Kitab al salaat by Islamic Library

tilll KITAB AL SALAAT rf r r(!ir

of PRAYFR)

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KITAB AL- SALAAT (THE BOOK OF PRAYER)

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NATHIFJAMA ADAM

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PREF A C E PRAISEbe to "Allah 6Wn "who ordained As Salaat (Prayer)as an act of worship on His servants, and may the utmost peaceand blessings of Allah(SWT) be u p o n H i s p r o p h etw h o ta u g h tth e U mmah (Muslim nation) how best to performthe prayer. I do not intendtowrite a longpreface,but I merelywish to makea briefexplanationof g i s w o rk.l t is my re a s o n sf o r un d e rta ki n th natural that by virtue of its importance, many bookshave in the pastbeenwritten on the Sa/aatby different muslims in different parts of the world - may Allah 6WD reward them all for their efforts. A n d ,w h i l e a l a r gen u mb e ro f th e w o rksso t a ve g e n e rally f a r ca r r i e d o u t o n S a l a a h been well appreciated,it is however no s ec r e t a l s o t h a t ma n y b o o ks o n this subject suffer serious shortcomings

which notably may be summarised as follows: (1 ) Apparent lack of subject comprehensiveness in mostbooks.While, certainly, no single writer can comprehenda subject aswide as Salaat, but it is true that many books on this subjectonly make scantytouch on it. (2) The unfortunateexistencein many of the books of various matters such as recitations,supplicationsand even acts purported to be part of the prayer but which cannotbe correctlytracedto having been recited and/.or performed by the Pro p h e t ( P B U H )o r e ve n b y h i s ri g htly g u i d e dC a l i p h s(su cce sso rs). (3 )T h ea b s e n ceo f a rra n g e me nat n do r der in most bookswith regardto the various matters relatingto the prayer. (4) The virtual absencein most booksof

T R A N S L I T E R A T I O Nt o t h e v a r i o u s supplicationswhich a person needs to recite in the course of the Prayer. Needlessto say, but, the importanceof transliterationto the non-Arabicspeaking Mus lim sc a n n o tbe o ve r-e mp h a si se d . It is in view of the foregoing that the though t o f c o m p i l i n ga mo re a p p ro p ri a te treatiseon I lat arose to me and it is by the graceoI Allah 6Wf ) that it is now in o u r ha n d sa l t h o u g hI a m q u i te co n sci o us o f h o w u n e q u a lI a m to a su b j e ctsu ch a s this on e t o w h i c h a ma n o f mu ch g re a ter capab i l i t i e st h a n myse l f w a s re q u i re d .I a m, h o w e v e r ,s u s ta i n e db yth e co n vi cti on that the readers will overlook mY shortcomings and treat them with indulgence. In compiling this treatise, lhave endea v o u r e tdo t ou ch o ve r a l mo sta l l th e

importantaspectsof the prayerand there is perhapsno other book which provides such an elaborateaccountof the subject a l t h o u g h ,a s me n ti o n e de a rl i e r,S alaat is ju s t s u c h a w i d e su b j e ctth a t e ve n this t re a t i s e i s s ti l l i n w a n t o f mu ch other in f o r m a t i o no n th e sa meb u t w h i ch ,Insha - A l l a h , s h a l lb e ta ke ni n to a cco u n ti n the next reproduction. How far I have succeededin this work is not for me to say but it is my sincerehope that it will, lrshaAllah,go a long way in f u l fi l l i n gt h e g a p sa n dsh o rtco mi n gfound s in other books written so lar on the subject.The book,howevercannotand, is not meant to be a substituteto the other works on the .g/aaf but rather c o m p l e m e n ti veMe . a n w h i l e ,ma n i s to er r and this work may not necessarilybe free f rom errors whether tech n icaI, t y p o g r a p h i c aolr o th e rw i seH . e n ce I, m ake

a k in d a p p e a l t o a l l th o se w h o ma Y discoversomethingincorrectin this work to communicate the same to the p u b lis h e r sf o r d u e co rre cti o ni n th e n e xt r e -p rin t . C ompi l i n g s u c h a w o rk, d i d n o t o n l Y require my referenceto a wide range of b o o k s i n c l u d i n gt he H o l y Ou r'a n , H a d i th b o o k sa n d F i q h( j uri sp ru d e n ceb)o o ksb u t als o t o s e e k t h e h e l p o f o th e r l e a rn e d m u s lim b r e t h r e nan d i n th i s re g a rd ,my a p p re c i a t i o ng o e s to S h e i kh H a mo u dM. A l la h i m a n d b r o t he rA b d a l l aK a rsh eb o th o f Riya d h- m a y t h e A l mi g h tyA l l a hb l e ss t h e mf o r t h e i rc o n t i n u o ucso u n s e l l i nagn d a d v ic e . Si m i l a r l y,th i s w o rk w o u l d n o t hav eb e e nc o m p l e teh a di t n o t b e e nfo r th e t ire less e f f o r t s o f b ro th e r Mu h a mme d office for AmeenCaveof the Co-operative Ca ll an d G u i d a n ce ,R i ya d hw h o n o t o n l y did the system data entering but even h e lpe ds o m u c h i n th e f i n a l p ro o f-re a d i ng

- may Allah reward him for h i s s h a r eof contributionin this work.

N AT H I FJ . AD A M R I Y A D H2, 1 s t M a y , 1 9 9 1

In this Book the words (SWT) inserted after the name of Allah stand for ,,SUBHANAHU WA TA'ALA" WhiCh m e a n s "T h e Gl o ri fi e d ,th e Mo st H igh"; while, the words (PBUH)insertedafterthe name of the Prophetstandfor " pEACEBE U P O NH I M " .

AS-SALAAT (PRAYER) INTRODUCTION Salaat (PraYer) is one of the main obfigations which "Attah 6Wn" has ordainedon His servants.lt is the first act of worship decreedon the Muslim Nation (Ummah) bY "Allah 6Wn " and was ordained on the night of the Prophet's (PB U H l a s c e n s i oto n th e se ve nh e a ve n s.lt is t h e s e c o n do f th e fi ve p i l l a rso f l sl am after the proclamationof the "Shahada" (the words of witness)' I t is e n j o i n e d on th e Mu sl i ms a s an obfigatoryact by" Allah 6wff'as can be noted from the following verses of the H o l yO u r ' a n : ,'ESTABLISHREGULAR PRAYERSAT THE SUru'S DECLINE TILL THE AND THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT, '(Our'a n 17:781 MORNTNGPRAYER"""' I

In another verse "Allah 6Wn"

says:

..AND

ESTABLISH REGULAR PRAYERS AT THE TWO ENDS OF THE DAY AND AT THE APPROACHES OF THE NIGHT.'' ( O u r ' a n1 1 : 1 1 4 ! . T h e i m p o r t a n ceo f th e S a l a a t h a s also been explicitly expressed by Allah's M e s s e n g e r( PB U H ),a s ca n b e n o te dfr om t h e f o l l o w i n gsa yi n g s: "What lies between a perfect man and disbelief is the leaving of prayer". (Related b y l m a m sA h m e d a n d M u s l i m ) Th e P r o p h e t( P B U H )a l so sa i d : "The obligation which separates us from them (the non-believers)is the prayer and he w h o r e n o u n ce s i t b e co me s a " (Relatedby lmams Ahmed disbeliever. and Muslim)

The abovequotedOur'aniccommandsby "Altah ,Swff'and the honouredsayings ) e a rl yi n d i ca teth e o f t he Pr o p h e (t PB U Hcl im p o r t a n c e o f Sa l a a t su ch th a t i t i s unanimously agreed bY all Muslim s c hol a r st h a t r e n o u n ci n gi t i s re g a rd e da n a c t of d i s b e l i e (f Ku fr). T HEV I R T U ESO F P R A Y E R ) erfo rme dg e n u i n e l yw i th Sala a t( P r a y e r p h u m il i t ya n d s u b mi ssi o nto " A l l a h(S Wf) " h a s u n l i m i t e dv i r tu e sa n db e n e if ts.l t i s th e n o b le s te x p r e s s io no f fa i th a n d th e su re st His way of thanking "Allah 6wfyfor unlim i t e d f a v o urs. l t i s th e w a y to obtaining Allah's mercy, generosity, k in d n e s s ,b l e s s in g sa n d a su re w a y to paradise."Allah (SWf)" says in the Holy Our'an: ''PROSPEROUS INDEED ARE THE BELIEVERSWHO ARE HUMBLE IN THEIR PRAYERS". (Our'an 23:1 -2l, 3

It is a deliverance on the Day of Judgementfor thosewho usedto observe it well. The Prophet(PBUH)says: "The first thing that the servant of "Allah (SWT)"will be calledto accounlfor on the Day of Judgementwill be the prayer;and if it was goodthe person'sdeedswill have been good,but if it was bad,the person's deeds will have been bad". (Reportedby lmambhukari) Prayer purifiqp the soul, refines the c h a r a c t e r a n d i n cu l ca te s i n ma n the excellentvirtues of truthfulness,honesty and modesty.lt keepsone who performsit from falsehood and from all forbidden actions as is categoricallyconfirmed by the following verse of the Holy Our,an: "...VERILY, PRAYER REFRAINSFROM INDECENCY AND EVIL..."(Our'an 29:45)

W UDH U( AB L U T ION ) Prio r to e n t e r i n g S a l a a t,th e p e rso n i s r e q u i r e d t o u n d e r t ak e a c e r t a i n purification procedureknown as"Wudhu" wit h o u t w h i c h ,t h e p e rso n 'sp ra ye rw o u l d not be acceptablein the sight of "Allah (S WT ) . "A l l a h , t h e A l mi g h tY sa , Y s: ,'O

YE WHO BELIEVE. WHEN YE PREPARE FOR PRAYER, WASH YOUR FACES AND YOUR ARMS TO THE ELBOWS; RUB YOUR HEADS (WITH WATER); AND (WASH) YOUR FEET TO T H EA N K L E S . . .("O u r ' a n5 : 6 ) ), i d : A n d t h e P r o p h e t(P B U Hsa Prayer without ablution /s invalid". (Reportedby lmam Muslim)

C O N D I T I O N SF OR T H E P E R F OR MANCE oF w U D H U ( A B L U T |ON ) Th e r e a r e v a ri o u sco n d i ti o n sre q u i redto be f u l f i l l e di n th e p e rfo rma n ceo f Wudhu wh i c h a r e a s fo l l o w s: 1. Ac c e p t a n ceo f th e l sl a mi cF a i th . 2. Sa n i t ya n d co n sci o u sn e ss. 3 . I n t e n t i o n( A n n i ya h )to p e rfo rmWudhu as a n a c t o f wo rsh i p . 4. Purifying oneself from urine, exc r e m e n a t n d a l l o th e rki n do f i mp u rities be f o r ep e r f o r mi n gWu d h u . 5 . E n s u r i n gt h e p u ri ty o f th e w a te r to be u s e df o r t h e Wu d h u 6. E n s u r i n gt ha t w a te r i s n o t p re vented f ro m r e a c h i n gth e p a rtso f th e b o d yw hich need to be washed in the performanceof 6

the wudhu. 7 . Be i n g c o n s c i o u s a n d ke e P i n g th e Wudhuin mind. ES SE N T I AA L C T SOF WU D H U 1. Wa s h i n gt h e e n ti refa ce o n ce . 2 . W a s h i n ge a c ha r m o n c e . 3 . W i p i n gt h e e n t i r eh e a do n c e . 4. Wa s h i n gt h e f ee t u p to th e a n kl e s' 5 . En s u r i n gt h a t th e a b o ve 4 a cts a re perf or m e di n t h e g i ve n se q u e n ce . 6. Performing the Wudhu acts cont in u o u s l ya n d w i th o u t u n n e ce ssar y l e t - u p su n t i l c o m P l e t i o n .

VOLUNTARYACTS OF WUDHU Besides the above essential acts of Wudhu, there are alsosomevoluntarybut recommended acts in the Wudhu procedure.These are as follows: a. InvokingAllah (SWT)at the start of the Wudhu. b. Washingof both handsuptothe wrists. c . R i n s i n gt h e mo u n thw i th w a te r. d. Sniffing of water in and out of the nostrils. e. Passingof water outsideand insideof t h e e a r l o b e s. H O W T H EW U D H UI S P E R F O R M E D The essential and voluntary acts discussedaboveshall now be integrated to demonstratehow the prophet(PBUH) 8

used to performWudhu: 1 . M a k i n gt h e i n t e n ti o nto p e rfo rmWu d h u as an act of sincerehomageand worship for the pleasure of Allah 6Wn' The intentionneednot be utteredbut it should be k ep t i n m i n d d u ri n g th e th e Wu d h u ' 2. fnvoking Atlah (SWT)at the start of the W udh u b Y s a Yi n g: '' ISM ILLAHI -R -RAHM AN I -R-RAHIIM ". B (ln t h e n a m e o f A l l a h , Mo st Gra ci o us' Most Merciful). 3. Wa s h i n gt h e ha n d su p toth e w ri sts for t hree t i m e s , w hi l e ru b b i n g th e m a n d letting the water reach between the fingers. 4 . Rin s i n gt h e m o u th w i th w a te r th ri ce' preferably using the "Miswak" (tooth stick),tooth brush, or f ingersto brushthe t eet h a n d t h e g u m. R e g a rd i n g the 9

importanceof the Miswak, the prophet ( P B U H s) a i d : "lf it had not been too great a burden on my Ummah, I would have ordered them to use the "Miswak', at every Wudhu.,, (R e p o r t e db y l ma m Ma fi k) 5 . C l e a n i n gt he n o stri l sb y sn i ffi n gwater in a n d o u t f o r th re e ti me s. 6 . W a s h i n g t h e e n ti re fa ce th ri ce using both hands from the top of the forehead down to the bottom of the chin and from ear to ear. 7. W a s h i n gt h e a rmsth re eti me s u p to the up p e r e n d o f th e e l b o w s;ri g h t a rm fir st, a n d t h e n , t h e l e ft a rm. A rms sh o u ld be rL O b e O w h i l e th e y a re b e i n gw a sh e d. 8 . W e t t i n g b oth h a n d s a n d p a ssi n g the same over the head starting from above t h e f o r e h e a dd o w nto th e n a p e(th eb a ck of l0

t h e n e c k )a n d f r o m th e re , re tu rn i n gb o th h ands u p t o a b o v eth e fo re h e a d . 9 . Fro m t h e h e a d , w i th o u t w e tti n g th e h ands a g a i n , t he P e rso n w i P e s th e e a rlob e su, s i n gt h e fo re fi n g e rsto w i p eth e i n n e r p a r t o f t h e l o b e sa n d th e th u mb sfo r th e ou t s i d ep a r t . 1 0 . Wa s h i n gb o t h fe e t u p toth e a n kl e sfo r three times or more if necessarY, b e g in n i n gw i t h t he ri g h t fo o t a n d th e n wit h th e l e f t f o o t. B o th fe e t sh o u l d b e r u b b e dw h i l e t h e y a re b e i n gw a sh e da n d wat er s h o u l d f r ee l y p a ss b e tw e e n th e toes . I M P O R T A NP T O I N T SO N W U D H U a . M u c h v i r t u e i s a t t a c h e dt o W u d h u whic h i s p r o p e rl yp e rfo rme da s ca n be not ed f r o m t h e fo l l o w i n g sa yi n g o f th e P r o p h e (t P B U H ) : 1l

"A person who performs Wudhu properly will have his sins removed from hisbody, so much that the sins are removed even from underneath his nails,,. (Reportedby lmamMuslim) b . H a v i n g c o mp l e te d th e Wu d h u , the person may recite the "SHAHADA',,i.e. the words of witness and the supplication f o r c o n c l u d i ngth e Wu d h u a s fo l l o ws: .,ASH-HADU ANLAA ILAHA ILLA-LAAHU WA ASH-HADU ANNA MIJHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASUULUHU...ALLAHUMMA IJ'ALNII M INAT.AWABIIN WA IJ'ALNII MINA.L MUTADAHIRIIN... wh i c h m e a n s "l bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger...OLord, make me among those who return to you in repentanceand of those who are undefited.,'

Rega r d i n g t h e vi rtu e o f th e a b o ve s u p p l i c a t i o nt,h e l e a d e r o f th e fa i th ful, Um a r l b n - u l Kh a tta b (ma y A l l a h b e pleased with him) reportedthe Prophet (P BU H )a s s a Yi n g : "tf anyone Performs the completely and then saYs":

Wudhu

" 'l testify that there is no god but Allah alone, He hasno partner; and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger', the eight gates of Paradise wilt be opened for him and may enter by whichever of the gates he wishes"" ( R e l a t e db Y l m a m M u s l i m ) . c. When Performing Wudhu, it is recommended to let the water reach beyond the area required to be washed (e . g . ,w h e n w a sh i n gth e a rms th e p e rs on may wash beyondthe elbows or beyond t he a n k l e sw h e n w a sh i n gth e fe e t)'Great v irt u e h a s b e e n a tta ch e dto th i s fa ct, as l3

can be notedfrom the followingsayingof t h e Pr o p h e t( pB U H ): "My nation (tJmmah) will be called (distinguised) on the Day of Judgement as a people with bright faces and limbs from the effect of their Wudhu practices. Therefore, anyone of you who wishes to increase his brightness may do so (by washing beyond the required areaswhen performing W"udhu).,.(Reported by lmams Bukhari and Muslim) d. The person is required to avoid use of water more than what is necessary. e . M u c h i m p o rta n ce h a s b e e n a tta ched t o t h e p e r f o r m a n ceo f tw o ra ka a tsa fter performing Wudhuas can be notedfrom the f o l l o w i n g c o n v e r s a t i o nb e t w e e n t h e Prophet (PBUH) and Bilat, the first Mua d h i n( m a yA l l a h b e p l e a se dw i th h im) :

"O Bilal! tell me which of your acts is most meritorious since ioining lslam, f or I heard the sound of your shoesin Paradiseahead of me? Bilal replied: I do not have any action more m e rito r i o u s t h a n th a t w h e n e ve r I performed Wudhu (purification) during the day or night, I each time offered a prayer as much as Allah has destined for me" . ( R e p o r t e db y l ma ms B u kh a ri a nd Muslim) WIPING OVER THE SOCKS a. lf someone's"Wudhu", gets nullified, t hen , w h e n p e rfo rmi n g a su b se q u ent Wu d h u , i t i s a ll o w e d to w i P e o ve r the s oc k sw i t h w e t h a n d s,i n ste a do f w a sh i ng bot hf e e t o n c o n d i ti o nth a t th e so cksw e r e put o n a f t e r w a sh i n gth e fe e t i n th e fi r st W u d h u o r b e f o r et h e s a m e i s n u l l i f i e d . b . A t r a v e l l e rm a y a v a i l h i m s e l fo f t h i s l5

privilege continuously for three consecutivedays and nights (72 hours), but a residentmay do so for only one day and one night continuously(24 hours). HO WW I PI N GOV E RT H ES OC K SIS D ONE Wiping is done accordingto the tradition of the Prophet(PBUH),as follows: After removingthe shoes,wet hands are passed only over the upper surface of sockswithout the needto wipe the bottom parts. WH E N T H EW I PIN GP R IV IL E GE C E A SES T h e w i p i n g p r i vi l e g eb e co me si n va l i din the eventthat one or moreof the following casesoccur: 1. W h e n t h e m a xi mu mti mi n g sa l l o w e das dis c u s s e de a r l ie rl a p se . 16

2. The moment the socksare removed. 3 . Wh e n a n y o f th e ca se s re q u l rl n g "G hus l " o c c u r . MA TT E R S W H I C H IN V A L ID A T E T H E WUDHU The person will remain in a state of Wu d h u u n t i l a n y of th e fo l l o w i n gma tte r s is committed: 1 . Pass i n go f e x cre me n t,u ri n e o r w i n d' When s o m e o n e p a sse s u ri n e a n d /o r excrement, it becomes mandatoryupon such a personto removethe foulnessof thes e t h i n g s b e f o re p e rfo rmi n gWu d h u. Pu re w a t e r s h ou l d b e u se d fo r th i s p u rp o s e ,b u t i n c a se , i t i s n o t a va i l a ble after earnestsearchfor it, the personmay resort to the use of certain dry objects, such as stones, dry woods and tissue p a p e rt o r e m o v eth e f i l th .T h i s i s kn o w nas "lstijmaar" . Odd numbersof the objectto 17

be used is preferred,such as 3, S, etc.The person should ensure that no drops of ur i n e o r s t a i n s o f fo u l n e ss a re l eft on his,/herbody or clothes. However,in the case of personsafflicted wi t h p e r m a n e n t w e tti n g o r p e rmanent p a s s i n go f w i n d , o r o f w o me n w h o ar e sufferingfrom prolongedflows of blood, s u c h p e r s o n s a re re q u i re d to p e r for m Wudhu only once beforethe start of each pr a y e r a n d t he i r Wu d h u w o u l d re main v a l i d e v e n i f th e a b o ve p ro b l e ms m ay o c c u r l a t e r i n th e co u rseo f th e p ra yer . 2. E a t i n go f c ame l 'sme a t. 3 . Sl e e p i n gi n w h i ch th e p e rso n l o sses c o n s c i o u s n ess. 4. L o s s o f c o n sci o u sn e ss re su l ti n gfr om insa n i t y ,f a i n ti n g ,e tc.

5. Touching of the sexual organs i n t e n t i o n a l l yd, i r e ctl ya n d u n cl o th e d . 6. After washing a dead person(corpse)' 7. Renouncino g f l s l a m i cF a i t h . GHUSL (TOTALBATH) Ghusl in lslam means the bathing of the entire body with water. Proof of fts tegitimacy is embodiedinthe Holy Aur'an as follows: ,'....AND IF YE ARE IN A STATE OF CEREMONIALIMPURITY, BATHE YOUR WHO L EB O D Y . . .."(Ou r'a n5 :6 ) OCCASIONS WHEN GHUSL IS YC T AS AN OB L IGA T ORA REO U I R ED G husl i s r e q u i r eda s a n o b l i g a to rya ct i n l9

the following cases: 1. After the dischargeof semenas a result of stimulation whether awake or asleep (i.e.in a wet dream).Thisstateis known in Arabic as"JUNUB".lf , alter the dream no wetness is traced in one's clothing, bathingis not obligatory.However,in case wetness is found but without recalling any dream, performing Ghusl is obligatory. 2. After sexual intercourse(or the mere coming together of the two organs of a ma n a n d a w o ma n , e ve n th o u g h ther e m a y b e n o a c tu a le j a cu l a ti o np) e rfo rm ing G h u s l i s r e q u i re d . 3. Followinga period of menstruation,a wo m a n i s r e q u i re dto p e rfo rmGh u s l. 4. At the end of 40 daysafter childbirth,a wo m a n i s r e q u i re dto p e rfo rmGh u sl.

