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All praise be to Allah alone, and may His peace and
blessings be upon His messenger and bondsman our Prophet Mohammed, his
family and his companions.
The objective of this concise pamphlet is to
explain how prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
used to perform his prayers. I would like to present this explanation to
every male and female Muslim so that they may strive to take up the
Prophet's manner in performing their prayers as a model for them. It was
narrated by A1 Bukhari that Prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessings of
Allah be on him) had said:
"Perform your prayers in the same manner you
had seen me doing."
Therefore, here is the explanation for the
Prophet's manner of prayer:
1. To perform completely the ablution,
adopting the method commanded by Allah in the Quran:
"O ye who believe, when ye prepare for
prayer, wash your faces and your hands (and arms) to the elbows, rub
your heads with water) and (wash) your feet to the ankles."(S:6)
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah
be on him) said:
"Prayer without ablution is invalid."
2. To turn one's face and whole body towards the
Ka'aba, The Holy House at Makkah, intending by heart to perform the
prayer which he wants to fulfill, whether it is an obligatory prayer or
a supererogatory prayer, the worshipper in all cases, should not
pronounce his intention openly, because neither the Prophet nor his
companions used to utter the intention for prayer. Thus, pronouncing the
intention for prayer in audible voice is a heresy and an illicit action.
Whether the individual be an Imam or performs his prayer individually,
he should make (A Sutra) i.e. a curtain for his prayer. Directing the
face towards the Qibla (The Ka'aba at Makkah) is an imperative condition
for every prayer. However, there are few exceptions for this rule
explained in authoritative books for whom who wish to refer.
3. To pronounce "Takbirat A1 Ihram" that is
to say "Allahu Akbar" celebrating by that the greatness of Allah and
looking meanwhile, downwards to the place where he will prostrate.
4. To raise one's hands up to the level of
the shoulders or near to the lobes of his ears, while pronouncing
"Takbirat Al Ihram".
5. To put one's right hand over his left hand
and left wrist, and put them both over his chest, as the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to do.
6. It is advisable that the worshipper recite
this opening supplication saying:
"Allahumma bald bayni wa bayena khatayaya
kama boadta bayena al mashriki wal maghribi, Allahumma naqqiniy min
khatayaya kama yonaqa al thawbo alabyndo min aldans.. Allahumma
igysilniy min khatayaya bilmai wathalgi walbarad."
This supplication means:
"O Allah, separate me from my sins as You
have separated the east and west. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as
the white rope is cleansed from dirt. O Allah, wash off my sins with
water, snow and hail."
Or, may say instead:
"Sobhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika
wa~abaraka Ismoka wata'la jaddoka wala ilaha ghayroka"
"Praise and glory be to Allah. Blessed be
Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory. There is no god but
You."
Or he may say any other supplications which the
Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) used to say in his
prayers. It is better to recite these supplications alternately, the
first one in the morning prayer "Fajr", the second in the noon prayer
"Zuhr", each one by turn. in conformity with what the Prophet used to
do.
After reciting the opening supplication, the
worshipper says:
"Aouzo billahi min al shaytani r ragim
Which means:
"I seek protection of Allah against the
accursed Satan."
Then says:
"Bism illahi Rahmani Raheem"
Which means:
"In the name of Allah, the All Merciful, the
All Compassionate."
and recites the Fatiha (The opening Sura of
the glorious Quran). Prophet Mohammed, may peace and blessings be upon
him, said:
"Prayer without reciting the Fatiha is
invalid".
The worshipper should say "A'meen" after
reciting the Fatiha loudly if the prayer is said loudly, and whisper it
in inaudible prayers. To be in conformity with the traditions of the
Prophet, the worshipper is advised to recite verses from medium size
Suras of the Quran in the Zuhr (noon), Asr (late afternoon), and Isha
(night) prayers. As for the Fajr (morning) prayer, the worshipper is
advised to recite a passage from the long Suras of the Quran. He has the
choice in Maghrib prayer (Evening prayer) either to recite passages from
the long Suras or from the short Suras 6 of the Quran.
