How to Pray?
الناشر: جمعية المعارف الإسلامية الثقافية
تاريخ الإصدار: 2018-03
النسخة: 0
الكاتب
مركز المعارف للتأليف والتحقيق
Introduction
The Book
This book is about how to pray, including its prerequisites and conditions in addition to the regulations of deficiencies that may occur such as doubt and forgetting...
The book had observed both the simplicity in its expressions and the issue of religious acquittal of legally majors afar from the precautionary terms. Also, it based on the legal opinions of Imam Khomeini (may God put mercy upon him) as mentioned in his book "Tahrir Al-Wassila" and Imam Khamenei (may God protect him) as reported in his book "Answers of Legal Opinions". It is worth mentioning here that what would be reported under the title of "recommendable acts" shall be done in the intention of "hoping be requested".
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Introduction
Principles of Religion
1- Monotheism
2- Divine Justice
3- Prophecy
4- Leadership (Imamate)
5- Afterworld
Branches of Religion
1- Prayer 2- Fasting 3- Alms
4- Fifth 5- Pilgrimage
6- Holy War 7- Enjoining what is right 8- Forbidding what is wrong
9- Loyalty to the Prophet & his family 10-Disownment of their enemies
The Prayer
It is the link between the creature and Creator. If the servant broke it up, he will lose his relation with his Creator. It is reported the Holy Quran:
(Surely I am Allah, there is no God but I, therefore serve Me and keep up prayer for My remembrance) (Taha: 14)
Also, Almighty said: (Set up Regular Prayers: For such prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.) (Al-Nissa (Women): 103)
Furthermore, it is mentioned that the Messenger (Peace and Mercy be upon him & his household) said: "He who underestimates prayer is not from me" (Bihar Al-Anwar: 79-136)
He also said: "The prayer is the pillar of religion, if it is accepted, all other acts will be accepted, and if it is rejected, all other acts will be rejected."
Moreover, it is reported by Imams of Messenger's family: "Our intercession will not be gained by he who belittles the prayer." (Bihar Al-Anwar: 47-2)
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Following a Religious Jurist
Following a Religious Jurist (Taqlid)
In order for our prayer to be right, it should be performed correctly and in conformity with the religious legal verdict issued by the religious jurist via the Taqlid.
Taqlid & Conditions of Religious Jurist
Following-up the religious jurist in every day life issues is the most reliable way for the most people. The people had used to resort to the experts and specialists in every domain of life. This fact is an obligation upon every one cannot be a religious jurist or act in accordance with the precautionary measure (Ihtiyat).
However, the religious jurist shall satisfy a set of terms: Believing, jurisprudence, justice and living (i.e. to start Taqlid in conformity with a living religious jurist)
When the religious jurists disagree to each other, as it is the case usually, to whom do the legally majors follow up?
The answer is: they must follow up the most knowledgeable one in Sharia (Islamic Law) and the most capable of applying correctly and precisely its regulations in addition to understanding the life and its problems as needed.
In a nutshell, the follower has to follow up the most informed among the religious jurists at all, as it is well known among the religious scholars and according to the precautionary measure.
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Following a Religious Jurist
How can you identify the knowledgable one?
The answer is: he can be identified either by two just witnesses of competent and honorable religious jurists who have capacities of scientific assessment or when the legally major is certain that a particular person is the most learned one as if the full aged is himself a learned person and be convinced that a particular person is the most knowledgeable one or when it is well known among the nation's Islamic scholars that a particular person is the most religious educated one and the legally major being convinced.
Who is the most knowledgeable jurist in this time?
Allah had bestowed the Islamic nation with many honored religious jurists who always enjoyed scientific significant capacities. However, in these times, there are several testimonies issued by well known and just religious jurists that the Islamic Nation Grand Leader and the Religious Scholar H.E. Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Al-Husseini Khamenei (may God protect him) is the most learned religious jurist. Hereunder are a number of testimonies:
Testimony of Ayatollah Sayyed Jaafar Al-Husseini Al-Karimi*:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Throughout long years, I used to meet the Grand Leader either alone or at the Session of Deliverance of Advisory Opinions in the presence
* He is a member of Al-Mudarrissin (Teachers) University, one of the professors in high studies at the holy Qum and a member of the Advisory Opinions Deliverance Council at the Imam Khemenei Office. Imam Sayyed Khouei (may Allah put His Mercy upon him) is his teacher for 24 years and Imam Sayyed Khoumeini for 14 years.
