The Pillars of Prayer and its conditions of validity
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيم
There
are five prayers which must be performed by the Muslims and are called
obligatory prayers. It is a great sin to neglect performing any of these
obligatory prayers.
Among
the merits of performing the obligatory prayers is that one’s small
sins, which may be committed between prayers, are forgiven. The Prophet,
may Allâh raise his rank, said:
« من توضأ فأحسن وضوءه خرجت منه خطاياه حتى تخرج من تحت أضافره »
which means: « Whoever makes a complete wudu', his sins will depart his body, until they leave from under his nails. » [Muslim]
How to perform the Prayer well in Islam?
Good intention is not enough for the validity of the acts of worship. See: Conditions for the Validity of Prayer
The Pillars of Prayer
The pillars of prayer are seventeen:
1- The intention:
It is obligatory to intend in your heart performing the obligatory
Dhuhr prayer or the obligatory `ASr prayer for example. It is not a duty
to utter the intention with his tongue. Do that while saying: « Allâhu
akbar » (God is great). An example is to say in your heart: « I intend
to pray the obligatory Dhuhr prayer. » If one says this with his tongue
without to have the intention in the heart, the prayer is not valid.
2- The Opening Takbir:
It is obligatory to say: « Allâhu akbar » at least as loud as you can
hear yourself, while raising your hands next to your ears. Raising your
hands is a recommended part.
3- The standing (qiyâm):
It is obligatory to stand in the obligatory prayer when able. It is
recommended to hold the wrist of the left hand with the right hand,
placing both above the navel.
If unable to stay, one prays sitting. If unable, one prays lying one one's side. If unable, one prays lying on one's back.
4- Reciting the FâtiHah:
It is obligatory to recite the FâtiHah (the first chapter of the
Qur’ân) at least as loud as you can hear yourself. It is an obligation
to recite the FâtiHah properly, that is, to pronounce all the letters
correctly. Also, doubling the letters that must be doubled, in order and
succession without lengthy interruption, articulating its letters
properly, and avoiding the error which breaches the meaning, such as
saying (an^amtu) instead of (an^amta). It is prohibited to
commit an error that does not breach the meaning. However, it does not
invalidate the prayer [unless done intentionally]. Learn the recitation
of the Fâtihah from a qualified teacher.
Suratu l-FâtiHah
سورة الفاتحة
بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ {1} الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {2} الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ {3} مَـلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ {4} إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ {5} اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ {6} صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ {7}
بِسْمِ اللّهِ الرَّحْمـَنِ الرَّحِيمِ {1} الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ {2} الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ {3} مَـلِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ {4} إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ {5} اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ {6} صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ {7}
Bismi
l-Lâhi r-RaHmâni r-RaHîm (1) Al-Hamdu li l-Lâhi Rabbi l-`âlamîn (2)
Ar-RaHmâni r-RaHîm (3) Mâliki yawmi d-Dîn (4) ‘iyyâka na`budou wa
‘iyyâka nasta`în (5) ‘Ihdina S-SirâTa l-mustaqîm (6) SirâTa l-ladhîna
‘an`amta `alayhim ghayri l-maghDûbi `alayhim wa la D-Dâllîn (7)
The Meaning of the FâtiHah
1-
I start my recitation with the Name of Allâh (the One Who deserves to
be worshipped), Who is Ar-RaHmân (the One Who is merciful to both
Muslims and non-Muslims in this life), and Ar-RaHîm (the One Who is
merciful to Muslims only in the Hereafter).
2-
Praise and thanks to Allâh, the Rabb (Owner) of the worlds (of angels,
humans, jinn, and others) for the givings He granted without Him being
obligated to do so.
3-
He is Ar-RaHmân (the One Who is merciful to both Muslims and
non-Muslims in this life), and Ar-RaHîm (the One Who is merciful to
Muslims only in the Hereafter).
4- He is the Owner of the Day of Judgment.
5- To You (Allâh) only we dedicate worship (the ultimate subjugation), and from You (Allâh) only we seek help.
6- Keep us guided (firmly) on the Straight Path (Islam).
7-
Which is the Path of those upon whom You bestowed guidance by Islam
(prophets and other Muslims), not the path of those whom You willed to
punish, or the path of those who went astray.
