By: Dr. Mubarak Ali

HOW TO PERFORM PRAYER (AS-SALAT)

4.1 INTRODUCTION

Much has been learned from the preceding two chapters regarding the importance, virtues, kinds, prerequisites and requirements of different prayers. This section attempts a detailed instruction, description and explanation on how to perform the actual Salat, step-by-step. (For a summary on how to perform the prayer, see Table 4.1.) It is to be noted that, basically, almost all the liturgical prayers, obligatory and otherwise, are performed alike in some instances and very similar in other instances. In order to detail fully how Salat is actually performed, the two rak’at obligatory Fajr Salat will be used as the model. Important notations will be made as required.

4.2 PERFORMING THE SALAT STEP BY STEP

 The actual liturgical prayer is comprised a series of important chronological steps, acts or conditions (to use the terms interchangeably), as follows:

1. The Neyyah (Intention)

As indicated in the previous chapter, neyyah is an essential part of the Salat. It is a condition of the heart and consciousness and clarity of the mind as there is no verbal intention.

2. Perform Wudu’ Ablution)

No Salat can be performed without Wudu’.

3. Declare the Iqamah

Before commencing any obligatory Salat, the Iqamah must precede the Takbir al-Ihram (first Takbir to enter you in the state of prayer). Say the Iqamah loudly as follows:

Transliteration:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. Ashhadu allaa ilaha illal-laah. Ashhadu anna Muhammad ar-Rasool-al-laah. Haaya ‘ala-Salat. Hayya ‘alal-falah. Qad qaamatis-Salat. Qad qaamatis-Salat. Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar. La ilaha illal-laah

Translation:

Allah is the reatest, Allah is the greatest. I testify that there is no god but Allah. I testify that Muhammad is the Mesenger of Allah. Come to prayer. Come to success. Prayer is ready, Prayer is ready. Allah is the greatest, Allah is the greatest. There is no god but Allah.

4. Pronounce the Takbir Al-Ihram (The First ‘Allahu Akbar’[1]) as follows:

Transliteration:

Allahu Akbar

Translation:

Allah is the Greatest.

When pronouncing the takbir, raise both hands to the level of one’ shoulders or ears. Say the takbir loudly. (For raising the hands, see Figure 4.1.) Do not clench the fist; it is Sunnah to extend the fingers and keep the palms open while the hands are raised (Abu Hurairah in Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, abu Dawud, and Muslim).

5. Placement of Hands

Upon lowering the hands from the first takbir, position them anywhere between the chest and the navel. The right hand must be placed over the left hand. (For placement of the hands, see Figure 4.2.) men and women position their hands alike; there is no known authentically different way for the women to position their hands. The following Hadith confirms this Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh):

The Prophet (pbuh) passed a man praying with his left hand over his right (hand), and (the Prophet) pulled him away and put his right (hand) over his left (hand) (Jabir in Ahmad and others).

Placing the hand on the chest was emphasized by the Messenger of Allah (pbuh):

I saw the Prophet (pbuh) praying with his right hand over his left upon his chest above the elbow (Hulb At-Ta’I in Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi).

Once when I prayed with the Prophet (pbuh) he placed his right hand over his left upon his chest (Wa’il ibn Hajr in Ibn khuzaimah, Abu Dawud, and An-Nasa’i).

6. What to Say Immediately After the First Takbir

Immediately after the first takbir (Takbir Al-Ihram), it is Sunnah to say the following three benedictions before proceding to the At-Ta-‘awuz, the Tasmia and Surah Al-Fatihah:

1) Say:

Transliteration:

Inni waj-jahtu wajhiya lil-lazi fataras-samawaati, wal arda hanifan wa maa ana minal mushrikin.

Translation:

Surely I have turned myself being upright, wholly to Him Who originated the heavens and the earth, and I am not of the polytheists.

2) Say:

Transliteration:

Inna salaati wa musuki wa mahyaya wa mamati lil-lahi, rabbil ‘alamin.

Translation:

My prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

3) Say the Sana as follows:

Transliteration:

Subhaana kal-lahum-ma wa bi hamdika, wa tabaara kasmuka wa ta-‘alaa jad-duka, wa laa ilaha ghairuka.

Translation:

Glory be to You O Allah and blessed is Your name and exalted is Your Majesty and there is none to be worshipped besides You.

(Source: The Muslim Handbook By Dr. Mubarak Ali)

(To be continued)

[1]  This expression, Allahu Akbar, is the same for all other takbirat required in the prayer.