Apr 26, 2013

THE PROPHET’S MANNER OF PERFORMING PRAYERS (SALAALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALAM) - Part 2

By Melody

Part 1


Bismillah


8. Sujood (prostration)

  • Then prostrate saying “Allahu Akbar”, “Allah is Greater.” 
  • If possible, one should touch the ground with one’s knees before touching it with the hands. If not, it is permissible to touch the ground with the hands before the knees. 
  • The fingers and toes should be directed towards the qiblah (Makkah), and the hands should be stretched with the fingers close together and not separated. 
  • In prostration, these seven body parts should touch the ground: 
         -- the forehead
         -- the nose
         -- both hands
         -- both knees 
         -- the internal parts of the toes
  • Then the worshipper should say thrice or more:
((سبحان ربي الأعلى)) 
“Subhana Rabbiyal A’ala” 

Which means: "Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted."
  • It is advisable to say: 
سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك، اللهم اغفر لي
“Subhanaka Allahuma Rabbana wa bi hamdika, Allahuma Ighfir-liy.” 

This means: “Glory be to Thee, Our Lord, and I praise Thee. Our Lord, forgive me my sins.”
  • It is recommendable for the worshipper to exceed more and more in supplications and ask more from his Lord, because the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam) said: “As for bowing (ruku') you should glorify your Lord during performing it, as for prostration, you should do your best to supplicate and ask for more from Him, because your supplications during prostration are more worthy to be accepted.[iv]” 
  • The worshipper should ask his Lord for prosperity both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter.
  • Whether it is an obligatory prayer or an optional prayer, the worshipper, while prostrating, should neither bring his hands close to his sides, nor stick his abdomen to his thighs, or his thighs to his legs.
  • The worshipper’s arms should be raised up from the ground because the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam) prohibited putting the arms and stretching them on the ground. He ordered, “adjust your prostration, keep straight in it, and stretch not your hands on the ground as dogs do.[v]” 


9. Sitting after prostration 
  • The head should be raised from prostration, saying: “Allahu Akbar” 
  • The left foot should be flat on the ground and one should sit on it, keeping the right foot erected. 
  • The hands should be on the thighs and knees, and one should say: 


رب اغفر لي وارحمني واهدني وارزقني وعافني واجبرني 

Rabb ighfir-ly war-hamni wahdinee war-zuqni wa-‘afini waj-burni 

“O my Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me. Provide me with your blessings and console me.” 

  • The worshipper should feel tranquillity during this pause.


10. Sujood again 
  • Prostrate again saying “Allahu Akbar” and repeat during the prostration what was done and said in the first prostration. 


11. The pause for rest and standing up for the next rakah
  • Then the worshipper raises his head saying “Allahu Akbar”, taking a pause similar to the pause between the two prostrations; this is called “the pause for rest.” 
  • It is recommended for the worshipper to do such a pause, but there is no sin if he desists from it. 
  • Then the worshipper rises up and stands supporting on one’s knees, or on the ground if one cannot support oneself on the knees.  
  • Then the Fatihah (the opening Surah of the glorious Quran) is read and some other verses of the Quran; you do as per the first Rakaah (unit of prayer). 
  • Those who pray behind the Imam should not compete with him in the prayer actions as the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam) said: 
“The imam is to be followed, if he says: “Allahu akbar” then say the same after him. If he bows in ruku bow after him, If he says: “Samia-l-lahu liman hamidah” (which means “Allah hears him who praises Him”), then say: “Rabbana wa laka-l-hamd” (which means “Our Lord! All praises are for Thee”).[vi]” 