5. When a disbelievernewly embraces f s lam , s u c h a p e rso n i s re q u i re d to p e rf o r mG h u s l . 6 . W h e n a M u s l i md i e s ,G h u s li s r e q u i r e d for him/her. O C C A S I O N SF O R W H I C H G H U S L I S PREFERRED G hus l i s r e c o m me n d e di n th e fo l l o w i ng cases: 1 . B e f o r e g o i ng to Ju ma 'h Cong r e g a t i o nI aPra ye r).

(F ri day

2 . B e f o r e g o i n g to E i d P ra ye rs(Mu sl i m annu a lf e a s t p r a ye rs). 3. Before undertaking Umrah or Hajj ( P i l g r i m a gteo M a k k a h ) . 4. Up o n w a s h i n ga co rp se .(A cco rd i n gto o f Gh u s l manys c h o l a r st,he p e rfo rma n ce 2l

is preferredfor a person who washes a corpse). E S S E N T I AR L E O U I R E M E N TOSF G H U S L T h e r e a r e t w o e sse n ti a l re q u i re m ents which need to be f ulfilledfor Ghuslto be valid. These are as follows: 1. In t e n t i o nt o p e rfo rmGh u sli s n e ce ssar y bec a u s ei t i s th e d i vi d i n g l i n e b e tween a c t s p e r f o r m eda s a me re cu sto m and deeds which are rewardable acts of wo r s h i p .H o w e ve r,th e i n te n ti o ni s o n lyby heart and need not be uttered. 2 . T h e e n t i r e b o d y sh o u l d b e w a shed. Wa t e r s h o u l d r e a cha n d fl o w fre e l yover every part of the body. H O W G H U S LI S P E R F O R M E D Besides the above two essential r e q u i r e m e n t s ,t h e r e a r e a l s o o t h e r 22

v olu n t a r ya c t s r e co mme n d e dfo r Gh u s l. Both the essentialand the voluntaryacts are now integrated herebelow to d e m o n s t r a t eh o w th e P ro p h e t (P B UH) us edt o p e r f o r mth e Gh u sl . a. I nte n db y h e a rtto p e rfo rmGh u sl . b . Wa s h b o t h h an d s u p to th e w ri sts for t h r e et i m e s . c . Wa s h t h e s e x o rg a n sp ro p e rl y. d . P e r f o r mW u d h ua s u s u a l ( i nt h e m a n n e r a l r e a d y d i s c u s s e d )e x c e p t , t h a t t h e wa s h i n go f t h e f e e tw o u l db e d e l a ye du n til la t e r w h e n a l l th e re st o f th e b o d y is bathed. e . P o u r w a t e r o ve r th e h e a d th re e ti mes, m a s s a g i n gt h e h a i r t o a l l o w w a t e r t o re a c h i t s r o o t s . f . Pou rw a t e r l i b e ra l l yo ve rth e e n ti reb o dy, 23

b e g i n n i n gw i t h th e ri g h tsi d ea n dth e n ,the left side ensuringthat no part of the body is untouched by water such as the a rm p i t s , i n s i d e th e e a rl o b e s,i n si d e the navel, between the fingers and toes, etc. g . F i n a l l ym , o vea l i ttl efu rth e rfro mw her e you were and wash your feet, beginning with your right foot and then, the left. Notes: 1 . A w o m a n w i l l p e r f o r mG h u s lj u s t a s a man does, except,that if she has plaited h a i r ,s h e n e e dno t u n d oi t. S h eo n l yn eeds to throw three handfuls of water over her hea d . 2. T h e p e r s o n ma y a fte r co mp l e ti n gthe Ghusl recite the supplication for c on c l u d i n gG h u slw h i ch sh o u l db e re cited outs i d et h e t o i le t,/b a th ro o m a n d w h i c h is the same as the one recited after c o m p l e t i n n*u On r;O

T O P E R S ON SWH O A CT S F O R B I D D E N T O P E R F OR MGH U S L A RE R E O U I R E D Persons requiring to perform Ghusl are forbiddento undertakecertainacts.These are as follows: 1. Any type of prayerwhether obligatory or v o l u n t a r y . 2. Circumambulating the Ka'abah (Tawaf). 3 . To u c h i n go r ca rryi n gth e H o l y Ou r'a n. However,the prohibitiondoesnot applyto ot he r b o o k s wh i ch co n ta i n Ou r'a nic pas sa g e ss u c h a s co mme n ta ri e so f the Holy Our'an or works of lslamic ju risp r u d e n c e . 4 . ' R e c i t i n gt h e H o l yO u r ' a n . 5 . Sta y i n gi n s i deth e Mo sq u e . 25

(H A ID H } ME N S T R U AT ION This refers to the periodicaldischargeof b lo o d b y w o me n i n th e i r sta te o f h ealth and i s e a s i l y di sti n g u i sh a b l eto w o m en f ro m p o s t - c h i l d b i rth bleeding. P O S T - C H t L D B t RB T LHE E D T N(G NtFAS) S u c h b l e e d i n gu su a l l yo ccu rsto w o men af t e r c h i l d b i r t ha n d ma y co n ti n u ew i thout f ix e d d u r a t i o n ,a l th o u g h i n so me ca ses, t h e r e m a y n ot o ccu r b l e e d i n g a t all. However,on the strengthof the teachings of the Prophet (PBUH), a woman po st-ch i l d b i rth experiencing b l e e d i n ghas a ma x i m u mc on fi n e me n tp e ri o do f a bout forty (4O)daysafter which, she is required t o m a k eG h u s l a n dco mme n ceh e r l sl am ic duties. lf, however, the blood does not ceaseafter 40 days,most scholarsare of the opinion that the woman should c on t i n u ew i t h he r re g u l a rl sl a mi cd u ties.

ACTS FORBIDDEN TO WOMEN EX PE R I EN C I N G ME N S T R U A T IONA N D PO S T - C H I L D B IR TBH L E E D IN G 1. A ll a c t s m e nti o n e dh e re i n b e fo rea, s f o rb id d e nt o p e r so n sre q u i ri n gGh u sla re als o p r o h i b i t e dto w o me n e xp e ri e n cing menstruation and post-childbirth bleeding. 2. A w o m a n c a n n o t e n g a g ei n a se xu al in t e rc o u r s e . T h e c o m p a n i o nso f th e P ro p h e t(P B U H) , asked him about this and "Allah (SWT)" rev ea l e dt h e f o l l o w i n gOu r'a n i cve rse : ''THEY

ASK THEE CONCERNING WOMEN'S COU,9SES.S/ Y: THEYARE A HURT AND A POLLUTION..SO KEEP AWAY FROM WOMEN IN THEIR COURSES,AND DO NOT APPROACH THEM UNTIL THEY ARE CLEAN......'' (O u r' a n2 : 2 2 2 1 27

However,all scholarsare of the opinion t ha t a h u s b a n dma y to u ch a n y p a rt o f his wife's bodyabovethe naveland/ or below the knees. This fact, is based on the confirmationsof the Prophet'swives,that wh e n t h e P r o p h e t(P B U H )w i sh e d ro be wit h t h e m d uri n g th e i r p e ri o d s, they wo u l d p u t s o m e th i n go ve r th e i r p ri vate parts. AT-TAYAMMUM(ABLUTIONUSINGTHE EARTH) "At-Tayammum" is a means of usingthe s oi lt o w i p e o n e'sfa cea n d h a n d sw i th the intentionof preparingoneselfto perform prayer.Proofof its legitimacyis found in t h e H o l y O u r ' an a s fo l l o w s: ,"...^ND

IF YE ARE ILL. OR ON A JOURNEY, OR ONE OF YOU COMETH FROM OFFICES OF NATURE. OR YE HAVE BEENIN CONTACTWITH WOMEN. AND YE FIND NO WATER. THEN TAKE 28

FOR YOURSELVES CLEAN SAND OR EARTH, AND RUB THEREWITH YOUR FACES AND HANDS, FOR ALLAH DOES BLOT OUT SINSAND FORGIVESAGAIN AND AGAIN." (Our'an4:431 T h e P r o p h e t( P B U H ),a l so sa i d : "All of the earth has been made a pure place of prayer for me and my "Ummah" ( Na t io n ) .W h e n e ve r a p e rso n fro m my nat io n w a n t s t o p ra y, h e h a s so me th i ng wit h w h i c h t o p u ri fy h i mse l f...th aits th e e a rt h ". ( R e p o r t edb y l ma m A h ma n d ) INSTANCESWHEN AT-TAYAMMUM IS PE RMI T T E D At-Tayammum is permitted only on specificinstancesas follows: 1. Where the personcannotf ind water or t h e amo u n t o f w ate r i s n o t su ffi ci e n tfo r Wudhu. However,beforeperformingAT29

Tayammum,the personis requiredto look for water earnestly from any possible source. 2 . W h e n a p e rso n i s i n j u re d o r i l l and believesthat the use of water will worsen h i s , / h e rc o n di ti o nth , e n ,A t-T a ya mmumis allowed. 3 . W h e n w a t e r i s to o co l dsu chth a t i t may ha r m t h e pe rso n , A T -T a ya mmum is all o w e di f t h e u se r ca n n o tfi n d me ansof he a t i n gt h e w a te r. 4. W h e n w a t er i s n e a rb y,b u tth e p e rsonis not able to fetch it due to fear for his,/her lif e , f a m i l y an d w e a l th , (e .g .fro m an e n e m y e i t h er b e a st o r h u ma n i n the v ic i n i t y ) t h e n, A t-T a ya mmu m ma y be performed. 5. W h e n t h e re i s n o t e n o u g hw a te r and on e i s f o r c e dto sa vew h a t i s a va i l a blefor drinking and/or cooking, then, At30

Ta y a m m u mi s a l l o w e d . THE E A R T H( S O T L IT O B E U S E DF ORA T TAYAMMUM T h is s h o u l db e p u re e a rtho r so i l a n d ca n be sand, stone or gypsumwhich produce d us t wh e n h i t w i t h th e h a n d s. HOW TO PERFORMAT-TAYAMMUM 1 . Th e p e r s o ns h o u l dfi rst i n te n db y h e a rt t o perfo r mAt - T a ya mmu m. 2 . T h e p e r s o nt h e n stri keth e so i l w i th th e p alm s o f b o t h h a nd s. 3 . Th e p e r s o nt h e n w i p e s th e fa ce u si n g bothpalms. 4 . Th e r e a f t e r ,t h e p e rso n u se s th e l e ft palm to w i p e o v er th e b a ck o f th e ri g h t h a n d u p t o t h e w r i st, a n d th e n , u se s th e r ight p a l mt o w i p e o ve rth e b a cko f th e l e ft 3t

hand upto the wrist. Notes: 1 . l f a n y d u s t cl i n g s to th e h a n d s upon striking the earth, it should be blown out first beforewiping the face and the hands to avoid the dust. 2. Only one strikeon the earth is sufficient for wiping both the face and hands. 3. For persons who are required to p e r f o r m G h u sl , b u t a re u n a b l e to find water,then, At-Tayammumas discussed would suffice. MATTERS WHICH TAYAMMUM

NULLIFY AT-

P u r i f i c a t i o nby A t-T a ya mmu m h a s the s a m e v a l i d ity a s Wu d h u a n d Ghusl performed with water, but becomes invalidatedin the following cases: 32

1 . A l l a c t i o n sa n d c o n d i t i o n st h a t n u l l i f y Wu d h u a l s o n u l l i fyA t-T a ya mmu m. 2. lf after performing At-Tayammum, wa t e r i s f o u n d f or Wu d h u o r Gh u sl . THE TIMINGS OF THE OELIGATORY PRAYERS lslam has prescribed specified time limits for each obligatoryprayer as can be noted from the following verse of the Holy Aur'an: "Prayer is enjoined on believers at stated t im e s "( O u r ' a n4 :1 0 3 ) And i n a n a u t h e n ti cp ro p h e ti csa yi n gi t is c onf i r m e dt h a t so me o n eo n ce a ske dthe prop h e t( P B U H )a b o u t th e b e st a cti o n in the sight ol Allah 6WD and the prophet re p lie d : 33

" Off ering prayer at its prescribed b yd l ma m B u kh a ri ) t ime . . . . . . . "( R e p o rte T h u s ,t h e a r r i v a lo f th e ti me fo r p ra ye ri s a f und a m e n t a lc o n d i ti o nfo r p e rfo rmi ngit , p ra ye ri s i n te n ti o nally and i f , t h e r e f o re a performedbefore or after its designated t im e i t s h a l ln o t b e a cce p ta b l ien th e si ght of Atlah 6Wn. However, Personswho m a y f o r g e t( w i th o u ti n te n ti o n )top e rfor m any o f t h e o b li g a to ryp ra ye rsw i th i n its ord a i n e dt i m e o r w h o a re o ve rta ke nby s lee p ,t h e n s u ch p e rso n ssh o u l dp e rfor m t h e p r a y e ra s s o o n a s th e y re me mb erit and / o r a s s o o na sth e yw a ke u p f ro mtheir s lee p . We s h a l l n o w e n u me ra teth e d i ffe r ent t imi n g s o f t h e fi ve o b l i g a to ryp ra ye rs: 1. F A J R( D a w n )P R A Y E R- l ts ti me b e gins a t d a w n w h e n mo rn i n gl i g h tf i rsta p p ear s i n t h e h o r i z o na n dc o n t i n u e su n t i l t h es u n ris e s .

2. DHUHR (Nonn) PRAYER- lts time begin sw h e n t h e su n re a ch e si ts h i g h est poin t i n t h e s k y a n d co n ti n u e su p to the time of Asr Prayer. 3. AS R ( Af t e r no o n )P R A Y E R- l ts ti me begin sw h e n t h e sh a d o w o f a n o b j e ctis equa lt o i t s o w n l e n g th ,p l u sth e l e n g thof it s n o o n t i m es h a d o wa n d co n ti n u e su n til s unse t . 4. MAGHRI8 (Sunset)PRAYER- tts time s t a r t sf r o m s u n s e ta n dc o n t i n u e su n t i l t h e e n d o f t w i l i g h t . T w i l i g h t i s th e re d n e ss whic h r e m a i n si n th e h o ri zo na fte rsu n set. - l tsti mesta rts 5 . I S H A( Ev e n i n gP) R A Y E R wh e n t h e t w i l i gh t d i sa p p e a rsa n d c o n t i n u e su p t o m i d - n i g h t .M i d - n i g h ti n this case may not necessarily be in t e r p r e t e tdo m e a n1 2 :OO o 'cl o ckb u t may be c o n s t r u e da s th e mi d -ti me b e tw e en

s u n s e t a n d t he a p p e a ra n ceo f th e dawn.

ADHAAN (CALLTO PRAYER) The "Adhaan" is a call to inform othersin specific words that the time lor a pa r t i c u l a rp r a ye rh a s b e g u n .l t i s a call to t he c o n g r e g ati o na n d i s a n e xp re ssionof t he l s l a m i cp r a cti cel.t i s re q u i re da s a n act f or a l l t h e O b l i g a to ryP ra ye rs. T H E VI R T U ESOF A D H A A N T h e g r e a t n e sso f th e vi rtu e w h i ch l s lam a t t a c h e st o t h e " A d h a a n " a n d th e one who performs it i.e. the "Muadhin", can b e n o t e d f r o m th e fo l l o w i n gve rseo f the H o l yO u r ' a n :

"WHO IS BETTERIN SPEECH THAN ONE WHO CALLS (THE PEOPLE) TO ALLAH AND WORKS RIGHTEOUSIVESS.,, ( O u r ' a n4 1 : 3 3 ) T h e mo t h e r o f t he fa i th fu l , A i sh a (ma y A lla h b e p l e a s e dwi th h e r)co n fi rme dth a t t his v e r s e c o n c e rn s a n d re fe rs to th e M u a d h i n a n d w a s re ve a l e do n n o o th er re a s o nt h a n f o r t he Mu a d h i n . A n d , fr o m t h e p r o p h e ti ctra d i ti o n s,A b u Hurairah reported that the Prophet ( P B U H )s, a i d : "lf the people knew the reward in the Adhaan and the f irst row of the prayer and that they could not get it (the reward)save by drawing lots, they would draw |ots....." ( N a r r a t e db y l m a m B u k h a r i ) And, in another saYing the ProPhet ( P B U H ) ,s a i d :

"The "Muadhins" will on the Day of Judgement have the longest necks (re f l e c t i n gt h ei r e xcl u si vee mi n e n c e) ". (R e p o r t e db y lma m Mu sl i m) HOW T H EA D H A A N IS P E R F OR MED Pr e f e r a b l yt,h ere sh o u l db e a n a p p o inted M u a d h i na t e a chMo sq u ew h o w i l l ca llthe people to prayer when the time of a pa r t i c u l a rp r a ye ri s d u e .l n p e rfg rmi ngthe Adhaan, the Muadhrn would stand facing the directionof the "Aibbh" (the sacred mo s q u ei n M a kka h ).H e w o u l d th e n raise bo t h h a n d su ptoh i s e a rsa n d sa y i n a loud v o i c et h e f o l l o w i n gw o rd s: 1. ALLAHU AKBAR Allah r's the greatest.(tobe repeated4 times) 2. ASH-HADU ANLA ILAHA ILLALLAAHI testify that there is no god but Altah. (to be r e p e a t e d2 ti me s)

3. ASH.HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAN RASUULULLAAH - ltestifythat Muhammad is Allah's messenger. (to be repeated2 times) 4. HAYYA'ALAS SALAAT - Come fast to prayer. (to be repeated 2 times). The Muadhin, when reciting this turns the f ac e s l i g h t l yt o t he ri g h t si d e . 5. HAYYA'ALAL FALAAH - Come fast to success. (to be repeated 2 times). The Muadhin, when reciting this turns the f a c e s l i g h t l yt o t he l e ft si d e . 6. ALLAHU AKBAR - Allah is the greatest. (t o be r e p e a t e d2 ti me s) 7. LAA ILAHA ILLALLAAH - There is no god but Allah. (to be recitedonce) No t e : l n t h e Ad ha a n ,fo rth e F a j r (D a w n) pray e r ,t h e f o l l o w i n g w o rd s a re re ci ted t wic e a f t e r H a y y a 'a l aFl a l a a h : 39

"ASSALATU KHEIRUM MINA NAWM''. (to be recitedfor two times)whichmeans"Salaat is better than sleep". WH A T S O M E ON ES U P P L IC A T EU S PON HE AR I N GT H E A D H A A N It is preferredpracticethat when a person hears the Adhaan, he should repeatthe wo r d s t h e Mu a d h i n ca l l s o u t, e xcept, wh e n h e s a y s " H a a ya a l a l S a l a a t and H a y y aa l a l F a l a a h " ,t h e l i s t e n e r s h o u l d insteadsay: "LA

HOWLA WALA AUWATA ILA BILLAH", which means "There is no power and strength exceptby Allah".

THE SUPPLICATION AFTER THE ADHAAN Upon the completionof the Adhaan, it is recommendedthat the listener recites t he f o l l o w i n gs u pp l i ca ti o n : ''ALL AH U M M A

R A B B A H A D H IH ID TAMMAH. WASALATIL DA'WATI AA'IMAH. ATI MUHAMMADANAL WASILATA WAL FADHILATA, WAA B ' AT H U H U MA A A MU M MA H . M UDA N - A L L A D H II WA 'A D T A H U ". whic h m e a n s"O Allah, Lord of this complete call and of the prayer to be held, grant Muhammad the most favoured and excellent position in the Paradiseand raise him to the praise worthy place that You have promised him". I t is h i g h l y r e c omme n d e dto re ci te the above s u p p l i c a ti o na t th e e n d o f e ve ry 4l

Adhaan and in this regard the Prophet ( P B U H s) a i d : "....it becomes obligatory upon me to intercede for him (person reciting the supplication) on the Day of Judgement". (R e p o r t e db y l ma m B u kh a ri ) ToAMAH(SECONDCALL TO PRAYER) "lqamah" is the secondcall to the prayer a n d i s s a i d i n si d eth e Mo sq u ea t th e s tar t o f t h e c o n g r e g a ti o n apl ra ye r.l t g o es as follows: l. ALLAHUAKBAR (repeatedtwo times) 2. ASH-HADU ANLA ILLAHA ILA LAAH. (on c e ) 3. ASH-HADU ANNA MUHAMMADAR RASULUL-LAAH.(once) 4. HAYYAALAS-SALAAL (once) 42

5. HAYYAALAL-FALAAH.(once) 6. AAD AAMATIS-SALAAT. (rePeated two times) 7. ALLAHUAKBAR.(repeatedtwo times) 8. LAA ILAAHA ILA-LAAH. (once) Notes: a . lt is r e c o m m e n d e dth a t a b ri e f ti me gappi n g b e m ai n ta i n e d b e tw e e n th e " A d h a a n "a n d t h e " l q a m a h "t o a l l o wt h e t o ge t re a d yfo r th e sa l a a t. c ongr e g a t i o n b . lt i s p r e f e r r e dth a t th e " l q a ma h " i s p e r f o r m e db y t h e s a m ep e r s o n( M u a d h i n ) who p e r f o r m e dt he " A d h a a n " . c . lt i s d i s l i k e dfo r a n yo n eto l e a veth e m o s q u e o n c e t h e " A d h a a n " i s ma d e, u n less f o r u r g e n t re a so n (s)b u t w i th a det er m i n a t i o nt o re tu rnfo r th e p ra ye r. 43

d. lt is prohibitedto offervoluntaryprayers aft e r l q a m a h h a s b e e n ca l l e d o u t. The Pr o p h e t( P B U H )sa ys: "When lqamah is called out, no prayer is permissible except the obligatory one". (R e p o r t e db y l ma m Mu sl i m) e. l f a p e r s o n mi sse s a p ra ye r d ue to o v e r s l e e p i n g o r f o r g e t fu l n e s s , t h e n , before starting the missed prayer the pe r s o ni s r e qu i re dto co me u p w i th both A d h a a n a n d l q a ma h , However,if a personmissesa number of pra y e r s ,i t i s pre fe rre dth a t h e co mes up w i t h o n l yo n e " A d h a a n "f o r a l l t h em i s s e d p ra y e r s ,b u t t o co me u p w i th a se p ar ate " l q a m a h "f o r e a c hs a l a a t . t. Where a person misses the c on g r e g a t i o na p l ra ye r a t th e mo sque, s uc ha p e r s o n,b e fo resta rti n gto p ra yis at lib e r t y t o e i t h e r p e rfo rm o r o mi t the M

