The Essentials Of The Salaah
Q: What are the essential matters of the salaah?
A: First, one must know that there are conditions (shuroot) of the salaah that must be met before entering into it. Meaning that the salaah cannot be valid without them. Second, there are pillars of the salaah (arkaan) that must be performed in the salaah. Meaning, that if any of them is left out, the salaah would not be valid. Third, there are the obligations (waajibaat) of the salaah that if left out or done in the wrong place or time, require the one praying to make the prostrations of forgetfulness (Sajdatais-Sahw) to cover the error. Finally, there are the non-obligatory acts of the salaah (sunan) that if performed bring the salaah closer to perfection but if left out do not invalidate or harm the salaah. It should be noted that the scholars of Islam have classified these areas - based upon the confirmed sunnah of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) - for the benefit of the Ummah to preserve the correct knowledge of their religion after the time of the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and his Companions (radiallahu ‘anhum). We will list each as follows:
Conditions (Shuroot) of Salaah
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Sanity or mentally competent (al-‘aql) |
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Distinguish between right and wrong (i.e. aware and cognizant of the prayer and what it involves (at-tamyeez) |
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Ritual purity (raf’ al-hadath) |
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Elimination of filth (izaalatun-Najaasah) |
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Covering the private area (satrul-‘Auwrah) |
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Entrance of the time of the salaah (dukhoolul-waqt) |
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Facing the Kaabah (istiqbaalul-Qiblah) |
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Intention (an-niyyah) |
Pillars of Salaah (Arkaanus-Salaah) and they are 14
1 Standing if able
2 Opening takbeer
(takbeeratul-Ihraam)
3 Recitation of Al-Faatihah
4 & 5 Bowing and
rising from it
6 Standing up after bowing
7 & 8 Prostration on the
seven “parts” (1) forehead with nose, 2-3) palms of both hands, 4-5) both knees,
6-7) toes of both feet) and rising from it
9 Sitting between the two
prostrations
10 Tranquility or settledness in every act of salaah
11
&12 The final tashahhud and sitting in it
13 Salaah upon the Prophet
(sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam)
14 The two closing salaams
Obligations of Salaah (Waajibaat) and they are 8
1 Making all the takbeers excluding the opening
takbeer
2 Saying: ‘Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah’ (Allah hears whoever praises
Him) whether imaam or follower
3 Saying: ‘Rabbanaa lakal-hamd’ (Our Lord for
you is the praise) for all
4 Saying: ‘Subhaana Rabbiyal-Atheem’ (Free from
all imperfection is the Great Lord) while bowing
5 Saying: ‘Subhaana
rabbiyal-‘Alaa’ (Free from all defect is the Most High Lord) while
prostrating
6 Saying: ‘Rabbighfir lee’ (Oh My Lord forgive me) between the
two prostrations
7 & 8 The first tashahhud and sitting in
it
The Non-Obligatory Acts of Salaah (Sunan). Some are:
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The du’aa of opening or entrance (al-istiftaah) |
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Putting the right hand on the left when in standing position |
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Raising the hands with palms raised and open to the shoulder or ear level at the first takbeer, when going into rukoo’ (bowing) and coming out of it, when standing out of the first tashahhud and going into the third rak’ah. |
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Saying more than one tasbeeh in the bowing or prostration positions |
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Asking for forgiveness more than once when between prostrations |
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Bowing with the head level and back straight |
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Not holding the limbs closely to the sides or balled tightly with the stomach touching the thighs while in prostration |
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Raising the forearms off the ground when in prostration |
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Sitting on the left leg with the right bent in the first tashahhud and between the two prostrations |
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At-Tawarruk (placing the left foot under the right thigh - see illustration) in the last tashahhud while bending the right leg. |
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Making salaah and asking for blesing upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad and upon Ibraahim and upon the family of Ibraahim in the first tashahhud. |
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Making du’aa in the second tashahhud |
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Making salaatul-Fajr aloud, as well as the first two sections (rak’atain) of the Maghrib and Ishaa prayers. |
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Reciting softly or silently (moving the lips) for the Dhuhr, and ‘Asr prayers and in the third rak’ah of Maghrib and the last two of Ishaa. |
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Recitation of other than Al-Faatihah from the Qur’aan and taking care to follow the remaining matters related from the sunnah in the salaat besides those we have mentioned. |
Nullifiers of the Salaah (mabtulaat)
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Intentionally speaking when aware of its prohibition. As far as doing so forgetfully or out of ignorance, then it is excused. |
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Laughing |
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Eating |
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Drinking |
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Uncovering the ‘auwrah |
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Significantly turning one’s body away from the Qiblah (this applies if one is sure of the direction of the Qiblah – Ed.) |
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Excessive playing in the salaah |
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Breaking or losing ritual purity (at-tahaarah) |