How to Perform Prayer (Salat)
I. The Adhan (call to
prayer)and Iqama (call to start the prayer)
The adhan is the
announcement that the time of a particular prayer has begun. This is done
with specific wording, and for the purpose of calling the people to pray
in congregation. It is a distinctive feature of Islamic society and its
religious practice. It is obligatory for the Muslim society to establish
it.
The
wording of the Adhan
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar,
“Allah is the Most Great.” (repeated 4 times)
Ash-hadu an la ilah ella-Allah, Ash-hadu an la ilah ella-Allah,
“I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
(twice)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasul-ullah, Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasul-ullah,
“I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” (twice)
Haiya ‘alas-Salat, Haiya ‘alas-Salat,
“Hurry towards prayer.” (twice)
Haiya ‘alal-Falah, Haiya ‘alal-Falah,
“Hurry toward success.” (twice)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
“Allah is the Most Great.” (twice)
La illah illa-Allah “None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
(once)
Note: In the call to prayer for Fajr (the Dawn prayer)
the mu’adhdhin (caller) adds after Haiya ‘alal-Falah: As-Salat Khairun
minan naum, As-Salat Khairun minan naum, “Prayer is better than sleep.”
(twice)
II. The Iqama
The iqama is like the adhan
but it is announced immediately before the start of obligatory prayer, in
order to assemble the people in the mosque in orderly rows.
The
wording of the Iqama
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
“Allah is the Most Great.” (twice)
Ash-hadu an la ilah ella-Allah
“I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.”
(once)
Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasul-ullah
“I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.” (once)
Haiya ‘alas-Salat
“Hurry towards prayer.” (once)
Haiya ‘alal-Falah
“Hurry toward success.” (once)
Qad Qamatis-Salat, Qad Qamatis-Salat,
“The time of prayer has come.” (twice)
Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar.
“Allah is the Most Great” (twice)
La illah illa-Allah
“None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.” (once)
It is praiseworthy for one who while hears the adhan to
repeat each phrase after the mu’ahdhin, except when he says “Hurry to
prayer” and “ Hurry to success,” one should say:
La hawla ,la Quwwata illa billah “There is no power nor
ability except by Allah.”
After the adhan, one should ask Allah to bless the
Prophet (pbuh) in a low voice, then he should make the following du’a
(supplication):
Allahuma rabba hadhi-hid da'wah tit-tam-matiwas-sala
til qa’imati ati Muhammad nil waseelata wal fadeelata wab’ath-hu maqamam
an mahmudunil-ladhi wa'ad tahu.
“O Allah, the Lord of this perfect invitation and
established prayer, grant Muhammad intercession (to You) and honor and
raise him to the position of praise on the Day of Judgement, which You
promised him.“
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Whoever supplicates with this du’a hearing the adhan
will be eligible for my intercession on the Day of Judgement “ (Bukhari)
The adhan is an act of worship, and worship should be
performed in accordance with the teachings of the Prophet (pbuh) without
addition or omission.
Obligatory prayers and sunna prayers
Besides the obligatory or
prescribed five daily prayer (prayers) Muslims are strongly advised to
perform the non-obligatory sunna prayers for which they are rewarded;
these sunna prayers accompany the fard, or obligatory prayers, as stated
below.
Table of
number of Raka’at of each Prayer
|
Prayers |
Sunna
Before |
Fard
(Obligatory) Prayer |
Sunna
after |
|
Fajr (Dawn)
|
2 |
2 |
-- |
|
Dhuhur (Noon) |
2+2 |
4 |
2 |
|
Asr (Afternoon) |
2+2 |
4 |
-- |
|
Maghrib (Sunset) |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Isha (Night) |
2 |
4 |
2+3 or 1
Witr |
| Jumu’ah
(instead of Dhuhur 2 on Friday) |
2
(greeting the mosque) |
2 |
2 at home
or 2+2 in the mosque |
III. The Performance of Prayer
After the worshipper has
done the ablution and after the adhan and iqama are said, the prayer is
conducted according to the sunna of the Prophet (pbuh) who said to
companions:
“Pray as you have seen me praying. “ (Bukhari),
Since then, Muslims of all times and places have been
performing prayer in the same way of the Prophet (pbuh) as illustrated
below:
1. The Early Morning prayer
(Salatu-l-Fajr)
In this prayer two units (raka’at)
are offered first as supererogatory (sunna). These are followed by two
other units which are obligatory (fard). Both supererogatory and
obligatory prayers are offered in the same manner except that, when
declaring the intention, one has to distinguish between the two kinds.
Following is the description of the fard (obligatory) or sunna (voluntary)
prayer.
Act 1.
One stands in reverence and humility, facing the Qiblah, raising his hands
up to the ears, and silently intending for Sunat Salati-l-Fajr or Fard
Salati-l-Fajr (as the case may be), and says, “Allahu Akbar”.
This means (to one’s self):
“I intend to offer the supererogatory (or obligatory as the case may be)
prayer of the morning; Allah is the Greatest of All.” Then he lowers his
arms and places the right hand over the left one right below the chest.