A d h a a n a n d t h e l q a ma h .H o w e ve r,i f he decides to Perform the Adhaan, it is preferredthat he does it in a low voiceso as not to attract the attention of others out si d e . g. lt is not obligatoryon women to perform t he A d h a a na n d l q a ma hb u t i f th e yw i shto perfo r mt h e s a m e th e re i s n o h a rm. PE R F O R M AN COF E T H ES A I A A T After introducing the salaat and d is cu s s i n g i t s p re -re q u i si te s,w e shall now t u r n t o ma tte rs p e rta i n i n gto its ac t u a lp e r f o r m a n ce . CONDITIONS FOR THE PRAYER (SH U R U U D - L -S A IA T ) Th e r e a r e a n u mb e ro f co n d i ti o n sw h ich n e e d t o b e f u l fi l l e dfo r th e p ra ye rto be v a l i d .T h e s ea r e a s f o l l o w s : 45

1. A c c e p t a n ce o f l sl a mi c F a i th d is b e l i e v e r as r e n o t re q u i re dto e sta b lish Safaat until they believein "Attah6WD" and b e a rw i t n e s sth a t th e re i s n o g o d but Alla h a n d b e a rwi tn e ssth a t Mu h a mm ad is Hi s s e r v a n ta n d me sse n g e r. 2. Anniyah - this in Arabic means the intention by heart to perform the p a rt i c u l a rp r a y e r. 3. Cleanliness- this includescleanliness o f t h e b o d y , t h e cl o th e s a n d th e p l ace where the prayer is to be performed. 4. Purification this refers to the performanceof Wudhu(or Ghuslwhere it is re q u i r e d ) p ri o r to u n d e rta ki n gthe praye r . 5. Concealing of the Private parts - for a m a n , i t i s e s s e nti a th l a t h e b e co ve re dat leastf r o m t h e n a ve l toth e kn e e sa l l ro u nd, wh ile , i n t h e c a seo f a w o ma n , h e r b o dy 46

should be totally coveredexceptfor the f a c e a n d w r i s t s. 6. Facingthe "Aiblah" - this meansthat a person when prayingmust face towards t h e d i r e c t i o n o f th e sa cre d mo sq u e in "Makkah". Where a personis not able to lo c a t e t h e d i r ecti o nb y h i mse l f/h e rself, the person may ask another personwho may know the direction of the Aibbh. Ho w e v e r ,i f n o o n e i s i n si g h tto g u i d eto t h e r i g h t d i r ecti o n , th e n , th e p e rson f s ho u l d d e c i d e fo r h i mse l f,/h e rse land correct guess the of make the best direction of the Aiblah, and accordingly, p e r f o r mt h e p r aye ri n th a t d i re cti o ne ven t ho u g h t h e g u e ss ma yb e i n co rre ct.The prayer performed would still be a c c e p t a b l e( l n s h a A l l a h ) i n vi e w o f the f o llo w i n gv e r s eo f th e H o l YOu r'a n . "Whichever direction ye turn' there is the P re s e n c eo f A l l a h ," (Ou r'a n2 :1 1 5 l ''

7. Timing - prayersare to be observedin t h e i r p r e s c r i b e dti me s. 8. Sanity and consciousness- prayer is re q u i r e do n l y fr om p e rso n so f so u n dmi nd. 9. Ability to distinguish - prayer is requ i r e do n l y w h e re th e p e rso n(ch i l d)is a b let o d i s t i n g ui shb e tw e e ng o o da n d b ad, a n d i s a b l e t o un d e rsta n da n d a p p re ciate fully what is to be recited,performedetc. Note: I t is p r e f e r r e d fo r ch i l d re n to b e gin performingthe praverat the age of seven f or i t a w a k e n si n th e m th e p re se n ceof "Allah (SWT)"and incutcatesin them the h a b i t o f p r a y i n ga s a n a ct o f w o rsh i pa nd lovetof Allah 6WD". A child at the ageof 1 O is m a d e t o u n d e rsta n dth a t p ra ye ris n e c e s s a r i lay p a rto f th e p e rso n ,sd a i l yl i fe and is a solemn duty ordainedby ',Altah (S W T ) "o na l l M u sl i ms,a n d th a t fa i l u reto 48

p e rf o rm i t i s a n a ct o f d i sb e l i e f(K u fr). Therefore,parentsare requiredto guide th eir ch i l d r e n t o th e ri g h t p a th b y p u n is h i n ga n y o f t he m w h o a t th e a g e o f 1 O in t e n t i o n a l l ymi sse sth e p ra ye rs. Th e P ro p h e t( P B U H ),sa i d : "Order your children to pray when they reach the age of seven and punish them for not performing it at the age of ten and separate them (i.e. boys and girls) in their be d s . " ( R e p o r t e db y l ma m B u h ka ri ) U p o n a t t a i n i n gt h e a g e o f 1 5 , a c h i l d i s d e e m e d t o h a v e re a ch e d a d u l th o o d, whereby, he,/she is requiredto perform th e p ra y e r . H e r e be l o w ,a re so me o th e r sig n sw h i c h m a y i n d i ca teth a t a ch i l dh a s a t t a ine da d u l t h o o d . a . T h e g r o w i n go f p u b i ch a i r s . b . F i n d i n gt r a c e so f s e m e no n t h e c h i l d ' s clo t h e sa n d , / o rb e d . 49

c. The start of menstruation,in the caseof a girl. C AT EG O R IE SOF T H E A C T S OF THE SAr AvAT A l l t h e a c t s, re a d i n g sa n d su p p l i cations u n d e r t a k e ni n th e co u rse o f th e salaat have different legal weights and im p l i c a t i o n s.T h e y a re ca te g o ri sedas follows: A. Pilfarsof the Salaat - (Arkanu-Salaat) B . N e c e s s a ry D u ti e s o f th e S a laat (Wajibatu-Salaat) C . P r e f e r r e d A cts o f th e S a l aat (Sunnanu-Salaat) W e s h a l l no w d i scu ss e a ch o f these c a t e g o r i e si n tu rn .

PILLARSOF THE SAr ^vAT - (ARKANUSAI AAT) Th e pra y e r h a s o b l i g a to ryp i l l a rsw h i ch m u s t be f u l fi l l e df o r i t to b eva l i da n dth e se are as f o l l o w s : 1. Al-Aiyaam" - prayer is to be p erf orme d i n a sta n d i n g p o si ti o n i f a p ers oni s p h y s i c a l l yca p a b l e . 2. "Takbiiratil lhraam", that is saying "ALLAHU AKBAR". at the commencem e n t o f t h e p r a y er. 3. "Al-Fatihah" - that is reciting the openin g c h a p t e r of th e H o l y Ou r'a n i n ev e ryR a k a a t . 4. "Rukuu" - this is bowing posture wh e re b y t h e h e ad a n d th e b a ck a re p os it io n e do n t h e sa me l e ve l a n d b o th h a n d s a r e r e s t e do n th e kn e e sw i th th e f ingerss p r e a da p a rt. 5l

5 . A r e q u i r e me nto t ra i seth e h e a du p f r om t h e R u k u up osi ti o n . 6 . A r e q u i r e me n tto sta n d u p fro m the R u k u u p o s i ti o n i n su ch a w a y th at the person feels that all his,/her backbones a r e s t r a i g h te n e d . 7. "Sujuud" that is prostratingoneselfin s u c h a w a y t h a t th e fo l l o w i n gse ve npar ts o f t h e b o d y a re fi rml y p l a ce d o n the g r o u n d :t h e f ore h e a dto g e th e rw i th the tip o f t h e n o s e, b o th th e p a l ms, b o th the knees,the bottom surface of the toes of both feet. t ra i seth e h e a dfr om 8 . A r e q u i r e me n to t h e S u j u u dp o s i t i o n . 9 . A r e q u i r e m e nt to s i t u p r i g h td u r i n gt h e pause between the two prostrations. 1 0 . A r e q u i r e m e n tt o t a k e a S i t t i n g

Position for the recitation of the "AtTashahud" (words of witness). 1 1 . A requirement to recite the tinal "AtTashahud". .

1 2 . A r e q u i r e m ento t re ci teth e w o rd s of s uppl i c a t i o nf o r t h e P ro p h e t(P B U H ). 1 3 . A r e q u i r e m ento t co n cl u d eth e p ra yer with the words of peace "Tasleem", i.e. "Assalamu Aleykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuh". 1 4 . A r e q u i r e m e n tt h a t i n f u l f i l l i n g t h e above pillarsthe person should be in a state of tranquility. The above are the pillars of the prayer, wherein, if any of them is missed,it is r e q u i r e dt o r e p e a tt h e w h o l e R a k a a t( U n i t ) i n w h i c h t h e p i l l a r i s o m i t t e d ,b u t i f , t h e Takbiiratil - lhraam is omitted, it becomes n e c e s s a r yt o r e p e a t t h e w h o l e s a l a a t . 53

NECESSARY DUTIESOF THE SALAAT (wAJTBATU-SAr AAT) ln a d d i t i o nt o th e a b o ve1 4 p i l l a rso f the pra y e r ,t h e r e are a l so ce rta i n n e ce ssar y du t i e s w h i c h n e e d to b e fu l fi l l e d i n the c ou r s eo f t h e sa l a a t.T h e sea re a s fo l l ows: 1 . Sa y i n g "AL L A H U A K B A R " i n the courseof the prayerwhere it is necessary, e. g . u p o n c o mme n ci n gR u ku ue tc.,e tc. 2. Saying "SUBHANAA RABBIYAL A Z I M . " w h e n i n R u k u up o s i t i o n . "SAMI ALLAHU LIMAN 3. Saying HA M I D A H " wh i l e re su mi n g sta n ding p o s i t i o nf r o m t h e R u k u u w h e t h e r t h e per s o ni s a n "l ma m" (l e a d e r)o irs p ra ying alone.

4. Saying "RABBANA WALAKALHAMD" when r e s u m i n g th e sta n d i n g p o si ti on f ro m th e R u k u u a fte r sa yi n gth e w o rd s: SAMI ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH". This is required from the lmam (leader), from the congregation and even from a person who is praying alone. 5. Saying 'SUBHANARABBIYALA'ALA" wh e n i n S u j u u d( p ro stra ti o np)o si ti o n . 6. Saying "RABBI IGHFIR LEE" in the s it t in gp a u s eb e t we e nth e tw o p ro tra ti o ns of eve r y u n i t o f t he p ra ye r. 7. Ta k i n g a Si tti n g P o si ti o n fo r the recitation of At-Tashahudafter the first f huhrA , s r ,M a g h r i b t w o r a k a a t s( u n i t s ) oD and ls h a p r a y e r s. 8 . Re c i t i n gt h e A t-T a sh a h u d (w o rd s of wit n e s s )a f t e rt h e fi rst tw o ra ka a ts(u n i ts) o f D h u h r ,A s r , M a g h r i ba n d l s h ap r a y e r s .

The above8 actsconstitutethe necessary du t i e so f t h e p ra ye ra n d i f o n e o f th em is m i s s e du n i n t e n ti o n a l l y, th e nth e p e rsonis re q u i r e dt o a me n dth e mi sta keb y co ming up with the two prostrations of forgetfulnessat the end of the prayer. However,if any of these duties is left out d e l i b e r a t e l y ,th e n th e w h o l e p ra yer is n u l l i f i e da n d s h a l l r e q u i r ea r e p e t i t i o n . PREFERREDACTS OF THE SALAAT (s u N AN U - S A A r AT) I n a d d i t i o nt o th e P i l l a rsa n d N e ce ssar y du t i e s a l r e a d yd i scu sse dth , e re a re also c e r t a i np r e f e r re da ctsto b e f u tfi l l e di n the courseof the prayer.Theseare as follows: 1. R e c i t i n g o f a n o p e n i n g su p p l i cation (Du'a-al-lstiftaah) after the "Takbiiratillhraam". 2 . P l a c i n gt h e h a n d so ve rth e ch e stw hile t h e p e r s o ni s in a sta n d i n gp o si ti o nwith 56

t h e ri g h t h a n d p l a ce do ve r th e l e ft h a n d. 3 . Ra i s i n go f b o t h h a n d su p toth e l e ve lof the shouldersor near to the lobesof the ears when saying "Takbiiratil-lhraam"; wh e n h e a d i n g l o r th e R u ku u ; w h e n re s u m i n g s t a n di n g p o si ti o n fro m th e Rukuu and when resuming standing positionfrom the prostration. 4. See k i n gt h e p r o te cti o no f A l l a hfro m th e c u rs e ds a t a n( o n l ya t th e sta rt o f th e fi rst ra k a a t )b y s a y i n g: "Auzu billahi minas- shaytani-r-rajiim," which means "l seek Allah's refuge from the cursed satan." 5 . Sta r t i n g t h e p ra ye r w i th th e si l e nt invocationof "Allah (SWf)" by saying:

'' ISM ILLAHI -R.RAHMAN I -R- B RAHEEM." which means "ln

the name of Allah' Compassionate,the M erciful."

the

6. S a y i n g"A me e n " u p o n co n cl u d i ng the recitation of "Al-Fatihah". ( at 7 . R e c i t i n gs o mech a p te rso r p a ssa g es le a s tt h r e e ( 3 ) ve rse s)o f th e H o l yOur ' an atter Al-Fatihah in the first two rakaats (un i t s )o f e a c h p ra ye r. 8. A preferencethat the recitationof AlFatihah and of any other additional re a d i n g sf r o m th e H o l yOu r'a na re re cited in a l o u d v o i c e i n th e fi rst tw o ra ka atsof Fa j r ,M a g h r i ba n d l sh a p ra ye rs. 9 . A p r e f e r e nceth a t w h e n si tti n gfo r the tirstAt-Tashahudand in betweenthe two p ro s t r a t i o n sth , e p e rso nre stso n h i s left f o o tf l a t t e n e do n th e g ro u n dw h i l e ke eping 58

the right foot erect with the bottomof the t oes f i r m e d o n t h e g ro u n d . 1O.A preferenceto practtceAt-Tawaruk when sitting for the final At-Tashahudin the Dh u h r ,A s r , M a g h ri ba n d l sh ap ra ye rs. "At-Tawaruk" is a mode of sitting, w here i nt h e p e r so np ro tru d e so u t h i s l e ft f oot f r o m u n d e r ne a thh i s ri g h tl e g ,i n su ch a way that the persondoesnot relaxon his left foot. 11 . R e c i t i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g s u p p l i c a t ion, w h e n s i t t i n g fo r A t-T a sh a h u d ,i n b e t we e nt h e s u p p l i ca ti o n fo r th e P ro p h et (PB U H )a n d t h e f i n a l w o rd s o f p e a ce : ,,ALLAHUMMA

INII AUDHU BIKA MIN ADHABI JAHANAMA. WAMIN ADHABIIL AABR. WAMIN FITNATILMAHYAA WALMA-MATI, WAMIN FITNATIL MASIHIDD A J AA L ". w h i c h me a n s-

"O Lord I seek your protection from the torment of Jahanam (the hell fire), and from the torment of the grave, and from the trials of living and dying and from the trials of the Masiih Addajaal." The abovepointsare the preferredactsof the prayer and all M uslims are encouragedto preservethese practices because their observance entitles the "Allah person great rewards f rom (SWf)". However, missing any of them d o e s n e i t h e r i n va l i d a teth e sa l a a t nor require the two prostrations of f o r g e tu f lness. HO W T H E S A L A A TIS P E R F OR ME D Ha v i n g k n o wn i n d e ta i l a l l th e d i ffer ent acts of the praYer, i.e.,its Pillars, n e c e s s a r yd u ti e s a n d p re fe rre da cts ,we s h a l ln o w d i s c u s si n b r i e fh o w t h e S a l a a t is p e r f o r m e dfo l l o w i n gth e e xa mp l eof the P r o p h e (t P B U H )a, n d i n d u e r e g a r dt o h i s 60

f amouss a y i n g : ,,SALUU KAMA RAEYTUMUNIIUSALI'', which means "Perform your prayers in the same manner you have seen me doing." Trans m i t t e db y Al -B u kh a ri o f e a ch W e s ha l ld i s c u s st h e p e rfo rma n ce prayer in its properperspective. r. " F AJR ( D AW N )P R A Y E R " . Number of Rakaats.'Two R e c it a t i o n 'O u r ' a n i c re ci ta ti o n si n th i s p ra y e r a r e m a d e in a l o u d vo i ce b y th e lm a m i n a c o n g r e g a ti o np ra ye r a n d b y w h o e v e rp r a y sa l o n e . Performance: 1. Th e p e r s o nt u r ns to w a rd sth e d i re cti o n of the Aibbh, (the sacred Mosque at 6l

Makkah), intending by heart to perform the Fajr (Dawn)prayer. Note: T h e p e r s o ns h o u l dn o t p ro n o u n ceh i s,/her in t e n t i o n o pe n l y b e ca u se n e i th er the P r o p h e (t P B U H )n o r h i s co mp a n i o n sused t o u t t e r t h e ir i n te n ti o nfo r p ra ye r.Thus, p r o n o u n c i n gth e i n te n ti o ni n a l o u dvoice is a n i n n o v a ti o na n d i s to ta l l yre j e c ted. 2.T h e p e r s o nth e n ra i se sb o thh a n d sup to t h e l e v e lo f t h e sh o u l d e rso r n e a rth e lobes of the ears, pronouncesthe "Takbiiratit lhraam" by saying "ALLAHU AKBAR" an d p l a c e sb oth h a n d so ve rth e ch e s twith t h e r i g h t h a nd o ve r th e l e ft. B y r e c i t i n gt h e " T a k b i i r a t i-l l h r a a m " .t h e person thus, resolves for prayer and enters into a state of worship and is t h e n c e f o r t hre q u i re dto ca l l to mi n d the majestyand glory of "Allah (SWT)" and to 62

dedicate his intentions, recitationsand act io n st o H i m a l o ne u n ti l th e e n d o f th e pray er . W h i l e p r ayi n g th e p e rso n i s requiredto direct his eyesdownwardsat the spot of Prostration. 3. The personthen recitesin a low voice an o p e n i n g s u p p l i ca ti o nfo r th e p ra ye r. H e reb e l o wa r e t h r e e o f th e su p p l i ca ti o n s d p ra cti ce w h ic h t h e P r o p h e(t P B U H )u seto an d t he M u s l i m i s e xh o rte dto me mo ri ze at least one of them for recitationeach t ime a p r a y e ri s p erfo rme d : a). "SUBHANAKA ALLAHUMMA WA BEHAMDIKA WATABARAKA ISMOKA, WATA'ALA JADDOKA WALA ILAHA GHAYROKA".which means "Praise and glory be to Allah. Blessed be Your name exalted be Your maiesty and glory. There is no god but You".

b). "ALLAHUMMA BA|'D BAYNT WA BAYNA KHATAYAYA KAMA BAA'DTA BAYNA.AL.MASHRIKI WAL MAGHRIBI. ALLAHUMMA NAAANIY MIN KHATAYAYAKAMA YONAAA-AL-THOWBO ALABYADO MIN-AL.DANASI, ALLAHUMMA IAYSILNIY MIN KHA. TAYAYA BIL-MAI. WATHALJI, WALBARAD".which means "O Lord, separateme from my sinsasyou have separated the east and west. O Lord, cleanse me of my srns as the white robe is cleansed from dirt. O Lord, wash away my sins with water, snow and hail". c). "WAJAHTU WAJHIYA LtLLADHtt -AL-SAMAWATI WAL.ARDHI FA.'TARA HANIIFAN MUSLIMAN WAMAA ANA MINAL MUSHRIKIINA, INNA SALATII WANUSUKII WAMAHYAYA WAMAMATII LILLAHI RABEIL'ALAMIINA LAA SH,ARIKALAHU WABIDHALIKA UMIRTU

WA ,ANA MINAL-MUSLIMIINA". which means "l turn my face to Him Who created the heavens and the earth, as a true believer and a Muslim, and nay, am I one of the polytheists. Truly, my prayer and my sacrifices, my life and my death. allbelong to Allah, Lord of the worlds, Who has no partner. Thisam lcommanded, and lam of those who submit to His Will". 4. The personthen seeksthe protectionof "Allah (SWf)" from the cursed satan by "AUZO BILLAHI MTNAL saying SHAYTANI-R-RAJIIM". 5. Th e p e r s o nt h en si l e n tl yi n vo ke s" A l tah (SWf)" by saying: ,, B ISM IL LA H -R-RAHMAN -R-RAHIIM". w h i c h m e a n s-

"ln the name of Allah. the all Merciful, the all Compassionate". The personimmediatelythereafterrecites "AL-FATIHAH" (openingchapter of the G lo r i o u s O u r ' a n ) i n d u e re g a rd to the f o l l o w i n gs a y i n go f th e P ro p h e t(P B UH) : "Prayer without reciting the'Al-Fatihah' is invalid". (Reportedby lmam Bukhari) Upon completionof the "Al-Fatihah" the pe r s o ns a y s "A me e n " l o u d l y. 6. T h e p e r s on th e n re ci te s ch a p ter s, v er s e s o r p a ssa g e s(mi n i mu m o f thr ee , v er s e s )f r o m t he H o l yOu r'a n .H o w e v er it is r e c o m m e nd e dth a t l o n g p a ssa g esar e re c i t e df o r t h e F a j r(D a w np) ra ye r. No t e : lf the person is praying with a i o n g r e g a t i o nb e h i n d a n l m a m ( l e a d e r ) 66

h e , / s h ew o u l da pp l yN o s.1,2 ,3 a n d 4 , a nd woufd listento the lmam recitingthe "AlFatihah" loudly and upon the lmam c omp l e t i n gi t s r e ci ta ti o nth , e p e rso na l o ng with the rest of the congregationwould say "Ameen" loudly after which, the personwould apply No. 5 in a low voice. 7. Th e n ,t h e p e r so np ro ce e d sto " R u ku u" (b o w i n g )p o s i t i onra i si n gb o th h a n d su p to the levelof the shouldersor nearthe lobes of the ears saying "ALLAHU AKBAR". Wh ile i n t h i s po si ti o n , th e p e rso n is required to excercise serenity and t ranq u i l i t yp o s i t io n i n gth e h e a da n d b a ck on t h e s a m e l e ve l ,p u tti n gb o th h a n d so n t h e kn e e s w i t h th e fi n g e rs sp re a d a nd s ay in g t h e f o l l o w i n g w o rd s fo r a t l e ast t h r e et i m e s : "SUBHANA RABBIYAL A'Z\M". which m e a n s"Glorified is my Lord the Great." 67

