Men’s Salaah

The lofty position which salaah holds in the life of a Muslim does not require any explanation. The fact that it will be the first aspect regarding which a person will be questioned on the Day of Qiyaamah is sufficient proof of its importance.

Hazrat Rasulullah H said:

إن أول ما يحاسب الناس به يوم القيامة من أعمالهم الصلاة قال يقول ربنا جل وعز لملائكته وهو أعلم انظروا في صلاة عبدي أتمها أم نقصها فإن كانت تامة كتبت له تامة وإن كان انتقص منها شيئا قال انظروا هل لعبدي من تطوع فإن كان له تطوع قال أتموا لعبدي فريضته من تطوعه ثم تؤخذ الأعمال على ذاكم (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 864)^[1]هذا الحديث سكت عنه أبو داود والمنذري (مختصر سنن أبي داود، 1/306)

Indeed the first action for which people will be called to account for on the Day of Qiyaamah will be their salaah. Our Rabb F will say to the malaa’ikah (angels), while Allah F has complete knowledge over everything, “Look at the (fardh) salaah of my servant; has he performed it in a complete and perfect manner or has he performed it in a deficient manner?” If his salaah was performed in a complete and perfect manner, the complete reward will be recorded for him. If there was some deficiency in his salaah, Allah F will say to the malaa’ikah (angels), “Compensate for the deficiency in his fardh salaah through his nafl salaah. Thereafter, other ibaadaat will follow the same pattern.”

Correct Time and Manner

Just as the performance of salaah is important, carrying it out in the preferred time and in the correct manner is equally important.

Hazrat Rasulullah H said, “When a person offers his salaah on its prescribed time with proper wudhu, fulfilling its qiyaam (standing posture), ruku and sajdah in the correct manner with the desired level of concentration and devotion, then the salaah rises up in a bright and beautiful form saying to him, ‘May Allah F safeguard you as you have safeguarded me.’ (On the contrary,) if a person does not perform his salaah on its prescribed time, nor does he perform a proper wudhu or fulfil his ruku and sajdah in the correct manner and with the desired level of concentration, then the salaah rises up in an ugly and dark form and curses him saying, ‘May Allah F destroy you as you haveF destroyed me.’ The salaah then rises to the point where Allah  wishes, and thereafter it is folded like a dirty rag and flung on his face.”^[2]عن أنس بن مالك قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من صلى الصلوات لوقتها وأسبغ لها وضوءها وأتم لها قيامها … Continue reading

Admonition for those who Neglect Salaah with Jamaat in the Musjid

It was the burning desire of Rasulullah H that the men of the Ummah perform their Salaah with jamaat in the musjid. Rasulullah H used to be greatly hurt when he learnt of people performing their salaah at their homes that he said: “Had it not been for the women and children, I would have commanded a group of youth to gather firewood and set fire to the dwellings of those people who perform their salaah at their homes without any excuse”^[3]عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقد ناسا في بعض الصلوات فقال لقد هممت أن آمر رجلا يصلي بالناس ثم … Continue reading

The Sahaabah M had once seen Rasulullah H weeping. On enquiring from him as to what caused him to weep, he said: “I was shown by Allah F that among the signs of Qiyaamah are that the people from my Ummah will discard their Salaah and follow their (evil) desires”^[4]عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال لما حج النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم حجة الوداع أخذ بحلقتي باب الكعبة ثم أقبل بوجهه … Continue reading

The Practice of Sahaabah M regarding Congregational Salaah

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood I is reported to have said: “Guard your five daily salaah through performing it at a place where the azaan is called out (i.e. the musjid). Verily performing these (fardh) salaah in the musjid is from the sunan-e-huda (the prescribed acts of worship in Deen). Allah F has prescribed for His Nabi H sunan-e-huda (such acts of worship which are complete guidance for you). During the mubaarak lifetime of Nabi H none would omit the jamaat salaah in the musjid except an open munaafiq (an open hypocrite), to such an extent that even a sick person would not remain absent from the congregational salaah in the musjid. Rather, he would be taken to the musjid while being supported on the shoulders of two men. Each one of you (the Sahaabah M) has a specified place in his home reserved for performing nafl salaah, etc. However, if you begin performing your fardh salaah at home and leave attending the congregational prayer in the musjid, then you will be abandoning the emphasized sunnah of Nabi H. As soon as you will abandon his mubaarak sunnah, you will certainly go astray.”^[5]عن عبد الله بن مسعود قال حافظوا على هؤلاء الصلوات الخمس حيث ينادى بهن فإنهن من سنن الهدى وإن الله شرع لنبيه … Continue reading

