Book 2: Chapter 5
Can I ask about the five daily prayers? (salāh) [part c]
Important note with respect to Chapters five and six
1. The next two chapters are devoted to the actual manner of salāh. The salāh being described here is not based upon the unquestioned following of any particular madhab (school of thought), but rather upon the manner in which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم performed his salāh as witnessed by others and from authentic sources in the Qur’ān and sunnah. The two main works referred to are:
a. The Prophet’s Prayer صلى الله عليه وسلم described, from beginning to end as though you see it, by Sheikh Muhammad Nasruddin Al Albāni
b. Fiqh as Sunnah - Purification and Prayer, by As-Sayyid Sābiq;
2. Both these books are widely available in book form and on the net. You may want to refer to them to understand the reasoning behind their narratives and also to obtain a wealth of alternative adkhār (words of remembrance);
3. This summary description of salāh can be used by both boys and girls, men and women. There does not appear to be any evidence that the salāh as performed by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was any different for women;
4. Here are some important expressions to bear in mind:
i. Rak’ah: one cycle or unit of salāh, from standing to standing again;
ii. Sajdah Sahw: A prostration of forgetfulness. This is an additional prostration, performed at the end of the salāh, if certain parts of the salāh are missed or forgotten. However, there are areas that it does not cover;
iii. Rukn as-salāh: This is a pillar or cornerstone of salāh. These actions or words must be done or read respectively. If they are missed in any rak’ah then that rak’ah must be repeated. It would not be acceptable simply to perform sajdah sahw; Whenever you see this font and the pillars picture, a rukn of salah is being highlighted.
iv. A fard is something obligatory.
v. Wājib is also an obligatory act. According to the majority of the scholars of the jurisprudence, wājib is entirely synonymous with fard. Whenever you see this font and the triangle icon, a wājib of salāh is being highlighted.
vi. sunnat-as-salāh, an action within the salāh that was performed by our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and therefore highly recommended.
The First rak’ah
1. I notice that the opening position of salāh is standing. Is that right?
i. Yes, this is called al qiyām;
ii. Al qiyām is a rukn of the salāh, and is compulsory for those who are physically able to do it;
iii. For those who are sick, they may sit or lie;
iv. The feet should not be together in al qiyām, but should be shoulder width apart;
v. A person may perform nawāfil (voluntary) salāh, sitting, but will only incur half the reward;
vi. During al qiyām, it is not permissible to close your eyes;
vii. Look at the point of prostration (sajdah);
viii. Do NOT look up at the sky; Do NOT look here, there and everywhere.
The Evidence
Al Qiyām
حافِظوا عَلَى الصَّلَواتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الوُسطىٰ وَقوموا لِلَّهِ قانِتينَ
Maintain with care the (obligatory) prayers and (in particular) the middle prayer and stand before Allāh, devoutly obedient.
Sūrah al Baqarah, 2:238
Narrated 'Imrān bin Husain, رضي الله عنه Allāh's Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Pray standing and if you are unable, pray sitting and if you cannot, pray lying on your side"
Bukhari and Muslim and An-Nisā’i
Again, it was narrated that 'Imrān bin Husain said: "I asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about one who prays sitting down. He said: 'Whoever prays standing up is better, and one who prays sitting down will have half the reward of one who prays standing up.
Bukhari
Where not to look
Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه said: the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said, "How is it that some people raise their eyes towards the sky during Salāh?" He stressed (this point) and added, "People must refrain from raising their eyes towards heaven in Salāh, or else their sight will certainly be snatched away."
Bukhari, Riyādh asSālihīn
In another narration of the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم, ‘So, when you pray, do not look here and there, for Allāh sets His Face for the face of His slave in his salāh, as long as he does not look away.’