In additionw , h i l e i n R u ku up o si ti o n ,i t is also advisableto say: "SUBHANAKA ALLAHUMMA WA BIHAM DIKA, ALLAHUM MA EGHFIRLII'', wh i c h m e a n s"Glory be to Thee, O Allah, and praise be to Thee, forgive me my sins". 8. Then, the person raises from the " Ru k u u " p o s i ti o nl i fti n gb o th h a n d supto t h e l e v e lo f t h e sh o u l d e rso r n e a rth el obes of the ears saying: ''SAMI A'ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH", wh i c h m e a n s "Allah listens to him who praises Him." Th e p e r s o nt h e n , i mme d i a te l yre ci te sthe following supplication while still standing: 68

.'RABBANA

WA LAKA AL HAMDU HAMD AN K A T HE E R 'A N T A Y Y IB A N MOBARAKAN FEEHIY MILA'S SAMAWATI WA MILA' ALARDHI WA MILA' MA BAYNAHOMA WA MILA' MA SHIATA MIN SHIYIN BAA'D", which means "Our Lord, praise be to Theeonly, praises plentiful and blessings as to fill the heavens, the earth, and what /s in between, and fill that which will please Thee besides them". Howe v e r i, f a p e r so nfo l l o w i n ga n l ma m i n a c on g r e g a t i o n apl ra ye r i s n o t a b l e to conrplete the above supplication it suffices to say "RABBANA WA LAKA ALHAMD". I t i s a l s o a d v i s a b l ef o r t h e l m a m . t h e f ollow e r o r o n e wh o p ra ys a l o n e to a d d f u r t h e rt h e s u p p l i c a t i o hn e r e b e l o w :

"AHLU THANAA'I WALMAJDI A-HAAU MA AAALA ALABDU WAKULUNA LAKA ABD, ALLAHUMMA LA MAANI'A LIMA ADEYTA WALA M U'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 allYour servants.Our Lord,no one can ever depriveanything of what You have bestowed and no one can ever give anything of what You have deprived." Wh i l e i n t h e sta n d i n g p o si ti o n after Ru k u u ,t h e p e rso ni s a d vi se dto p l a ceboth ha n d so v e rt h e ch e sti n th e sa mema nner be f o r e b o w in g , si n ce , th i s w a s the pr a c t i c eo f t h e P ro p h e t(P B U H ). 9. T h e p e r s o n th e re a fte r p ro ce e dsto prostration saying: "ALLAHU AKBAR" a n d t o u c h i n gt h e g r o u n dw i t h t h e k n e e s 70

first before the hands if possible. However,if not possible,the personmay t ouc h t h e g r o u n dw i th th e h a n d sb e fo re t he k n e e s . W h il e i n p ro stra ti o n ,th e p e rs o n s h o u l d p l a ce se ve n p a rts o f th e b o d yo n t h e g r o un d .T h e sep a rtsa re :th e forehead, together with the nose, both p a lms o f t h e h an d s (fi n g e rs sh o u l d be stretched, closed together and pointed t owa r d st h e d i r e cti o no f th e Oi b l a h ),b o th knees,the bottompartsof the toesof both f eet (t o e s p o i n t e dto th e d i re cti o no f the O i b l a h ) . D u r i n g t h e p r o s t r a t i o n s t, h e p e rs o ns a y s f o r th re e ti me s o r mo re the f o llo w i n gw o r d s : "SUBHANA RABBIYAL A'ALA", which means "Glorified is my Lord the Exalted". I t is a l s o a d v i s a b l eto sa y fu rth e r:

,,SUBHANAKAALLAHUM MA RABBANA WA BI HAMDIKA, ALLAHUMMA IGHFIR Lll", which means "Glory be to Thee,our Lord, and I praise be to Thee. O Lord, forgiue me my sins"' Wh i l e i n p r o stra ti o n i,t i s re co mmended that the person recites as many supplicationsas possible asking "Allah (SWf)" for prosperityboth in this worldly lif e a n d i n t h e l i fe h e re a fte rb e ca u sethe P r o p h e t ' ( P B U sHa) i d : 'When performing 'Rukuu' glorify 'Allah , (SW T I , b u t d u ri n gp ro stra ti o ne, n d e avour t o m a k ea s m an ysu p p l i ca ti o nass p o s sible 'Allah (SWTL'for to supplicationsduring p ro s t r a t i o n a re a l mo st ce rta i n to be a c c e p t e d . "( Re p o rte b yd l ma m Mu sl i m ) I n v i e w o f t h e a b o vep ro p h e ti ctra d ition, we q u o t e h e re b e l o w so me o f the s u p p l i c a t i o n sa n d p ri va tep ra ye rsw hich 72

t h e P r o p h e t( PB U H )u se d to sa y w h i l e i n pros tr a t i o n : a.,'ALLAHUMMA LAKA SAJADTU, WABIKA AMANTU, WALAKA ASLAMTU' SAJADA WAJHII LILLADHII KHALAAAHU FASAWARAHU FAAH.SANA SUW A R A H I J , FA S H A A A S A M'A H U WABAS ARA H U. FATABA RAKA. LLAH U AHSANA-L-KHAUAllN". 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 Altah, the most excellent of creators". ''RABBI A'DI NAFSII TAAWAHA' b. WAZAKIHA, ANTA KHAYRIJ-MANZAKAHA ANTA WALIYUHAA WAMAUL AH AA . " w h i c h me a n s

" O Lord, give my soul its devoutnessand purify it, for none other than Thou can purify it, Thou are its Lord and Master,,. Wh i l e i n p r o s tra tl o nth , e p e rso nsh ould no t b r i n gt h e ha n d scl o seto th e h e a dand should not stick the arms to the a b d o m e nA. l s o,th e p e rso nsh o u l dn e i ther s t ic kt h e a b d o me nto th i g h sn o rth e th ighs t o l e g s . T h e a rms sh o u l d b e d i sta nced from the body and raised up from the g ro u n d b e c a use th e p ro p h e t (p BUH) p ro h i b i t e df l a t te n i n gth e m o n th e g ro und a c c o r d i n gt o t h e fo l l o w i n gsa yi n g ; "Adjust your prostration, keep straight in it and stretch not your hands on the ground as dogs do". (Reporterdby lmam Bukhari) 10. T h e p e r s o nth e re a fte rra i se s u p the h e a d f r o m p r o stra ti o nsa yi n g ,'A L L AHU AKBAR", and sits up resting on the left f ootfl a t t e n e do n th e g ro u n dw h i l e ke e p ing 74

the right foot erect with the toes of the right f o o t f i r m e d o n th e g ro u n d 'Wh i l e i n , o th p a l msa re to b e p l a ced t h is p o s i t i o n b on the knees and the person recitesthe f o llo w i n gs u P P l i ca ti o n : ''RA BI Y A I AH F IR L II, WA R H A MN II' WAHDINII. WAJBIJRNII. WARZANEE' WA'A FINEE", which means "O my Lord, forgive me' have mercY on me, guide me, consoleme, provide for me' and h e a l m e . " 1 1. T h e p e r s o np ro stra te sa g a i n sa yi ng "ALLAHUAKBAR"andrepeatswhat was d o n e i n t h e f i r s t P ro stra ti o n ' 1 2 . f h e p e r s o nth e n ra i se sth e h e a dfrom " A L L A HU t h e se c o n dp r o stra ti o nsa yi n g AK B A R ",a n d t a ke sa si tti n gp a u sesi mi lar t o t h e P au s e b e t w e e n t h e t w o p ro s t r a t i o n sT.h i s i s a p a u sefo r re sta n d it is re c o m m e n de dto't5ta ke su ch a p a u s e'

alt h o u g ht h e r e i s n o h a rm i f o mi tte d That . is the endof one "Rakaat,,(unit). 13. The personthereafter,says ALLAHU AKBAR and stands up for the second Ra k a a tw h i c h i s p e rfo rme di n th e sam e m a n n e r a s t h e fi rst R a ka a tw h e re b ythe p e r s o nc o m e sup w i th a l l th e a cti o n sand reci t a t i o n s f r o m N o s. 1 u p to 1 1 as discussedabove. 14. Upon completing the second prostrationas discussedin No. 12 above, the person takes a sitting for the ',At_ Tashahud" (wordsof witness)and while in th i s p o s i t i on ,th e fi n g e rs o f th e ri ght han da r e t o b e pl a ce dcl o se -fi stesa d vethe inde x f i n g e r wh i ch th e p e rso n u se s to p o in to u t a s a n in d i ca ti o nfo r mo n o th e istic beli e f a l t h o u g h,th e p e rso nma y a s well k ee p b o t h t h e li ttl e a n d th e ri n g fi n g er s c l o s e d ,w h i l e r o u n d i n gt h e t h u m b a n d mid d l ef i n g e r i n a ri n g -sh a p e dfo rm a nd us e st h e i n d e xf in g e rto p o i n to u t a s a sign f or m o n o t h e i s ti b c e l i e f.l t h a sb e e nre l a ted 76

that the Prophet(PBUH),practicedboth these methods and it is advisable to practicethe first methodat times and the other methodat othertimes'The left hand is placedon the left kneewith the f ingers kept open. After sitting as discussed above, the of personrecitesthe,4T-Tashahud(words wit n e s s )a s f o l l o w s: ''AT TAHIYYATULILAHI WASALAWATU WATAYYIBATU ASSALAMU ALAYKA AYUHAN-NABIYU WA RAHMATULLAHI WA BARAKATUHU,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 RASUULUH.ALLAHUMMA SALLIYALA WA ALA AALI MUHAMMAD MUHAMMAD, KAMA SALAYTA ALA IBRAHIMA, WA AALA AALI IBRAHIM.

INAKA HAMIDON MAJID. WA BARIK ALAA MUHAMMAD WA ALAA AALI MUHAMMAD KAMA BARAKTA ALA IBRAHIMA WA ALAA AALI IERAHIM. INAKA HAMTDONMAJtD...which means "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. 'l testify that there is no god but Allah (the person when reciting this testimony points out the index finger as a sign of monotheistic belief) and I testify that Muhammad /s His slave and messenger'. O Lord, bless Muhammad and his family as you blessedlbrahim and his family. You are the Most-praised, The Most-Glorious. O Lord,bestow your grace on Muhammad and his famity as you bestowed it on lbrahim and hisfamily. you a re t h e M o s t-p ra i se d , th e Mo st_ Glorious." 78

It is recommendedto add to the above read i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g su p p l i ca ti o nin whic h t h e p e rso n a sks fo r A l l a h' s p ro t e c t i o nf r o m fo u r e vi l s: ,'ALLAHUMMA INII AUDHU BIKA MIN ADHABI JAHANNAMA, WA M IN ADHABIL AABR. WAMIN FITNATIL MAHYAA WAL-MAMATI, WAMIN FtTNATtL MASIHID-DAJAAL". which m e a n s"My Lord, I seekYourprotection from the torment of Hell, from the torment of the grave, from the trials in lifetime and after death, and from the impostor Masihidajaal". Th e p e r s o n m a y a l so ma ke f u rther s u p p l i c a t i o ntso " A l l a h (S WD " a ski n gfor p ro s p e r i t yb o t h i n th i s l i fe a n d i n th e life her e a f t e r ,a n d to b e sto w H i s fa vo u rson . h i sw a s h i s p a r e n t sa n d o t h e rM u s l i m s T t h e c o n f i r m e d p ra cti ce o f th e P ro phet 79

(PB U H )a s r e p orte db y l b n Ma sso u d(may A lla h b e p l e a se dw i th h i m). 15. H a v i n g c o mp l e te dth e A t-T a sh a hud t he p e r s o n t e rmi n a te s th e p ra ye r by sayingfor two times ''AS-SALAMU

ALEYKUM WA RAHMATU-LAAH".which mean " Peace and mercy of Attah be upon you", t u rn i n gt h e f a c efi rstto th e ri g h ta n dth en, to the left. Th a t i s t h e e n d o f th e F a j r p ra ye r. I I . " D H U H R( N O O N )P R A Y E R " Number of Rakaat: Four Recitation: Our'anic recitations in this p ra y e ri s m a d ei n a l o w vo i ceb y th e l mam (lead e r )t,h e f o ll o w e rso r w h o e ve r p rays alone. 80

Performahce: 1. T h e f i r s t t w o Ra ka a tso f th e D h u h r p ra y e ra r e p e r f o r me di n th e sa mema n n e r as the two Rakaatsof the Fajrprayerwith re gardt o N o s .1 u pto 1 4 . H o w e ve r,i n th e c as eof D h u h rp r a ye r,th e si tti n gi n N o . 1 4 re pres e n t tsh e f t r s tA t-T a sh a h u idn w h i ch c a s e ,t h e p e r s o ni s re q u i re dto re ci teo n l y the f irst part of the words of witness up to '"...WA ASHADUANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASUULUHU". Meanwhile, i t i s p r e f e r re dth a t, fo r th e D h u h r pray er ,t h e o u r ' a ni c re ci ta ti o n sa fte r th e A l-F a t i h a h a r e o f me d i u m l e n g th (i .e . n e it he rt o o s h o r t n o r to o l o n g ). 2 . Up o n c o n c l u d in gth e re ci ta ti o no f th e fi rs t p a r t o l A t - T ash a h u di n N o . 1 4 , th e person, instead of proceedingto action No. 15 (of the Fajr prayer),stands up for t h e t wo r e m a i n i n gR a ka a tso f th e D h u h r p ra y e rw h i c h a r e a l so p e rfo rme di n th e sa m e m a n n e ra s t h e fi rst tw o . 81

3 . U p o n p e r fo rmi n gN o . 1 2 i n th e four th Rakaat,the person sits for the tinal At' Ta s h a h u d a n d co me s u p w i th f ull re c i t a t i o no f th e sa mea s i n N o . 1 4 of the F a j r p r a y e r .T h e p e rso nth e n p ro ce edson t o N o . 1 5 a n d th u s, co n cl u d e sth e p rayer . P )R A Y E R " I I I ." A S R ( A F T E R N O O N Number of rakaats: Four R e c i t a t i o n ' Ou r'a n i c re ci ta ti o n si n this p r a y e r a r e ma d e i n a l o w vo i ce bY the le a d e r( l m a m ),th e fo l l o w e rs,o r w h oever p r a y sa l o n e . Performance:lt is performedsimilarto the D h u h r ( N o o n )p r a y e ri n a l l r e s p e c t s . rv . "M AG H R IB(S U N S E TP) R A Y E R" Number of Rakaats.'Three

Recitation' Our'anic recitationsin this prayer is made loudly in the first two r ak aats b y t h e le a d e r (l ma m) o r b y w hoeve rp r a y sa l o n e . Performance: 1. The first two Rakaatsof this prayerare p e rf o rm e di n t h e s a mema n n e ra s th e f i rst two Rakaats of the Dhuhr prayer. Ho wev e r ,t h e p e r so n p ra yi n gb e h i n d a n lm a m i n a c o n g re g a ti o ni s re q u i re dto li s t e nt o t h e l m a m's re ci ta ti o no f th e A l Fatihah,in the first two Rakaats.Uponthe lmam's completionof the Al-Fatihah,the person says Ameen with the rest of the congregationand then recitesAl-Fatihah sile n t l yb y h i m s e l f.T h e p e rso nth e re a fte r, m a y no t n e e dt o r eci teOu r'a n i cp a ssa g e s h ims el f b u t s h o u l d p a y a tte n ti o nto th e l m a m ' sr e c i t a t i o n . M e a n w h i l e ,O u r ' a n i cr e c i t a t i o n si n t h i s prayer after the Al-Fatihah by the lmam 83

(or by whoeverpraysalone)may be either long or short passagesof the HolyOur'an. 2. Upon raisingthe headfrom the second prostration of the second Rakaat, the personsits down for the firstAt-Tashahud and iecites the first part of the words of witness (i.e. upto "....wA ASHADUANNA MUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WA RASUULUHU"). r n d su p for the 3 . T h e p e r s o nth e re a fte sta p e r f o r m a n ceo f th e th i rd a n d l a st Rakaat o f t h e M a g h ri b p ra ye ra n d u p o n raising the head from the second prostrationof this third Rakaat,the personsits down for the final At-Tashahud and recites the w o r d s o f w i tn e ss i n fu l l . 4 . T h e p e r so nth e n co n cl u d e sth e pr ayer b y t h e " T a s l e e m "( i . e .a c t i o nN o ' 1 5 o f t h e F a j r p r a y e r ).

v . " l s H A ( E V E N I N GP)R A Y E R " Number of rakaats.'Four Recitation' Our'anic recitations in this pray e r i s m a d e l o u d l y i n th e fi rst tw o Ra k a a t sb y t h e l ma m a n d b y w h o e ver p ray sa l o n e . Performance: 1 . Th i s p r a y e ri s p e rfo rme di n th e sa me m a n n e ra s t h e D h u h r( N o o n a ) n dt h e A s r ( Af t er n o o n p) r a y e rs. H o w e v e rw , h e n p r a y i n gb e h i n da n l m a m , the p e r s o n i s r e q u i re dto l i ste n to th e lm a m ' sr e c i t a t i o no f th e " A L -F A T IH A H i"n t he f ir s t t w o R a ka a ts.U p o n th e l ma m's compl e t i o no f t h e A l -F a ti h a hth e p e rso n says Ameen with the rest of the c ongre g a t i o n a n d th e n re ci te sA l -F a ti h a h s ilent l yb y h i m s e lf.T h e p e rso nth e re a fter 85

ma y n o t n e e dto re ci teOu r'a n i cp a ssages him s e l f b u t sh o u l d p a y a tte n ti o nto the l m a m ' sr e c i t a t i o n . T H E F O R G E T F U L N E SPSR OS T R A TIONS (SU J U U DSA H W) A s h u m a n be i n g s, w e a re b Y n atur e s u b j e c t t o m i sta ke sa n d e rro rs, a nd as m e n t i o n e d ea rl i e r, i f a p e rso n fa i ls to pe r f o r m a n y o f th e p i l l a rs o f th e p r ayer an d / o r n e c essa ryd u ti e s, th e p e rson is re q u i r e dt o me n d th e e rro r b y co mi ngup wi t h t w o p r ostra ti o n sa t th e e n d of the prayer known as "Suiuud Sahw" i.e' f o r g e t f u l n e s s p r o s t r a t i o n s ,a l t h o u g h , wh e r e a p i l l ar(s)i s o mi tte da re p e ti tionof t h e m i s s e dp i l l a r(s)i s n e ce ssa ry. b e tween T h e r e a r e s o me d i sa g re e me n ts ts r e l i g i o u sj u r i s t sr e g a r d i n gt h i s s u b j e c a t o w h e t h e r i t sh o u l db e p e rfo rme dbefor e or after the words of peace (Tasleem). What seems to be a fair solution, 86

however, is that if a person made an a ddit i o n t o t h e p ra ye r, th e n , th e tw o prostrationsof forgetfulnessshould be performed after reciting the Tasleem. W hile, i f a d e d u cti o ni s ma d e fro m th e prayer, then, the two prostrations of forgetf u l n e s s h o ul db e p e rfo rme db e fo re reciting the Tasleem. However, where b o t h a n a d d i t i o n a n d a d e d u cti o nma y h a v e b e e n m a d e i n th e co u rse o f th e prayer, then, in th is case, the f o r g e t fu I n e s s p r o s t r a t i o n s c an b e performed before the recitation of the words of peace(Tasleem). V A R I O U SI N S T A N C EW S H E R E" S U J U U D S AHW " BE C O M E SA P P A R E N T A. Where a Pillar of the Prayer is Omitted 1. Whe r e ,f o r e x a mp l ea, p e rso nfo rg e tsto recite the "Al-Fatihah" but remembers th e s am e b e f o r eRu ku uo r i n th e p ro ce ss o f bow i n g ,t h e n ,t he p e rso ni s re q u i re dto 87

re s u m e a p r op e r sta n d i n gp o si ti o nand read the "Al-Fatihah" and some other v e r s e sf r o m th e H o l y Ou r'a n a s u sual.lf t h i s o m i s s i o no ccu re di n th e fi rst rakaat a n d t h e p e r s o nre me mb e rsth e o mi ssion wh i l e i n t h e co u rseo f th e se co n dra kaat, t h e n , t h e p e r so nsh o u l dco u n tth e second ra k a a ta s b e i n gth e fi rst ra ka a ta n d tr eat t h e f i r s t o n e i n w h i ch h e ,/sh emi ssedto recite the "Al-Fatihah"as null and void. Th e p e r s o n sh o u l d th e n P ro ce ed to pe r f o r m o n e mo re ra ka a t to co mplete h i s , / h e rSa l aa t a n d a t th e e n d , re ci tethe " T a s l e e m "( w o rd so f p e a ce )a fte r w hich, t h e p e r s o n co me s u P w i th th e two pr o s t r a t i o n so f fo rg e tfu l n e ssa n d again, recites the Tasleem. , h i l e s i t t i n gf o r t h e f i n a l 2. lf, howeverw "At-Tashahud",(the words of witness),a p e r s o n r e m e mb e rs th a t h e mi ss ed a p r o s t r a t i o n , th e n th e p e rso n should im m e d i a t e l yco me u p w i th th e m issed p r o s t r a t i o nan d si t b a cka g a i nto re peata 88

recitationof the At-Tashahud.The person would then say the Tasleemto conclude t he p ra y e r ,b u t w ou l d th e re a fte rco me u p with the two prostrationsof forgetfulness beforeonce again reciting the Tasleem. T he a b o v e a r e so me e xa mp l e sw h e re e rrors a r e c o mmi tte d i n p e rfo rmi ng FARA I D H ( i . e . Pi l l a rs) o f th e S a l a at, w h e re i n ,t h e p e r so ni s n o to n l yre q u i re dto r epea t h e m i s s e da ct,b u t a l so ,to co meu p with the two prostrationsof forgetfulness.