It is reported that somebody asked Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas L, “What is the condition of the person who observes nafl fasts during the day and offers nafl salaah the entire night, but neither goes to the musjid to perform salaah with jamaat nor attends the jumuah?” Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbaas L replied, “He is doomed to Hell.”^[6]وسئل ابن عباس عن رجل يصوم النهار ويقوم الليل لا يشهد جمعة ولا جماعة فقال هو في النار (سنن الترمذي، الرقم: 218)

Before Salaah

1. Prepare for salaah well in advance, before the salaah time enters, and ensure that you are not only physically prepared but you are also mentally conscious that you are going to present yourself in the court of Almighty Allah F.

2. Ensure that you perform every salaah on its prescribed time with jamaat in the musjid. ^[7]عن عبد الله بن مسعود قال حافظوا على هؤلاء الصلوات الخمس حيث ينادى بهن فإنهن من سنن الهدى وإن الله شرع لنبيه … Continue reading View more ...

3. Try your level best to perform every salaah with takbeer-e-ula (join the salaah from the very first takbeer).^[9]قال أبو الدرداء قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إن لكل شيء أنفة وإن أنفة الصلاة التكبيرة الأولى فحافظوا … Continue reading

4. Ensure that your body, clothing and the place in which you are performing salaah are clean.^[10]تطهير النجاسة من بدن المصلي وثوبه والمكان الذي يصلي عليه واجب (الفتاوى الهندية 1/58 ، حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي … Continue reading

5. Before commencing salaah, ensure that your clothing is decent and loose-fitting. Refrain from wearing clothing which is not in keeping with the respect and sanctity of salaah, and clothing which has pictures or inscriptions upon it.^[11](وكره … صلاته … في ثياب البذلة) وهي ما يلبس في البيت ولا يذهب بها الي الكبراء (شرح الوقاية 1/168 ، رد المحتار … Continue reading

6. Ensure that you perform salaah with a topi as it was the sunnah practice of Hazrat Rasulullah H and the Sahaabah M to perform salaah while wearing a topi.^[12](وكره … صلاته حاسرا رأسه للتكاسل أو للتهاون بها) ليس المراد بالتهاون الإهانة بالصلاة فإنها كفر بل المراد قلة … Continue reading View more ...

Qiyaam

1. When intending to perform salaah, stand and face the qiblah.^[15]شروط الصلاة وهي عندنا سبعة … واستقبال القبلة (الفتاوى الهندية 1/58، البحر الرائق 1/283)

2. Thereafter, make the intention of the salaah that you are performing and raise your hands until your thumbs are in line with the earlobes.^[16]رفع يديه حذاء أذنيه حتى يحاذي بإبهاميه شحمتي أذنيه وبرؤوس الأصابع فروع أذنيه (الفتاوى الهندية 1/73)

3. When standing for salaah, stand with utmost respect. Face both feet towards the qiblah and keep a gap of approximately four fingers between them. When performing salaah in congregation, straighten the saffs (rows) and stand as close to each other as possible, without leaving any gaps in between. The feet should not be spread apart in such a manner that the toes of one person touch the toes of the next person.^[17]وينبغي أن يكون بين قدميه أربع أصابع في قيامه كذا في الخلاصة (الفتاوى الهندية 1/73 ، رد المحتار 1/444) (ويصف) أي … Continue reading

4. When raising the hands to the earlobes, ensure that the palms are facing the qiblah and the fingers are kept in their natural position (neither spread apart nor tightly closed). ^[18]قال الفقيه أبو جعفر يستقبل ببطون كفيه القبلة (الفتاوى الهندية 1/73 ، رد المحتار 1/482) وإذا رفع يديه لا يضم أصابعه … Continue reading