Tirmidhi
2. How do I open the salāh?
i. With a phrase known as takbīr. These are the words:
الله أكبر
Allāhu Akbar
Allāh is the Greatest
ii. This opening takbīr of the salāh is called Takbīra-tal-Ihrām
iii. The Takbīra-tal-Ihrām is a rukn of the salāh. If it is omitted, the entire salāh must be repeated.
3. Do I raise my hands at Takbīra-tal-Ihrām?
i. Yes, and preferably at the same time as takbir;[1]
ii. Your hands should be raised to the shoulders with palms level with shoulders or fingertips level with lobes of ears;
iii. Your fingers should be apart, with palms facing qibla;
iv. Raising hands is a sunnat-as-salāh, an action performed by our Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and therefore highly recommended.
4. Where do I place my hands in al qiyām?
i. Place your right hand over your left;
ii. In fact, place your right hand over your left hand, or hand and forearm or forearm;[2]
iii. Place your hands on your chest, above the level of your elbows.
The Evidence
Takbīr and Taslīm
Narrrates Ali رضي الله عنهم , the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘The key to salāh is purification, it is entered by takbīr and exited by taslīm (Assalāmu alaikum..).’
Abu Da’ud, Tirmidhi, Al Hākim
Raising the hands
Malik b. Huwairith رضي الله عنهم reported, ‘The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم raised his hands opposite his ears at the time of reciting the takbīr (the beginning) and then again raised his hands opposite the ears at the time of his bowing and when he lifted his head after bowing he said: “Allah listened to him who praised Him”, and did like it (raised his hands up to the ears).
Salim narrated it on the authority of his father رضي الله عنهم who reported: I saw the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم raising his hands opposite the shoulders at the time of beginning the prayer and before bowing down and after coming back to the position after bowing. However, he did not raise them between two prostrations.
Both above recorded in Muslim
Placing of the hands
Sahl ibn Saʻd As-Sāʻidi, رضي الله عنه, said, 'People were ordered to place the right hand on the left forearm in the prayer.'
Al-Muwatta
ʻAbdullah ibn Masʻūd, رضي الله عنه, said, ‘The Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, saw me placing my left hand on my right hand, so he pulled it and placed the right over the left.’
An-Nasā'i; Ibn Hajar declared its chain of narration Hasan (good) in his book Fath Al-Bāri
Wā'il ibn Hajar, رضي الله عنه, narrated that he saw the Prophet, صلى الله عليه وسلم, place his right hand on his left.
Muslim
5. Apart from Takbīra-tal-Ihrām, how do I commence the salāh?
i. It is preferred to commence the salāh with supplications praising Allāh;
ii. After takbīr you can say:
سُبْحانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلاَ إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
Sub-haanak Allāhumma, wa bihamdika, wa tabāra kasmuka, wa ta’āla jadduka,
wa lā elāha ghayruk
You are Glorified Oh Allāh, and Praised, Your Name is Blessed, Your Majesty is Exalted,
and none has the right to be worshipped but You
iii. These words need only be said in the first rak’ah[3];
6. What do I say next?
أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
A’ūdhu billāh himinash-Shaytānir Rajīm;
I seek refuge in Allāh from the accursed Satan
i. This is know as isti’ādha and is a sunnah;
ii. It can be said in the first rak’ah only or at the start of every rak’ah;
iii. And then say (also a sunnah):
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismillāh ar Rahmān Ar Rahīm
In the Name of Allāh, The Compassionate, The Merciful
The Evidence
Seeking refuge
فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
So, when you recite the Qur'ān, (first) seek refuge in Allāh from Satan, the outcast.