7. Then, the worshipper bows in "Ruku"
raising his hands up to the level of his shoulders or ears while saying
"Allahu Akbar" "Allah is Great" then bends down, making his head and
back on one level and putting his hands with the fingers spread on his
knees. The worshipper should feel serenity and tranquillity while
bowing, he should say thrice at least:
"Subhana Rabbiayl A'zim"
Which means:
"Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty."
It is advisable to say while bowing in
addition to that:
"Subhanak Allahumma Rabbana wa bi hamdika,
Allahumma Ighfir liy"
Which means:
"Glory be to Thee, O Allah, and I praise
Thee, forgive me my sins."
8. To raise one's head up from bowing,
raising one's hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, saying, in
case of being Imam or praying alone:
"Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah"
Which means:
"Allah listens to him who praises Him"
While resuming the standing position, he
should say:
"Rabbana wa laka al hamdu hamdan katheera'n
tayyiban mobarakan feehiy mil'a ssamawati wa mila alardhi wa mil'a ma
baynahoma wa mil'a ma Shita min shiyin ba'ad"
This supplication means:
"Our Lord, praise be fore Thee only, praises
plentiful and blessed as to fill the heavens, the earth, what in
between, and fill that which will please Thee besides them."
But if the worshipper is a follower, and led
in his prayer by the Imam he should say when rising up "Rabbana wa lake
alhamd... etc.
It is advisable for the Imam, the follower,
or who prays alone to add also:
"You Allah who deserve all praises and all
glory, your praising is the best and most true of whatever Your servant
can say, we all are Your servants, Our Lord, no one can ever deprive
aught of what You have bestowed and no one can ever give aught of what
You have deprived."
The worshipper is advised to put his hands on
his chest, as he had done before he bowed. Both Wa'il Ibn Haggar and
Sahl Ibn Sai'yd reported that this was the manner of the Prophet when he
used to raise his head up after bowing.
9. To prostrate saying "Allahu Akbar" "Allah
is Great". He should touch the ground with his knees before touching it
with his hands, if that is possible to him. If not, he is permitted to
touch the ground by his hand before his knees. His fingers and toes
should be directed towards the Qibla Makkah, and his hands should be
stretched, and the fingers close together and not separated. In
prostration, the worshipper should use these seven organs:
The forehead, the nose, both hands, both
knees and the internal parts of the toes.
These seven organs should touch the ground.
Then the worshipper should say thrice or more:
"Subhana Rabbiyal A'ala"
Which means:
"Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted."
It is advisable to say:
"Subhanaka Allahuma Rabbana wa bi hamdika,
Allahuma Ighfir liy."
This means:
"Glory be to Thee, Our Lord, and I praise
Thee. Our Lord, forgive me my sins."
It is recommendable for the worshipper to
exceed more and more in supplications and ask for more from his Lord,
because the Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said:
Which means:
"As for bowing "Ruku" you should glorify your
Lord during performing it, as for prostration, you should do your best
to supplicate and ask for more from Him, because your supplications
during prostration are more worthy to be accepted."
The worshipper should ask his Lord for
prosperity both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Whether it is
an obligatory prayer or an optional prayer, the worshipper, while
prostrating, should neither bring his hands close to his sides, nor
stick his abdomen to his thighs, or his thighs to his legs. The
worshipper's arms should be raised up from the ground because the
Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, prohibited putting
the arms and stretching them on the ground, ordering that "adjust your
prostration, keep straight in it, and stretch not your hands on the
ground as dogs do."
10. He should raise his head from prostration
saying:
"Allahu Akbar" and lays his left foot Jlat on
the ground and sits upon it, keeping his right foot erected, his hands
on his thighs and knees, and says:
"O my Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me,
guide me, provide me with your blessings and console me."
The worshipper should feel tranquillity
during this pause.
11. To prostrate again saying "Allahu Akbar"
and repeating during his prostration what he did and said in the first
prostration.