12. If it is a two rakaat prayer then: Tashahud plus salatul Ibrahimiyya and termination of the prayer
  • If the prayer consists of two Rakaat (two units of prayer) as the morning prayer “Fajr,” Feast prayer “Eid,” or the Friday prayer “Jumu’a,” the worshipper sits after the second prostration: 
o The right foot should be erect, whilst sitting on the left foot which is laid down.
o The right hand should be on the right thigh and the left hand is put on the left thigh.
o All the fingers should be close-fisted except the index finger, which is used to point out as a sign for one’s monotheistic belief.
o There is no harm if the worshipper keeps both the little and ring fingers closed, whilst rounding the thumb and middle finger in a ring-shape, and use the index finger to point out as a sign for the monotheistic belief.
o It has been related that the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam), had practiced both of these ways; thus, it is advisable for the worshipper to perform the first way once and the other on the second time.
  • The worshipper reads the Tashahud (the underlined portion) while sitting, followed by the Salatul Ibrahimiyya, by saying: 
التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات، السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله 
اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وآل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد، وبارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما باركت على إبراهيم وآل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد 

“Atahiyatu lilahi wasaalawatu wat-tayyibatu, Assalamu aluka ayuha-n-nabiyu wa rahmat-u-llahi wa barakatuhu. Assalamu alayina wa ala ibadi-l-lahi-s-salalihiyn - Ashadu an la ilaha ila lahu wa ashadu anna muhmmadam abdoho wa rasuwloh. 
Allahuma saliy ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhamad, Kama sallayata ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahim, Innaka Hameedon Majid. Wa barik ala Mohammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama barkta ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahima. Inaka Hamidon Majid.”

“Greetings, prayers and the good things of life belong to Allah. Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you, O Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.
O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family as You blessed Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most-Praised, The Most-glorious. O Allah, bestow Your grace on Muhammad and his family as You bestowed it on Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most praised, The Most-glorious.”
  • The worshipper can then ask Allah’s protection from four evils: 

اللهم إني أعوذ بك من عذاب جهنم ومن عذاب القبر ومن فتنة المحيا والممات ومن فتنة المسيح الدجال 

Allauma aoodhu bika min adhaabi jahannam, wa min adhaabil qabr wa min fitnatil mahya wal mamaat, wa min sharri fitnatil maseehul dajjal. 
My Lord, I ask your protection from: the torment of the Hell Fire, and from the torment of the grave and from the trials in life - both in this life and after death, and from the imposter Antichrist.

  • The worshipper may ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) for prosperity in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, and supplicate to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to bestow His favors on his parents and other Muslims. 
-- He could do this in both obligatory and optional prayers.
-- It has been reported by Ibn Masoud that the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam), taught him how to recite the Tashahud and told him that the worshipper should invoke Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala) and ask Him for the more beloved wishes which he likes[vii], or, as it has been related in other wordings, the worshipper should ask Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala) for whatever he wishes. In this manner, the servant can ask Allah (subhaanahu wa ta’ala) for all the prosperities of this worldly life and the life to come. 
  • The worshiper terminates his prayer by turning the face to the right first, then left saying this salutation at each turn: 
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
“As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatu allah” 
“Peace and blessings of Allah be on you.”  


13. In all other cases 
The following steps apply in the cases of a three rakat prayer (prayer consisting of three units), as that of Maghrib (evening) prayer, or a four rakat prayer as that of: 

-- Zuhr (noon) prayer
-- Asr (late afternoon) prayer
-- Isha (night) prayer;
  • The worshipper, after reciting the Tashahud (only; Salatul Ibrahimiyya is not recited at this point) according to the manner stated before, then raises the hands up to the level of his shoulders saying “Allaahu Akbar”. 
  • The hands are then put over the chest as it had been explained before and only the Fatiha is recited.
  • There is no objection, however, if some other verses of the Qur’an are recited after the Fatiha while performing the third or fourth rakaat of the Zuhur prayer, because this was stated to be one of the manners adopted by the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam), according to the tradition reported by Abi Saied. 
  • In the final rakaat i.e: 
         --The third rakaat of Maghrib prayer (evening prayer)
         --The fourth rakaat of Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon) and Isha (night) prayers

the worshipper recites the Tashahud and terminates his prayer by saying: “As-salaamu alai kum wa rahmatu allah” while turning first to the right, and second to the left as it has been explained before.