Sūrah Nahl, 16:98[4]
Saying Bismillāh:
Anas relates رضي الله عنه: I prayed behind the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم, Abu Bakr, Omar and Othmān, and they did not recite it (Bismillāh) aloud
An-Nasā'i; Ibn Hibban and at-Tahawi with Sahih chain
7. Next we recite the opening Sūrah of the Qur’ān. Is that a must?
i. Yes. Reciting Sūrah Fātihah is a rukn of the salāh and must be read in every rak’ah. If it is missed, then that rak’ah must be repeated. It would not be acceptable simply to perform sajdah sahw;
ii. Behind an imām in the ‘quiet’ prayers, you must read Sūrah Fātihah quietly to yourself;[5]
iii. Behind an imām during the ‘loud’ prayers, you need not say it quietly to yourself. The imām’s recitation is sufficient for you, unless it is inaudible, in which case, read it to yourself;
iv. You must move your tongue and lips when reciting;
v. When reading the Sūrah, think about the words you are saying;
vi. Recite one verse at a time and pause between each verse, without joining them. (Abu Dawood)
Alhamdu lillāhi Rabbil 'ālamīn, Ar-Rahmānir-Rahaīm
Māliki Yawmid-Dīn, Iyyāka na'budu wa lyyāka nasta'īn
Ihdinas-Sirātal-Mustaqīm - Sirātal-ladhīna an'amta 'alaihim
ghayril-maghdūbi 'alaihim wa lad-daāllīn
(All) praise is (due) to Allāh, Lord of the worlds, The Compassionate, the Merciful
Sovereign of the Day of Recompense. It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
Guide us to the straight path - The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor,
not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray.
The Evidence
Sūrah al Fatiha
Ubada ibn as-Samit رضي الله عنه related that the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم, said, ‘There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book’
Recorded by the Group of Collections and refering to Sūrah al Fātihah
Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘Whoever prays a prayer and does not recite the opening chapter of the Qur’ān has not prayed correctly’
Bukhāri, Muslim and Ahmed
Imām’s recitation is your recitation
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: The Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said, 'The imām is appointed to be followed, so when he says the takbīr, say the takbīr, and when he recites, be silent.'
An-Nisā’I, Muslim, Abu Daūd
It was narrated that Jābir رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said, 'Whoever has an imām, the recitation of the imām is his recitation.'
Ahmed, Ibn Mājah and others – declared strong by Ibn Taymiah
Narrated Umm Salamah, رضي الله عنها, Ummul Mu'minin, ‘The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to recite: "In the name of Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; most Gracious, most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment," breaking its recitation into verses, one after another.’
Abu Dawud
8. Al Fātihah is a du’a (a supplication). Should I say ‘āmīn’ at the end?
i. Yes, you should;
ii. In congregation, when the recitation is quiet, you should say it quietly;
iii. In congregation, when the recitation is loud, you should say it:
a. loudly
b. with a prolonged voice
c. simultaneously, with the imām, not before or after him.
The Evidence: saying Āmīn
Wa’il ibn Jubair رضي الله عنه narrates: I heard the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم recite…….”and not of those who have gone astray,” and then say “Āmīn” and make it long with his voice.
Ahmed
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘When the reciter says Āmīn, then say Āmīn, for the angels say Āmīn, and if a person's Āmīn coincides with the Āmīn of the angels, his previous sins will be forgiven.’
Bukhāri, Tirmidhi and others
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘The Jews do not envy you for anything more than they envy you for the Salām and (saying) Āmīn, so say Āmīn a great deal."