Whoever
cannot recite the FâtiHah correctly must recite other parts of the
Qur’ân, the number of letters of which should be at least equal to that
of the FâtiHah (156 letters). If one knows one or more âyahs of the
FâtiHah, one may repeat them as many times as would render minimally the
same number of letters in the FâtiHah. If one cannot recite any âyah of
the FâtiHah, one recites other ayahs of the Qur'ân the letters of which
add up to at least the same number of letters of the FâtiHah. If one
cannot recite any part of the Qur’ân, one must recite certain words of
dhikr, such as:
سُبحانَ اللّهِ والحَمدُ لِلّهِ ولا إله إلا اللّهُ واللّهُ أَكْبَرُ
(subHâna l-Lâh wa l-Hamdu li l-Lâh wa lâ 'ilâha il-la l-Lâh wa l-Lâhu akbar)
This
means: « I declare that Allâh is clear of all imperfections, praise and
thanks to Allâh, no one is God but Allâh, and Allâh is the Greatest »
as many times as would render minimally the same number of letters in
the FâtiHah. Ibn Hibban and an-Nawawiyy reported:
«
في صحيح ابن حبّان أنّ رجلاً أتَى النبيِّ فقال : يارسولَ اللّه إنّي لا
أستطيعُ أتعلّم القرءانَ فَعلِّمْنِي ما يُجزينِي من القرءان. فقال : «
قُلْ سُبحانَ اللّهِ والحَمدُ لِلّهِ ولا إله إلا اللّهُ واللّهُ أَكْبَرُ
ولا حول ولاقوة إلا باللّه العليّ العظيم .» وفي حديث المسىءِ صلاته : «
فإنْ كان معكَ قرءانٌ فاقرأ وإلا فحمد اللّه تعالى وهَلِّلْهُ وكَبِّرْهُ »
قال النوويُ حسنٌ »
For
example, reciting Allâhu akbar twenty times is sufficient. In the
unusual case of someone being unable to recite the FâtiHah, other parts
of the Qur’an, or dhikr statements one stands as long as reciting the
FâtiHah with moderate speed takes.
It
is recommended to say: Amin (0 Allâh, fulfill my request) after
finishing the FâtiHah, and to recite at least one verse from another
chapter of the Qur’ân in the first and second rak`ah.
5- The Bowing (Ruku`):
It is obligatory to bend at the waist until your palms can reach your
knees and stay still in this position for at least the time it takes to
say subHânallâh. It is recommended upon bending to raise your hands next
to your ears and say Allâhu akbar. Also it is recommended while in
ruku`, to say three times: subHâna Rabbiy Al- `ADHîm (Praise be to my
Great Lord).
6- The immobilization in this pillar At-Tuma'nînah:
It is to stay still in this position for at least the time it takes to
say subHânallâh. It is the fixed immobilization of every bone in
position, at one time.
7- The Straightening up (I`tidal):
It is obligatory to straighten your back and stay still in this
position for at least the time it takes to say subHânallâh. It is
recommended while raising your trunk to raise your hands next to your
ears and to say: sami`a lLâhu liman Hamidah (Allâh hears who praises
Him). While your back is straight up it is recommended to say: Rabbanâ
wa laka l-Hamd (0 our Lord, to You the praise is due).
8- The immobilization in this pillar At-Tuma'nînah
9- The Prostration (Sujiud) two times:
It
is obligatory to go down to the floor and prostrate by pressing your
bare forehead, and putting your palms, knees, and pads of the toes on
the floor. Both feet are kept vertical with the heels up and the toe
pads down touching the floor. Stay still in this position for at least
the time it takes to say subHânallâh.
It
is recommended upon going down to the floor to raise your hands next to
your ears and to say Allâhu akbar. Also it is recommended while in
sujud to say three times: subHâna Rabbiya l-'A`lâ (Praise be to my
Supreme Lord). It is also recommended while in sujud to place your hands
next to your shoulders, having your fingers together directed towards
the Qiblah.
It
is recommended for the male to keep his elbows away from his sides in
his sujud and in his ruku`, and to keep his abdomen lifted away from his
thighs in his sujud. However, the female keeps her elbows pulled in to
her sides in her sujud and ruku` and keeps her trunk close to her thighs
in her sujud.
10- The immobilization in this pillar At-Tuma'nînah
11- The Sitting between the two Sujuds:
It
is obligatory to raise your trunk from prostration and sit, staying
still in this position for at least the time it takes to say
subHânallâh.
It is recommended to say Allâhu akbar while coming to sitting. Also, it is recommended while sitting to say:
اللهمَّ اغفِرلي وارحمني واهْدِني وعَافِني وارْزُقْني
(Allâhumma ghfir lâ wa rHamnî wa hdinî wa `âfinî wa rzuqnî)
This means: « 0 my Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, protect me from sickness and provide for me. »
It is also recommended to do the sitting with the left foot tucked
under the buttocks while the right foot is kept vertical as in sujud. An
alternate recommended way of sitting is to rest the buttocks on the
heels of both feet which are kept as in sujud. It is recommended that
the hands be placed on the thighs at the knees with the fingers extended
and spread slightly towards the Qiblah.