5. At the time of reciting the takbeer-e-tahreemah, ensure that your head is kept straight. You should neither bend your head forward nor backward at the time of reciting the takbeer-e-tahreemah.^[19]ولا يطأطأ رأسه عند التكبير (الفتاوى الهندية 1/73)

6. After raising your hands parallel to your earlobes, recite the takbeer (Allahu Akbar).^[20](ورفع يديه) قبل التكبير وقيل معه قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (قبل التكبير وقيل معه) الأول نسبه في المجمع … Continue reading

7. Lower the hands while saying the takbeer and fold them below the navel.^[21]وضع يمينه على يساره تحت سرته (الفتاوى الهندية 1/72)

8. Place the right hand over the left hand. ^{See 21}

9. Form a ring with the thumb and small finger of the right hand around the left wrist and place the remaining three fingers on the forearm.^[22]ويأخذ الرسغ بالخنصر والإبهام ويرسل الباقي على الذراع (الفتاوى الهندية 1/73)

10. Your gaze should not wander in any direction. Instead, it should be focused on the place of sajdah.^[23]نظر المصلي إلى موضع سجوده قائما (نور الإيضاح صـ 72)

11. Once you have commenced your salaah, recite the thanaa silently:^[24]عن عائشة قالت كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا استفتح الصلاة قال سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك وتبارك اسمك وتعالى … Continue reading

سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالٰى جَدُّكَ وَلَا اِلٰهَ غَيْرُكَ

Glory be to You O Allah F! Praise be to You, blessed is Your name, very lofty is Your majesty, and there is no deity besides You.

Note: The thanaa will be recited by the munfarid (the one performing salaah individually) as well as the imaam and muqtadi (the one following the imaam).^[25](ويستفتح كل مصل) سواء المقتدي وغيره ما لم يبدأ الإمام بالقراءة (حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح صـ 281)

12. Recite ta’awwuz and tasmiyah silently.^[26](ثم يتعوذ) … (سرا للقراءة) … (فيأتي به المسبوق) … (لا المقتدي) لأنه للقراءة ولا يقرأ المقتدي … (ثم يسمي … Continue reading

Ta’awwuz is to recite:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْم

I seek protection in Allah F from the accursed Shaitaan.

Tasmiyah is to recite:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah F, the most kind, the most merciful.

13. After reciting thanaa, ta’awwuz and tasmiyah silently, commence the qiraat of Surah Faatihah followed by a surah or any portion of the Quraan Majeed.^[27](ثم قرأ الفاتحة وأمن الإمام والمأموم سرا ثم قرأ سورة أو) قرأ (ثلاث آيات) قصار أو آية طويلة وجوبا (حاشية الطحطاوي … Continue reading

14. Upon the completion of Surah Faatihah, you should say “aameen” silently, regardless of whether you are performing salaah individually or performing salaah behind the imaam. ^{See 27}

15. If you are commencing a surah after reciting Surah Faatihah, then you should recite tasmiyah silently before commencing the surah.^[28](لا) تسن (بين الفاتحة والسورة مطلقا) ولو سرية ولا تكره اتفاقا قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله قوله (لا تسن) … Continue reading

Note: The ta’awwuz and tasmiyah will only be recited by the munfarid and the imaam. The muqtadi will not recite the ta’awwuz and tasmiyah. ^{See 26} Instead, after reciting thanaa, the muqtadi will remain silent behind the imaam for the entire duration of qiyaam. It is makrooh-e-tahreemi for the muqtadi to recite any qiraat (whether Surah Faatihah or anything else) behind the imaam.^[29](ولا يقرأ المؤتم بل يستمع) حال جهر الإمام (وينصت) حال إسراره لقوله تعالى وإذا قرئ القرآن فاستمعوا له وأنصتوا … Continue reading

16. If you are performing a three or four rakaat fardh salaah, then in the third and fourth rakaat you will only recite Surah Faatihah. You should not recite any surah after reciting Surah Faatihah.