14. Supplication after prayer 
  • It is not an obligatory duty, but it is a recommendable prophetic tradition to invoke Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) after terminating the prayer. 
  • This is done by first asking Him forgiveness thrice (by saying: astaghfirullah) and saying thereafter: 
اللهم أنت السلام ومنك السلام تباركت يا ذا الجلال والإكرام، لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير، لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله، اللهم لا مانع لما أعطيت ولا معطي لما منعت ولا ينفع ذا الجد منك الجد، لا إله إلا الله ولا نعبد إلا إياه له النعمة وله الفضل وله الثناء الحسن، لا إله إلا الله مخلصين له الدين ولو كره الكافرون
Allaahumma ‘Antas-Salaamu wa minkas-salaamu, tabaarakta yaa Thal-Jalaali wal-‘Ikraam.
Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku, wa lahul-hamdu wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay ‘in Qadeer. Laa hawla wa laa quwwata ‘illaa billaahi, Allaahumma laa maani’a limaa ‘a’tayta, wa laa mu’tiya limaa mana’ta, wa laa yanfa’u thal-jaddi minkal-jadd. 
Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu, wa laa na’budu ‘illaa ‘iyyaahu, lahun-ni’matu wa lahul-fadhlu wa lahuth-thanaa’ul-hasanu, laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu mukhliseena lahud-deena wa law karihal-kaafiroon. 

“O Allah, You are Peace and from You comes peace. Blessed are You, O Owner of majesty and honour. There is no God but Allah, He is the One, He has no partner, His is the dominion and to Him alone is the praise, He has power over all things. O Lord, none may withhold what You have given and none may give what you have withheld and the riches cannot avail a wealthy person with Thee, There is no might or power except by the support of Allah. There is no God but Allah and we do not worship but Him alone, To Him alone belong all bounties, to Him alone belong all grace, and to Him belongs the most excellent of praise. There is no God but Allah, to Whom we are sincere in devotion, even though the unbelievers may detest it.”
  • It is also advisable for the worshipper to: 
         -- Extol Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) 33 times by saying “Subhana Allah”
         -- Praise Him by saying “Alhamdulillah” 33 times
         -- Saying “Allahu Akbar” 33 times
         -- The worshipper completes his supplication by saying once:

لا الله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير 
Laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu waHuwa ‘alaa kulli shay’in Qadeer.
There is no God but Allah. He is the One, He has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him alone is the praise; He has power over all things.

         -- The worshipper adds to that the recitation of:

The verse of the Throne i.e. “Ayat Al-Kursiy” (Chapter 2 verse 255)

 "اللهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِنْدَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ".
Allaahu laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa Huwal-Hayyul-Qayyoom, laa ta’khuthuhu sinatun wa laa nawm, lahu maa fis-samaawaati wa maafil-‘ardh, man thal-lathee yashfa’u ‘indahu ‘illaa bi’ithnih, ya'lamu maa bayna ‘aydeehim wa maa khalfahum, wa laa yuheetoona bishay’im-min ‘ilmihi ‘illaa bimaa shaa’a, wasi’a kursiyyuhus-samaawaati wal’ardh, wa laa ya’ooduhu hifdhuhumaa, wa Huwal-‘Aliyyul-‘Adheem.
Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. 


  • Surat Al-ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq, Surat Al-Nas

It is recommendable to recite these Surahs thrice after the Fajr prayer and the Maghrib prayer because this was reported to be one of the traditions of the Prophet (salaAllahu alayhi wa salam).



I'd love to hear your views on this topic. Please post in the comments section below! :)

References:
[iv] Reported by Muslim in the chapter of “Salah” no.738
[v] Reported in Sahih Al-Bukhari, in the chapter of “Athan” no.779 and Muslim in “Salah” no. 762
[vi] Sahih Al-Bukhari, chapter of “The Group Prayer and the Imam” no.657
[vii] Reported by al-Nisa’i in “As-Sahw” no.1281 and Abu Dawud in “Salah” no.825

A more detailed document on the rules of prayer:
http://www.al-dawah.dk/boger/engelske/pdf/Ahkam_as_Salah.pdf
THE PROPHET’S MANNER OF PERFORMING PRAYERS  (SALAALLAHU ALAYHI WA SALAM)

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