12- The immobilization in this pillar At-Tuma'nînah
13- The last seated position: to recite the Tashahhud. There is a minimum and a complete form. The minimum of tashahhud is:
«
التَّحِيَّاتُ لله سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّها النَّبِيُّ و رَحْمَةُ الله و
بَرَكاتُهُ سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى عِبَادِ الله الصَّالِحِينَ
أَشهَدُ أَن لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله »
(at-taHiyyatu
lil-Lâh, salâmun `alayka ‘ayyuha n-Nabiyyu wa raHmatu l-Lâhi wa
barakâtuh, salâmun `alaynâ wa `alâ `ibâdi l-Lâhi S-SâliHîn, ‘ach-hadu
‘an lâ ‘ilâha ‘il-la l-Lâh wa ‘anna MuHammadan-raçûlou l-Lâh)
When in the complete tachahhoud, it is:
«
التَّحِيَّاتُ المُبارَكَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّباتُ لله السَّلاَمُ
عَلَيْكَ أَيُّها النَّبِيُّ و رَحْمَةُ الله و بَرَكاتُهُ السَّلاَمُ
عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى عِبَادِ الله الصَّالِحِينَ أَشهَدُ أَن لاَ إِلَهَ
إِلاَّ الله وَ أَشْهَدُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ الله »
(at-taHiyyatu
l-mubarakâtu S-Salawâtu T-Tayyibatu lil-Lâh, as-salâmu `alayka ‘ayyuha
n-Nabiyyu wa raHmatu l-Lâhi wa barakâtuh, as-salâmu `alaynâ wa `alâ
`ibâdi l-Lâhi S-SâliHîn, ‘ach-hadu ‘an lâ ‘ilâha ‘il-la l-Lâh wa
‘ach-hadu ‘anna MuHammadan-raçûlu l-Lâh)
15- The invocation in favour of the Prophet:
«الَّهُمَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد»
(Allâhuma Salli `alâ MuHammad)
The recitation of the invocation ' Ibrâhîmiyyah completely after the last one tachahhoud:
اللهم
صلّ على سيّدنا محمّد وعلى آل سيّدنا محمّد كما صلّيت على سيّدنا إبراهيم
وعلى آل سيّدنا إبراهيم وبارك على سيّدنا محمّد وعلى آل سيّدنا محمّد كما
باركت على سيّدنا إبراهيم وعلى آل سيّدنا إبراهيم
Allâhumma
Salli `alâ sayyidinâ MuHammad wa `alâ ‘âli sayyidinâ MuHammad kamâ
Sallayta `alâ sayyidinâ Ibrâhîm wa `alâ ‘âli sayyidinâ Ibrâhîm wa bârik
`alâ sayyidinâ MuHammad wa `alâ ‘âli sayyidinâ MuHammad kamâ bârakta
`alâ sayyidinâ Ibrâhîma wa `alâ ‘âli sayyidinâ Ibrâhîm fi l-`âlamîna
innaka Hamîdun majîd
The Meaning of the Tashahhud and Salatul-’Ibrâhimiyyah
The
blessed salutations, Five Prayers, and the good deeds are all owned by
Allâh. 0 Prophet of Allâh, may the safety from infirmities, and the
mercy of Allâh and His blessings be upon you. May safety be upon us and
upon the righteous slaves of Allâh.
I profess (know, believe, and declare) that no one is God but Allâh, and I profess that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allâh.
0
Allâh, we ask You to raise the rank of MuHammad, and have mercy upon
the Al (wives, Muslim kin, and pious Muslim followers) of MuHammad, as
You raised the rank of Ibrâhîm, and the Al of Ibrâhim. Verily, You are
the One Who deserves to be praised and thanked, and the One Who is
glorified. 0 Allâh, we ask You to bless MuHammad, and the Al of
MuHammad, as You blessed Ibrâhîm, and the Al of Ibrâhîm. Verily, You are
the One Who deserves to be praised and thanked, and the One Who is
glorified.
It
is recommended to sit with the feet. An alternate way of sitting is to
rest the buttocks on both crossed feet. It is also recommended to keep
both hands on your thighs. The fingertips of your left hand should be
spread towards your knee. In this sitting, the fingers of the right hand
are lightly fisted except for the index finger which is extended
slightly down. The index finger is lifted slightly at saying illallâh
(in the Tashahhud) and is kept as such until the end of this sitting.
16- The Ending Salam: It is obligatory to say السلامُ عليكُم assalamu `alaykum at least as loud as you can hear yourself. It is recommended to say:
السلامُ عليكُم ورحْمَةُ اللهِ وبركَاتُهُ
as-salamu `alaykum wa RaHmatullâh first to one’s right and then to one’s left.
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