REFERENCES USED TO CREATE THIS GUIDE CONTENTS

1. Coolness of the Eyes— of Salaah—AlKauthar Institute AN INTRODUCTION TO SALAAH PAGE 3. 2. My Salaat Companion—Talibideen Jr NAMES AND TIMES OF AS-SALAAH PAGE 4. 3. ‘The Prophet’s Prayer Described’ by Shaikh Naasir-ud-Deen Al- BEFORE YOU START THE SALAAH PAGE 5. Albaani THE (CALL TO PRAYER) PAGE 6. 4. ‘An Explanation of the Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of AFTER THE ADHAN PAGE 7. Prayer of the Imaam and Mujaddid bin ‘Abdil- Wahhaab’, by Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee and THE PAGE 8. Shaikh ‘Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbaad. HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE PAGE 9. 5. ‘Salaat: The Islamic Prayer from A to Z.’ ‘A description of The COMPULSORY AND PRAYERS PAGE 16. Wudhu’ of the Prophet’ by Fahd ibn ‘Abdir-Rahman ash- REFERENCES USED TO CREATE THIS PAGE 17 Shuwaib. GUIDE 6. ‘Prayer according to the Sunnah’ by Muhammad Zulfiqar.

7. ‘Duaa’ – The weapon of the believer’ by Abu Ammaar Yasir Qadhi 8. ‘Fortress of the Muslim’, compiled by Sa’id bin Wahf Al- Qahtani

2 17 COMPULSORY AND SUNNAH PRAYERS AN INTRODUCTION TO SALAAH

As-Salaah is the 2nd pillar of . Before Compulsory After (Sunnah) (Sunnah) It is the first priority after belief in the Oneness of and in the (.ملسهللا هللايلع هللا ىلص( Prophethood of Muhammad Fajr 2 * 2 - It is such an important pillar, that are called upon to per- form this act of worship in all circumstances without fail. Aban- Dhuhr 2* + 2* 4 2 * doning it is disbelief. ملسهللا هللايلع هللا ىلصهللا Asr 2 + 2 4 - Allah’s Messenger said “Between a slave (of Allah) and disbelief is abandoning the Salat.” (Tirmidhi)

Maghrib 2 3 2 * and “The covenant between us and them is the Salat, so whoever Isha 2 4 2 * abandons it he has committed disbelief.”(Tirmidhi) Definition of -As Salaah • The word Salaah means ‘to Pray’, ‘to supplicate or The Sunnah prayers marked with an asterisk (*) are those prayers invoke’, ‘to Petition’ or ‘to Magnify’. said: “Whoever is مصسص يلص هللا ىلص about which Allah’s Messenger • ‘As-Salaah’ is the name given to the formal prayer of Islam, regular with twelve Rak’ah of Sunnah (prayer), Allah will build a which is a compulsory rite of the religion. house for him in Paradise”. (Tirmidhi) • Islamically, it means to worship Allah through certain known and prescribed sayings and actions, starting with Takbeer i.e., saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the greatest) and ending with Tasleem i.e., saying ‘As-Salaamu Alaykum Wa Rahmat- ullah’ (May Allah’s peace and Mercy be upon you).

16 3 HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE NAMES AND TIMES OF SALAAH

ACTION TO SAY Turn your head to the right, then Assalaamu ‘alaykum wa rah- to the left. Say on each side: matullah May Allah’s peace and mercy Fajr (After dawn until before sunrise) be upon you Whoever, recites the following after each prayer, his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea (Sahih Muslim). Subhaan Allah— Glory be to Allah x 33 Al-hamdu lillah— Praise be to Allah x 33 Allahu Akbar— Allah is the greatest x 33 Isha (After dusk until be- Dhuhr (Noon: After sun fore dawn, before mid- declines from zenith until La ilâha ill-Allâhu wahdahu lâ sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul- night preferred) before Asr) hamdu wa huwa 'ala kulli shai’in qadir x1 There is none worthy of worship but Allah alone, with no partner or associate; His is the Dominion, to Him be praise, and He is Able to do all things. “Whoever recites Ayat Al-Kursi Ayatul Kursi (2:255) immediately after each pre- scribed Prayer, there will be nothing standing between him Maghrib (Immediately Asr (Midway between and his entering Paradise except after sunset before dusk) noon until sunset) death.” (Reported by An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban.) 4 15 HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE BEFORE YOU START SALAAH

ACTION TO SAY

If you are remaining in the sitting position, recite the : Allahumma Salli 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala Muhammmadin, kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala Ali Ibrahima, Innaka Hamidum

Majid.