B. Where a Necessary DutY is Omitted Ho we v e r , w h e r e so me o n e mi sse s a " WAJIB" (NecessaryDuty) of the prayer, t h e me r e c o m i n g u p w i th th e tw o p ro s t r a t i o n so f f o rg e tfu l n e ssw i l l su ffi ce wit ho u tt h e n e e dfo r re p e a ti n gth e mi ssed act.Thus, it a Waiib act is missedand the person remembers it after starting anot h e ra c t i o n o f th e p ra Y e r,th e n , h e i s 89

not requiredto repeatthe forgottenact but would proceedto completethe rest of the s a l a a t a n d a t th e e n d , j u st b e fo re the Tasleem,the person comes up with the two prostrationsof forgetfulness. C. Where a Preferred Act is Omitted As for SUNNANS(PreferredActs) of the pr a y e rw h i c h m a yb e mi sse d n , e i th e ris it a re q u i r e m e nto t re p e rfo rmth e m n o r i s the f o r g e t f u l n e s sp ro stra ti o n sn e e d e d . P R I V A T E S U P P L I C A T I O N SR E C I T E D UP O NC O M PL E T IN G PRAYERS I n a c c o r d a ncew i th th e te a ch i n g so f the P r o p h e(t P B U H )t ,h e r ea r eq u i t ea n u m b e r of p r i v a t e s up p l i ca ti o n sa n d w o rds of extollingAllah (SWf) i.e. "Dhikr" which a r e h i g h l y d e s i r a bal en d r e c o m m e n d efdo r re c i t a t i o na t t h e e n d o f e a chp ra ye r.T hese s u p p l i c a t i o nasn d e x t o l l a t i o n(sd h i k r )a r e no n - o b l i g a t orya n d co n sti tu te se p ar ate 90

forms of "IBADAH" (Worship), hence, re c it in gt h e m o r f a i l u reto d o so , d o e sn ot affect the prayer. However, a person who recites these s u p p l i c a t i o n sa n d e x t o l l a t i o n sw o u l d certainly achieve much additional rewa r d sb e s i d e sth e re w a rdA l l a h g ra n ts f or t h e Sa l a a t ,I N S H AA L L A H . We s h a l l n o w di scu ss so me o f th e s e s u p p l i c a t i o nasn d e x t o l l a t i o n s . a ) . l m m e d i a t e l yu p o n c o m p l e t i n gt h e prayer it is recommendedfor the worshipperto invokeAllah (SWf) and to a s k f o r H i s f o r g i ve n e ssb y sa yi n g : "ISTAAFIRULLAAH"for three times, which means "l seek Allah's forgiveness".

b). lmmediately thereafter, the wo r s h i p p e r ma y re ci te th e fo l l o wing supplication: "ALLAHUMMA ANTA SALAAM. WA MINKA SALAAM. TABARAKTA YAA DHAL JALALI WAL IKRAAAM." which m e a n s"O Allah, Youare the source of peace and fromYou comes peace, exaltedYou are, O Lord of Majesty and Honour." c ). l t i s a l so re co mme n d e d fo r the worshipper to recite thereafter the f o l l o wni g s u p p il c a t i o n : ,,LA

ILAHA ILAL-LAHU WAHDAHU.LAA SHARIKA LAHU, LAHUL-MULKU. WALAHUL-HAMDU. WAHUWA A'LAA KULI SHEY-INAAAR". which means

"There is no god but Allah, He is one, He has no partner, to Him belongs sovereignty and to Him belongs praise, and has power over all things." d). The person may thereaftersay: .,ALLAHUMMA

LAA MANI'A LIMAA A'DEYTA WALA MU'DIYA LIMA MANA'ATA WALA YANFAUDHAL JADDI MINKAL JAD". which means "O Allah, none can withhold what You have granted, and none can grant what You have withheld, and nothing can be offered by the rich; richness and fortune comes from You alone". e). And says thereafter: ''LAA

HOWLA WALAA AUWATA ILLA BILLAAH."which means -

"There is no might or power, except from Allah". f). Also, the person may thereaftersay: ,'LAA

ILLAHA ILAL LAAHU WALA NA'ABUDU ILLA IYAHU, LAHU NI'MATU WALAHULFADHLU, WALAHUL THANAA AL-HASSAI". which means"There is no god but Allah and we worship none but Him, to Him belongs prosperity, and to Him belongs favours and to Him belongs all good praises". g ) . T h e p e r s o nma y a l so sa y: ''LAA

ILAHA ILLAL LAAHU MUKHLISINA LAHU DIINA WALAO KARIHAAL KAFIRUUN".which means "There is no god but Allah, (and we) offer Him sincere devotion even though the unbelievers may detest it". 94

h ). Als o , s a y s : ''ALLAHIJMMA A'INNI'ALA DHIKRIKA. WASHUKRIKA. WA HUSNA IBADATIK." w h i c h m e a n s"O Allah, help me in remembering You, thanking You and conducting my worship to You in a perfect way.". i ). T h e p e r s o na l s o sa ys: (l )SUBHANA-ALLAH- GlorybetoALLAH - (33 times) (2)AL HAMDU-LILLAH- PraisebetoAllah - (33 times) (2) ALLAHU AKBAR - Allah is great (33 times) T h e n , a t t h e e n d o f th e a b o ve th re e r ec it a t i o n s ,t h e wo rsh i p p e r re ci te s th e f o l l o w i n gs u p pilc a t i o n : 95

,LAA ILLAHA ILAL LAAHU WAHDAHU LAA SHARIKA LAHU, LAHUL MUL.KU, WALA.HUL HAMDU. WAHUWA A'LAA KULI SHEY'INNAAAR". which means "There is no god but Allah alone; He has no partners, to Him belongs dominion and to Him belongs praises; and He has power over all things". By t h i s s u pp l i ca ti o n ,th e w o rshipper ma k e s u p a to ta l o f 1 OOre a d i n g sand in t h i s r e g a r d i,t w a s re p o rte di n a n a u thentic p r o p h e t i cs a y i n gth a t w h o e ve rco mes up w i t h t h i s 1 O Op h ra se sa t th e e n d o f ever y o b l i g a t o r yp r aye r," A l l a h w i l l fo rg i vehim, e v e n i f h i s s i n s w e re a s a b u n d a n tas the f o a m o f t h e se a ." (R e p o rte db Y lm am Muslim) j) . l t i s a l s or e co mme n d e d fo rthpee rsonto re c i t et h e r e afte r" A Y A TA L K U R S I"i .ethe v e r s e o f t h e T h ro n e(H o l yOu r'a n 2 :255} which has the following English 96

t rans l a t i o n : "Allah! there is no god but He, the Living the Self-Subsisting, the Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)". T h e i m p o r t a n c e o f th i s ve rse w a s c o n f ir m e db y t h e P ro p h e t(P B U H )i n a n a ut he n t i cs a y i n gth a t: "Whoever recites this verse at the end of every prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise."(Reported by 97

lmam Bukhari) k). lt is also strongly recommendedthat the person recites the following three chapters of the Holy Our'an after each prayer: (1) Surah Al-lkhlaas (Purity of Faith) Q u r ' a n ,C h a p te r1 1 2 . (2) Su r a h Al - F a l a q(T h e D a w n ) - Ou r ' an, C h a p t e r1 1 3 . (3) Su r a h An - N a a s (Ma n ki n d )- Ou r' an, C h a p t e r1 1 4 . Note: lt is preferredthat each of these three chaptersbe recitedfor three times a t t h e e n d o f F a j r (D a w n ) a n d Ma ghr ib (Su n s e t p ) r a y ers;w h i l e ,e a chch a p te rmay be recited only once at the end of the o t h e r o b l i g a to ryp ra ye rsn a me l y,D huhr (N o o n )As , r ( A fte rn o o n )a nldsh a(E ve ning) prayers.

THINGS WHICH INVALIDATE THE PRAYER Prayerif performedwell with due regard t o it s c o n d i t i o n s, p i l l a rs, d u ti e s a n d pref e r r e da c t st r u l y i l l u mi n a te sth e h e a rt and p u r i f i e st h e so u l . l t i s th e me a n sby whic h m a n c o m mu n i ca te sw i th A l l a h (SWT)and therefore,one should keep it f re e f r o m a n y t h i n gw h i ch w o u l d re n d e rit in v a l i d .l n Ar a b i c L a n g u a g ea, cts w h i ch in v a l i d a t e t h e p ra ye r a re kn o w n as "Mubdillatu-Salaah" and we now list them herebelow: 1. S p e a k i n go r t a l ki n gi n th e co u rseo f th e prayer. 2. Lau g h i n gi n t h e co u rseo f th e p ra ye r. 3. Ea t i n gw h i l e p ra yi n ge, ve nth o u g hw h at is ea t e n m a y b e a s sma l l a s a p i e ce of dates. 99

4 . D r i n k i n gw h i l e p ra yi n g ,e ve n th ough wh a t i s d r a n k ma yb ea s sma l l a s taking o n l y a m o u t h fu l . 5. lf someonein the courseof the prayer remembersthat he,/shedid not actually pe r f o r mt h e a b l u ti o n(w u d h u ),th e n , such a person is requiredto break the prayer a n d g e t o u t t o p e rfo rmWu d h u . 6. lf a person's ablution (wudhu) gets invalidatedin the course of the prayer, t h e n t h e p r a ye rb e co me si n va l i d . 7. T h e p r a ye r i s a l so i n va l i d a tedby c a r r y i n g o u t th e R u ku u a n d S ujuud postures with haste and without ease. Wh i l e i n p r o s tra ti o nb, o b b i n g(j e rki ng)up and down like chickenpeckingfood from t h e g r o u n di s n o t a l l o w e d . 8. Turning oneself away f rom the directionof the Aiblahalsoinvalidatesthe prayer. 100

D T H I N G SW H I C HA R EN O TP R E F E R R EI N T HE P R AY E R 1. Turning of the eyes up . The Prophet (P BU H )s t r o n g l yad mo n i sh e da g a i n stth is a s c a n b e n o t e df ro m th e fo l l o w i n gsa yi ng: "What is the matter with the people who raise their eyes towards the sky while praying? They shall have to refrain from this or else they will lose their eyesights". (Re p o r t e db y l m a m B u kh a ri ) I t is a l s od i s l i k e dto l o o kri g h t a n d l e ft a nd t he P r o p h e t( P B U H )i n th i s re g a rdsa ys: "lt /s a deception with which satan deceives the servant while in prayer". (Reprotedby lmam Bukhari) The person while praying is required to direct his eyes at the point of prostration.

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2. Closing the eyes in the course of the prayer. 3. Placing the hands above the kidneys or on the waist. Hands should be placed over the chest. 4. Wiping the earth more than once to remove pebbles on it. 5. Reading of the Holy Qur'an, while i n Rukuu and in Sujuud positions. 6. Making unnecessarymovements in the course of the prayer such as touching the chin (beard) or fidgetting the fingertips or mending up the clothes e.g. the head turban etc. 7. Entering to prayer, while food has been served to the person before the prayer or while badly in need of passing excrement and/or urine. The Prophet (PBUH) in this regard says: l'z

"Prayer is not valid when food has been served and when a person is in need of relieving himself of excrement and/or urine." (Reported by lmam Muslim) 8. lt is prohibited for someone in a congregational prayer to raise the head from Rukuu and Suiuud positions ahead of the lmam. The Prophet (PBUH)strongly warned persons doing this as can be noted from the following saYing: "Doesn't the person who raises uP his head before the lmam fear that Allah will turn his head to that of a donkey or make his face look like a donkey". (Reportedby lmamBukhari) T OT E SR E GA R D ING O TH E RI M PO R T A NN PRAYER , nion, 1 . l f a p e r s o ni s s m e l l i n go f g a r l i c o leek, cigarettes, tobacco or anything 103

s im i l a r w h i c h h a s a n u n p l e a sa n to d our and which may cause inconvenienceto others, then, such person must not join t h e c o n g r e g a ti o n a p l ra ye r a n d sh o uld k ee pa w a y u n t i lth e o d o u rd i ssi p a te from s him / h e r . T h e P ro p h e t (P B U H ) i n this regardsays: "A person who has eaten garlic or onion or any other bad smelling thing should not approach our Mosques because the angels are offended by the things which human beings get offended f rom". (Re p o r t e db y l m a m Mu sl i m). 2 . Th e w h o l e e a rth i s fo r th e Mu sl i ms a p lace o f p r a y e r a n d vi rtu a l l y cl e an. Therefore,anyone can pray wherever he may be when the time of prayercomes if there are no Mosquesnearby.However,it is forbidden to perform prayers at cemeteries, except the funeral prayer a d m i n i s t e r e do v e r a d e a d Mu sl i m. l t is also forbidden to pray inside toilets IM

and/ o r b a t h r o o msa n d a t f i l th yp l a ce s.All prayers performed in such areas are c o n s i d e r e dn u l l a n d vo i d . 3. W h e n e n t e r i n g a mo sq u e i t i s the traditionthat the personstepsin with the right f oot reciting the f ollowing s upp l i c a t i o n : ,'BISMILLAH WASSALATU WASSA. RASULULLAAH. LAMU'ALAA A L AH U M M A IA F IR L II D H U N U BI. WAFTAH LII ABWABA RAHMATIK". w h i c h m e a n s"tn the name of Allah..and blessings and peace be upon the messenger of Allah- O Lord, forgive me mY sins and open for me the gates of Your mercY". A n d , w h e n d e pa rti n gfro m th e mo sque, the personstepsout with the left foot f irst saying: 105

''BISMILLAH

WASSALATU . WASSALAMU 'ALA RASULULLAAAH. ALLAHUMMA IAGHFIR LII DHUNIJBII WAFTAH LII ABWABA FADHLIKA'" wh i c h m e a n s "ln the name of Allah...may blessings and peace upon the messenger of Allah. O Lord, forgive me my sins and open for me the gates of your favours". 4. lt is not proper to come to the prayer h a s t e n i n gb u t th e p e rso n i s re q u i re dto c o m ec a l m l ya n d i n a sta teo f se re n i tyand t ran q u i l i t y .l f a p e rso n j o i n s th e p rayer wh i l e t h e l m a m,/co n g re g a ti o na re in Ru k u u p o s i t i on , th e n , th a t p a rti cular raka a t( u n i t ) i s co u n te dfo r h i m a s i f he started the rakaat (unit) with the rest of the congregationfrom the start.However, if a person joins the prayer after the lma m , / c o n g r e g a ti o nh a s a l re a d y ri s en f ro m t h e R u k u u p o si ti o n , th e n , that p a rt i c u l a rr a k a a ti s n o t co u n te dfo r h im, 106

but he should continue prayingwith the rest until the lmam completesthe prayer after which the personis requiredto come up with the missed rakaat(s)inorder to completehis prayer. Here b e l o w i s a n e xa mp l e : As s u m i n gt h a t a p e rso nj o i n s th e D h uhr prayer in the first rakaat but after the c o n g r e g a t i o nh a s a l re a d yri se n fro m the Rukuu position, the person would c o m p l e t et h e r e ma i n i n gp a rt o f th e ra kaat wit h t h e r e s t ,a l th o u g hsu ch ra ka a ti s not c o u n t e d f o r h i m. T h e l ma m a n d the congregation proceed to the second rak a a t ,b u t t h e l a te co me r sh o u l d co unt t h e s e c o n dr a k aa ta s h i s fi rst ra ka a t. Thereafter,the congregationsits for the first "At-Tashahuh" and would then, s t an d u p t o p e rfo rmth e th i rd ra ka a ta nd s u b s e q u e n t l yt ,h e fo u rth ra ka a tu p to the s ec o n d a n d f i n a l " A t-T a sh a h u d " .A fter t07

the lmam reads the words of peace to concludethe prayerthe late-comerunder discussion,would thereby stand up to perform one more rakaat in lieu of the ra k a a tm i s s e da t th e b e g i n n i n g . 5. lt is allowedfor a personto pray while wearing shoes, but before doing so, the personis requiredto checkon the solesof t he s h o e s ,a n d sh o u l dth e re a p p e a rany trace of wetness and/or defilement,this s ho u l db e c l e a n e dw e l l o n th e g ro u n d. 6. A personis not allowedto pass infront of a n o t h e r p e r so n w h o i s p ra yi n g no matter how long and how much in c o n v e n i e n c eth e w a i ti n g ma y ca u se. Th e P r o p h e t( P B U H )sa ys: "lf a person who passes infront of a praying person could realize the gravity of the sin, it would have been better for him to wait for forty rather than passinfront of the praying person. The narrator was not 108

sure whether the Prophet (PBUH) said forty days or forty months or forty Years". (Rep o r t e db y l m am B u kh a ri ) 7. lt a person who wishes to perform a prayer fears others may pass infront of him i n t h e c o urse o f h i s P ra ye r, i t is advisablefor such a personto place any kind of object infront of him before commencingthe prayer.Such an objectis known as SUTRAin Arabicand it actsas a boundary for the person so that people may pass only beyond the object. lf thereater, any person attempts to pass betweenhim and the object,the personin prayermay push away the passerby.Butif the passerby insists on passing, the praying person has perfect right to fight t he in t r u d e rf o r h e i s a n e vi l o n e . 8 . A s t r a n g e rw o ma n p a ssi n gto o cl o se in f ro n to f a p r a yi n gma l e p e rso nw h o h as no" Sutra", has the effect of invalidating the prayer, except when the prayer is bein g d o n e i n th e g ra n d mo sq u e of Makkah. 109

CON G R EG A T ION APLR A Y E R Performanceof the prayertogetherwith t he o t h e r M u sl i ms i n co n g re g a ti onat Mosques is a duty required from every mafe Muslim of sound mind.Allah 6Wf) says: "...And bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship)". (Our'an 2:43l' M u c h e m p h a si sh a s a l so b e e n ma d e by the Prophet (PBUH) about the CongregationalPrayers as can be gathered from the following authentic s ayi n g s : 1. "Performing prayer in congregation is 27 times better than prayer performed on individua I basis".(Reported by lmam Bukhari) 2 . l b n M a k t u ms a i d :

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"l told the Messenger of Allah that I am btind and my house is far awaY and I have no suitable guide to the mosgue..doI not have permission to pray at home?" The Prophet(PBUH),asked me: "Do You hear the call to the prayer?" I an s w e r e d : "Y e s" ,a n d th e P ro P het (P BU H )t h e n s a id to me : "Respond accordingly (bV coming to the mosque)".(Reportedby lmam Muslim) 3. "lf there happens to be (even) three persons in a village, desert or iungle and they do not praY in congregation, satan would surely dominate them. So, observe your prayers in congregation' for certainly, the wolf devours the lonelY sheep". (ReportedbYAbuu Dawoud) 4. "1 swear by Allah in Whose possession is my life, I feel like asking for firewood to lll

be gathered, and order for the prayerto be held and the call for prayer (Adhaan) to be announced, and then asksomeoneto lead the prayer, and I go after those who failed to join the congregational prayer and set fire to them while they are in their houses". (Reportedby lmam Bukhari) By virtue of the above quoted Our,anic verseas well as the varioussayingsof the Prophet(PBUH),congregationalprayeris in c u m b e n t u p o n e ve ry ma l e Mu s lim unlessa personis excusedfrom doing so as a result of one or more of the following reasons: 1. Sickness 2 . F e a rt h a t g o in gto th e mo sq u ew i l l b ring abo u t u n d u e h a rd sh i p s,o r p e ri l fro m an ene m y . 3 . H e a v yr a i n . It is permitted for women to attend the congregationator1l1. at the mosques

and their husbandsmay not preventthem from doing so unlessit is fearedthat harm will come to them. However, it is preferablefor women to perform prayers a t t he i r h o m e s .T he P ro p h e (p t B U H )sa ys: "Do not prohibit women to attend prayer at mosgue, but prayer at their homes is better for them". (Reported by lmam Ahma d ) lf, however, women decide to go out for prayer at the mosques, they should neitherdressnor perfumethemselvesin a manner that may attract the attentionof men. At the mosques,it is an established tradition that women perform their prayers preferablyin their own partition behin dt h e r o w s o f me n . P URPO S EO F T HE C ON GR E GA T IONAL PRAYER Performance of the prayer in c ongr e g a t i o ni s a g re a t l sl a mi c p ra cti c e lt3

through which equality and justice are made manifest. Here, the ruler and the subject,the old and the young, the rich and the poor, thb powerful and the d o w n t r o d d e nt,h e i n f l u e n t i a l a n d t h e wretchedall assemblein rows shoulderto s h o u l d e r i n f ro n t o f A l l a h , th e A l mi ghty, with neither differencesnor distinctions between them - all of them servantsof Allah (SWf). .They meet on common gr o u n d i n t h e h o u se s o f A l l a h th i nking on l yo f H i m i n h u mi l i tyi n d u e re g a rdto the following verse of the Holy Our'an: "....Verily,the most honouredof you inthe sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteousof you...." (HolyOur'an 49:13) ls l a mi s a r e l i g i o no f g re a tso ci a l o rd erand wh e n a c o m mu n i tyo f Mu sl i msi n a given area meet at the CongregationalPrayers f iv e t i m e s e a ch d a y, th e n , ce rta i n ly,we c a n i m a g i n e th e i n n u me ra b l eb e nefits that could be derived - people knowing tt4

each other; people learning each others affairs;peoplemeetingtheir leadersand communityheads;peoplediscussingand solvingtheir day-to-dayproblems;people cooperating etc. Thus, cohesiveness, unity, love and brotherhoodbecometruly e v id e n ta m o n gt h e mu sl i m co mmu n i ty. In an lslamicstate,the headof the stateor his representativeis supposedto leadthe five daily congregationalprayers at the central mosqueof the capitalcity as was the practiceof the Prophet(PBUH),in the firs t lsl a m i cs t a t e e sta b l i sh e da t Me d i n a. T h e le a d e r o r h e a d o f th e l sl a mi csta te would, of course, be a person of u nque s t i o n a b l ei nte g ri ty, kn o w n to b e more knowledgeablethan his subjects and ab o v ea l l r i g h te o u s. Persons wish ing to perform a c ongr e g a t i o n aplr a ye rw o u l d ch o o sefro m among s t t h e m s e l ve sa n l ma m (l e a d e r) w h o ha st h e q u a l iti e sd e scri b e d a b o vea n d ll5

who would stand infront of the others at the center of the row. After the second call for the prayer (lq a m a h )i s pe rfo rme d ,th e l ma m tur ns towards the congregation and would endeavour to straighten out the row(s) and urge the congregationto stand close to each other as much as possible.These acts were established practices of the Prophet(PBUH)as can be notedfrom the following sayings: 1." Straighten your rows and stand close to each other in prayer..." (Reportedby lmamBukhari) 2. "You shall have to straighten Yourows in prayer or else Allah will create differences among you". (Reported by lmamBukhari) The lmam, thereafter, starts the prayer with the words of "TakbiiratilAl-lhraam" tt6

as us u a l a n d t h e co n g re g a ti o nw o u l d fo llo w s u i t . T h e c o n g re g a ti o w n o u l d th e n proceed to complete the prayer as d is c u s s e di n d e t a i le a rl i e r. THEP R A Y E R O FAT R A V E L L IN G P E R S ON (MUSAFTR) lsla m i s a r e l i g io n fu l l o f me rcy a n d because of the harships and in c onv e n i e n c ew s hi ch a p e rso n u su a l l y undergoesduring travels, Allah FWf) has m a d e c e r t a i n co n ce ssi o n sto th e tr av elle rO . n eo f t h e seco n ce ssi o niss th a t a t ra v e l l e r m a y sh o rte n so me o f th e ob ligato r yp r a y e r s.A l l a h sa ysi n th e H o l y Our'an: "When ye travelthrough the earth there is no blame on you if ye shorten your pr a y e rs . .". ( O u r ' a n4 :10 1 ) Becauseof this grant lrom Atlah (SWT),it tt7

is a n e s t a b l ish e p d ra cti ceth a t a tra velling M u s l i m m a y sh o rte nth e fo u r (4 ) rakaats obligatoryprayers into two rakaatsonly. Th u s , t h e D h u h r, A sr a n d l sh a p rayer s may each be shortenedinto two rakaats. However. the Maghrib and the Fajr prayerscannotbe shortenedand are to be p e r f o r m e di n fu l l . I t i s a l s o a n esta b l i sh e dp ra cti ceth at the t r a v e l l e r m a y co mb i n e so me o f the o b l i g a t o r y pra ye rs. T h u s, th e Dhuhr p r a y e rm a yb e d e l a ye du n ti lth e ti me of the Asr prayerwhen both will be performed; or, the Asr prayermay be broughtforward t o t h e t i m e o f th e D h u h rp ra ye rw h e n both w i l l b e p e r fo rme d .L i ke w i se ,th e lsha p r a y e rm a y be b ro u g h tfo rw a rdto th e tim e o f M a g h r i bpra ye r;o r, th e Ma g h ri bpr ayer ma y b e d e l aye d u n ti l th e ti me o f lsha p r a y e r .T h e F a j r p ra ye r ca n n e i ther be b r o u g h tf o r w a rdn o r d e l a ye da n d h a sto be performedat its prescribedtime. ll8