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Following a Religious Jurist
of several grand widely known religious jurists (may Allah protect them all). I observed that the Grand Leader is quicker, stronger and more accurate than others in deducing the branches from the principles. If that is the point, and it is, then, I admit and witness, through what I had experienced his scientific arguments, that the Grand Leader (may Allah protect him) is the most knowledgeable among his contemporary religious jurists (may Allah make us benefit from his leadership, instructions and revelations).
Testimony of Ayatollah Sheikh Ahmad Jannati*
In His Name
As to me, the criterion of being most learned is that the religious jurist has to be capable to deduce the rules from the religious sources and proofs taking into consideration, at the same time, the contemporary circumstances such as the age, region and the requirements. Nowadays, I do not know among the candidates for the religious jurisprudence position he who is more acute and capable than the Leader (may God protect him)
Testimony of Ayatollah Sheikh Mohamad Yazdi**
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate
Under the disagreement among the grand religious jurists over the meaning of being most learned and how to confirm it, I think that
* Head of Islamic Republic's Council of Constitution Protection and the temporary Imam of Friday Prayer in Tehran.
** Member of Experts Council.
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Following a Religious Jurist
Ayatollah Khamenei (may God protect him), as a whole, is the sharpest and most knowledgeable regarding the sciences required in Taqlid and in bearing the burden of Islamic nation leadership.
Accordingly, you can follow up him in all needed issues.
Testimony of Ayatollah Sheikh Mohamad Ali Al-Tasskhiri*
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate
Some of my brother believers had demanded me to express frankly my opinion in the issue of Taqlid (following-up) my honorable master, Leader of Believers and Muslims Grand Ayatollah H.E. Sayyed Ali Khamenei (may Allah protect him). After knowing his abundant knowledge and well-advised opinion concerning the different domains of Islamic Law (Sharia) and his insight regarding the individual and society, I do hereby certify that he is the most learned among others. Therefore, he is singled out by me to be followed as sole religious jurist and God is witness of this mentioned above.
Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the world
Islamic Cultural Knowledge Association
* Member of Al-Mudarrissin (Teachers) University
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How to Pray?
How to Pray?
Before beginning your prayer, you have to purify your body and perform the ablution (Wudhu):
You can perform with one ablution more than one prayer on condition that any one of the following things which invalidate ablution shall not occur:
1- Passing out urine
2- Excretion
3- Passing wind from the rear
4- Sleeping, deep enough to restrict the sight and hearing
5- Things on account of which a person loses his sensibility, such as insanity, unconsciousness and drunkenness.
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How to Pray?
How to Perform Ablution?
Prepare the water of ablution which must be:
1- Pure (untouched by one of the impurities)
2- Permissible for use i.e. should not be usurped (Mubah)
3- Not mixed (the ablution will be invalid by the mixed water such as rose water, orange juice...)
4- Not be in a pot made of gold or silver
The organs of ablution should be:
1- Pure
2- Should not be covered in a manner that prevent reaching the water to them (like wax, painting&..)
Upon seeing the water, it is recommended to say:
"Praise be to Allah Who makes the water pure and not impure"
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How to Pray?
Limits of Ablution Organs
Before beginning the obligations, pay attention to the limits of ablution organs which are as the following:
The face limits which are obligatory to wash
The two hands limits which are obligatory to wash
The forehead limits which are obligatory to wipe
The two feet limits which are obligatory to wipe
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How to Pray?
Obligations of Ablution
* Intend by your heart that this ablution be for the sake of Allah
Then, start with the ablution acts:
1- Wash longitudinally your face from the upper part of the forehead, where hairs grow, up to the farthest end of the chin, whereas the breadth should be to the part covered between the thumb and the middle finger. Hence, the washing shall be from the above downwards.
As washing the face, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
"O Lord! Make my face bright on the Day when the faces will turn dark. Do not darken my face on the Day when the faces are bright."
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How to Pray?
2- Wash your right hand from the articulation (i.e. the elbow which joins between the upper arm and forearm) to the tips of fingers i.e. from the above downwards.
Upon washing the right hand, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
"O Lord! Give my book of deeds in my right hand, and a permanent stay in Paradise on my left, and make my reckoning an easy one."
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How to Pray?
