How to pray

ByImam Khaled ALAZHARI

The pillares of Salah (prayer)

1) Standing2) Intention

3) Making Takbir Tahrimah(The Opening Allahu Akbar)

1) Say : "Allahu Akbar“ (Allah is the Greatest) 2) Raising the Hands3) The fingers should be apart (not spaced out, or

together) and hands raised level with the shoulders.The Prophet (SAW) would raise them with fingers apart (not spaced out, nor together). (Sahih - Abu Dawood, Ibn Khuzaimah, Tammaam, and Al-Haakim)

4) Pointing Eyes to the Place of Sajdah (Prostration)5) Placing the Hands and Arms on the Chest6) Reciting Du'a Istiftah (Supplication of Starting)7) Seeking Refuge with Allah (SWT)

Reciting Du'a Isti'aadhah (Supplication of Starting) This du'a should be recited in the first rakah only. Always recite the du’a silently. "Subhana kallah humma wabi hamdika watabara kasmuka wata'ala jad-duka wala ilaha ghavruk" (You are Glorified, O Allah, and Praised, Your Name is Blessed, Your Majesty is Exalted, and none has the right to be worshipped but You)

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Indeed, the words most loved by Allah are when His slave says: 'Subhana kallah humma wabi hamdika watabara kasmuka wata'ala jad-duka wala ilaha ghavruk.'" (Hasan - Abu Dawood and Tahaawi)

4) Reciting Surah (Chapter) Al-Fatiha (The Opening - Chapter 1)

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Whoever does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid."

(Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

1)Reciting "Ameen" After Surah Al-Fatiha2)Reciting Quran After Surah Al-Fatiha 3)Raising Hands and Reciting Takbir

5) Performing Rukoo (Bowing)6) Be calm and relaxed, not in a

hurry. 1) Spreading the back and making it level [such that if

water were poured on it, it (the water) would stay there (i.e. not run off)].

2) The hands should rest on the knees3) The fingers spread apart4) The arms do not touch the body. 5) The head should not lower or higher than the back6) Always recite the following silently. "Subhana Rab-bi Yal Atheem" (3 times) (Glory be to my Lord who is the very Greatest)

7) Standing Up From Ruku8) Be calm and relaxed, not in a

hurry.

1) Recite the following silently. "Samee 'Allah hu liman hameeda"

(Allah listens to the one who praises Him) 2) Then say, while standing. Always recite silently:

"Rab-bana lakal hamd" (Oh, our Lord, all the praises be to You)

3) Reciting Takbir for Performing Sajdah (Prostration) The Prophet (SAW) said, "…then rise from bowing till you stand straight…" (Sahih - Al-Bukhari)

9) Performing First Sajdah (Prostration)10) Be calm and relaxed, not in a hurry.

1) Place the hands on the ground before the knees2) Fingers should be together pointed them towards the Qiblah 3) Palms should be level with the shoulders. 4) Face (Nose and forehead )and hands should be firm on the ground5) Knees and toes should be down firmly 6) and pointing with the front the toes towards the Qiblah.7) Heels together and feet upright.8) Forearms should be raised above the ground and kept away from the

sides of the body9) Forearms must NEVER rest on the ground (NOT EVEN WOMEN!!!). 10) Seven limbs must be prostrating: the palms, the knees, the feet, the

forehead and nose. 11) Spine must be completely straight during sajdah

repeat the following du'a silently :"Subhana Rab-bi A'la" (3 times) (Oh Allah, Glory be to You, the Most High)

11) Rising From Sajdah&(Sitting Between the Two Sajdahs)

Recite the following silently"Allah hum maghfirlee warhamnee wajburnee war fa'nee wahdinee wa 'afinee warzuqnee" (Oh Allah, forgive me, and have mercy on me, and keep me on the right path, and keep me healthy, and provide me with

Halaal sources of living, and complete my shortcomings, and make my rank high.)

Reciting Takbir

12) Performing Second Sajdah 13) Be calm and relaxed, not in a hurry.

Rising From the Second Sajdah - End of First Rakah

1)Jalsah-e-Istarahat (Sitting For Rest)

14) The Final Tashahhud (Sitting After Sajdah) and As-Salah 'Ala An-Nabiyy

(SAW) [Sending Prayers on the Prophet (SAW)]

1) Reciting a Tashahhud2) Pointing and Moving the Index Finger in

Tashahhud3) Seeking Refuge from Four Things4) Reciting a Du'a before the Tasleem (Salutation of

Peace)

Tashahhud

"At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was salawatu wat-tay yibatu. As-salamu 'alayka ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahma tullahee wa baraktuhu as-salamu 'alayna wa'ala 'ibadil-la hi-saliheen. Ash hadu anla ilahah illal lahu wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan 'ab-duhu

wa rasuluh"

[All compliments, all physical prayer, and all monetary worship are for Allah. Peace be upon you, Oh Prophet, and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Peace be upon us, and on the righteous slaves of Allah. (For when one says that, it includes every righteous slave in the heaven and the earth). I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah. And that Muhammad (SAW) is His slave and Messenger.]

[Sending Prayers on the Prophet (SAW)]

"Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammadin wa'ala ali Muhammadin, kama sal-layta 'ala Ibraheema wa'ala ali

Ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed, Allah humma barak 'ala Muhammadin wa'ala ali Muhammadin, kama barak ta

‘ala Ibraheema wa'ala ali Ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed"

(Oh Allah, send prayers on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as you sent prayers on Ibraheem , and on the family of Ibraheem; You are indeed worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. Oh Allah, send blessings on Muhammad, and on the family of Muhammad, as you sent blessings on Ibraheem, and on the family of Ibraheem; You are indeed worthy of Praise, Full of Glory.)

Seeking Refuge from Four Things

After reciting As-Salah 'Ala An-Nabiyy (SAW) always read the following du'a silently:

"Allah humma 'innee a'u'thu bika min athabi jahannam wa min athabil qabri wa min fitnatil mah

ya wal mamatee wa min shar-ril masihid-daj-jal" [Oh Allah, I seek refuge with You from the

punishment of Hellfire, and from the punishment of the grave, and from the trials of living and dying, and

from the evil (trials) of the False Christ]

16) Ending the Salah with Tasleem (Salutation of Peace)

1) Hands are to remain on the knees until the tasleem is complete.

2) Make sure the entire right cheek is visible to anyone who may be sitting behind.

3) Recite aloud or silently over the right shoulder"Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah" (May the Peace and Mercy of Allah Be Upon You)