Ahmed Ibn Mājah
9. What do I read after Sūrah Fātihah?
i. It is a sunnah[6] to recite further verses from the Qur’ān;
ii. You can recite a whole sūrah or just particular ayāh;
iii. Anything can be recited, long or short;
iv. You may even combine two or more sūrahs in one rak’ah;
v. With regard to the verses in the first rak’ah, it is preferable to:
a. make the recitation longer than that in the second rak’ah;
b. recite verses that appear earlier in the Qur’an than the verses in the second rak’ah
vi. Beautify your voice when reciting Qur’ān;
vii. For those of you new to Islām, here are two small sūrahs you could use for the time being:
بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ وَالعَصرِ إِنَّ الإِنسانَ لَفي خُسرٍ إِلَّا الَّذينَ آمَنوا وَعَمِلُوا الصّالِحاتِ وَتَواصَوا بِالحَقِّ وَتَواصَوا بِالصَّبرِ
Bismillāh ar Rahmān Ar Rahīm
wal asr, innal insāna la fee khusr
Illal ladhīna āmanu, wa āmilus sālehāt
wata wa sowbil haq, wata wa sowbis sabr
In the Name of Allāh, the Compassionate, the Merciful
By Time, Indeed mankind is in loss,
except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds
and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Sūrah al Asr)
Or
بِسمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحمٰنِ الرَّحيمِ إِنّا أَعطَيناكَ الكَوثَرَ فَصَلِّ لِرَبِّكَ وَانحَر إِنَّ شانِئَكَ هُوَ الأَبتَرُ
Bismillāh ar Rahmān Ar Rahīm
Inna ātayne kal kawthar, fa sal-le, le rabika wan har,
inna shāne akka, Huwal Abtar
In the Name of Allāh, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Indeed, We have granted you (O Muhammad) Al Kawthar. So, Pray to your Lord and Sacrifice (to Him alone). Indeed, your enemy is the one cut off. (Sūrah al Kawthar)
10. I have recited from the Qur’ān whilst standing in al qiyām. What next?
i. After ending recitation of the Qur’ān, PAUSE;
ii. Raise the hands as mentioned earlier. This is a sunnah;
iii. Move into the bowing position, and whilst moving (Bukhari, Muslim) say takbir;
iv. This bowing position is called ruku;
v. NOTE: it is wājib to say takbīr between movements in the rest of the salāh (except when rising from ruku).
a. If wājib actions are missed unintentionally, then sajdah sahw must be performed.
b. If a wājib act is missed deliberately, then the entire salāh must be repeated.
11. Tell me about the bowing position.
i. This is known as ruku.
ii. Ruku is a rukn of salāh and is performed as follows:
iii. The top part of your body from the hips, should be at a right angle with the bottom part, no higher, no lower;
iv. Your hands should be on your knees. This is wājib;
v. Your fingers should be spaced apart;
vi. Your back should be straight;
vii. Your head should be level, neither dropping below nor raised above the level of your back;
viii. Your elbows should be away from your body;
ix. It is a rukn of salāh, that throughout the prayer, you should maintain ease between each salāh. The same applies to ruku. Remain in that position until you have achieved calmness. i.e.
a. The ruku should not be hurried, the way many people do;
b. We must bring our bodies to right angles, no more no less;
c. We must wait in that position until our entire body has come to rest.
The Evidence: Ruku
التّائِبونَ العابِدونَ الحامِدونَ السّائِحونَ الرّاكِعونَ السّاجِدونَ الآمِرونَ بِالمَعروفِ وَالنّاهونَ عَنِ المُنكَرِ وَالحافِظونَ لِحُدودِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ المُؤمِنينَ
(Such believers are) the repentant, the worshippers, the praisers (of Allāh), the travelers (for His cause), those who bow and prostrate (in prayer), those who enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, and those who observe the limits (set by) Allah. And give good tidings to the believers.
Sūrah ath Tawbah, 9:112
It was narrated that Abu Humaid As-Sa'idi رضي الله عنه said: When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم bowed he was balanced, he did not make his head higher or lower than his back, and he put his hands on his knees.
An-Nisā’i and also covered in a longer hadith in Tirmdihi
Section from a hadith narrated by Uqbah ibn Amr al-Ansari: “.. When he bowed, he placed his hands upon his knees and put his fingers below, and kept his elbows (arms) away from his sides, so everything returned properly to its place.
An-Nisā’i and Abu Da’ud
Abu Qatada رضي الله عنه reported Allāh’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم as saying, ‘The one who commits the worst theft is he who steals from his prayer.’ When asked how one could steal from his prayer he replied, ‘By not performing his bowing and his prostration perfectly.’