3- Wash your left hand from the elbow to the tips of fingers i.e. from the above downwards.
Upon washing the left hand, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
"O Lord! Do not give my book of deeds in my left hand, nor from behind my back, nor chain it to my neck. I seek refuge in You from the Hell-fire."
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How to Pray?
4- Wipe the frontal part of your head with the wetness of the palm of your right hand.
While wiping the frontal part of your head, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
"O Lord! Cover me with Your Mercy, Blessings and Forgiveness"
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How to Pray?
5- Wipe with the moisture present in the palm of your right hand the outer right foot from the tip of toes to the ankle.
While performing the wiping of the feet, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
"O Lord! Keep me firm on the Bridge (to the Paradise) on the Day when the feet will slip, and help me in my efforts to do things which will please You, O Mighty and Glorious!"
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How to Pray?
6- Wipe with the moisture present in the palm of your left hand the outer left foot from the tip of toes to the ankle.
Upon finishing the ablution, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
"O Lord! I ask You the perfection of ablution, the perfection of prayer and the perfection of Your contentment and Paradise."
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
When do you Perform Tayamum?
You should perform Tayammum instead of the ablution when one of the following conditions exists:
1- When it is not possible to find sufficient water for performing ablution and obligatory bath (Ghusul).
2- If a person is unable to procure water because of a certain danger or hurt.
3- If a person is afraid of damage upon using water because of a certain sickness.
4- Fearing of thirsty.
5- When the time left for obtaining or using water is so little.
6- If obtaining the water requires paying expenses that may cause intolerable hardship and humiliation.
7- When water is insufficient only for eliminating impurity from the body or clothing.
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
With what do we perform tayamum?
* Prepare a something with which tayammum is right. However, the materials with which tayammun is right are: earth, sand, stone, marble and anything that may be called as face of earth.
It should be pure and unusurped.
Make sure that it should not be a cover on the organs of Tayammum. Also, eliminate any cover that may be on your hand such as the ring.
(Then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For God doth blot out sins and forgive again and again)
(An-Nissa (Women): 43)
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
Organ's limits in tayamum
* Before beginning with the showing deeds, pay attention to the limits of Tayammum organs which are as the following:
* Limit of the forehead and two brows * Limit of the palm of hand
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
Acts of Tayammum
* You should intent by heart to perform Tayammum (in replacement of ablution for instance) solely for the sake of Allah the Exalted. Then, you have to start with the acts of Tayammum.
1- Hit simultaneously your palms on the earth (the sand, soil, stone, marble are considered as earth)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
2- Rub the forehead and the two brows with the palm of hands commencing from the spot where the hair of one's head grow down to the eyebrows and above the nose (it is recommended that the palms pass over the eyebrows) from the above downwards.
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
3- Rub the outer part of your right hand (commencing from the wrist to the tip of the fingers) with the palm of left hand from the above downwards.
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
4- Rub the outer part of your left hand (commencing from the wrist to the tip of fingers) with the palm of right hand from the above downwards.
(It is process of washing with clean sand or earth where water is unavailable)
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When do you Perform Tayamum
5- It is recommended to strike your hands on the earth second time and rub the outer part of your right hand with the palm of your left hand in addition to rubbing the outer part of your left hand with the palm of your right hand.
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Prayer's Clothing
Prayer's Clothing:
After obtaining the required purity (ablution, Tayammum, or...), you have to pray in proper clothing.
While offering prayers, the man should cover his private parts (genital organs) whereas the woman should cover her entire body except with the face, hands and feet up to the ankles (beginning of the leg).
Conditions for the prayer's clothing
1- It should be pure.
2- It should be permissible for him to use (Mubah).
3- If the clothing composed of animal materials (such as leather), it should fulfill to conditions:
1st The animal should be permissible for eating (Halal)
2d The animal should be butchered in conformity with the Islamic law.
4- It should not contain or be composed of gold or pure silk. This condition is confined to men only.
Woman's clothing
Man's clothing
Issue: As to woman, it is not obligatory to cover her feet during performing the prayers. However, it is forbidden to reveal them before the foreign man (allowable to marry her in conformity with the Islamic law) viewer.
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Prayer's Clothing
In the Name of God, the All-merciful the All-compassionate
(Establish regular prayers - at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the morning prayer and reading: for the prayer and reading in the morning carry their testimony)
(Issraa: 17:78)
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Prayer Time
Prayer Time
Your five prayers should be at the following times:
1- Time of Morning Prayer: It starts at dawn and ends at sunrise.
