How The Salaat Is Performed

How The Salaat Is Performed

Having known in detail all the different acts of a prayer, i.e. that it's pillars, necessary duties and preferred acts, we shall now discuss in brief how the salaat is performed following the examples of the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and and in due regard to his famous saying:

" Sallu kama raeytumunii usaki,"

which means 

" Perform your prayers in the same manner you have seen me doing." Transmitted by Al-bukhari 

We shall discuss the performance of each prayer in its proper perspective.

1."Fajr (Dawn) prayer,"

Number of Rakaat: Two

Recitation: Qur:anic recitations in this prayers are made in a loud voice by the Imam in a congregation prayer and by whoever prays alone.

Performance:

1. The person turns towards the direction of the Qiblah, (the sacred Masjid at Makkah) intending by heart to perform the Fajr (dawn) prayer.

Note:

The person should not pronounce his/her intention openly because neither the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam nor his companions used to utter their intention of prayer. Thus, pronouncing the intention in a loud voice is an invocation and is totally rejected.

2. The person then raises both hands up to the level of a shoulders or near the lobes of the ears, pronounces the "Takbiiratil-Ihraam" by saying "Allahu Akbar" and places both hands over the chest with the right hand over the left. 

By reciting the "Takbiiratil Ihraam", the person thus resolves the prayer and enters into a state of worship and is henceforth required to call to mind the majesty and glory of "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala" and to dedicate his intentions, recitations and actions to Him alone until the end of the prayer, While praying the person is required to direct his eyes downwards at the spot of prostration.

3. The person then recites in a low voice an openings supplication for the prayer. Here below are three of the supplications which the Prophet Salallahu‘alayhi wa sallam used to practice and the Muslim is exhorted to memorize atleast one of them for recitation each time a prayer is performed.

a). " Subhanaka allahumma wa behamdika watabaraka ismoka, wara'ala jaddoka wala ilaha ghayrok",

which means

"Praise and glory to be Allah. Blessed be your name exalted be your majesty and glory. There is no god but you."

b)." Allahumma bai'd bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama baa'dta bayna-al-mashriki wal magribi. Allahumma naqqiniy min khatayaya kama yonaqa-al-thowbo alabyado- min-al-danasi . Allahumma ighsilniy min khatayaya bil- mai, wathalji,

walbarad."

which means

"O Lord, separate me from my sins as you have separated the east and west. O Lord, cleanse me of my sins as the white robe is cleansed from dirt. O Lord, wash away my sins with water, snow and hail."

c). "Wajahtu wajhiya lilladhi fatara-al- samawati wal-ardhi haniifan musliman wamaa ana minal mushrikina,inna salatii wanusukii wanahyaya wama-matii lilladhi rabbil'alamiina laa sharika lahu wabidhalika umirtu wa ana minal- muslimiina".

which mean"

"I turn my face to him who created the heavens and the earth, as a true believer and a muslim, and nay, am I not one of the polytheists.Truly,  my prayer and my sacrifices, my life and my death, all belong to Allah, Lord of the worlds. who has no partner. This  am I commanded, and I am of those who submit to his will."

4. The person then seeks the protection of "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala" from the cursed satan by saying " A'uthu billahi minal shaytani -r-rajiim".

5. The person then silently invokes "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala" by saying: 

bismil lah-r- rahman-r-rahim".

which means

"In the name of Allah, the all merciful, the all compassionate."

The person immediately thereafter recites "Al-Fatihah" 

(opening chapter of the glorious Qur'an) in due regard to the following saying of the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, 

"Prayer without reciting the "Al-Fatihah" is invalid".(Reported by Imam Bukhari)

Upon completion of the "Al-Fatihah" the person says "Ameen" loudly.

6.The person then recites chapters,verses or passages ( minimum of three verses) from the Holy Qur'an. However, it is recommended that long passages are recited for the Fajr (dawn) prayer.

