dawn and Asr prayers. Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said: ‫ج‬ ْ ‫ﺻﻼَِة اْﻟَﻌ‬ ُ ‫ ﺛ ُﱠم َﯾْﻌُر‬،‫ﺻﻼَِة اْﻟَﻔْﺟِر‬ َ ‫ﺻِر َو‬ َ ‫ َوَﯾْﺟﺗَِﻣﻌُوَن ِﻓﻲ‬،‫َﯾﺗََﻌﺎَﻗﺑ ُوَن ِﻓﯾُﻛْم َﻣﻼَِﺋَﻛﺔ ٌ ِﺑﺎﻟﻠﱠْﯾِل َوَﻣﻼَِﺋَﻛﺔ ٌ ِﺑﺎﻟﻧﱠَﮭﺎِر‬ ‫ﺻﻠﱡوَن‬ َ ُ ‫ف ﺗََرْﻛﺗ ُْم ِﻋَﺑﺎِدي َﻓَﯾﻘُوﻟ ُوَن ﺗََرْﻛَﻧﺎھُْم َوھُْم ﯾ‬ َ ‫اﻟﱠِذﯾَن َﺑﺎﺗ ُوا ِﻓﯾُﻛْم َﻓَﯾْﺳﺄ َﻟ ُُﮭْم َوْھَو أَْﻋَﻠُم ِﺑُﻛْم َﻓَﯾﻘُوُل َﻛْﯾ‬ ‫ﺻﻠﱡون‬ َ ُ ‫ََوأَﺗَْﯾَﻧﺎھُْم َوھُْم ﯾ‬ “(A group of) angels stay with you at night and (another group of) angels by daytime, and both groups gather at the time of the Asr and Fajr prayers. Then those angels who have stayed with you overnight, ascend (to Heaven) and Allah asks them (about you) --- and He knows everything about you. In what state did you leave My slaves? The angels reply when we left them, they were praying, and when we reached them, they were praying.” (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 7429) (In-book reference: Book 97, Hadith 56) Guarantee of Paradise The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) conveyed a profound promise regarding those who observe both Fajr and Asr prayers. Such individuals are assured entry into Jannah (Paradise). Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: ‫ﻣن ﺻﻠﻰ اﻟﺑردﯾن دﺧل اﻟﺟﻧﺔ‬ “He who observes Al-Bardan (i.e., Fajr and Asr prayers) will enter Jannah.” (Reference: Riyad as-Salihin 1047) (In-book reference: Book 8, Hadith 57) 47 Maghrib Maghrib prayer, also known as the sunset prayer, is the fourth of the five obligatory daily prayers. Unique in its structure, Maghrib consists of three Rakats, with recitation aloud in the first two Rakats and silent recitation in the final Rakat. Timing of Maghrib Prayer Maghrib prayer commences at the time of sunset, making it a distinctive and spiritually significant Salah. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the importance of performing Maghrib at its stated time, reinforcing the significance of adhering to prescribed prayer timings. As narrated by Salamah b. al-Akwa (RA): ‫ب اﻟ ﱠ‬ ‫ب َﺣﺎِﺟﺑ َُﮭﺎ‬ ُ ‫ب َﺳﺎَﻋﺔَ ﺗَْﻐُر‬ ُ ‫ﺷْﻣ‬ َ ‫س ِإذَا َﻏﺎ‬ َ ‫ﺻ ِﻠّﻲ اْﻟَﻣْﻐِر‬ َ ُ ‫ﻲ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﯾﮫ وﺳﻠم ﯾ‬ ‫َﻛﺎَن اﻟﻧﱠِﺑ ﱡ‬ “The Prophet (PBUH) used to say the Maghrib prayer immediately after the sun had set when its upper side would disappear.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 417) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 27) Benefits of Maghrib Prayer The following are some distinct benefits of offering Maghrib prayer. Divine Blessings and Rewards Offering Maghrib prayer brings about the showering of Allah's blessings and rewards. The act of worship during this transitional period holds special spiritual significance, invoking divine favor upon the worshiper. Fulfillment of Wishes and Duas Maghrib prayer is regarded as a sacred time for the fulfillment of wishes and supplications. The sincerity and devotion expressed during Maghrib contribute to the acceptance of prayers and the realization of heartfelt desires. Success in Wealth and Family Allah's benevolence extends to those who faithfully observe the Maghrib prayer, ensuring success in both material wealth and family life. This underscores the holistic nature of the benefits associated with the Maghrib Salah. 48 Isha Isha prayer, the concluding prayer of the day, holds a special place in Islam. Starting after the conclusion of the Maghrib prayer, the time for Isha extends until midnight, presenting a unique opportunity for worship and communion with Allah. Timing of Isha Prayer The time for Isha extends until midnight, and it is imperative to avoid delaying it until the last moment. It’s mentioned in the hadith: ُ ‫َِوْﻗ‬ ‫ف اﻟﻠﱠْﯾل‬ ْ ‫ت اْﻟِﻌَﺷﺎِء ِإَﻟﻰ ِﻧ‬ ِ ‫ﺻ‬ “The time of the Isha prayer is up to midnight.” (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 396) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 6) Benefits of Isha Prayer Here are some amazing benefits of offering Isha prayer. Night-long Worship Reward The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emphasized the importance of performing the Isha prayer in the Jama’ah (congregation). He (PBUH) stated: ‫ﺻﻠﱠﻰ اْﻟِﻌَﺷﺎَء َواْﻟَﻔْﺟَر ِﻓﻲ َﺟَﻣﺎَﻋٍﺔ َﻛﺎَن َﻟﮫ ُ َﻛِﻘَﯾﺎِم‬ ْ ‫َﻣْن َﺷِﮭدَ اْﻟِﻌَﺷﺎَء ِﻓﻲ َﺟَﻣﺎَﻋٍﺔ َﻛﺎَن َﻟﮫ ُ ِﻗَﯾﺎُم ِﻧ‬ ِ ‫ﺻ‬ َ ‫ف َﻟْﯾَﻠٍﺔ َوَﻣْن‬ ‫ٍَﻟْﯾَﻠﺔ‬ “Whoever attends Isha (prayer) in the congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) stood half of the night. And whoever prays Isha and Fajr in the congregation, then he has (the reward as if he had) spent the entire night standing (in prayer).” (Reference: Jami at-Tirmidhi 221) (In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 73) Th

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