O Allah! Send Your Salat (Graces, Honours and Mercy) on Muham- mad and on the family (or the followers) of Muhammad, as You send Your Salat (Graces, Honours and Mercy) on Ibrahim and on the family (or the followers) of Ibrahim, for Your are the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious. Allahumma Barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala Ali Muhammadin, ka- ma barakta 'ala Ibrahima wa 'ala Ali Ibrahima, Innaka Hamidum Majid.

O Allah! Send Your Blessings on Muhammad and on the family (or Clothes should be covering the awrah and be loose the followers) of Muhammad, as You send Your Blessing on Ibra- and non-transparent him and on the family (or the followers) of Ibrahim, for Your are Your body, clothing and place of worship should be the Most Praiseworthy, the Most Glorious. free from impurities You can continue to make before completing the prayer Being in a state of purity ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ ِ .Perform the prayer when its time has started اللَُّه َّم إِِِّن أَعُوذُ ب َك م ْن َع َذا ِب الَْقِْْب، َوأَعُوذُ ب َك م ْن فْت نَة الَْمسي ِح ال َّد َّجال، َوأَعُوذُ ب َك ِ ِ ِ ِ َّ ِ ِ ِ ِ .Facing the Qiblah (Direction) of the Ka’bah م ْن فْت نَة الَْم ْحيَا َوالَْمَمات. اللُه َّم إِِّن أَعُوذُ ب َك م َن الَْمأََِْث َوالَْمغَْرم". Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika min 'athaabil-qabri, wa 'a'oothu bika min fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaali, wa 'a'oothu bika min fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati. Pray towards a , when alone and in an open ar- Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika minal-ma'thami walmaghrami. ea. It is an object used by a person praying, as a barri- Reference: Al-Bukhari 1/202, Muslim 1/412. er between himself and one passing in front of him.

14 5 ADHAN—THE CALL FOR SALAAH HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

WORDINGS IN ARABIC MEANING (TRANSLITERATION) ACTION TO SAY Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Recite the at-tahiyaat Greatest Attahiyyaatu lilaahi wassalawaatu Wattayyibaatu Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allah Greatest Assalaamu ‘alayka ay-yuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa- barakaatuh Ash-hadu an Ia ilãha illaIIah I testify that there is none wor- Peace be upon you Oh Prophet And the mercy of Allah and His thy of worship except Allah blessings Ash-hadu an Ia ilãha illaIIah I testify that there is none wor- Assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahis saliheen thy of worship except Allah Peace be upon us and on the righteous slaves of Allah Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan I testify that Muhammad is the Ash-hadu allaa ilaaha illallaah Wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasul-Ullah Messenger of Allah ‘abduhu wa rasooluh I bear witness that there is no or deity worthy of worship Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan I testify that Muhammad is the except Allah And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Rasul-Ullah Messenger of Allah

Haiya 'alas-Salaah Come to the Prayer What you do next will depend on which (Compulsory) pray- Haiya 'alas-Salaah Come to the Prayer er you are performing and how many rakah (unit) you are per- forming. Haiya 'alal-Falah Come to the Success If you have completed the 2nd rakah of Fajr, 3rd of Ma- Haiya 'alal-Falah Come to the Success ghrib or 4th rakah of Dhuhr, Asr or Isha, remain sitting. Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the If you have completed the 2nd rakah of Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib or Greatest Isha, stand up and complete the extra rakah to complete the La ilaha illallah There is none worthy of worship prayer. except Allah