Characteristics of combining the prayers 1. Each prayer will be performed separately. 2 . O n ly o n e Pr a y e rC a l l(A D H A N )sh a l l b e made for both prayers but two Second ) a l l b e re q u i re d(i .e . C a lls (I O , AM A H Ssh o n e Se c o n dC a l l ( l q a ma h )sh a l l b e ma d e separatelyfor each prayer). l f we ma y g i v ea n e xa mp l ea, ssu mi n gth a t a t rav e l l e rw i s h e sto co mb i n eD h u h r a n d As r p ra y e r sb y b r i n g i n gth e A sr p ra ye r fo wa rd t o t h e t i m e o f th e D h u h r p ra ye r , the personwould proceedas follows: ( 1 ) T h e p e r s o nw o u l d fi rst co me u p w i th th e Ca l l f o r p r a y e r" A d h a a n " i n te n d i n gi t for both the two prayers. ( 2 ) T h e p e r s o nw o ul d th e n co me u p w i th t h e s e c o n dc a l l " l q a m a h " f o r t h e D h u h r Pra'er' rt9

(3) The person would then perform the Dhuhr prayershorteningit to two rakaats only. , (4 ) Af t e rc o mp l e ti n gth e D h u h rp ra y erthe p e r s o n s t a n d s u p a n d ma ke s a nother s e c o n dc a l l " l q a ma h " fo r th e A sr pr ayer . ( 5 ) T h ep e r s onw o u l dth e n p e rfo rmtheAsr prayeralsoshortenedto two rakaatsonly. Note: A t r a v e l l e r ma y l e a d th e p ra ye r as an " I M A M " o f t h e re si d e n tso f th e p l a cehe is v i s i t i n ga n d i n s u c h a c a s e ,h e ( b e i n ga n lm a m ) ,m a y p e rfo rmo n l y tw o ra kaatsfor th e D h u h r , Asr, a n d l sh a p ra ye rswhile, t h e r e s i d e n t sh e i s l e a d i n gs, h a l lu p o nh i s c o m p l e t i o n co n ti n u e to co mp l e te the r e m a i n i n gt w o ra ka a tso f th e re spective prayers. However, in such cases, it is r h o ma yactas d e s i r a b l et h a t th e tra ve l l e w a n l m a m f i rst g i ve s n o ti ce to the t20

congre g a t i o nr e g ard i n gh i s p o si ti o na n d his intentionto shorten his prayerso that the congregationcontinues to complete the prayer. On t h e o t h e r h a n d , i f th e tra ve l l e rh a s to pray be h i n da n l m a m w h o i s a re si d e n o tf th e pla c eh e i s v i s i ti n g th , e n i n su chca se , th e t ra v e l l e rs h a l l p ra y w i th th e l ma m a l l th e f ou r ( 4 ) r a k a a tsa s u su a l . PERFO R M A N COEFT H EP R A Y E R B YON E WHO IS SICK A sickpersonhas to performthe prayerin ac c ord a n c ew i t h t he p e rso n 'sco n d i ti o n s. Th e Pro p h e t( PB U H )w a so n ce a ske db y a si c kc o m p a n i o na s to h o w h e ca n p e rfo rm th e pray e ra n d t h e Pro p h e (P t B U H )re p l i e d him as follows: "Pray standing but if unable then by sitting and if still unable then do so whilst on your back". (Reported by lmam Bukhari) nl

Thus: 1 . lf, it is impossiblefor the sickpersonto stand up, he,/sheshall performthe prayer by sitting and makingtoken gesturesfor t h e "R u k u u " a n d " S u j u u d " p o si ti onsby b r i n g i n g t h e h e a d sl i g h tl y d o w n as indication for "Rukuu" and slightly f u r t h e r d o w n a s i n d i ca ti o nfo r " S u j uud". 2 . l t , i t i s i m po ssi b l efo r th e si ckp e rs onto pray sitting, he,/she shall perform the prayer by lying on his,/her back. Allah (S W f ) s a y s : '"...THOSE ARE THEY (MEN OF UNDERSTANDING) WHO REMEMBER ALLAH WHILESTANDING,SITTINGAND (Ou r'a n3 :1 9 O-1 9 1) R E C L I N I N G...." The person'slegsaredirectedtowardsthe Q i b l a ha n d w i l l ma keme reto ke ng e s tur es a s f a r a s p o ssi b l ew i th th e h e a d for the b o w i n g ( R u ku u ) a n d th e p ro str ation 122

(Suju u d )p o s i t i o n s. 3 . lf , s t i l l , i t i s i m p o ssi b l efo r th e th e si ck person to performthe prayerwhile lying a s dis c u s s e di n No . 2 a b o ve ,th e n , th e personshall performthe prayerby heart. Th e pe r s o n s h a l l co me u p w i th a l l th e re q u ir e dr e c i t a t i on a s s fa r a s p o ssi b l ea, n d will re c a l l t o m i n d a l l th e n e ce ssa ry posturesfor the prayer. S u c h is t h e i m p o rta n ceo f th e P ra ye ri n l s lam th a t a p e r so n mu st p e rfo rm i t n o ma t t e rw h a t h i s , zh e co r n d i ti o n . VOLUNTARYPRAYERS Besides the prescribed obligatory prayers,a person may come up with as ma n y v o l u n t a r y p ra ye rs a s i s p o ssi b l e. T hroug h v o l u n t a ry p ra ye rs a p e rso n r ec eiv e sa d d i t i o n a re l w a rd sa n d th ro u g h them he draws closer to "Allah (SWf)" a lt hou g ha p e r s o nwi l l n o t b e p u n i sh e dfo r 123

neglectingto perform voluntaryprayers. However,the Prophet(PBUH)had set a t r a d i t i o n o f p ra cti ci n gce rta i n vo l untar y prayersbeforeand/ or afterthe obligatory prayers and every Muslim is strongly recommendedto performthem.Theseare as follows: a . D H U H R( N O O N )P R A Y E R: Four (4) rakaats before (with each two d ( 2) ra k a a t sp e r fo rme dse p a ra te l y)a ntwo rakaatsafter. b . M A G H R I B( S U N S E TP) R A Y E R Two (2) rakaatsafter. c . I S H A( E V E N I N GP)R A Y E R Two (2) rakaatsafter.

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e. FAJR (DAWN)PRAYER Two (2) rakaats before. These Voluntary prayers are known in Arabic Languageas (Rawatrblwhich may be construedto mean definite practices and the Prophet(PBUH),usedto preserve their performance continuously whenever in residence.However,during his travels he used to omit their practice except the two rakaats before the Fajr prayer.Performanceof these two rakaats is so important that the prophet(PBUH) s a id : "These two Rakaatsare more important to me than the whole world." (Reported by imamMuslim) While there is no objection to perform these optionalprayersat the mosque,it is preferredto performthem at home in vieu

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of the following Prophet(PBUH):

saying of

the

"The best of the prayers are those which are fulfilled at one's home, with the exception of the obligatory prayers (which are to be performed with the congregation at the Mosgue)". (Reportedby lmam Abu Dawoud) F u f f i l l i n g t h e se tw e l ve (1 2 ! vo l u ntar y pr a y e r si s a me a n sto g a i n a d mi ss ionto paradise as can be noted from the f o l l o w i n gs a yi n go f th e P ro p h e t(P B UH) : "Whoever prays optionally twelve rakaats every one day and night, Allah will reward him by an established dwelling in the paradise".(Reported by lmam Bukhari) B e s i d e s t h e a b o ve tw e l ve d e finite voluntary prayers,the person may also pray four optional rakaats before Asr (Afternoon)prayer, and two before lsha 126

(Evening)prayer,becausethesewere also reported to have been practiced by the P ro p h e t( P B U H ) . T I M E S W H E N P E R F O R M A N C EO F VOLUNTARYPRAYERSIS PROHIBITED. There are certain times when voluntary prayersare not allowed to be performed and these are as follows: 1. In between the Fajr Prayer and the r is in g o f t h e s u n . 2. In betweenwhen the sun is closeto its z enit ha n d t h e D h u h r P ra ye r. 3. ln between the Asr Prayer and until suns e t . However, a person can perform the two rakaatsprayedas salutationto mosques whenevera personentersa mosqueeven t houg h ,t h e t i m e of e n te ri n gth e mo sq u e may coincidewith one of the abovestated tim ing s . T h i s i s i n a cco rd a n cew i th th e

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following propheticsaying: "Anyone of you entering a mosgue, should not sit until after perfoming two rakaats."(Reportedby lmam Al-Bhukari) JUMA'H (FRIDAY)PRAYER Besidesthe five obligatoryprayers,"Allah (SWff' has also ordained the "Juma'h" (Friday Congregational Prayer) as a necessary prayer on the Muslim Nation (Ummah) as is made clear in the following verse of the Holy Qur'an. ,,O YE WHO

BELIEVE.WHEN THECALL IS PROCLAIMED TO PRAYER ON FRIDAY (THE DAY OF ASSEMBLY), HASTEN EARNESTLYTO THEREMEMBRANCEOF ALLAH AND LEAVEOFF BUSINESS(AND TRAFFIC):THAT tS BEST FOR YOU lF YE BUT KNEW." (O.ur'an62:9)

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Th e Pr o p h e (t P B U H )a l soi ,n e xh o rti n gth e M u s l i m s t o t h e i mp o rta n ceo f th e F ri d ay pray e rs a i d : "They (peopl e) will have to stop neglecting the Friday prayer or otherwise, " Alla h ( S W f l ' w i l l se a l th e i r h e a rtsa nd they will be counted among the negli g e n t ".( R e p o rte db y l ma m Mu sl i m ) .i T h e P r o p h e t( PB U H )a l so sa ys: "He

who deliberately neglects three consecutive Friday prayers, "Allah (S WT ) " w i l l m a ke a ma rk o n h i s h e a rt". (Reportedby Abu Dawoud) B y v i r t u e c i t t n e a b o veOu r'a n i cve rseas we ll a s t h e r e sp e cte dsa yi n g s o f the P ro p h e t ( PB U H ), th e F ri d a y C o n g reg a t io n a l P r a y e r i s, th e re fo re , a d u ty (Wa j i b )r e q u i r e dfro m e ve rya d u l ta n d free M u s l i mw h o i s i n r e s i d e n c e .

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F ri d a y i s a g l o ri o u s d a y i n l sl a m and represents a great weekly meeting in wh i c h t h e M u sl i msg a th e r i n th e h o uses o f " Al l a h ( S W T|'l e a vi n ga si d ea l l w o r ldly affairs. The "Juma'h" prayer is therefore s pe c i f i c w i t h a S e rmo n i n w h i ch the m o s q u e p r e a ch e rs(l ma ms)d i scu ssand d e a l w i t h t h e d a i l y p ro b l e ms o f the M u s l i m ' ss o c ie tya n d g i ve e n l i g h te n ment from the torch of lslam. The "Juma'h" prayerreflectsthat lslam is a great social order which fosters brotherhood,abhors d is u n i t ya n d d i sco u ra g e se vi l s. The Juma'h is not a duty on women, who instead, may perform the obligatory Dh u h r ( N o o n) p ra ye r a t th e i r h o mes a f t h o u g h t h e y ma y j o i n th e Ju ma' h prayers,if by doingso doesnot affecttheir h o u s e h o l d d u ti e s, o r ca u se th e m any inc o n v e n i e n ce . 130

THE P E R F O R MA N C E OF T H E JU MA 'H (FRtDAY)PRAYER Performanceof the Juma'h prayeris only allow e d i n t h e Co n g re g a ti o n aMo l sq u es wher e , M u s l i m s co n g re g a tea n d fro m wh e re t h e l m a m g i ve s th e m a d vi cea n d s p irit u a li n s i g h t s. The time for the Juma'h prayeris the time o f t h e D h u h r pra ye r, a l th o u g h , so me M u s l i m j u r i s t s a n d sch o l a rsa re o f th e opin i o nt h a t i t i s pe rmi ssi b l eto p e rfo rmit b e f o r et h e s u n r e a ch e si ts ze n i th . M u c h i m p o r t a n cea n d re w a rd h a s b e en at t ach e db y l s l a m to th e ti mi n g so f g o i ng t o t h e F r i d a yP r a ye ra s ca n b e n o te dfro m t h e fo l l o w i n g sa yi n g o f th e p ro p h et (PBUH): ''ANY

PERSON WHO TAKES TOTAL ABLUTION (GHUSL) ON FRIDAY AND GOES OUT FOR THEFRIDAYPRAYERIN l3l

THE FIRSTHOUR (i.e. EARLY).lT tS AS tF HE SACRTFTCED A CAMEL (lN ALLAH',S CAUSE); AND WHOEVER GOES IN THE S E C O N D H OU R . IT /S ,4 S IF HE SACRIFICED A COW; AND WHOEVER GOES IN THE THIRDHOUR, IT IS AS IF HE SACRIFICED A HORNED RAM; AND WHOEVERGOES IN THEFOURTHHOUR, tT lS AS lF HE SACRIFICEDA HEN; AND WHOEVER GOES IN THE FIFTH HOUR. THEN.IT IS AS IF HE OFFEREDAN EGG. WHEN THE IMAM COMES OUT (TO DELIVER THE SERMON), THE ANGELS PRESENT THEMSELVES TO LISTEN TO THE SERMON." (Reported by lmam Bhukari) Ho w e v e r ,i t is a re co mme n d e dl sl am ic t ra d i t i o nt h a t th e p e rso nco me s u p with t he f o l l o w i n gpre -re q u i si tebs e fo reg oing o u t t o t h e F r i da yP ra ye r: 1. U n d e r t a k i n G g h u s l( t o t a lb a t h ) .

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Th e P r o p h e t( P B U H )i n th i s re g a rdsa ys: "Ghusl on Friday /s necessary (Wajib) upon every adult person". (Reportedby lmamBukhari) 2. Pu t t i n g o n t h e b e st a n d cl e a n e sto f c lot he s . 3 . P e r f u m i n go f o n e se l f. Having undertaken the above prer e q u is i t e s ,t h e p erso nth e n p ro ce e d sto t h e m o s q u ei n t r a n q u i l i t yf u l l y c o n s c i o u s ot" Allah 6WD". Upon reaching the mos qu e ,t h e p e r so ne n te rsb y ste p p i n gi n wit h t h e r i g h t f o o t fi rst p ro cl a i mi n gth e f o l l o w i n gp r i v a t es u p p l i c a t i o n : ''

BISMILLA,AHWASALAATU W AS SA L AM U ' AL A A R A S U L U L L A A H.. ALLAHUMMA IAHFIR LII DHUNUBII WAFTAHLII ABWAABA RAHMATIK.'' which means 133

"ln the name of Allah...May peace and blessings be on the messenger of Allah...O Lord forgive me my sins and open to me the gates of your mercy." Ha v i n ge n t e r edth e mo sq u e ,th e p e r son comes up with two rakaatsas salutation t o t h e m o s q u e i n a cco rd a n cew i th the f o l l o w i n g f a m o u s sa yi n go f th e P rophet (PBUH): "lf anyone of you enters the mosque, do not sit until you have Performed to ra k a a t s . "{ R e p o rte db y l ma m A l -B h ukar i) Th e p e r s o nt h e n a w a i tsfo r th e se rmonto s t a r t a n d m a y i n th e me a n ti mere a d the Ho l y O u r ' a n a n d /o r co me u P with s e ca n . wh a t e v e rs u p p l i ca ti o n h Wh e n t h e l m a m e n te rsth e Mo sq u e,the "MUADHIN" (PraYerCaller),would make t h e "A D H A A N " ,(i .e .th e ca l l to th ep rayer ) an d t h e p e r s o nw o u l d b e a n sw e ri ngthe t34

c all i n t h e m a n n e r a l re a d y d i scu ssed earli e r . Wh e n t h e M ua d h i n co mp l e te s the Adha a n , t h e l m am cl i mb s th e p u l p i t to deliv e r t h e S e r mo n a n d th e p e rso n is req,uired to devotehis whole attentionand is f o r b i d d e nt o t al k o r ke e p o n e se l fb u sy wit h e v e n m i n o racti vi ti e si n th e co u rseof t he se r m o n .T h e P ro p h e t(P B U H )sa ys i n t h is re g a r d : "He who performs ablution properly and comesto the Juma'h prayerand listensto t he s e r m o na t t e n ti ve l y, w i l l h a ve h i s si ns f rom t h e p r e v i o usF ri d a yp l u s th re e mo re day s f o r g i v e n a n d h e w h o o ccu p i es h imse l f w i t h p e bb l e sd u ri n g th e se rmon h a s p e r f o r m e db ad l y" .(R e p o rte b d y l ma m Muslim) Up o n c o m p l e t i o no f th e fi rst p a rt o f the s erm o n ,t h e l m a m si ts d o w n fo r a b ri ef p a u s ea n d t h e n , sta n d s u p a g a i nfo r th e secondpart of the sermon.After that, he 135

c o m e s d o w n fro m th e P u l P i t a n d the MUADHIN makesthe secondcall for the pra y e r I A A MA H a n d a tw o ra kaat c o n g r e g a t i o n a lp r a y e r i s a c c o r d i n g l y p e r f o r m e d w hi ch i s th e sa me i n all respectsto the Fajr PraYer. Upon completing the Juma'h Prayer,a p e r s o n m a y co me u P w i th vo l u ntar Y p ra y e r s ,w h i ch i f d o n e a t th e mo sque, c o n s i s t so f f o u r ra ka a ts(e a chtw o ra kaats p e r f o r m e ds e pa ra te l y)b ui f, t d o n ea t h ome (u p o n o n e ' s re tu rn fro m th e mo sque) , consists only of two rakaats as the d do. Pr o p h e t( PB U H ),u seto OF T H ET WO F E A S TS TH E P R A Y E R S T h e s ea r e : 1. T h e p r a y e ro f th e F e a sto f B re a ki ngthe F a s t i n go f t h e mo n th o f R a ma d a n(known as'ldul-Fitr Prayer)

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2 . Th e p r a y e ro f th e F e a sto f l mmo l a ti on ( k n o w na s ' l d u l - A l - A d h aP r a Y e r ) . We s h a l l n o w d i scu ss th e mo d e of p e rf o r m i n ge a c h o f th e se P ra ye rs. 1.