In the third and fourth rakaat of the fardh salaah, Surah Faatihah will be recited by the imaam and munfarid (the one performing salaah alone). The muqtadi (one who is performing salaah behind the imam) will remain silent and not recite anything in all the rakaats.^[30]وتجب قراءة الفاتحة وضم السورة أو ما يقوم مقامها من ثلاث آيات قصار أو آية طويلة في الأوليين بعد الفاتحة كذا في … Continue reading

17. If you are performing sunnah or nafl salaah, you will recite qiraat in all the rakaats, regardless of whether you are performing two rakaats or four rakaats. ^{See 30}

Ruku and Qawmah

1. When you have completed the recitation of Surah Faatihah and the qiraat, repeat the takbeer, and without raising your hands, go into ruku.^[31](ثم) كما فرغ (يكبر) مع الإنحطاط (للركوع) للتمكن قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (قوله مع الإنحطاط) أفاد أن السنة … Continue reading

Note: The takbeeraat-e-intiqaaliyyah (takbeer which is recited when moving from one posture to another) should be commenced as soon as one begins moving to the next posture and should only be completed when one reaches that posture. ^{See 31}

2. Ensure that your back is kept in a straight line (completely level). Similarly, the shins (i.e. from the knee downwards) will be kept erect and the elbows will be kept straight.^[32]وينصب ساقيه (ويبسط ظهره) ويسوي ظهره بعجزه (غير رافع ولا منكس رأسه ويسبح فيه) قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله … Continue reading

3. Keep your head straight and in line with your back. You should neither raise your head nor lower it. ^{See 32}

4. Grasp the knees firmly with the fingers spread apart.^[33](و) يسن (تفريج أصابعه) لقوله صلى الله عليه وسلم لأنس رضي الله عنه إذا ركعت فضع كفيك على ركبتيك وفرج بين أصابعك … Continue reading

5. Fix the gaze on the feet in the posture of ruku.^[34](ولها آداب) … (نظره إلى موضع سجوده حال قيامه وإلى ظهر قدميه حال ركوعه …) (الدر المختار 1/477)

6. Ensure that the arms are kept away from the body.^[35]قال وينبغى أن يزاد مجافيا عضديه مستقبلا أصابعه فإنهما سنة كما في الزاهدي (رد المحتار 1/494)

7. Recite the following tasbeeh thrice or any odd number of times:^[36]ويقول في ركوعه سبحان ربي العظيم ثلاثا وذلك أدناه (الفتاوى الهندية 1/74) وصرحوا بأنه يكره أن ينقص عن الثلاث وأن … Continue reading

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيْم

Glorified is my Rabb, the most great.

8. Stand up from ruku while saying the tasmee:^[37](ثم يرفع رأسه من ركوعه مسمعا … ويكتفي به الإمام) وقالا يضم التحميد سرا (و) يكتفي (بالتحميد المؤتم) وأفضله اللهم … Continue reading

سَمِعَ اللهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهْ

Allah F hears the one who praises Him.

followed by the tahmeed:

اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْد

O Allah F, our Rabb, for You alone is all praise.

9. Stand up erect. After standing up from ruku, do not tie your hands. Instead, leave them at your sides. This posture is called qawmah. In qawmah, stand up erect with ta’deel-e-arkaan (the body should be completely at ease) before going into sajdah.^[38](ويقوم مستويا) قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (مستويا) هو للتأكيد فإن مطلق القيام إنما يكون باستواء الشقين … Continue reading

Sajdah

1. Say the takbeer, and without raising your hands, proceed into sajdah.^[39]ثم إذا استوى قائما كبر وسجد (الفتاوى الهندية 1/75)

2. Ensure that your back is straight when going down into sajdah.^[40]ويخر للسجود قائما مستويا لا منحنيا (رد المحتار 1/497)

3. Keep the hands on the knees while proceeding into sajdah.^[41]عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا سجد أحدكم فلا يبرك كما يبرك الجمل وليضع يديه … Continue reading

4. First place the knees on the ground, then the palms, then the nose and lastly the forehead.^[42](ويسجد واضعا ركبتيه) أولا لقربهما من الأرض (ثم يديه) إلا لعذر (ثم وجهه) مقدما أنفه لما مر (الدر المختار 1/497)

5. Place the palms parallel to the ears.^[43]ويضع يديه في السجود حذاء أذنيه ويوجه أصابعه نحو القبلة (الفتاوى الهندية 1/75)