2- Time of Noon Prayer: It is from when the sun starts declining* at midday till just before the sunset (the time taken to perform the afternoon prayer).
3- Time of Afternoon Prayer: It starts after the time taken to perform the midday prayer beginning from the sun declining at midday till the sunset**
Emerging the dawn
Declining the sun
* If a stick, a pole, or anything similar to it, which acts as an indicator (shakhis) is made to stand on a level ground, its shadow will fall westwards when the sun rises in the morning, and as the sun continues to rise the shadow cast by the indicator will reduce in size. Accordingly, when the shadow is the shortest, and it begins getting longer again, it is known that midday has taken place.
** Declining of the sun beyond the horizon.
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Prayer Time
4- Time of Dusk Prayer: It starts at the religious legal sunset*** and ends few minutes before midnight enough for evening prayer.
5- Time of Evening Prayer: It starts shortly after the sunset i.e. after few minutes enough for the dusk prayer and continues till midnight.
Following the midnight: you have to perform the prayers of dusk and evening without making the intention of Ada (i.e. in time) or Qadha (i.e. after the lapse of time).
* It is known as the absence of the redness from the eastern side.
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Prayer Time
Place of prayer
There are several conditions for the place where one should offer prayers:
1- It must be permissible i.e. not usurped.
2- It should not have such a vigorous movement. However, if one is forced to pray at such places due to shortage of time or any other reason, like on a ship or train, then one should not abide by.
3- It must be pure: this condition is confined to the spot of prostration i.e. where one places one's forehead.
4- If the place where one wishes to pray is impure, it should not be so wet that its moisture would reach the body or the dress.
5- The place where a person places his forehead while performing prostration should not be higher or lower than a span of four fingers.
Turn to the holy Qibla standing upright:
(We see the turning of thy face for guidance to the heavens: now Shall We turn thee to a Qibla that shall please thee. Turn then Thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque: Wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction) (cow:144)
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Adhan & Iqamah
Adhan & Iqamah
It is recommended to say Adhan and Iqama before offering daily obligatory prayers. Adhan consists of the following sentences:
Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater than any description)... four times.
Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lah (I testify that there is no god but Allah) .. two times.
Ash hadu anna Muhammadan Rasu lull ah (I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger).. two times.
Asha hadu anna Aliyyan Waliyyullah (I testify that Ali is the vicegerent of Allah).. two times.
Hayya alas Salah (Hasten to prayers)... two times.
Hayya alal Falah (Hasten to deliverance).. two times.
Hayya ala Khayril Amal (Hasten to the best act). two times.
Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater than any description)... two times.
La ilaha illal lah (there is no god but Allah)... two times.
Iqamah consists of the following sentences:
Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater than any description)... two times.
Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lah (I testify that there is no god but Allah .. two times.
Ash hadu anna Muhammadan Rasu lull ah (I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger).. two times.
Asha hadu anna Aliyyan Waliyyullah (I testify that Ali is the vicegerent of Allah).. two times.
Hayya alas Salah (Hasten to prayers)... two times.
Hayya alal Falah (Hasten to deliverance).. two times.
Hayya ala Khayril Amal (Hasten to the best act). two times.
Qadqa matis Salah (the prayers has certainly been established)...two times.
Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater than any description)... two times.
La ilaha illal lah (there is no god but Allah)... one time.
Issue: Asha hadu anna Aliyyan Waliyyullah is not a part of either Adhan or Iqamah. However, it is preferable that it is pronounced with the intention of complying with the orders of the Almighty Allah. It is mentioned that Imam Sadeq (PBUH) had said: (If one of you had said that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, it is recommended to say that Ali is the Commander of the faithful)
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Adhan & Iqamah
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
"Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of God is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And God knows the (deeds) that ye do".
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Adhan & Iqamah
Numbers of bows of prayers
Morning Prayer:
Two Bows
Noon Prayer:
Four Bows
Afternoon Prayer:
Four Bows
Dusk Prayer:
Three Bows
Evening Prayer:
Four Bows
First Bow (Raka)
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Adhan & Iqamah
The Noon, Afternoon and Evening Prayers (Salat Al-Zuhr, Al-Asr, Al-Isha)?