' I D U L - F I TP RR A Y E R

Up o nc o m p l e t i ono f th e o b l i g a to ryfa sti ng of the blessed month oI " Ramadan"' Muslims celebrate the occasion of b re a k i n gt h e F ast b y fe sti vece l e b ra ti ons wh ich l a s t f o r t h re e d a ys.T h e Mu sl i ms welc o m et h e f e astw i th p ra ye ra n d p ri vate s u p p l i c a t i o n sa n d b y g i v i n g p r a i s e t o Almighty Allah (SWTI This prayer is p e rf o r m e da s f ol l o w s: a ) .O n t h e f i r s td a yo f S h a w a a(l t h em o n t h ) e p e rso ng o e sto t h a t f o l l o w sR a ma d a nth ' l d M o s q u eo r p r a y i n gg r o u n dh a v i n g the und e r t a k e nt h e fo l l o w i n g re co mme n ded acts: t37

(1) .T a k e nt o t a l a b tu ti o n(Gh u st). (2l. D r e s s e d i n th e b e st o f cl o thes (preferablynew clothings). (3 ) . As s u m e d a B re a ki n go f th e F a st by eating at leasta few piecesof dates.This is i n a c c o r d a n cew i th th e tra d i ti o no f the P ro p h e t( P B U H ),a n d a n o d d n u mb er is pre f e r r e di . e .3, S , j , g a n d so o n . (4 ). l t i s t h e p r a cti ce(S u n n a h )to h e ad to t he ' l d p r a y i n gce n te rb y w a l ki n g . Up o n a r r i v a l a t th e p l a ce o f p ra ye r the person sits and waits for the prayer to begin. b). Af t e r a b o ut 2 0 mi n u te s fro m cl ear s un r i s e ,t h e l m a msta n d su p fo r th e p rayer a n d l o u d l y s i g n i f i e st h e e n t e r i n g i n t o p ra y e r b y r e ci ti n g th e ',T a kb i i ratil lhraam" that is "ALLAHU AKBAR". The who l e c o n g r e g a ti o na l so fo l l o w s su i t by 138

reciting the "Takbiirat i l-l hraam". e). A s u s u a l ,w ith a n y o th e r p ra ye r,the person thereafter comes up with the open i n gs u p p l i ca ti o nkn o w n a s" D U A AL ISTIFTAAH.'' d ). After that, the lmam says,"ALLAHU AKBAR" for 6 more times,and the c o n g r e g a t i o nw o u l d f o l l o w l i k e w i s e . Between each recitation of "ALLAHU AKBAR" every person recitesto himself in a l o w v o i c et he fo l l o w i n gsu p p l i ca tion: ''ALLAHTJ AKBAR KABIIRAA, WALHAMDIJLILLAH KATHIRAA, WA SUBH A N N A - L L A H I B U K R A T A N W A ASILAA. WAS SALLALAHU'ALAA 'ALAA ALIHI WA MUHAMMADIN WA SALLAMA TASLIMMAN KATHIIRAA.'' w h i c h m e a n s"Allah is great, allthanks and praises are due to Allah, Glory be to Allah, and may 139

Allah blessHis messenger and grant him salvation." No t e : Be s i d esth e a b o vesu p p l i ca ti on the person may recite any other re c o mm e n d e dsu p p il ca ti o n s. e ). A f t e r c o m p l e ti n gth e re ci ta ti o n so f the words of greatness which total up to s e v e n , t h e l ma m w o u l d th e n se e k the protection of "Allah 6Wfy' yo^ the cursed satan in a low voice by saying ..AUZU BILLAHI MINAL SHAYTANI RAJllM". He would thereafter silently invoke Allah's name by saying: '' BISM ILLAH I -R-RAHMA NI -R- RAHllM" and then recite "AL-FAT\HAH" (t h eo p e n i n gc h a p te ro f th e H o l yOu r.an)in a lo u dv o i c e .T h e fo l l o w e rs(co n g re g ation) wo u l d t h e n s a y " A me e n " to g e th e rl o udly a f t e rt h e l m a m co mp l e te sre ci ti n gth e ,.Al Fa t i h a h ".E a c hfo l l o w e rw o u l dth e n re cite " A l - F a t i h a h "si l e n tl y.l t i s re co mme nded 140

that the lmamthereafterrecitesthe whole of c h a p t e r 8 7 o f th e H o l y Ou r'a n i .e. "SABIHISMA" Glorified be the name of thy Lord, the Most high). The followers a re r e q u i r e d t o l i ste n to th e l ma m' s re c ita t i o n . f ). T h e l m a m t h e n ra i se sh i s h a n d s u pto t h e l e v e l o f h i s sh o u l d e rso r e a rs a nd performs "Rukuu "saYing "ALLAHU AKBAR".Thereafterhe raiseshis headup f ro m b o w i n g s a yi n g " S A MI'A A L L A HU LIMAN HAMlDA" followed bY the congregation saYing "RABBANNA WA L A K A L H AMD " . T h e l ma m a n d the congregation thereafter proceed to prostration saying "ALLAHUAKBAR". th e l ma m w o uld g ).Af t e rt h e p r ostra ti o n s, res u m e t h e s ta n d i n g p o si ti o n fo r the s eco n d r a k a a t a n d th e co n g re g a tion w o u l df o l l o wh i m u p a c c o r d i n g l Y . h ). T h e r e a f t e r, th e l ma m w o u l d say "ALLAHU AKBAR" for 5 times and t h e t4 l

congregationwould performlikewise,and would recite the private supplication between each "Takbiiratil lhraam" as alreadydiscussedin point 4 above. i ). Then,the lmam recites"AL-FAT\HAH', and for this secondrakaat it is preferred that he thereafter recites the whole of chapter 88 of the Holy Our'an i.e. .'AtGhasiya", (The Disaster) and the congregationwould listen attentively. j ). Thereafter,the lmam completesthe Ru k u u( b o w i n g )a n d S u j u u d(p ro stration) pos i t i o n si n t h e ma n n e ra l re a d yd i scu ssed and sits back for the words of witness "At-Tashahud". Then, the lmam concludesthe prayer with the words of peace i.e. "ASSALAMU ALEYKUM WA RAHMATULLAA" and of course, the enti r e c o n g r e g a ti o nw o u l d fo l l o w the lm a m i n a l l t h e sea ctsa s i s th e cu sto min a ll p r a y e r s .

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k ).After concludingthe praYer,the lmam wo u l d c l i m b t he p u l p i t to d e l i ve r the 'Festival Sermon', and starts the same wit h n i n e r e c i ta ti o n s o f " A L L A HU AKBAR" with the congregationsaying after him the same.After listeningto the s e r m o n , t h e c o n g r e g a t i o nd i s p e r s e s . Listeningto the sermon is not obligatory but is r e c o m m e n d e d . Not e :W h e n g o i n g h o me a fte rth e p ra yer , it is a recommended practice to use another route different from the route u s e d i n c o m i n g to th e mo sq u e /p l a ceof p ra y e r . 2.

'I D U LAD H A P R A Y E R

"IDUL ADHA", (Feast of lmmolation) prayeris performedon the 1Othdayof the 1 2 t h m o n t h o f lsl a mi c " H i j ra " C a l e n dar and i s p e r f o r m e de xa ctl y i n th e sa me m a n n e r a s e n u me ra te da n d d i scu ssed ' l du l F i tr P ra ye r. abov ef o r t h e

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S A L A T U L - t S T t S O U A( R A t N S E E K T N G PRAY E R ) Dro u g h ti s a n atu ra lca l a mi tyw h i chw hen it b e f a l l s c a u s e s u n d u e h a rd sh i p sand dis a s t e rt o a l l l i vi n g ma tte r.l t i s fo r this re a s o n t, h a t t h e P ro p h e (P ) d eit a t B U Hma custom on the Ummah to resort to this prayerwheneveraffectedby this calamity and seek the mercy and grace of Ailah (SWT)toshower on them His bounty of rain. T h is p r a y e ri s p e rfo rme dsi mi l a rto th e ' ld (F e a s t )p r a y e r si n a l l re sp e cts.l t ma y be perfo r m e da n yti me d u ri n g th e d a yl ight exceptthosetimeswhen the performance of v o l u n t a r yp r a ye rsi s p ro h i b i te dMu . slim s c h o l a r sa r e l a rg e l yo f th e o p i n i o nth a t the bestt i m e f o r i t s p e rfo rma n cei s th e sa m e t ime f o r t h e p e r fo rma n ce o f th e 'l d p ra yer s i. e . a f t e r a b o u ttw e n ty (2 O)mi n u te sfrom c l e a rs u n r i s e . t44

In the sermonat the end of the prayer,the lmam (leader) will exhort the congregationof the need to repent and return to Allah (SWT)pointing outthatthe lack of rain is the result of the sins of mankind. The lmam would thereafter raise his hands in prayer and the congregation would also do the same. lt is confirmed that the Prophet (PBUH)used to raise his hands in prayer until his armpits appeared. While in this situation, the lmam and the congregation are required to invokeAllah (SWf)as much as possible and c a l l u p o n H i m fo r fo rg i ve n e ssa n d to showeron them His bounties.Allah(SWf) s ay s in t h e H o l y Ou r'a n : "...ask forgivenessfrom your Lord, for He is Oft-forgiving, He will send rain to you in abundance".(Q.ur'an71 :1O-1 1) 145

Note: lt i s d e s i r a b l eth a t th e h e a do f th e Muslim state or his representativegives prior n o t i c e t o t h e Mu sl i m co mmu n i tyof the need to perform "Salatul-lstisqua"at a c e r t a i n f u t u r e d a te . T h i s i s to e n a bleas large a congregationas is possible to attend the prayer. PR A Y E R(S aI a tu l - K u so of) E C L I PS E Th e e c l i p s eo f th e S u n a n d th e Mo on ar e t w o n a t u r a l p h e n o me n a w h i ch , when t h e y o c c u r , ca u se d i sma y a n d u n restto t h o s ew h o w itn e ssth e m. F o rth i s re ason, it i s t h e t r a di ti o n i n l sl a m to p e rfor m a s p e c i a l p r a ye r w h e n th e se p h e n o m ena o c c u r r e q u e sti n gA l l a h , th e A l mi g hty,to b l e s s t h e M u s l i m N a t i o n ( U m m a h )b y c l e a r i n gt h e e cl i p se T . h e P ro p h e t(PBUH) says:

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"The sun and the moon are two of the signs of "Allah (SWff' and are not eclipsedfor the death or livelihoodof any person.Therefore,when you witness the eclipse of the sun and moon resort to prayer." (Reportedby lmam Bukhari) This prayer is composedof two rakaats w h ic h a r e p e r f o r m e di n co n g re g a ti o an n d for wh i c h n e i t h e ra fi rst ca l l (A d h a n n ) ora ( l q a ma h ) i s re q u i re d . l t i s s ec on d c a l l p e rf o r m e di n t h e fo l l o w i n gma n n e r: 1 . After reciting "AL-Fatihah". the lmam would recitea long passagefrom the Holy O u r'a n w i t h t h e co n g re g a ti o nl i ste n i ng attentivelyto the recitation. 2 . Up o n c o m p l e ti n gth e re ci ta ti o n ,th e lm a m co m e su p wi th th e b o w i n g" R u ku u " p os it i o na n d a s u su a l , th e co n g re g a ti on wo u ld f o l l o w h i m a cco rd i n g l y.

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3. The lmam thereafter,raisesup f rom the " R u k u u ", b u t i n ste a do f co n ti n u i n gon to the prostration "Sujuud" position, he once again resumes the recitation of some passagesfrom the Holy Our'an. 4. After the above recitation,the lmam c o m e s u p w i th a n o th e r" R u ku u " . 5 . T h e l m a m th e n , ra i se s u p fro m the Rukuu position and proceeds to p r o s t r a t i o n"S u j u u d " . 6 . T h e l m a m h a sth u s,co mp l e te dth e fir st ra k a a t a , n d f ro m th e 'S u j u u d "p o si tion,he w o u l d r e s u me th e sta n d i n gp o si tionto b e g i nt h e s e co n dra ka a tw h i ch w o uld be performedexactlyas the first rakaatin the ma n n e rd e s cri b e da b o ve . 7 . U p o nr a i s i n gth e h e a dfro m th e second prostrationof the secondrakaat,the lmam w o u l d s i t f o r " A t-T a sh a h u d "a n d would 148

t h e n c o n c l u d et h e p ra ye r a s u su a l w i th " T a s l e e m ". No t e :U p o nc o m pl e ti n gth e e cl i p sep ra yer a s dis c u s s e di,t i s re co mme n d e d th a t th e lm a m d e l i v e r sa bri e fse rmo ni n w h i ch h e speaksof the lessonsto be learnedfrom t he m a n i f e s t a t io n so f th e e cl i fi se . H e draws t h e a t t e n ti o no f th e u n mi n d fu lto the greatnessof "Allah 6WD'. and that He possessesunrestrictedpowerto act in any wa y H e w i s h e sw i th H i s cre a ti o n s. T H EW I T R( O D DN U M B E RP ) RAYER T h e " W i t r " ( O d d N u mb e r p ra ye r) i s a volu n t a r yp r a y e rt ra d i ti o n a l l p y ra cti ce db y t h e P r o p h e (t P B U Hr)e g u l a r l yw h e t h e rh e w as p r e s e n t a t h i s h o me p l a ce a s a res id e n t ,o r w a s on a j o u rn e y.S u ch w a s t he imp o r t a n c ea t ta ch e dto th i s p ra ye rb y t h e P r o p h e t( P B U H )t,h a t s o m e M u s l i m j u r i s t sa n d s c h o l a r sa r eo f t h e o p i n i o nt h a t i t is a n e c e s s a ryp ra ye r. T h e p ro p h et r49

( P B U H )e x h o r t i n gt h e U m m a h ( M u s l i m Na t i o n ) t o t he i mp o rta n ceo f th e W itr prayersays: "Attah 6WD /s One and loves Witr' therefore O! people who believe in the Aur'an perform Witr prayers"' (Reported b y l m a m sD a w o u da n d T i r m i d h i ) Th e t i m e f o r th e Wi tr P ra ye rb e g i n sfr om t h e e n d o f l sh a (E ve n i n g )p ra ye r and c o n t i n u e su nti l th e F a j r(D a w n l p ra y erand is performed as the last prayer of the night. Preference is given to its p e r f o r m a n c ei n th e l a te rp a rt o f th e night a s c a n b e no te d fro m w h a t h a s been c o n f i r m e db y A i sh a(ma yA l l a h b e p l eased w i t h h e r )t h at: "The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer Witr prayers in all the later part of thenight such that his Witr praYers used to be finished by about dawn". (Reported by lmamBukhari) 150

T h e Pr o p h e t( p BU H )a l so sa i d : "Make the Witr prayer your last prayer of the night". (Reportedby lmam Bukhari) It is known as Witr (Odd Number)prayer because of its nature, in that, it is completed in units (rakaats) of odd n umbe r s ,t h u s , l , 3 , 5 , 7 , g , a n d I 1. T h e m i n i m u m n u m b e ro f r a k a a t si n t h e W i t r P ra y e ri s o n e a n dt h e ma xi mu mw h i chth e P ro p h e t ( P B U H ) u se d to p e rfo rm w a s e lev en . H owe v e r ,M u s l i m s l a rg e l y p e rfo rm th i s pra y e ri n t h r e e u n i ts(ra ka a ts) w h i ch ma y be per f o r m e di n ei th e r o f th e fo l l o w i n g two methods: a. T h e w o r s h i p p e r ma y p e rfo rm tw o r ak aats( s i m i l a rt o th e F a j rp ra ye r)a n d i n do in g so , m a y g o fo r th e sh o rt a n d /o r m e d ium p a s s a g eso f th e H o l y e u r,a n l5l

preferablychapter87 "SabihismaRabikal A ' A l a a - ( G lo ri fyth e n a me o f th e Lor d, Mo s t H i g h ) wh i ch ma yb e re ci te di n the f ir s t r a k a a t , w h i l e , ch a p te r 1 0 9 "AlKafiruun" (The non-believers) maybe re c i t e di n t h e se co n dra ka a t.A s u su al,the words of witness are recitedat the end of the two rakaatsfollowed by the Tasleem t o c o n c l u d eth e se fi rst tw o ra ka a ts.The p e r s o nt h e n sta n d su p to p e rfo rma thir d ra k a a to n i t s o w n . C h a p te r1 1 2 " A |-lklas" o f t h e H o l y Ou r'a n ma yb ere ci te di n this u n i t . l t i s th e p ra cti ce to re cite a supplicationof obedienceto Allah (SWf) k n o w n a s " A u n u u t" i n th i s l a st rakaat a n d i f a p e rso n w i sh e s to re ci te this s u p p l i c a t i o nh,e m a yd o s o u p o nr e s u m i n g s t a n d i n gf r o m t h e R u k u u p o s i t i o na n d aftersaying: ''SAMI'A ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDA" followed by "RABBANA WALAKAL HAMD'"

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T h e OU N U U Tg o e s a s fo l l o w s: .'ALLAHUMMA

AHDINII FIMAN 'AFEYTA, HADEYTA. WA'AFINII FIMAN WATAWALANII FIMAN TAWALEYTA, WABARIKLII FIMA A'DEYTA. WAAINII SHARA MAA OADHEYTA. FA INNAKA TAADII WALAA YUADAA ALEYK. INNAHU LAA YADDILU MAN WALEYTA WALAA YA'IZU MAN A'ADEYTA. TABARAKTARABBANA WA TA' AL EY T A"w. h i ch me a n s "O Lord. lead me to true faith with those You have guided, pardon me with those You have pardoned,protect me with those Youhaveprotected,blessfor me what You have given me, keep me safe from evils You have ordained. lt is You Who decrees and it is not decreed upon You, no one under Your care is brought down and no one to whom You show emnitY can be exalted, O Lord, You are the Most Praised, Most Sublime." 153

Or, the person may recite any of other s u p p f i c a t i o n so f o b e d i e n c e ( Q u n u u t ) wh i c h t h e Pr o p h e t(P B U H )u se dto say in his prayers. Up o n c o m p l eti n gth e re ci ta ti o no f this s u p p l i c a t i o no f o b e d i e n ce ,th e p er son woufd say "ALLAHU AKBAR" and then, proceedto prostration,thereafter,sits up for the recitation oI (At-Tashahud) and c o n c l u d e st h e p ra ye r a s u su a l w i th the (Tasleem).And thus, is the Witr Prayer done. b. Alternatively,the person may perform t h e W i t r p r a ye r b y p ra yi n ga l l th e thr ee ra k a a t sc o n t in u o u sl yw i th o u t b re a k.After ru k u u i n t h e th i rd ra ka a t, th e p er son wo u l d r e c i t eth e Ou n u u t su p p l i ca tionas discussedaboveand would then proceed to prostration,then recitesAt-Tashahud a n d c o n c l u de s th e p ra ye r w i th the Tasleem. 154

TARAWIHPRAYER T he ls l a m i cF a s t in gMo n th o f R a ma d a ni s a ble s s e dm o n t h i n w h i ch Mu sl i ms a re generally exhorted to come up with as m a n y o p t i o n a la c ti vi ti e sa s i s p o ssi b l efo r great rewards are awarded for deeds perf or m e dd u r i n gth i s h o l y mo n th .l t i s i n a ppre c i a t i o no f th i s th a t th e P ro p h et (PB UH ) t r a d i t i o na l i ze dfo r th e Mu sl i m Um m a h a v o l u n ta ry p ra ye r to b e p e rf o r m e dd u r i n g th e n i g h ts o f th i s h o l y mo n t h .T h i s v o l u nta ryp ra ye ri s kn o w na s "Tarawih" or " O.iyaam". The virtue of this prayercan be notedfrom t he f o l l o w i n g s ayi n g o f th e P ro p h et (PBUH): "Anybody who performs Tarawih prayer d u ring t h e m o n t h o f R a ma d a nw i th d e e p s e n s eo f b e l i e fa n d scru ti n yw i l l h a veh i s p re v io u s s i n s f o rg i ve n " . (R e p o rte db y lmamBukhari) 155

I n d e e d ,t h e Pro p h e t(P B U H )ma n i fested the importance of this prayer by personally leading its initial c o n g r e g a t i o ns a l th o u g hh e d i d n o t i nsist on its performancefor fear it was made obfigatoryon the Ummah. The mother of t h e f a i t h f u l A i sh a (ma y A l l a h b e p l e ased with her) says: "Many people performed Tarawih with t he P r o p h e t( PB U H )i n th e fi rst n i g h t and m a n y m o r e i n th e se co n d n i g h t. In the t hi r d n i g h t , eve n a l a rg e r co n g re gation attended the Mosque to perform the pra y e rw i t h t h e P ro p h e (P t B U H )b uht e did n o t g o o u t f o r th e m. l n th e n e xt mo r ning ) l d th e m th a t 'l saw t he Pr o p h e t( PB U H to y o u r a s s e m b lyb u t n o th i n gp ro h i b i tedm e f ro m c o m i n g ou t to yo u e xce p tth e fear t ha t i t b e m a d e o b l i g a to ryu p o n y ou' ".(Reported b y l ma m A t-T i rmi d h i ). Af te r t h e d e a th o f th e P ro p h e t(P BUH) t h e r ew a s n o l o n g e ra n yfe a ro f th i s p rayer 156

being made obligatoryand it was Caliph Um a r w h o d u r i n g h i s re i g n re -a cti vi te d th e pe r f o r m a n c e o f th i s p ra ye r i n congregation.Sincethen, the Ummahhas practicedthis prayerin congregationbut it is permissiblefor someoneto perform it o n ind i v i d u a l b a si s, a l th o u g h mu ch preferenceis given to performingit with the congregationas can be notedfrom the following saying of the Prophet(pBUH): "Whoever prays Tarawih with the co n g re g a t i o n t i l l t he l ma m l e a ve sw i l l b e rewarded as if he prayed the whole n ight " . ( R e p o r t e dby l ma ms A h ma d a n d Tirmidhi) This prayeris performedin rakaats(units) of two each exceptthe lastrakaatwhich is always prayed oddly as one. lt is confirmedthat the Prophet(PBUH)usedto perform eleven rakaats when praying Tarawih.