Note 

If the person is praying with a congregation behind Imam (leader) he/she would apply No. 1,2,3 and 4 would listen to the Imam reciting the "Al-Fatihah" loudly and upon the Imaan completing its recitation, the person along with the rest of the congregation would say "Ameen" loudly after which, the person would apply No. 5 in a low voice.

7. Then, the person proceeds to Rukuu (bowing) position raising both hands up to the level of the shoulders on near the lobes of the ears saying "Allahu Akbar". While in this position, the person is required to exercise serenity and tranquility positioning the head and back on the same level, putting both hands on the knees with the fingers spread and saying the following words for atleast three times:

"Subhana rabbiyal A'zim",

which means 

"Glorified is my lord the great."

In addition, while in Rukuu position, it is also advisable to say: 

"Subhanaka allahumma wa bihamdika, allahumma egfhfir lii",

which means

"Glory to be thee, O Allah, Glory and praise be to thee, forgive me my sins"

8. Then the person raises from the Rukuu position lifting both hands up to the level of shoulders or near the lobes of the ears saying:

"Sami a'allahu liman hamidah", 
which means

"Allah listen to him who praises him." 

The person then, immediately recites the following supplication while still standing: 

"Rabbana wa laka al hamdu hamdan katheer'an tayyiban mobarakan feehiy mila's-samawati wa mila' alardhi wa mila' ma baynshoma wa mila' ma shuata min shiyin baa'd

which means 

"Our Lord, praise be to thee only, praises plentiful and blessings as to fill the heavens, the earth, and what is in  between, and fill that which will please thee besides them".

However, if a person following an Imam in a congregational prayer is not able to complete the above supplication it suffices to say 

"Rabbana wa laka alhamd".

It is also advisable for the Imam, the follower or one who prays alone to add further the supplication your herebelow:

"Ahlu thanaa'i walmajdi a-haqu ma qaala alabdu wakuluna laka abd, allahumma la maani'a lima adeyta wala mu'diya lima man'ata wala yanfa'udhal-jaddi minkal jadd",

which means 

"You Allah who deserves all praises and all glory. Your praising is the best and most true of whatever your servant can say, we are all your servants. Our Lord, no one can deprive anything of what you have bestowed and no one can ever give anything of what you have deprived."

While in the standing position after Rukuu, the person is advised to place both the hands over the chest in the same manner before bowing, since, this was the practice of the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam.

9. The person thereafter  proceeds to prostrations saying "Allahu Akbar" and touching the ground with the knees first before the hands if possible. However, if not possible, the person may touch the ground with the hands before the knees.While in prostration, the person should place seven parts of the body on the ground. These parts are: the forehead together with the nose, both palms of the hands (fingers should be stretched close together and pointed towards direction of the Qiblah), both knees, the bottom parts of the toes of both feet (toes pointing the direction of the Qiblah). During the prostrations, the person says for three times or more the following words:

"Subhana Rabbiyal a'ala",

which means

"Glorified is my lord exalted."

It is also advisable to say further:

"Subhanaka allahumma rabbana wa bi hamdika, allahumma Ighfir lii",

which means

"Glory be to thee our lord, and I praise be to thee.O Lord, forgive me my sins," 
While in prostration, it is recommended that the person recites as many supplications as possible asking "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala" from prosperity both in this worldly life and in the life hereafter because the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:

" When performing Rukuu, glorify "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala", but during prostration, endeavour to make as many supplications as possible to "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala", for supplications during prostration are almost certain to be accepted. (Reported by Imam Muslim)

In view of the above prophetic tradition, we quote here below some of the supplications and private prayers which the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam used to say while in prostration:

 a."Allahumma laka sajadtu, wabika amantu,walaka aslamtu  sajada wajhii lilladhi khalaqahu fasawarahu faah-sana  suwarahu, fashaqa sam'ahu wabasarahu, fatabaraka-llahu ahsana-l-khaliqiin".

which means 

"O Lord, to thee i prostrate, in thee i  believe and to thee I submit; my face prostrates to He who created and fashioned it and made its form good and provided it with hearing and sight; praise be to  Allah ,the most excellent of creators".

b. "Rabbi a'ti nafsil taqwaha, wazakiha, anta khayru-manza- kaha anta waliyuhaa wamau-lahaa".

which means

"O Lord, give my soul it's devoutness and purify it, for none other than thou can purify it, thou are its lord and  master". 