6 13 HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE AFTER THE ADHAN

Al-Wasilah ملسهللا هللايلع هللا ىلصهللا ACTION TO SAY Ask Allah to grant the Prophet (the honour of intercession), then the Prophet’s intercession (on Sit on the left thigh, with the left Rabbighfirlee the Day of Judgment) will be permissible for you. foot along the ground and the Oh Allah, forgive me right foot upright. The toes of the Allahumma rabba hadhihid-da watit-ta’mmah wa-salat-il-qa’imah right foot should be facing the aati Muhammadan -al wasilah wa-al-fadilah, wab’athu maqaman Qiblah and the hands be placed mahmuda al-ladhi wa’adthu of the knees. In the sitting posi- O Allah! Lord of this perfect call (of not ascribing partners to You) tion, say twice: and of the regular Salat (prayer) which is going to be established! Go into sujood for a second time, Allaahu Akbar Kindly give Muhammad Al-Wasilah (highest position in Paradise) and Al-Fadilah (extra degree of honour) and raise him to Maqam saying as you move: Allah is Greatest Mahmud {a station of praise and glory, i.e, the honour of interces- In the sujood position say 3 Subhaana rabbiyal ‘alaa sion on the Day of Resurrection}, which You have promised him. times: Glory be to my Lord Most High Stand up from the prostrating. As Allaahu Akbar you are coming up, say: Allah is Greatest

Perform the remaining rakaat, depending on which prayer you are performing After completing 2nd sujood in 2nd rakat, move into sitting posi- tion

12 7 IQAMA— THE SECOND CALL TO PRAYER HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

The iqama is given immediately before the prayer begins. It is called in a lower voice and at a faster pace than the adhan. It is addressing ACTION TO SAY the people who have already gathered for Salaah. You should be in the standing Rabbanaa wa lakal hamd position with your hands by your Our Lord, and to You belongs sides. After standing straight, say: the praise Go into the prostration (sujood) Allaahu Akbar WORDINGS IN ARABIC MEANING position, by first putting your (TRANSLITERATION) Allah is Greatest hands on the ground and then Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the the knees. As you go into this po- Greatest sition, from the standing posi- Ash-hadu an Ia ilãha illaIIah I testify that there is none wor- tion, say: thy of worship except Allah In the prostration position (sujood), ensure: Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan I testify that Muhammad is the Rasul-Ullah Messenger of Allah 1. The nose and forehead are touching the ground 2. The two palms are on the floor with fingers together Haiya 'alas-Salaah Come to the Prayer 3. The two knees are on the floor Haiya 'alal-Falah Come to the Success 4. Both feet are kept together. 5. The toes of both feet are in the direction of the qiblah. Qad qamatis Salaah The prayer has begun In the sujood position say 3 Subhaana rabbiyal ‘alaa Qad qamatis Salaah The prayer has begun times: Glory be to my Lord Most Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the High Greatest Come up to the sitting position Allaahu Akbar La ilaha illallah There is none worthy of worship and say Allah is Greatest except Allah

8 11 HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE HOW TO PRAY—A STEP BY STEP GUIDE

ACTION TO SAY ACTION TO SAY Recite Fatihah Opening Takbeer Allaahu Akbar Recite another chapter from the In the 3rd and 4th Rak’ah, on- Qur’an if this is the 1st or 2nd Ra- ly recitation of the Fatiha is In the standing position, raise (Allah is Greatest ) k’ah. required both hands so that your finger tips are in line with the shoulders In the standing position, raise both Allaahu Akbar or ears. Your palms should be hands as in Step 1. Then say: Allah is Greatest facing outward. Then say: Move to the bowing (rukoo’) posi- Subhaana rabbiyal ‘atheem Your eyes should be looking Subhaana Kal-Laahumma wa down at the place where you will Bi-Hamdika wa Tabaarakas- tion. Keep the back flat and hori- Glory be to my Lord the Su- be putting your head down on muka wa Ta’ala Jadduka Wa- zontal (at 90 degree angle to the preme normal body position. Do not keep the ground in sujood. laa Ilaaha Ghaie-ruk the back half raised or lowered. Place your hands on your chest, All Glory is due to You, O Al- Rest both hands on the keens, with the right hand over the left. lah! And all Praise is due to with fingers spread apart and Then say an Opening dua: You, and Your Name is the holding the knee. Then say three Most Blessed, and Your Maj- times: esty is Highly Exalted and Return to standing position, saying Sami’-Allaahu liman hamidah there is none worthy of Wor- Allah listens to the one who ship except You. praises him Then say the isti’adah A’oothu billaahi minash- shaytanir-rajeem I seek ref- uge with Allah from Satan the

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