12. Then the worshipper raises his head
saying "Allahu Akbar" taking a pause similar to the pause between the
two prostration; this is called "the pause for rest." It is recommended
for the worshipper to do such a pause, but there is no sin if he desists
from it. Then the worshipper rises up and stands supporting on his
knees, or on the ground if he cannot support himself on the knees, reads
the Fatihah (The opening Sura of the glorious Quran) and some other
verses of the Quran and do as just as he did in the first Rakaah (unit
of prayer). Those who pray behind the Imam should not compete with him
in the prayer actions as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) said:
Which means:
The Imam is to be followed, if he says:
"Allahu Akbar" which means "Allah is Great" then say the same after him.
If he bows in "Ruku" bow after him. If he says "Samia l lahu liman
hamidah" which means "Allah hears him who praises Him", then say:
"Rabbana wa laka l hamd" which means "Our Lord! All praises are for
Thee"; and if he prostrates, then prostrate after him". (Bukhari V:1
P.37)
13. If the prayer consists of two Rakaat (two
units of prayer) as the morning prayer "Fajr", Feast prayer "Eid", or
the Friday prayer "Jumu'a", the worshipper sits after the second
prostration, with his right foot erect, sitting on his left foot laid
down, putting his right hand on his right thigh, all his fingers
close fisted save the index finger which he uses to point out as a sign
for his monotheistic belief, and his left hand is put on his left thigh.
There is nothing in the way, if the worshipper keeps both the little and
ring fingers closed, while rounding his thumb and middle finger in a
ring shape, and uses his index finger to point out as a sign for his
monotheistic belief. It has been related that the Prophet, may peace and
blessings of A1lah be on him, had practiced both of these ways, thus, it
is advisable for the worshipper to perform the first way once and the
other on the second time.
The worshipper reads the Tashahud while
sitting and says:
"Al tahiyatu lilahi wasalawatu watayibatu
Assalamu alayha ayuha n nabiyu wa rahmat u llahi wa barakatuhu. Assalamu
alayina wa ala ibadi l lahi s salalihiyn. Ashadu ala ilaha ila lahu wa
ashadu anna Muhammadan abdoho wa raswuloh. Allahuma salliy ala Muhammad
wa ala aali Muhamad, kama salayata ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahim. Inaka
Hamidon Majid. Wa barik ala Mohammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama barkta
ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahima. Inaka Hamidon Majid."
This means:
"Greetings, prayers and the good things of
life belong to Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O
Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I
testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Mohammed is
His slave and messenger. O Allah, bless Mohammed and his family as You
blessed Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, The
Most glorious. O Allah, bestow Your grace on Mohammed and his family as
You bestwoed it on lbrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, The
Most glorious."
After reciting the Tashahud, the worshipper
asks Allah's protection from four evils, he should say:
"My Lord, I ask your protection from torment
of the Hell, torment of the grave the trials in life time and after
death, and from the impostor Antichrist." The worshipper may ask Allah
for prosperity in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, supplicate
Allah to bestow His favors on his parents and other Muslims. He could do
this in both obligatory and optional prayers. It has been reported by
Ibn Massoud that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him,
taught him how to recite the Tashahud and told him that the worshipper
should invoke Allah and ask Him for the more beloved wishes which he
likes, or, as it has been related in other wordings, the worshipper
should ask Allah for whatever he wishes. In this manner, the servant can
ask Allah for all the prosperity of this worldly life and the life to
come. The worshipper terminates his prayer by turning his face to the
right saying:
"As salamu alai kum wa rahmatu Allah" and to
the left saying this salutation which means "Peace and mercy of Allah be
on you."