First Bow (Raka)
Declare your intention: by saying in your heart: I pray the noon/afternoon/evening prayers - according to the difference in time - for the purpose of worship and purity, and to seek closeness to Allah Almight. (This is a non-verbal intention.)
1. Pronounce "Takbirat Al-Ihram" "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is Great) aloud. That phrase actually opens the prayers. It is preferable to raise both palms of the hands near the ears when pronouncing (Takbirat Al-Ihram).
Issue: Men and women must recite verses in a low voice during the noon and afternoon prayers.
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Adhan & Iqamah
2. Recite Al-Fatiha (the first chapter of the Qur?an) correctly with another full chapter, such as
"Al-Ikhlas Chapter", while you are still standing.(Takbirat Al-Ihram).
Issue: Men must recite verses in a loud voice during the dawn, dusk and evening prayers in the first and second units. Women, however, are permitted to recite the verses in low voice. As for the third and fourth bows, men and women must recite the verses/phrases in a low voice.
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Adhan & Iqamah
3. Bow down; that is, to bow until your hands reach your knees and say, "subhana rabbiyal eazimi wa bihamdihi" "Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise belongs to Him," or "Glorified is my Lord (Allah); Glorified is my Lord (Allah); Glorified is my Lord (Allah)"
You have to be so serene and feeling secured when mentioning the obligatory phrases during bowing down.
Loud voice: It is when the essence of the sound is heard. Low voice: It is when the essence of the sound is not heard. When reciting Al-Fatiha (the first chapter of the Qur?an) in the first and second bows of Noon and Afternoon Prayers, men are preferred to recite …In the Name of God (Allah), Most Beneficent, Most Mercifulî in a loud voice.
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Adhan & Iqamah
4. After bowing down (RUKU), stand up back again in an upright position. It is recommended that you say, (The Lord (Allah) shall hear the one who thanks, praises and glorifies Him).
5. Prostrate on natural ground (such as sand, rock, etc.) or whatever planted in the ground except anything that can be eaten or worn so that you put the seven prostration positions and lean on them. These positions are: the forehead, the two palms, the two knees and the two big toes.
Issue: It is recommended to supplicate during prostration and to ask for any earthly or heavenly needs.
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Adhan & Iqamah
During prostration, say, "subhana rabbiyal aila wa bihamdih" "Glory be to my Exalted Lord, and praise belongs to Him",or (Glorified is my Lord "Allah"; Glorified is my Lord "Allah"; Glorified is my Lord "Allah").
You have to be so serene and feeling secured when mentioning the obligatory phrases during prostration.
6. Raise your head up from prostration and sit straight. It is preferable to say, I ask my Lord (Allah) for forgiveness and to Him I repent, or (I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn towards him).
Issue: It is recommended that you say, (O God send your mercy and prayers on Muhammad and his posterity/descendentsî after bowing down and prostration (RUKU & SUJUD).
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Adhan & Iqamah
7. Prostrate again repeating what you said and did in the first prostration.
Sitting after the second prostration is called recess sit.
Reaching this stage, you have finished the first bow of a prayer.
Second Bow:
8. Stand up again to start the second bow by reciting Al-Fatiha (the first chapter of the Qura'n) with another full chapter.
9. Perform Konout Supplication after recitation. Konout supplication is preferable and recommended.
Among the recommended supplications in Konout is: (There is no Lord except Allah the Enduring, the Generous. There is no Lord except Allah the Glorified, the Great. Glorified is the Lord of the Seven Heavens, Seven Earths and what they encompass, the Lord of the Great Mercy seat. Praise be to the Lord (Allah).)
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Adhan & Iqamah
Raise your hands towards the sky with the palms as in the figure (1), that is, keep your hands in front of your face, turning the palms facing upwards, and keeping both the hands and the fingers close together, and supplicate anything, whether earthly or heavenly need.
10. Bow down and repeat what you had said and done in the first bow.
11. After raising your head up from the second prostration of the second bow, sit straight and say, "Ashhadu alla ilaha illal Lah, Wahdahu la sharika lah, Wa ashhadu anna Mohammadan abduhu wa rasouluh, Allahumma salli ala mohammadin wa eli Mohammad" (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Prophet. O God bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad). By reaching this, you have finished the second bow.