6. Keep the fingers closed and facing towards the qiblah.^[44]ضاما أصابع يديه لتتوجه للقبلة (الدر المختار 1/498

7. Keep the elbows raised off the ground.^[45]ولا يفترش ذراعيه (الفتاوى الهندية 1/75)

8. Keep the hands away from the sides.^[46]يبدي ضبعيه عن جنبيه (الفتاوى الهندية 1/75)

9. Fix the gaze on the nose in sajdah.^[47]ولها آداب نظره إلى … أرنبة أنفه حال سجوده قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (قوله وإلى أرنبة أنفه) أي طرفه … Continue reading

10. Keep a gap between the stomach and thighs.^[48]ويباعد بطنه عن فخذيه ليظهر كل عضو بنفسه (الدر المختار 1/503)

11. Keep the knees close to each other in sajdah so that they face towards the qiblah.^[49]عن أبي هريرة أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إذا سجد أحدكم فلا يفترش يديه افتراش الكلب وليضم فخذيه (سنن أبي … Continue reading

12. Keep both the feet on the ground with the toes facing the qiblah.^[50]ويوجه أصابعه نحو القبلة وكذا أصابع رجليه (الفتاوى الهندية 1/75) ويسن أن يلصق كعبيه (الدر المختار 1/493) السوال … Continue readingOne may join the heels of both the feet in sajdah or keep them apart. Both have been established in the Hadith.^[51]قالت عائشة فقدت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وكان معي على فراشي فوجدته ساجدا راصا عقبيه مستقبلا بأطراف أصابعه … Continue reading

13. Recite the following tasbeeh thrice or any odd number of times:^[52]ويقول في سجوده سبحان ربي الأعلى ثلاثا وذلك أدناه كذا في المحيط ويستحب أن يزيد على الثلاث في الركوع والسجود … Continue reading

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلٰى

Glorified is my Rabb, the most high.

14. Say the takbeer and sit up. This position is called jalsah.^[53](ثم يرفع رأسه مكبرا …) … (ويجلس بين السجدتين مطمئنا) (الدر المختار 1/505)

Jalsah

1. In jalsah, place your palms on your thighs with your fingertips at the edge of your knees.^[54](ويضع يمناه على فخذه اليمنى ويسراه على اليسرى ويبسط أصابعه) مفرجة قليلا (جاعلا أطرافها عند ركبتيه) ولا يأخذ … Continue reading

2. Keep your fingers in their natural position (neither joined together nor far apart). ^{See 54}

3. Fix the gaze on the area between the lower chest and lap whilst in jalsah.^[55](ولها آداب) … (نظره إلى … حجره حال قعوده …) قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (قوله وإلى حجره) بكسر الحاء … Continue reading

4. Keep the right foot erect with its toes pressing against the ground and facing towards the qiblah.^[56](… يفترش) الرجل (رجله اليسرى) فيجعلها بين أليتيه (ويجلس عليها وينصب رجله اليمنى) (الدر المختار 1/508)

5. Place the left foot flat whilst sitting on it. Try to press its toes against the right foot thereby facing them towards the qiblah.^[57](ويوجه أصابعه) في المنصوبة (نحو القبلة) هو السنة في الفرض والنفل قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (قوله في … Continue reading

6. Remain in the position of jalsah with the body being completely at ease and calm before going into the second sajdah.^[58](ويجلس بين السجدتين مطمئنا) لما مر (الدر المختار 1/505)

7. Say the takbeer and proceed to the second sajdah as normal.^[59](ويكبر ويسجد) ثانية (مطمئنا ويكبر للنهوض) على صدور قدميه (بلا اعتماد وقعود) استراحة ولو فعل لا بأس ويكره تقديم … Continue reading

Second Rakaat

1. After the second sajdah, say the takbeer and stand up for the second rakaat. ^{See 59}

2. When rising from sajdah, first raise the forehead, then the nose, then the hands and lastly the knees.^[60]قالوا إذا أراد السجود يضع أولا ما كان أقرب إلى الأرض فيضع ركبتيه أولا ثم يديه ثم أنفه ثم جبهته وإذا أراد الرفع … Continue reading

3. When getting up, do not take support from the ground (unless there is a need to do so). ^{See 59}

4. Perform the second rakaat as normal (with the exception of thanaa and ta’awwuz).^[61](والركعة الثانية كالأولى) فيما مر (غير أنه لا يأتي بثناء ولا تعوذ فيها) إذ لم يشرعا إلا مرة (الدر المختار (1/506