While in prostration, the person should not bring the hands close to the head and should not stick the arms to the abdomen. Also, the the person should neither stick the abdomen to thighs nor the thighs to legs. The arm should be distanced from the body and raised up from the ground because the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam  prohibited flattening them on the ground according to the following saying: 

"Adjust your prostration, keep straight in it and stretch not your hands on the ground as dog do ". (Reported by Imam Bukhari)

10. The person thereafter raises up the head from prostration saying "Allahu Akbar", and sits up resting on the left foot flattened on the ground while keeping the right foot erect with the toes of the right foot firmed on the ground. While in this position, both palms are to be placed on the knees and the person recites the following supplication :

"Rabiya ighfirlii, warhamnii, wahdinii, wajburnii, warzuqnee, wa'afinee"

which means

"O my Lord forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, console, me provide for me and heal me".

11. The person prostrates again saying"Allahu Akbar" and repeats what was done in the first prostration.

12. The person that raises the head from the second prostration saying "Allahu Akbar" and takes a sitting pause similar to the pause between the  two prostrations. This is a pause for rest and it is recommended to take such a pause, although there is no harm if omitted. That is the end of one "Rakaat" (unit) 

13. The person thereafter says Allahu Akbar and stands up for the second rakaat which is performed in the same manner as the first rakaat whereby the person comes up with all the actions and recitation from Nos.1 up to 11 as discussed above.

14. Upon completing the second prostration as discussed in No.12 above, the person takes a sitting for the "At-Tashahud" (words of witness) and while in this position, the fingers of the right and are to be placed close- fisted save the index finger which  the person uses to point out as an indication for monotheistic belief although, the person may as well keep both the little and the ring fingers closed, while rounding the thumb and middle finger in the ring shaped form and uses the index finger to point out as a sign for monotheistic belief. It has been related that the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam practiced both these methods and it is advisable to practice the first method at times and the other method at other times. The left hand is placed on the left knee with the fingers kept open.

After sitting as discussed above, the person recitrs the At-Tashahud (words of witness) as follows:

"At tahiyyatu lillahi wasalawatu watayyibatu assalamu alayka ayuhan- nabiyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu. Asalamu alayna wa ala ibadi-l-lahi-s-salihiyn.Ash-hadu anLa ilaha ila lahu wah dahu la sharika lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuuluhu.

Allahumma salliy ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad, kama salayta ala ibrahima, wa aala aali Ibrahim innaka hamidon majid. Allahumma barik ala Muhammad wa ala aala Muhammad, kama barakta ala ibrahima, wa aala aali Ibrahim innaka hamidon majid".

"Greetings,  prayers and our good deeds are for Allah. Peace, mercy and blessings 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 (the person when reciting the testimony points out the index finger as the sign of monotheistic belief) and I testify that Mohammed is His slaves and messenger'. O Lord, bless Muhammad and his family as you blessed Ibraham and his family. You are the most Praised, The most Glorious. O Lord, bestow on grace on Muhammad and his family as you bestowed on Ibrahim and his family. You are the most Praised, the most Glorious'.

It is recommended to add to the above reading the following supplication in the person asks for Allah's protection from four evils:

"Allah humma inni a'udhu bika min adhabi jahannama, wa min adhabil qabr .wamin fitnatil Mahyaa wal- mamati, wamin fitnatil masihid-dajjal".

which means

"My Lord, I seek your protection from the torment of hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials in lifetime and after death, and from the imposter masihi dajjal". 