Before your start reciting the bearing of witnesses, it is recommended that you say, (In the Name of Allah, and By Allah, Praise be to Allah and the best of names are for Allah). After reciting the bearing of witness, it is also recommended that you say, (O Lord! May You accept his redemption and extenuation and elevate his place).
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Adhan & Iqamah
Third Bow:
12. Stand up again in the upright position, and after you settle in that position recite the following:
First: Subhanal Llah.
Second: Wal hamdu lillah.
Third: Wa la ilaha illal Llah.
Fourth: Wal Llahuakbar.
(Glory be to God, and praise be to God; there is no god but Allah, and Allah is Greater). It is preferable that you repeat these praises three times, then you bow down and repeat exactly what you have done in the first bow.
Fourth Bow:
13. Stand up again in the upright position, and repeat exactly what you have done in the third bow.
Issue: The worshiper has the option of reciting either "Al-Fatiha" chapter or the aforementioned four praises in the third and fourth bows.
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Adhan & Iqamah
14. After you raise your head from the last prostration, recite the bearing of witness as mentioned earlier and then recite the Salutations by saying,
First: Assalamu ealaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
Second: Assalamu ealaina wa ala ibadil Llehis saliheen.
Third: Assalamu ealaikum It's preferred to add wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
(Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and God's mercy and blessing. Peace be upon us, and upon the righteous servants of God. Peace be upon you [all], and God's mercy and blessing.)
Issue: The foregoing is the best and most complete format of Salutations. However, the mandatory form of Salutations is: -Peace be upon us, and upon the righteous servants of God,(or)-Peace be upon you [all].
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Adhan & Iqamah
How to pray the Dawn Prayers (Al-Sobh)
In the Dawn Prayers, the prayer shall have to recite the bearing of witness and salutations directly after the second bow and must end his prayers at that exact point.
How to pray the Dusk Prayers (Al-Mahgreb)
In the Dusk Prayers, the prayer shall have to recite the bearing of witness and salutations directly after he raises his head up from prostration in the bow unit and must end his prayers at that exact point.
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Parts of the Prayers
Parts of the Prayers
Fundamental Parts
These are the parts that nullify the prayers if added or missed intentionally or unintentionally.
These parts are:
1. Intention
2. "Takbirat Al-Ihram" (Allah is Great)
3. Standing up for "Takbirat Al-Ihram" and the standing up after which the bowing down occurs directly
4. Bowing down
5. Both prostrations
Nonfundamental Parts
These are the parts that nullify the prayers if added or missed intentionally and not inadvertently.
These parts are:
1. Reciting Al-Fatiha chapter and the second chapter in the first and second bows
2. Remembrance during the third and fourth bows as well as during bowing down and prostration
3. Single prostration
4. Bearing witness (Tashahod)
5. Salutations (Taslim)
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Parts of the Prayers
The Best of Prayers
Always make sure that your prayers are performed:
1. At the beginning of their due time: Imam Al-Sadek(PBUH) is reported to have said, (Obligatory prayers prayed at their early times and restricted to their limits are raised white and pure to Heaven by the angels. The prayers call for the prayer, "May the Lord preserve you the same way you preserved me. May the Lord grant you a generous angel the same way He did to me".)
2. At the mosque: The Prophet(PBUH) said, He who walks to any of the mosques shall be rewarded with ten merits in return for each step until he goes back to his house. Allah shall also erase ten of his sins and elevate his position ten levels.
3. Collectively: The Prophet(PBUH) said, Collective prayers are twenty five times better than the individual prayer.
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Parts of the Prayers
Prayers are nullified when one of the following things takes place:
1. any of the nullifications of ablution (wodou'a)
2. any of the nullifications of purification (ghosol)
3. eating and drinking
4. laughing with cachinnation (giggling), whether intentionally or otherwise; however, inadvertent laughing doesn't nullify the prayers
5. any action that expunge the image of praying, whether intentional or otherwise, such as clapping, etc..
6. intentional speaking during prayers
7. putting the hands above each others intentionally
8. intentional crying and weeping with making a sound for losing a profane issue, even forcedly
9. moving or turning the entire body so that Kibla is not headed to anymore
10. intentional saying of Amen after Al-Fatiha
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Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
Neglected Doubts
1. Doubting whether an obligatory matter has been performed or not while performing a subsequent matter or action, such as doubting the performance of recitation while bowing down.
2. Doubting the correctness of an obligatory matter while performing it even if a subsequent matter or action is not yet performed, such as doubting the correctness of recitation after finishing it and before the performance of bowing down.