Qa’dah and Salaam

1. After the second sajdah of the second rakaat, sit in the position of qa’dah in the same manner as explained for jalsah. ^{See 54, 55, 56, 57}

2. Recite the tashahhud:^[62]عن عبد الله بن مسعود قال علمنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا قعدنا في الركعتين أن نقول التحيات لله والصلوات … Continue reading

اَلتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلٰى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِيْن أشْهَدُ أنْ لَّا إلٰهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَأشْهَدُ أنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ

All verbal ibaadaat, physical ibaadaat and monetary ibaadaat be only for Allah F. May the special peace of Allah F descend upon you, O Nabi H, and Allah’s F choicest mercies and blessings. May peace descend upon us and upon all the pious servants of Allah F. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah F and I bear witness that Hazrat Muhammad  H is His servant and messenger.

3. When saying أَنْ لَّا إِلٰهَ, form a ring with the thumb and middle finger of the right hand, raise the index finger towards the qiblah and close the remaining two fingers (the small finger and finger next to it). When saying إِلَّا الله, lower the index finger. The thumb and middle finger will remain joined like a ring until the end of the qa’dah. As for the left hand, leave the fingers spread out on the edge of the thigh. The fingers will be left in the natural position and will not be joined together.^[63](ويضع يمناه على فخذه اليمنى ويسراه على اليسرى، ويبسط أصابعه) مفرجة قليلا (جاعلا أطرافها عند ركبتيه) ولا يأخذ … Continue reading

4. If you are performing a three or four rakaat salaah then you should not recite anything besides the above tashahhud. After reciting the tashahhud, stand up for the third rakaat.^[64](ولا يزيد) في الفرض (على التشهد في القعدة الأولى) إجماعا قال العلامة ابن عابدين رحمه الله (قوله ولا يزيد في … Continue reading

5. If it is the last qa’dah then recite Durood-e-Ebrahim after the tashahhud followed by a dua from the Quraan Majeed or Hadith.^[65](ويفعل في القعود الثاني) الافتراش (كالأول وتشهد) أيضا (وصلى على النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم) … (ودعاء) … (بالأدعية … Continue reading

The Durood-e-Ebrahim is as follows:

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلٰى اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلٰى اِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلٰى اٰلِ اِبْرَاهِيْمَ

اِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ
اَللّٰهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلٰى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلٰى اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلٰى اِبْرَاهِيْمَ وَعَلٰى اٰلِ اِبْرَاهِيْمَ

اِنَّكَ حَمِيْدٌ مَّجِيْدٌ

O Allah F! Shower Your mercy on Hazrat Muhammad H and his family as You showered Your mercy on Hazrat Ebrahim S and his family. Surely You are praiseworthy and most high.

O Allah F! Bless Hazrat Muhammad H and his family as You have blessed Hazrat Ebrahim S and his family. Surely You are praiseworthy and most high.

One may recite the following dua which is reported in the Hadith:^[66]ومن الأدعية المأثورة ما روي عن أبي بكر رضي الله عنه أنه قال لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم علمني دعاء أدعو به في … Continue reading

اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوْبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ مَغْفِرَةً مِّنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِيْ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُوْرُ الرَّحِيْم

O Allah F! I have oppressed myself excessively (through committing sins), and no one can forgive sins besides You, so forgive me with special forgiveness from Your side and show mercy to me, for indeed You alone are all-forgiving and all-merciful.

6. After completing your dua, make salaam by saying,

اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهْ

while turning your head to the right side, and then again while turning your head to the left side. ^[67]ثم يسلم تسليمتين تسليمة عن يمينه وتسليمة عن يساره (الفتاوى الهندية 1/76) قال الشيخ الكنكوهي في الكوكب 1/289: (كان … Continue reading

7. Do not lower or jerk your head while making salaam.

8. When making salaam on either side, fix your gaze on your shoulders.^[68](ولها آداب) … (نظره إلى … وإلى منكبه الأيمن والأيسر عند التسليمة الأولى والثانية) (الدر المختار 1/477)