Ahmed
12. What is the adkhār of ruku i.e. what is to be spoken?
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ
Sub-hāna rab-biyal ‘Adhīm
How perfect is my Lord, the Supreme
i. You should actually utter these words;
ii. Say them when you are actually ‘in’ ruku, not on the way in or on the way out;
iii. They must be said at least once (wājib), preferably three times, but also more;
iv. Reciting ayāhs of Qur’ān is forbidden in ruku.[7]
The Evidence: Ruku adkhār
Narrates Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه , I prayed with the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم and while bowing he would say ‘Sub-hāna rab-biyal ‘Adhīm’
Muslim and four others
Related in Muslim, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said, ‘Verily I have indeed been forbidden from reciting the Qur’ān in ruku or sujūd. In ruku, therefore, Glorify the Supremacy of the Lord, Mighty and Sublime, in it; as for sujūd, exert yourselves in supplications (du’a) for it is most likely that you will be answered.
Insh’Allāh we will rise from ruku and continue this summary description of salāh in our next chapter.
The five daily prayers (salāh) [part c]
Questions
1. What do we mean by ‘takbīr’?
2. What is the name of the first takbīr in salāh?
3. What is al-qiyām?
4. Where do you look in the al qiyām position?
5. Where do you place your hands in al qiyām?
6. After the Takbīra-tal-Ihrām, what are the possible opening words of salāh?
7. Next comes al Fātihāh. Do you say “Bismillāh” before reciting?
8. Sūrah al Fātihah is a du’a. Should you say “āmīn” at the end? Explain.
9. How do you read Sūrah al Fātihah?
10. What do you read after the Sūrah?
11. What is ruku?
12. Describe exactly the posture in ruku.
13. What do we mean by ‘calmness’ in ruku?
14. What is the adkhār of ruku i.e. what is to be said?
Islām around the world
Salāh overflows onto the road, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
[1] Although raising before or after takbīr is also recorded in ahadīth (Muslim).
[2] Or you can grab completely your left wrist. However, be careful about other types on non authentic placings e.g. hands on sides of arms.
[3] Abu Dawūd and Hākim. Other supplications can be said - see previously mentioned books of Al Albāni and As Sābiq.
[4] There are two opinions: i) This ayah realtes to the entire salah, so isti’ādha need only be said in the first rak’ah. ii) this ayah confirms that because the Qur’an is being recited afresh, isti’ādha should be said at the start of every rak’ah. Both opinions are valid. Bear in mine also that isti’ādha is a sunnah and so should not be a major source of dispute amongst ummah.
[5] What do I mean by ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’ prayers in this book? During fajr, magrib and isha only, when praying in jamā’ah, the imām is required, in the first two rak’ah, to read the Qur’ānic verses in the qiyām position, aloud. During dhuhr and asr, those verses should be read silently.
[6] The little known fact that reciting surāhs after Fatihah is only a sunnah, is evidenced by hadith. 'Ata' reported it on the authority of Abu Huraira who said: Recitation (of Surat al-Fatiha) in every (rak'ah) of prayer in essential. (The recitation) that we listened to from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) we made you listen to it. And that which he recited inwardly to us, we recited it inwardly for you. And he who recites Umm al-Qur'an, it is enough for him (to complete the prayer), and he who adds to it (recites some other verses of the Holy Qur'an along with Surat al-Fatiha), it is preferable for him. (Muslim)
[7] The scholars of the Standing Committee were asked: We know that it is not permissible to recite Qur’ān when prostrating, but there are some verses which include du’a’s, such as the words, “Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us” [Āl ‘Imrān 3:8]. What is the ruling on saying such du’a’s that are mentioned in the Qur’ān, when prostrating? They replied: There is nothing wrong with that if it is done as a du’a’ and not as recitation of Qur’ān. End quote. Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 6/443. Source: Islamqa.com