The person may also make further supplication to "Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala" asking for prosperity both in this life and in the life hereafter, and to bestow His favours on his parents and other Muslims. This was the confirmed practice of the Prophet Salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam  as reported by Ibn Massoud (may Allah be pleased with him)

15. After completed the At-Tashahud the person terminates the prayer by saying for two times

"As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullah".

which means

"Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you". turning the face first to the right and then to the left. 

That is the end of the fajr prayer.

2. "Dhuhr (Noon) Prayer"

Number of rakaat: Four

Recitation: Qur'anic recitation in this prayer is made in a low voice by the Imam (leader), the followers or whoever prays alone.

Performance:

1. The first two rakaats of the Dhuhr prayer are performed in the same manner as the two rakaats of the Fajr prayer with regards to Nos.1 upto 14. However, in the case of Dhuhr prayer, the sitting in Nos.14 represent the first At-Tashahud in which case, the person is required to recite only the first part of the words of witness up to "....wa ashadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rusuuluhu". Meanwhile  it is preferred that, for the Dhuhr prayer, the Qur'anic recitation after the Al-Fatihah  are of medium length (i.e. neither too short not too long)

2. Upon concluding the recitation of the first part of At-Tashahud in No.14, the person, instead of proceeding to action No.15. (of the Fajr prayer), stands up for the two remaining rakaats of the Dhuhr prayer which are also performed in the same manner as the first two.

3. Upon performing No.12 in the fourth rakaat, the person sits for the final At-Tashahud and comes up with full recitation of the same as in No. 14 of the Fajr prayer. The person then proceed on to No.15 on thus, cocludes the prayer.

3. "Asr (Afternoon) Prayer"

Number of rakaat: Four

Recitation: Qur'anic recitation in this prayer is made in a low voice by the Imam (leader), the followers or whoever prays alone.

Performance:

It is performed similari to the Dhuhr (Noon) prayer in all respects 

4. "Maghrib (Sunnset) Prayer"

Number of rakaat: Three

Recitation: Qur'anic recitation in this prayer is made in a low voice by the Imam (leader), the followers or whoever prays alone.

Performance:

1.The first two rakaats of this prayer are performed in the same manner as the first two rakaats of the Dhuhr prayer. However, the person praying behind an Imam in a congregation I required to listen to the Imam's recitation of the Al-Fatihah, in the first two rakaats. Upon the Imaam's completion of the Al-Fatihah, the person says Ameen with the rest of the congregation and then recites Al-Fatihah silently by himself. The  person thereafter, may not need to recite Qur'anic passages himself but should pay attention to the Imam's recitation.

Meanwhile, Qur'anic recitation in this prayer after the Al-Fatihah by the Imam (or by whoever prays alone) may be either long or short passages of the Holy Qur'an.

2. Upon raising the head from the second prostration of the second rakaat, the person sits down for the first At-Tashahud and recites the first part of the word of witness (i.e. up to ..."wa ashadunna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuuluhu")

3. The person thereafter stand up for the performance of the third at the last rakaat of the Maghrib prayer and upon raising the heads from the second prostration of this third rakaat, the person sits down for the final At-Tashahud and recites the word of witness in full.

4. The person then conclude the prayer by the "Tasleem" (i.e. action No.15 of the fajr prayer)

5 "Isha (Evening) Prayer"

Number of rakaat: Four

Recitation: Qur'anic recitation in this prayer is made in a low voice by the Imam (leader), the followers or whoever prays alone.

Performance:

1. This prayer is performed in the same manner perform as the Dhuhr (Noon) prayer and the Asr (Afternoon) prayers.

However, when praying behind an Imam, the person is required to listen to the Imam's recitation of the Al-Fatihah in the first two rakaats. Upon the Imam's completion of the Al-Fatihah the person says "Ameen" with the rest of the congregation and then recites Al-Fatihah silently by himself. The person thereafter may not need to recite Qur'anic passages himself but should pay attention to the Imam's recitation.