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SA L AT U L . I S S T IK H A R A(P R A Y E R TO SE E KAL L A H 'SGU ID A N C E ) I t i s n a t u r a lt h a t i n h i s d a y-to -d a a y ffair sa m u s l i m i s co n fro n te d w i th i mp or tant is s u e s r g q u i ri n g d e ci si o n ma ki n g and which mpy force the person to undergo m u c h t h l n k i ng , a n xi e ty a n d e ve n wor r y before the person is able to decide affirmativelyor negatively.lt is with due regardto such situationsthat the Prophet (P BU H ) a c cu sto me d fo r th e Muslim Ummah a voluntary prayer to which a person may resortto and through which he,/she seeks from Allah (SWf) true g u i d a n c e a n d th e a b i l i ty to re a ch the properdecisionoverthe particularmatter. T h i s p r a y e r i s kn o w n i n A ra b ic as SALATUL-ISSTIKHARA and its im p o r t a n c e is su ch th a t th e P rophet (P BU H ) u s e d to te a ch h i s co mp anions about it the same way he used to teach them the verses of the Holy Our'an. The 158

c o m p a n i o nJ a b i r (ma y A l l a h b e p l e a se d w it h h i m ) s a i d t h a t th e P ro p h e t(P B U H) used to exhort us to practicelsstikhara lor a ll our a f f a i r s . The manner of performingthis prayer is that the personcomesup with a voluntary prayer of two rakaats(units) at anytime durin g t h e d a y o r n i g h t a n d u p o n c omple t i n gt h e s a m eth e p e rso nre ci te sa p riv at e s u p p l i c a ti o ni n w h i ch h e ,/sh e seeks the guidance of Allah (SWT).The s u p p lic a t i o ng o e s as fo l l o w s : ,'ALLAHUMMA

INNI ASTAKHYIRUKA BI 'I L M I KA W A A S T A A D IR U K A B I AU DRA T I KA W A A S -A L U K A M IN FADHLIKA-AL-AZIM, FA INNAKA TAAARU WALAA AAARU WATA'LAMU WALAA A'LAMU. WA ANTA'ALLAMULAUYYUB. ALLAHUUMA IN KUNTA TA'LAMU ANNA HADHAL-AMRA (Here the person makes a mention of the matter for which guidance is sought) KHEIRUN LEE FII DINII WAMA'AASHII WA'AAAI159

BATA AMRII FAADURHU LII, WA YASSIR-HU LII THUMMA BAARIK LII FIIHI. WAIN KUNTA TA' LAMU ANNA HADHAL-AMRA (Also at this point the person makes a mention of the matter for which guidance is sought)SHARRUN LEE FII DINII WA MA'AASHII WA'AAABATA 'ANNII WASRIFNII AMRII, FASRIFHU .ANHU WAQDUR LEE AL-KHEYRA HEYTHU KANA THUMMA ARDHINII BtHil" W h i c h m e a ns: "O Lord. I seek Your guidance, through Your knowledge and power; and I ask You of Yourgreat bounties; for Youdecreeand I do not decree; and You know and I know not; You are the knower of invisible. O Lord, if You know that this matter (and here the person sfates the matter for which guidance is sought) is of benefit to me in my religion, in my livelihood and in its outcome, decide it for me and make it 160

easy for me and then blessitfor me. And if You know that this matter (and here he names it again) is bad for me in my religion, in my livelihood, and in its outcome, turn it from me and divert me from it and decreegood for me wherever it may be and make me pleased with it". Having seekedAllah's guidance as above, the person then resumes his/her routine affairs and in the meantime awaiting the due response from Allah 6Wn which c o u ld a p p e a r t o th e p e rso n b y w a y o f f eelin g s i n t h e p e rso n 'sh e a rt o f e i th er c onf id e n c eo r o t h e rw i seT. h u s,w h e reth e pers o nf e e l s i n hi s,/h e rh e a rt a se n seof vig u o r , o p t i m i s m a n d sa ti sfa cti o na b o ut the in t e n d e du n d e rta ki n gth , e n th e p e rson may construethis as a positiveresponse from Allah (SWD and may accordingly proceed on with the intended undertaking. Where,however, the oppositeis true and the person'sdoubts, and/ o r w o r r i e sa re n o t cl e a re d th , e n th e 161

person may avoid the intended un d e r t a k i n gf or i t co u l d me a n d o o m for him,/her. Allah (SWf) says: "....lt is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not". (Aur'an 2:216) indeed, the essenceof tnis prayer is to test someone's trust in Allah (SWf) , hence, the needto abideby the guidanceof Allah 6W f ) a c c o r d i n g l Yw h e th e r th i s may mean pursuing or abandoning the intended undertaking.Allah (SWT) also says: "....And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is Allah for him, for Allah surely accomplishes His purpase: Verily, for all things has Allah aPPointed a due proportion". (Our'an 65 :3) t62

SALATUL-JANMA(FUNERALPRAYER) lslam has set certain rules and regulationswith regardto attendingto a deceasedpersonand some of these rules are as follows: 1. ln most cases, death is precededby s ic k n e s sa n d i t i s th e d u ty o f th e Mu sti m s who happen to know the sick person to pay h i m a v i s i t a n d ma kesu p p l i ca ti o nto s (SWT)tor Allah his recovery.Indeed,a sick Mus li m h a s a r i g h t to b e vi si te db y o th er M u s li m sw h o a r e a cq u i a n te dw i th h i m. 2 . l t a n dw h e n a M u s l i mi s a b o u t o d i e ,i t is the practicethat the personis directed to the Qiblah (the sacred mosque in Ma k k a )a f t e r w h i ch th e " sh a h a d a ',,(th e words of witness) is proclaimedover the pers o n a n d h e , /sh e i s a l so u rg e d to p r o c l a i mt h e s a m e .T h u s , :

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,'LAA ILAAHA ILLAL LAAH".WhiCh me a n s : "There is no god but Allah". T h i s i s i n d u e re g a rd to th e fo l l o wing s a y i n go f t h e Pro p h e t(P B U H ): "Exhort your dying ones to affirm the by lmam Muslim) Shahada".(Reported 3. Where the persondies,the eyesare to be closed, body covered with garments a n d t h e p e o p lea ro u n dh i m a re re q u i redto avoidtalkingof anythingelse,exceptthat wh i c h i s g o o d ,su cha s sa yi n gfo r e xa m ple - "O Allah forgive him and have mercY on him." This /s in accordance with the following saying of the Prophet (PBUH| "Do not say over your dead ones except s u p p l i c a t i o nfo s r th e a n g e l ssa y" A meen" on y o u r s u pp l i ca ti o n s" .{R e p o rted by lmamMuslim) t64

4. I n l s l a ma M u s l i m i s re sp e cte w d h e th er a liv e o r d e a d ,a n d th e re fo re ,i a f Mu sl i m d ies, t h e r e l i g i o nco mma n d su s to g i vethe ) n dto p e rfu me b o d yt o t a la b l u t i o n(Gh u sl a it properly. 5 . A d e c e a s e dm a l eMu sl i mi s g i ve na b a th only b y o t h e r ma l e Mu sl i ms, a l th o u gh, nothingforbidshis wife from givinghim a b a t h . L i k e w i s e, a d e ce a se d Mu sl i m wo m a n i s g i v e n a b a th o n l y b y o th er M u s l i mw o m e n ,al th o u g h n, o th i n gfo rb i ds a h u s b a n d f r o m g i vi n g a b a th to h is deceasedwife. 6 . T h e d e c e a s e dsh o u l db e w ra p p e di n a s hrou d .l f t h e d ece a se di s a w o ma n , she s hou l db e w r a p pe di n a sh ro u dco mp o sing of f ive p i e c e so f wh i te g a rme n ts,w h i l e , a dec e a s e dm a l e s h o u l db e sh ro u d e dw i th t h re e p i e c e so f w h i te g a rme n ts. 165

7 . l f a w o m a n d i e s w h e re th e re a re no other women nearby to undertake the ritualbath or if a man dies in a similar s it u a t i o nw h e re th e re a re n o o th e r men nearby,then, the deceasedpersonis only ) g ive n a d r y a b l u ti o n(A T -T a ya mmu mby rub b i n gt h e e a rth o ve r h i s,/h e rfa ce and han d s ,b e c a u sei n su ch ca se s,co mplete b a t h i s i m p o s si b l eP. ro p e rfu n e ra lp rayer is then performedover the deceasedand thereafterburied accordingly. 8. T h e f u n e ra l p ra ye r i s a co l l e ctive obl i g a t i o no n t h e re si d e n tso f a p a rti cular area. This is known as "FARDH-ALKIFAYA" in Arabic and if no one comes out to perform the prayeron a deceased Muslim of that community, the c o m m u n i t ya s a w h o l e i s d e e me dsi n ful in the sight of Allah 6Wf), but, if it is performed by some of the people,then, t h e r e s t o f t h e co mmu n i tya re a b so l vedof the sin. 166

9. Women are not supposedto follow the funeral processionas can be noted from the following confirmationby Umm Atiya (mayAl l a h b e p le a sew i th h e r)w h o sa id: "We

were forbidden by the Praphet {PBUH) without enforcement to follow funeral processions".(Reportedby lmam Bukhari) HOW THE FUNERAL PRAYER IS PERFORMED The prayer over the deceased person t ak est h e f o l l o wi n gfo rm. 1. T h e f u n e r a lp r a ye rh a s n e i th e rA d h a an nor lqamair. 2. T h e d e c e a s e di s l a i d d o w n o n the grou n d w i t h t n e h e a d d i re cte dto w a rds the Ka'ba.

t67

3. Where the deceased is a male, the lmam would stand facing towards the middle part of the dead body,while, if the d e c e a s e di s a w o ma n th e l ma m w ould standfacingtowardsthe headof the dead body.Meanwhile,the congregationwould b e st a n d i n gb eh i n dh i m i n ro w s. 4. The funeral prayer is performedwith o n e s t a n d i n gon l y a n d h a s n e i th e rb ows (Ru k u u s )n o r p ro stra ti o n s(S u j u u d s). 5 . .T h e l m a m be g i n sth e p ra ye rb y ra i sing u p h i s h a n d su p toth e l o b e so f h i s e a rsand comes up with the words of greatnessi.e. "Allahu Akbar". The congregationwould f o ll o w l i k w i s e 6 . T h e n , e v e r yb o d yi n cl u d i n gth e l mam woufd recite "Al-Fatihah". 7. After completingthe recitationof the A l- F a t i h a h t, h e l ma m, o n ce a g a i n co mes up with the words of greatness i.e. "ALLAHUAKBAR", and the congregation 168

would follow likewise. After this, the lmam a n d t h e c on g re g a ti o n w o u l d re cite for themselves in a low voice the supplicationfor the ProphetsABRAHAM a n d M U H AM MA D , (ma y p e a ce a nd b less i n g sb e u p o nth e m),w h i ch i s u su ally re c ite db y t h e M u sl i msd u ri n g th e i r d aily prayers in the second part of the AtT a s h a h u d . T h e su p p l i ca ti o n g o e s as f ollo w s : 'ALAA ALLAHUMMA SALLI MUHAMMADIN WA'ALAA AALI 'ALAA MUHAMMADIN KAMA SALEYTA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALAA AALI IBRAHIMA, WABARIK 'ALAA MUHAMMADIN WA 'ALAA AALI MUHAMMADIN. KAMAA BARAKTA 'ALAA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALAA AALI IBRAHIMA INNAKA HA'MIDUN MAJIDUN". which means: "O Lord give peace and blessings to Muhammad and his family like You blessed Abraham and his family and 169

shower Your blessings on Muhammad and his family like You showered on Abraham and his family in the two worlds. You are the Most praised, the Most wonderful." 8 . T h e l m a m wo u l d th e re a fte rp ro claim the words of greatness i.e. "ALLAHU A KB A R " f o r th e th i rd ti me a n d the wo u l d fo l l o w l i ke w i se . congregation 9 . T h e l m a ma n dth e o th e rme mb e rso f the c o n g r e g a t i o nw o u l d th e re a i trr ry,a kethe f ollo w i n g p r i v a te su p p l i ca ti o nfo r the d e c e a s e d i f h e w e re a n a d u l t male M u s l i m . T h e s u p p l i c a t i o nc o n s i s t s o f prayer for self, for the deceasedperson and f o r t h e M u s l i msa t l a rg ea n d i t g o e sas follows: ''ALLAHUMMA IQ'FIR LIH'AYINNA MAYITINAA, WA SHAHIDDINAA AAA'IBINAA. WA SAAIIRINAA. KABIIRINA. WA DHAKARINAA 170

WA WA WA WA

UNTHANAA. ALLAHUMMA MAN AHYEYTAHU MINNAA FA'HYIHI 'ALAL ISLAM, WAMAN T,+WAFEYTUHUMINA FATAWWAFAH U'ALAL IIMAAN. ALLAHUMMA IA'FIR LAHU WAR. HAMHU, WA'AFIHI WA'AFU 'ANHU. WAKRIM NUZULAHU. WA-WA-SI'I M UDKHA LAH U, WAAA SILH U BIL -MAA -I WATHALAJI, WALBARAD, WANNAAHI MI NA - D - D U N U B I K A MA Y U N A AA THOUBUL ABYADHU MINA DANAS, WABADIL.HU DAARAN KHEIRAN MIN DAARIHL WAZOWJAN KHEIRAN MIN ZOWJ IHI,WAD. KHILH U JA NNATA. WA 'A I D H U M I N 'A D A B IL -A A B R I WA 'ADHAEI-NAAR, WAAFSAH LAHU FII AABRIHI, WANAWAR LAHU FIIHI.'' which means: "O Allah forgive those of us who are still alive and those who have passed away, those present (at the congregation) and those who are absent, and our young and t7 l

the elderly, our male and female lots. O Allah, whomever Thou wishest to keep alive from amongst us make him live according to lslam and whomever Thou wishest to die from amongst us, let him die in the state of being a believer (with faith). O Allah forgive him and have mercy upon him and keep him safe and sound and excuse him for his faults, and grant him respectable place in the heaven, and make his grave spacious, and wash him with water, snow and ice and purify him of all his sins like a piece of white cloth is cleared from dirt, and grant him a new house better than his (previous)house and a family better than his (previous) family and a wife better than his (previous) wife, and allow him to enter the paradise, and protect him from the torture of the grave and the hell-fire."

172

1 0 . lf t h e d e c e a se di s a n a d u l t w o ma n, t h e n t h e a b o ve su p p l i ca ti o nsh a l l be repe a t e di n f u l l an d th e o n l y ch a n g ew ill b e t h a t t h e s u p p l i ca ti o nsh a l l b e g i ve n a f emin i n er e a d i n gi n th e A ra b i c l a n g u a ge. Thus: ''ALLAHUMMA

rcFIR LIHAYINNA WA MAYITINAA, WA SHAHIDDINAA WA AAAIBINAA. WA SAAIIRINAA, WA KABIIRINA. WA DHAKARINAA WA UNTHANAA, ALLAHUMMA MAN AHYEYTAHU MINNA FAHYIHI ALAL ISLAMI. WAMAN TAWAFEYTUHUMINA FATAWWAFAHU ALAL IIMAAN. ALLAHUMMA IAFN LAHA WAR-HAMHA WA'AFIHA WA'AFU ANHA WA'AKRIM NUZULAHA, WA-WA.SI'I MUDK HA L AH A , W AA A S IL H A B IL -MA A' I WATHALAJ I WALBARADI.WANNAAI HA MINA-D-DUNUBI KAMA YUNAAA THOUBUL ABYADHU MINA DANAS. WABADILAHA DAARAN KHEIRAN MIN t73

DAARIHA. WAZOWJAN KHEIRAN MIN ZOWJIHA, WAD-KHILHAJANNATA, WAAIDHA MIN-ADABIL.AABRI WA ADHABI-NAAR. WAAFSAH LAHA FII AABRIHA, WANAWAR LAHA FIIHI," which means: "O Allah forgive those of us who are still alive and those who have passed away, those present (at this congregation) and those who are absent, and our young and our elderly, our male and famale lots. O Allah, whomever Thou wishes to keep alive from amongst us make him live according to lslam and whomever Thou wishest to die from amongst us, let him die in the state of being a believer (with faith). O Allah forgive her and have mercy upon her and keep her safe and sound and excuse her for her faults, and grant her respectable place in the heaven, and make her grave spacious, and wash her 174

with water, snow and ice and purify her of all her sins as like a piece of white cloth is cleared from dirt, and grant her a new house better than her (previous) house and a family better than her (previous) family and a husband better than her (previous)husband, and allow her to enter the paradise, and protect her from the torture of the grave and the hell-fire." 1 1. l f t h e d e c ea se di s a b o y, th e n the f ollo w i n gs u p p l ica ti o nw o u l d b e re ci te d: ,'AI-LAHUMMA IJ'ALHU DHUKHRAN LIWALIDEYHIWA FARADAN WA AJRAN MUJAABAN ALLAHUMMA THAAIL BIHI MAWAASIINAHUMA WA-AZZIM EIHI UJUURAHUMA WA ALHIA-HU BISALIHI SALAFIL MU'MINIIN WAJALHU FI WAAIHI IBRAHIM KAFALAATI BI RAH M A T AK A 'A D H A B A L JA H IIM.' ' which means:

175

"O Allah, make him forerunner of his parents and make him a reward and a treasure for them, make him one who will pleads for his parents and accept his pleadings. O Allah heavy him in their scales and grant them big reward andjoin him with the good helievers and make him under the sponsorship of Abraham and protect him from the hell fire." 12 . l t t h e d e c e a se di s a g i rl ,th e n th e a bove s u p p l i c a t i o wo n u l d b e re p e a te di n fu l land t h e o n l y c h an g e w o u l d b e th a t the s u p p l i c a t i o nm u st b e g i ve n a fe mi nine r e a d i n gi n t h e A r a b i cl a n g u a g e . 1 3 . T h e l m a m w o u l d th e re a fte r,p ro c laim t he w o r d so f g r e a tn e ssfo r th e fo u rthtim e a n d t h e c o n gre g a ti o nw o u l d a l so say it a f t e r h i m . l m me d i a te l yth e re a fte r,the l m a m t u r n s h i s f a c eo n l yt o t h e r i g h ts i d e p ro c l a i m i n g th e w o rd s o f p e a ce i.e. ,,ASSALAMU ALAYKUM WA RAHMATULLAAH" to signify the t76

completion of the prayer. The congregation w o ul d a l so fo l l o w l i ke w i se, a n d t h u s ,t h e f u n era lp ra ye ri s co mp l e te d. Note: ( 1 ) l f a p e r s o nj o i n s t h e f u n e r a l p r a y e r wh ile t h e l m a m i s a b o u tto co mp l e teth e s a m e , t h e n , t h e p e rso nw o u l d co n ti n u e wit h th e c o n g r eg a ti o nu n ti l w h e n th e lm a m c o n c l u d e sth e p ra ye r, th e n , th e person would complete by himself whatever he missed of the prayer f ollow i n gt h e a b ovep ro ce d u re . (2 1lf a l a t e - c o m e rfe a rs th a t th e b o d yo f the deceasedmay be taken away before h e c o m p l e t e st h e p ra y o ve r h i m, th e n, s uc h a p e r s o nm a y o n l yco meu p w i th th e words of greatness i.e. "ALLAHU A KB AR " f o u r t i m e s w i th o u t n e ce ssa rily rec it in g t h e r e q u i re dsu p p l i ca ti o n s. The pers o n t h e r e a f t er,co me s u p w i th th e t77

words of peace, thereby, ending the prayer. (3 ) l f a p e r s o n i s u n a b l e to p ra y over a deceasedpersonbefore burial,then, it is permitted for him to pray over the deceased'sgrave. {4) lf a personwho is far away istold of the death of another,then such a personmay pray overthe deceasedpersonin absentia with the intentionas thoughthe deceased is actuaffy before him/her. (5 ) F u n e r a lp ra ye r i s a l so re co mmended over a baby born dead after completing f o u r m o n t h s i n si d eth e mo th e r'swomb. However, no funeral prayer is required over a baby born dead beforecompleting f o u r m o n t h s i n si d eth e mo th e r'sw omb.

178

A SUMMARYOF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PRAYERS We shall now summarise the most common different typesof prayerwhich a muslim will get exposedto in his day to day life. A, The Obfigatory Prayers (Al Faraidh). These are the Five Daily Prayers as follows: (l ) (2) (3) (4) (5)

The Fajr (Dawn) Prayer The Dhuhr (Noon) Prayer The Asr (Afternoon) Prayer The Maghrib (Sunset) Prayer The lsha (Evening) Prayer

B. The necessary (Wajib) Friday congregationalprayer.. C. Other confirmed Prayers.Thus: t79

Traditonal

(l ) The Prayers of the Two Feasts(the ldul Fitr and ldul Adha). (2) The Prayer for seeking bounty ol rain from Allah. (3) The Prayer during the Eclipse of the Sun and Moon. D. The twelve (l2) definite voluntary prayers performed before and/ or after the obligatory prayers. E. The Witr (Odd Number) PraYer. F. The Tarawih (Month supererogatorY)PraYers.

of fasting

G. The prayer for seeking Allah's guidance. H, The Funeral Prayer.

180

CONTENTS Page PREFACETO TIIE BOOK

I - VI

AS-SALAAT Introduction The Virtuesof the Prayer

1 1 3

5 WUDHU (ABLUTTON)............ Conditionsfor the Performanceof Wudhu 6 Essential Actsof Wudhu ......... 7 VoluntaryActs of Wudhu 8 How theWudhuis performed............ 8 11 ImportantPointson Wudhu 15 Wiping Overthe Socks How Wiping Overthe Socksis Done. t 6 WhentheWipingPrivilegeCeases.".. 1 6 MatterswhichInvalidatetheWudhu.. t 7 GHUSL (TOTAL BATH) Occasions whenGhuslis Required as an obligatory Act Occasionsfor which Ghusl is preferred

l8r

T9 19

Page

Essential Requirements of Ghusl...... 22 Performed How Ghuslis ...................22 Acts Forbiddento Personswho are requiredto PerformGhusl 25 MENSTRUATION (HAIDH)

POST.CHILDBIRTHBLEEDING (NTFAS) 26 Acts Forbiddento WomenExperiencing Menstruation andPost-Childbirth Bleeding 27 AT-TAYAMMUM (ABLUTION usrNc THE EARTT{)......... Instances whenAt-Tayammumis Permitted The Earth(Soil)to be usedfor

28 29

At-Tavammaum 31 How to PerformAt-Tayammum............31 Matters which Nullify At-Tayammum .. 32 THE TIMINGS OF THE OBLIGATORY PRAYERS 33

t82

Pages Page ADHAAN (CALL TO PRAYER) ....... 36 The Virtuesof Adhaan ............. 36 How the Adhaanis performed............ 3 8 What SomeoneSupplicatesUpon Hearing the Adhaan 40 The Supplicationafter the Adhaan ....... 4 l IQAMAH (SecondCall to Pra..............42 Notes (RegardingAdhaan andlqamah.. 43 PERFORMANCE OF THE SALAAT .. 45 Conditions for the Prayer (ShuruudSalaat) 45 Categoriesof the Acts of theSalaat...... 50 Pillars of the Salaat(Arkanu-Salaat)... 5 1 NecessaryDuties (Wajibatu-Salaat).. 54 PreferredActs of the Salaat (Sunnanu-Salaat) 56 How the Salaatis'performed ..............60 Performanceof Fajr the Prayer 61 Performanceof the Dhuhr Praver ..... 79 Performanceof the Asr Prayei 81 Performanceof the Maghrib Prayer.. 8 1 Performanceof the Isha Prayer ......... 84 FORGETzuLNES S PROSTRATIONS

(SUruUDSAHW)

183

Page Where"Sujuud VariousInstances 86 Apparent................... Sahw"Becomes PRTVATESUPPLICATIONSRECITED UPON COMPLETINGPRAYERS ...... 89 THINGS WHICH INVALIDATE THE PRAYER(MUBDILATU-SALAAT) ... 98 THINGS WHICH ARE NOT PRElOO FERREDIN TTM PRAYER ................. OTI#R IMPORTANT NOTESRE..........102 GARDINGPRAYER 109 CONGREGATIONALPRAYER 112 Prayer .. Purposeof the Congregational THE PRAYER OF A TRAVELLING PERSON(MUSAFIR)..............

116

PERFORMANCEOF THE PRAYER BY I2O ONE WHO IS SICK lZ2 VOLUNTARYPRAYERS................... Times WhenPerformanceof Voluntary L26 Prayersis Prohibited..............

184

Page JUMA'H PRAYER (FRIDAY CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER) The Performanceof the Juma'h Prayer

130

TI{E PRAYERS OF THE TWO FEASTS 'Idul-Fitr Prayer 'Idul-Adha Prayer

135 136 t42

r27

SALATUL-ISTISQUA (RAIhI SEEKrNG PRAYER) ........... 143 ECLIPSEPRAYER (SALATUL-KU-

sooF)

r45

THE WrTR (ODD NUMBER.) PRAYER

148

TARAWIH PRAYER

t54

SALATUL-IS STIKHARA (PRAYER TO SEEKALLAH'S GUIDANCE)..... t57

185

Pages SALATUL-JANAZA (FUNERAL PRAYER) 162 How the FuneralPrayeris Performed 166 A SUMMARY OF TIIE DIFFERENT TYPESOF PRAYERS........... 178

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