9. Turn your face on both sides to the extent that the person behind will be able to see your cheek.^[69]ويحول في التسليمة الأولى وجهه عن يمينه حتى يرى بياض خده الأيمن وفي التسليمة الثانية عن يساره حتى يرى بياض خده … Continue reading

10. After the salaam, recite أَسْتَغْفِرُ الله thrice.^[70](ويستغفرون الله) العظيم (ثلاثا) لقول ثوبان كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا انصرف من صلاته استغفر الله … Continue reading

11. Engage in dua as this is a time for the acceptance of duas.^[71](ثم يدعون لأنفسهم وللمسلمين) بالأدعية المأثورة الجامعة لقول أبي أمامة قيل يا رسول الله أي الدعاء أسمع قال جوف … Continue reading

12. Recite Tasbeeh-e-Faatimi after every salaah.^[72]ويسبحون الله ثلاثا وثلاثين ويحمدونه كذلك ويكبرونه كذلك (نور الإيضاح صـ 80) Tasbeeh-e-Faatimi is for one to recite 33 times Subhaanallah, 33 times Alhamdulillah, 33 times Allahu Akbar, and complete the hundred by reciting:

لَا إِلٰهَ إلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلٰى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيْر

There is no deity besides Allah F alone, who has no partner. To Him belongs the kingdom (of the entire universe), and only for Him belongs all praise and He alone has complete power over everything.

General Masaail Pertaining to Salaah

1. Q: Should the muqtadi recite thanaa, ta’awwuz, tasmiyah and qiraat behind the imaam?

A: The muqtadi will recite the thanaa and thereafter remain silent. He will not recite ta’awwuz, tasmiyah and qiraat behind the imaam. ^{See 25, 26 and 27}

2. Q: If the muqtadi joined the salaah at the time when the qiraat had commenced, then should he recite the thanaa?

A: If the muqtadi joined the salaah at the time when the qiraat had commenced, he should not recite the thanaa. Instead, he should remain silent after saying the takbeer.^{See 25}

3. Q: Will tasmiyah be recited after Surah Faatihah?

A: The tasmiyah will only be recited after Surah Faatihah if one is going to commence a surah. If one is not going to commence any surah then tasmiyah should not be recited.^[73]وقال في الإمداد وفي المحيط يقرأ في الخطبة سورة من القرآن أو آية فالأخبار قد تواترت أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم … Continue reading

4. Q: What are the sunnah qiraat for the different salaah, and is it sunnah to recite it in all the salaah (i.e. sunnah, witr and fardh) or only the fardh salaah?

A: The sunnah qiraat for the five daily salaah is for one to recite from the mufassal surahs.

In Fajr and Zuhr, one should recite from the tiwaal-e-mufassal surahs i.e. from Surah Hujuraat till the end of Surah Inshiqaaq.

In Asr and Esha, one should recite from the awsaat-e-mufassal surahs i.e. from Surah Burooj till the end of Surah Qadr.

In Maghrib salaah, one should recite from the qisaar-e-mufassal surahs i.e. from Surah Bayyinah to Surah Naas.^[74]وأن تكون السورة المضمومة للفاتحة من طوال المفصل في الفجر والظهر ومن أوساطه في العصر والعشاء ومن قصاره في … Continue reading

This is the sunnah qiraat to be recited for the various salaah, and hence one should endeavour to recite from these surahs in the various salaah. However, if one occasionally recites from any other part of the Quraan Majeed, it will not go against the sunnah, as it is reported in certain Ahaadith that at times, Hazrat Rasulullah H and the Sahaabah M also recited from other parts of the Quraan Majeed.^[75]عن ابن عباس عن أمه أم الفضل قالت خرج إلينا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو عاصب رأسه في مرضه فصلى المغرب فقرأ … Continue reading

As far as the length of the qiraat is concerned, the imaam should take into consideration the condition of the congregation that he is leading in salaah.^[76]عن عثمان بن أبي العاص قال قلت وقال موسى في موضع آخر إن عثمان بن أبي العاص قال يا رسول الله اجعلني إمام قومي قال … Continue reading

As for witr salaah, sunnah salaah and nafl salaah, one may recite from any part of the Quraan Majeed one wishes. It should be borne in mind that there are several sunnah surahs which are reported in the Hadith to be recited in the witr salaah and certain sunnah salaah. One should endeavour to recite those surahs in the witr salaah and the various sunnah salaah.

