Prayers - Advanced (part 2 of 2)
Description: The second lesson will discuss the obligatory, recommended and disliked acts of salah.
By Imam Mufti (© 2015 NewMuslims.com)
Published on 01 Jul 2015 - Last modified on 25 Jun 2019
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Objectives
·To learn the wajibaat of salah.
·To learn some of the recommended acts of salah.
·To learn seven disliked acts in salah.
Arabic Terms
·Salah - the Arabic word to denote a direct connection between the believer and Allah. More specifically, in Islam it refers to the formal five daily prayers and is the most important form of worship.
·Ruku’- the bowing position in prayer.
·Imam- someone who leads the prayer.
·Tashahhud – the saying “At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi…. Muhammadan ’abduhu wa rasuluh.” in the sitting position of the prayer.
·Takbir – uttering “Allahu Akbar”.
·Wajib - (plural: wajibaat) obligatory.
·Sunnah- The word Sunnah has several meanings depending on the area of study however the meaning is generally accepted to be, whatever was reported that the Prophet said, did, or approved.
·Rakah- unit of prayer.
·Surah – chapter of the Quran.
Wajibaat (Obligatory acts) of Salah
They are those acts that have to be performed in the prayer. If a wajib act is left intentionally, the prayer is invalidated. However if it is left unintentionally then one must perform the “prostration of forgetfulness” to make up for it. This will be covered in more detail in a later lesson.
The following are the obligations of the prayer:
1. Saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ when moving from one position to another
The Prophet used to say Allahu Akbar every time he went down or rose.[1]
2. Words while bowing (ruku’)
To say: ‘Subha-na Rabbi al-’Adheem’ (Exalted and perfect is my Lord, the Great) once. To say beyond that is a recommended act.
3. Words upon standing up from ruku’
The Prophet said, “When he (the imam) says:
Sami’-Allahu li-man hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises him),
then you all say:
Rabba-na wa lakal-hamd (To our Lord is all praise and thanks).“ (Agreed upon)
Both these are to be said when you are praying by yourself. However when you are praying behind an imam then you only say ‘Rabba-na wa lakal-hamd’.
4. Words while prostrating
To say: ‘Subha-na Rabbi al-A’la’ (Exalted and perfect is my Lord, the All-High) once. To say beyond that is a recommended act.
5. Supplication between two prostrations
To say ‘Rabbig-fir lee’ once. To say beyond that is a recommended act.
6. First Tashahhud
To recite the first tashahhud. This takes place in the first “long sitting” of those prayers which are more than 2 units.
Once, the Prophet forgot the first tashahhud, but he did not repeat the prayer, instead he made up for it with the “prostration of forgetfulness.” This shows that this is a wajib act; if it were an “essential component”, then the “prostration of forgetfulness” would not have been sufficient.
7. Sitting to recite the first Tashahhud
To sit to recite the first tashahhud.
Recommended Acts of Prayer
The following are some of the recommended acts of prayer:
1. Opening Supplication
It is only to be said in the first rakah.
The most common prayer is the following:
“Subhaana-kallaa-humma wa biham-dika, wa tabaa-ra-kasmu-ka, wa ta’aa-laa jad-du-ka, wa laa ilaa-ha ghay-ruk.”
(You are Glorified, O Allah, and Praised; Your Name is blessed; Your Majesty is Exalted, and none has the right to worshipped but You). (Abu Daud).
2. Seeking Refuge in Allah
It is to be said in the first rakah by simply saying,
“Aa’oodhu billahi min ash-Shaitan nir-rajim”
‘I seek refuge with Allah, from the Devil, the Rejected One.’
3. Saying ‘Ameen’
The word ‘Ameen’ is not part of Surah al-Fatihah, but rather a supplication meaning, “O Allah, respond.”
It is to be said after reciting Surah al-Fatihah.
The Prophet said, “When the imam says Ameen, you should say Ameen. If this corresponds with when the angels say it, then he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.”[2]
4. Reciting a portion of the Quran after reciting Surah al-Fatihah in the first two units
You can recite any portion of the Quran. For example you can recite short chapters such as Surah al-Ikhlas, Surah al-Falaq, or Surah an-Naas.
5. Supplicating after sending blessings on the Prophet in the final sitting of the prayer
One can say:
“Allaahumma innee ’a’oothu bika min ’athaabil-qabr, wa min ’athaabi jahannama, wa min fitnatil-mahyaa wal-mamaati, wa min sharri fitna-til-masee-hid-dajjaal.”
(O Allah! I truly seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of the Hellfire, and from the trials of living (meaning the trials of this life and temptations a person faces) and dying (it means either the trial at the time of death or the punishment of the grave), and from the evil [trials] of the Anti-Christ.).[3]
6. Raising one’s hands
To raise one’s hands when saying the opening takbir, when bowing, and rising from the bowing and when standing from the first “long sitting” (where one recites the first tashahhud).
7. Putting the right hand over the left upon the chest
To put the right hand over the left upon the chest.[4]
8. Looking at the place of prostration
To look at the place of prostration.[5]
9. Turning the face to the right and left at the conclusion of prayer
To turn the face to the right while saying ‘As-Salamu ’Alaikum wa-Rahmatullah’ and likewise for the left.
What is Disliked in Salah?
Disliked acts are just that, disliked. They do not invalidate the prayer, but a person should try to avoid them as much as possible so as to not reduce the reward of his prayer.
1. Looking around in salah without any need to do so
Looking around without any reason reduces concentration and focus. If it is for some need then it’s permissible. For example, a woman with a crying baby.
2. To place hands on your waist
“The Messenger of Allah forbade a man should pray with his hands on his waist.”[6]
3. Praying when food has arrived or is ready or when one is suppressing the urge to urinate or defecate
The reason is that a person cannot concentrate or focus on salah in such a case.
5. Fidgeting
Fidgeting is disliked as is everything that distracts one from prayer and concentration.
6. Shutting the eyes
You may close your eyes if that will help you concentrate better when you are around distractions.
7. Placing forearms flat on the ground
This is while when one is prostrating.
Previous Lesson: Prayers – Advanced (part 1 of 2)
Next Lesson: The Purpose of Life
- Prayers – Advanced (part 1 of 2)
- Prayers - Advanced (part 2 of 2)
- The Purpose of Life
- Why & How to Learn the Quran (part 1 of 2)
- Why & How to Learn the Quran (part 2 of 2)
- Miracles of the Prophets
- Meat of the People of the Book (part 1 of 2)
- Meat of the People of the Book (part 2 of 2)
- Dhikr (Remembering Allah): Meaning & Blessings (part1 of 2)
- Dhikr (Remembering Allah): Meaning & Blessings (part 2 of2)
- Intercession on Judgment Day (part 1 of 2)
- Intercession on Judgment Day (part 2 of 2)
- Virtues of the Quran (part 1 of 2)
- Virtues of the Quran (part 2 of 2)
- Good Morals (part 1 of 2)
- Good Morals (part 2 of 2)
- The Islamic Golden Age (part 1 of 2)
- The Islamic Golden Age (part 2 of 2)
- Social Media in Islam
- Leisure, Fun and Entertainment
- Astrology and Fortune-telling
- Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (part 1 of 2)
- Miracles of Prophet Muhammad (part 2 of 2)
- Bad Morals to Stay Away From (part 1 of 2)
- Bad Morals to Stay Away From (part 2 of 2)
- The Spiritual Benefits of Fasting and Charity
- Dream Interpretation
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Meccan Period (part 1 of 3)
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Meccan Period (part 2of 3)
- Detailed Biography of Prophet Muhammad - Meccan Period (part3 of 3)