This position of the hands
is in accordance with one school of law. Other positions are preferred by
other schools. However, these are minor differences and do not affect the
validity of the prayer. In fact, all such differences are considered as
convenience and facilities rather than hindrances and restrictions.
Act 2.
He then says in a low voice the following:
“Subhanaka-l-lahumma
wa bihamdik, wa tabaraka-smuk, wa ta’ala Jadduk, wa La Ilaha Ghayruk.
A’udhu bi-l-lahi mina-sh-shaytani-r-rajeem. Bismi-l-lahi-rah-mani-raheem.
“
This means: “Glory be to you, O Allah, and Yours is the
praise, and blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty, and there
is no God besides You. I seek the refuge of Allah from the condemned
devil. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Merciful. “
Act 3.
After this, the Fatiha (the opening chapter of the Qur’an) is recited
while standing in the same position. It runs as follows in
transliteration:
Bismillahir-rah Mani-Rahim,
Alhamdu Lillahi-rabbil-alamin,
Ar-rahmanir-rahim, Maliki Yawmaid-din, Iyyaka na’bodu
Wa Iyyka nasta’in, Ihdinas-Siratal-mustaqim Siratal-lathin An’amta alayhim
Ghqyril-maghdubi Alayhim Waladallin. Amin.
The translation of the Fatiha chapter is as follows:
In the name of Allah, The Beneficent, the Merciful.
All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all worlds, the Beneficent,
the Merciful. Thee only do we worship, and from Thee only do we seek
help. Guide us to the right path, the path of those to whom Thou hast
been Gracious, not of those who are condemned, nor of those who are
misguided.” Amen.
Then any portion of the Qur’an which the devotee may
have learned by heart is recited, whether it is a short chapter, or a few
verses.
Act 4.
Then he says: “Allahu Akbar. “
(Allah is the Greatest) and lowers his head and torso down at a right
angle, places the palms of his hands on the knees and says in a low voice:
“Subhana Rabbiya-l-Azeem”
(“Glory to my Lord the Great, “ repeated three times.)
This is called ruku’. After that the standing position is resumed with
these words:
“Sami’ a-l-ahu Liman Hamidah; Rabbana laka-l-Hamd”
(Allah accepts any who are thankful to Him; Our Lord,
praise be to you). When saying this, the hands remain on the sides.
The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Perform ruku’ until you come to rest in ruku’, then
rise up until you are standing [fully] upright. Then perform sajdah until
you come to rest in sajdah” (Bukhari)
Act 5.
The worshipper then says: “Allah
Akbar”, prostrating himself with the toes of both feet, both knees, both
hands and the forehead touching the ground. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “When
you perform sajdah, place your hands down, and raise your elbows up.”
(Muslim) This is the position of sujud and is accompanied by these words:
“Subhana Rabbiya-l-A’la”
(Glory to my Lord the Most High, repeated three times.)
Act 6.
With the utterance of Allah Akbar comes the julus, a short rest in a
sitting posture. The outer side of the left foot and the toes of the right
one (which are in an erect position) touch the ground and the two hands
are placed on the knees.
After this a second
prostration (sujud) is repeated in the same way, with the same utterances
as the first one. This completes one unit (raka’at) of the prayer.
Act 7.
After the first unit the worshipper rises, saying “Allahu Akbar”, to
assume a standing position for the second unit and recites the opening
chapter (the Fatiha) followed by a Qur’anic passage as in the first unit.
Act 8.
When he has finished the second bowing and the two prostrations in the
same way as the first, he takes a sitting position as in julus and recites
the tashahhud with its two parts. (A+B)
Transliteration of
Tashahhud
A.
At-tahyiyatu lilllahi, wassala-watu wattayybatu, Assalamu alaka
ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wabarakatuhu. Assalamu alayna wa ala
ibadillahis-salihin. Ash-hadu an la-ilaha-illallah wa ash-hadu anna
Mohammedan abduhu wa Rasuluhu,
B.
Allahumma sali ala Muhammad wa
ala ali Muhammad kama salyata ala Ibrahim, wa ala ali Ibrabih, innaka
Hamidun Majid, wa barik ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad kma barkt ala
Ibrahim wa ala ali Ibrahim innak Hamid Majid.
Meaning
of Tashahud (The Declaration of Testimony of Faith)
(Recited while sitting
after the end of the second raka’at of prayer.)
- (All) greetings, prayers and all good things are due to Allah, the
Almighty. Peace be unto you, oh Prophet of Allah. The mercy and the
blessings of Allah be unto us, and unto the righteous slave servants of
Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah
alone, and I bear witness that Mohammed is the slave/servant and
messenger of Allah.
- Oh Allah! Shower blessings upon Mohammed and upon the family of
Mohammed as you showered blessings upon Abraham and the family of
Abraham. And grant favors to Mohammed and to the family of Mohammed as
you granted favors to Abraham and to the family of Abraham in this
world. You are the Praiseworthy and Glorious.