14. In case of a three Rakaat prayer (prayer
consisting of three units) as that of Maghrib prayer, (evening prayer),
or a four Rakaat prayer like that of noon prayer (Zuhr), Asr prayer
(late afternoon prayer) or, Isha prayer (night prayer), the worshipper
stands up after reciting the Tashahud according to the manner stated
before, and raises his hands up to the level of his shoulders saying
(Allahu Akbar). The worshipper puts his hands over his chest as it had
been explained before, and recites only the Fatiha. There is no
objection if he adds to the Fatiha some other verses of the Quran while
performing the third or fourth Rakaat (units of prayer) of noon prayer
(Zuhr), because this was stated to be one of the manners adopted by the
Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, according to the
tradition reported by Abi Saied.
After the third Rakaah of Maghrib prayer
(evening prayer), and the fourth Rakaah of Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon)
and Isha (night) prayers, the worshipper recites the Tashahud and
terminates his prayers by saying:
"Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatu Allah"
while turning first to the right, and second
to the left as it has been explained before.
It is not an obligatory duty, but it is a
recommendable prophetic tradition to invoke Allah after terminating the
prayer by asking Him forgiveness thrice and saying before turning one's
face towards his followers if he is the Imam:
"O Allah, Thou art peace and from Thee is
peace, Thou art blessed, O possessor of Glory and Honour."
It is advisable for the worshipper to say:
"There is no god but Allah. He is the One. He
has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him alone is the praise. He
has power over all things. O Lord, none may withhold what You have given
and none may give what You have withheld and the riches cannot avail a
wealthy person with Thee. There is no might or power except by the
support of Allah, There is no god but Allah and we do not worship but
Him alone. To Him alone belong all bounties, to Him alone belong all
grace, and to Him worthy praise is accorded. There is no god but Allah,
to Whom we are sincere in devotion, even though the unbelievers may
detest it."
It is also advisable to the worshipper to
extol Allah 33 times by saying (Subhana Allah). Praise Him by saying (Al
Hamdu El Allah) 33 times also by saying "Allahu Akbar" and the
worshipper completes his supplications to be one hundred by saying once:
"There is no god but Allah. He is the One. He
has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him alone is the praise. He
has power over all things."
The worshipper adds to that the recitation of
the verse of the Throne "Ayat Al Kursiy", Surat Al Ikhlas, Surat
El Falaq, and Surat Al Nas. It is recommendable to recite these Suras
thrice after the Fajr prayer (Morning prayer), and the Maghrib prayer
(evening prayer) because this was reported to be one of the traditions
of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him. As it had been
stated before, all these after prayer supplications are optional and not
obligatory.
Every Muslim, whether be male or female, is
recommended to pray 12 Rakaat of supererogatory prayers every day: four
of these Rakaat (units of prayers) are before noon prayer, two after it,
two after Maghrib prayer, two after Isha (night) prayer and two before
the morning prayer These super rogatory prayers are called (Rawatib)
which means: "Certain supererogatory exercises of optional prayers." The
Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be on him, preserved the
performance of these optional prayers
wherever he settled. During his travels, he
used to practice the two optional Rakaat before the morning prayer and
also the Witr prayer (after the Isha prayer). There is no objection to
perform these optional prayers in the mosque, but it is better to
perform it at home, because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be
on him, said "The best of the prayers are those which are furfilled at
one's own home, with exception to obligatory prayers which should be
performed in congregation at the mosque."
Observance of fulfilling these optional
prayers is a means for gaining admission to paradise. The Prophet, may
peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said:
Which means:
"Whoever prays optionally twelve Rakoat every
one day and night, Allah will reward him by an established dwelling in
the paradise. "
It is also advisable to the Muslim to pray
four optional Rakaat before Asr prayer (afternoon prayer), two before
Maghrib prayer (evening prayer), and two before Isha prayer (night
prayer), because this manner was reported to be one of the traditions of
the Prophet. Allah, the Almighty says:
"Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an
excellent exemplar" (33:21).
And the Prophet (May the peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him) said:
Which means:
"Perform your prayer in the same manner as
you had seen me doing."
Allah is He Who is Able to render us success
and prosperity, and may Allah give His blessings and peace to our
Prophet Mohammed son of Abdellah, his family, his companions and whoever
follows his way till doomsday. |