5. Q: What is the sunnah qiraat or surahs to be recited in the witr salaah?

A: There are various masnoon surahs which may be recited in the witr salaah. Among the surahs that are reported in the Ahaadith to be recited in the witr salaah are the following:

a) Recite Surah Aa’laa in the first rakaat, Surah Kaafiroon in the second rakaat and Surah Ikhlaas in the third rakaat.^[77]عن ابن عباس قال كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقرأ في الوتر ب سبح اسم ربك الأعلى وقل يا أيها الكافرون وقل هو … Continue reading

b) Recite the end of Surah Baqarah (آمن الرسول) in the first rakaat, Surah Qadr in the second rakaat, and Surah Ikhlaas in the third rakaat.^[78]وعن سعيد بن جبير قال لما أمر عمر بن الخطاب أبي بن كعب أن يقوم بالناس في رمضان كان يوتر بهم فيقرأ في الركعة … Continue reading

c) Recite the end of Surah Baqarah (آمن الرسول) in the first rakaat, Surah Kaafiroon in the second rakaat and Surah Ikhlaas in the third rakaat. ^{See 78}

d) Recite Surah Qadr in the first rakaat, Surah Kaafiroon in the second rakaat and Surah Ikhlaas in the third rakaat. ^{See 78}

e) Recite Surah Takaathur, Surah Qadr and Surah Zilzaal in the first rakaat, Surah Asr, Surah Nasr and Surah Kawthar in the second rakaat and Surah Kaafiroon, Surah Lahab and Surah Ikhlaas in the third rakaat.^[79]عن علي قال كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يوتر بتسع سور من المفصل في الركعة الأولى ألهاكم التكاثر وإنا أنزلناه … Continue reading

6. Q: If one raises his feet off the ground in the posture of sajdah, will his salaah be valid?

A: It is impermissible for one in the state of sajdah to raise his feet off the ground. If one raised both his feet for the duration of three subhanallah’s, his salaah will break.^[80]فتاوى محمودية 9/273

7. Q: Is it permissible for a person who is able to perform the entire salaah standing, together with making the ruku normally and performing sajdah on the ground, to sit on a chair and perform Salaah?

A: It is not permissible for one who is able to perform salaah standing, together with making ruku and performing the sajdah on the ground, to sit on a chair. If the one who is able to perform the salaah in this manner sits on a chair and performs salaah, the salaah will not be valid. However, if a person cannot manage standing and is unable to perform sajdah on the ground, then it will be permissible for him to sit on a chair and perform the salaah.^[81](إذا تعذر على المريض كل القيام) وهو الحقيقي ومثله الحكمي ذكره فقال (أو تعسر) كل القيام (بوجود ألم شديد أو خاف) … Continue reading

8. Q: How many rakaats are there in the witr salaah and how should the witr salaah be performed?

A: There are three rakaats in the witr salaah. The method of performing the witr salaah is as follows:

One will perform two rakaats with reciting Surah Faatihah and a surah in both rakaats. Thereafter, one will sit for tashahhud. One will then stand up for the third rakaat and recite Surah Faatihah and a surah. After completing the surah, one will raise his hands and recite the takbeer followed by the Qunoot.^[82]ويقنت قبل الركوع في جميع السنة …. والأولى أن يقرأ اللهم إنا نستعينك (الفتاوى الهندية 1/111) والوتر ثلاث ركعات … Continue reading

The words of the Qunoot are:

O Allah F! We seek Your help and we seek forgiveness from You. We believe in You, we place our trust in You. We praise You for the favour (which You bestowed upon us). We express our thanks to You and we are not ungrateful to You. We disassociate and leave the one who disobeys You.
O Allah F! You alone do we worship and for You do we perform salaah and make sajdah. It is towards You do we flee and we are quick in doing so. We hope for Your mercy and fear Your punishment. Verily, Your punishment is sure to overtake the disbelievers.

9. Q: Should Qunoot be read in the Fajr Salaah as the Shaafi’ees and Maalikis do?

A: According to the Hanafi Mazhab, Qunoot will not be read in the Fajr Salaah.