In the final tashahud, one must seek refuge with Allah,
the Almighty, from the torture of the hellfire, the torture of the grave,
the afflictions and temptations of life and death and temptations of the
false Messiah. Then, one may select and recite any other supplications
chosen, with particular emphasis on those that have been soundly reported
by Allah’s Apostle (pbuh), such as:
“Oh Allah! Help me to remember you and worship you in
the best and most favorable fashion.”
“Oh Allah! I have extremely wronged my soul. Oh Allah!
There is no one else to pardon sins and forgive them save you. Oh Allah!
Grant me a pardon from your own. Oh Allah! Shower me with your Mercy, as
you are the Beneficent. Most Merciful.”
Act 9.
Finally, he turns his face to the right, saying these words:
“Assalamu ‘Alakum wa rahmatu-l-lah”(Peace be on you and
the mercy of Allah.) Then he turns his face to the left, uttering the same
greetings.
This is how any prayer of two units (raka’at) whether
obligatory or supererogatory, is performed. When knowing how to perform
this prayer in the right way, all other prayers will be very easy. It
should be pointed out that every move or every word in the Islamic prayer
has a great Significance attached to it and is symbolic of a very deep
meaning.
2. The Noon prayer (Salat –al-Dhuhr)
This consists of four units
as sunna (recommended) followed by four units as fard (obligatory), and
then two others as sunna. The performance of the fard of this prayer is as
follows:
- The first two units are performed in the same way as in the morning
prayer. The Fatiha and a portion of Qur’an are recited silently. Bowing
and prostration postures are observed in the same way.
- When reciting the tashahud after the second unit, the worshipper
stops at the end of part A to resume the posture of standing.
- He recites only the Fatiha in the third unit without any added
portion of the Qur’an.
- When he concludes the third unit, he stands for the fourth and
recites only the Fatiha as in the third.
- After bowing and prostrating, he takes the sitting posture of julus
and recites the whole tashahud with its two parts.
- Next he utters the peace greeting to the right and to the left.
- The two sunna units are performed like the morning prayer but
silently.
3. The Mid-Afternoon prayer
(Salatu-l-‘Asr)
The mid-afternoon prayer
consists of four units as sunna followed by four others as fard. These are
performed silently in the same way as the noon prayer.
4. The Sunset prayer
(Salatu-l-Maghrib)
The Sunset prayer
consists of three units as fard followed by two as sunna. It may be
recited in the first two units with a low or audible voice; the third unit
is silent. It is performed in the same way as the noon or mid-afternoon
prayer, except that the fourth unit is excluded. Recital of the Fatiha,
bowing and prostrations, come after the third unit, which ends with the
final sitting and the utterances of the peace greeting. The two Sunna
units are offered in the same way as the early morning prayer.
5. The Evening Prayer (Salatu-l-‘Isha)
The evening prayer consists
of four units as fard, two as sunna and three as witr. (higher than sunna
and lower than fard). The first two units of the four fard may be said in
a quiet or audible voice. Other than that, it is performed the same way as
the noon or mid-afternoon prayer. The two sunna are performed exactly like
the early morning prayer.
The three witr units are performed just like the sunset
prayer with two exceptions. First, in the third unit, the Fatiha is
followed by a portion of the Qur’an. Second, while standing after bowing
and before prostration, the worshipper says these words:
Allahumma inna nasta’eenuk, wa nastahdeek, wa
nastaghifiruk, wa natub ilayk, wa nu’minu bik, wa natawakallu ‘alayk,
wa nuthni’alayka-l-lkhayra kullah. Nashkuruk, wa la nakfurk, wa
nakhla’u wa natruku man yafjuruk. Allahumma iyyaka na’bud, wa nusalli
wa nasjud, wa ilyaka nas’a wa nahfid. Narju rahmatek, wa nakhsha
‘adhabak; inna ‘adhabaka bi-l-kuffari mulhaq wa salli-l-llahumma ‘ala
sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbibi wa salim.
This is called qunut and may be interpreted as follows:
O Allah! We beseech you for help and guidance, and
seek Your protection and believe in You and rely on You, and extol You
and are thankful to You and are not ungrateful to You, and we declare
ourselves clear of, and forsake, him who disobeys You.
O Allah! To You do we pray and prostrate ourselves,
and to You we do betake ourselves, and to obey You we are quick, and
Your mercy do we hope for and Your punishment do we fear, for Your
punishment overtakes the unbelievers.
O Allah! Exalt our Master Muhammad and his people
and his true followers.
If this qunut cannot be recited by memory, it is
sufficient to say any recitation similar to it until it is mastered. All
the sunna (supererogatory) prayers are to be said individually, (that is,
not in congregation) except the ‘Eid prayers, and the witr in the month of
Ramadan.
The sunna prayers are not required from a person who
has missed some Fard prayers. Instead, he must make up what he has missed
and offer the obligatory services, Also the sunna prayers are not required
if the due time of the accompanying fard prayers has expired. Hence, if a
person misses any prayer and wants to make up for it, he has to offer the
fard only.