3. The doubt of a doubtful person is also neglected.
Issue: Prayers are nullified when doubting the number of bows performed in Dawn Prayers, Dusk Prayers and the first two bows of Midday, Afternoon and Evening Prayers prior to performing the two prostrations of the second bow.
Issue: Suspecting the number of bows is considered to be true, that is, if you suspect that you are performing a certain bow, you must consider the number of bow you suspect as the true number of bow.
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Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
Rulings and Provisions of Doubting the Number of Bows in the Prayers
Doubts that can be resolved and do not nullify the prayers:
1. When doubting between the second bow and the third bow after the second prostration, the third bow is adopted and prayers are completed. Then, one provisional bow is performed while standing up or two bows are performed while sitting.
2. When doubting between the second bow and the fourth bow after the second prostration, the fourth bow is adopted and prayers are completed. Then, two provisional bows are performed while standing.
3. When doubting among the second, third and fourth bows after the two prostrations, the fourth bow is adopted and prayers are completed, Then, two provisional bows are performed while standing and two provisional bows are performed while sitting.
4. When doubting between the third bow and fourth bow in any case, the fourth bow is adopted and prayers are completed. Then, one provisional bow is performed while standing or two bows are performed while sitting.
5. When doubting between the third bow and fifth bow, in case of standing, the worshiper sits down immediately, adopts the fourth bow and completes his prayer. Two bows are then provisionally performed while standing up.
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Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
6. When doubting among the third, fourth and fifth bows while standing up, the worshiper sits down immediately, adopts the fourth bow and completes his prayers. After salutations, two bows are then provisionally performed while standing up in addition to two bows while sitting down.
7. When doubting between the fourth bow and the fifth bow after the two prostrations, the fourth bow is adopted and prayers are completed. Then, two inadvertent prostrations are performed.
8. When doubting between the fourth bow and the fifth bow after standing up, the fourth bow is adopted and prayers are completed. Then, one provisional bow while standing or two bows while sitting are performed.
9. When doubting between the fifth bow and the sixth bow after standing up, the worshiper should sit down immediately and the fourth bow is adopted and prayers are completed. Then, two inadvertent prostrations are performed.
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Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
Provisional Prayers
Provisions:
- It is mandatory in some cases of doubting bows as detailed in the previous table on pages 46 and 47.
- It must be performed directly after completing the prayers and prior to performing anything that might nullify the prayers such as turning around to left or to the right away from Kibla.
- All other provisions of regular prayer must be met in the provisional prayer.
How to perform the provisional prayer:
1. Intention
2. Takbirat Al-Ihram (Allah is Great)
3. Reading Al-Fatiha in a low voice without any other chapter after it
4. Bowing down plus recitation and two prostrations plus recitation
5. Bearing witness and Salutations
Provisional prayer ends at that point if it consists of one bow. If it consists of two bows, the worshiper stands up after the two prostrations and repeats what he did in the first bow. After the two prostrations of the second bow, bearing witness and salutations are performed.
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Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
Inadvertent Prostrations
When does the inadvertent prostration become mandatory?
1. Inadvertent speaking
2. Forgetting the performance of a prostration when going beyond its position
3. Forgetting the performance of bearing witness when going beyond its position
4. Performing salutations in its inappropriate position
5. Doubting between the fourth and the fifth bows
Time to perform the inadvertent prostration:
The inadvertent prostration must be performed after the prayers immediately. Should the worshiper forget to perform it, or intentionally refrain from performing it, the prayer is considered to be correct although it must be performed immediately.
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Rulings and Provisions of Doubt in the Prayers
How to perform the inadvertent prostration:
After performing the intention for the inadvertent prostration, it is recommended to recite Takbirat Al-Ihram (Allah is Great). Then, you have to perform two prostrations during which one is preferred to say: "In the Name of Allah, and by Allah, Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and Allah's Mercy and Blessings be upon you". Following the two prostrations, you should bear the witness and perform the salutation.
Fulfillment of the forgotten prostration and bearing witness
In the case of forgetting the bearing witness or one of the two prostrations, the worshiper must fulfill them immediately after the termination of the performance of prayers. So, the prostration or bearing witness must be performed in the intention of Qadha (fulfillment of an act after going beyond its position). Then, you should perform the inadvertent prostration.
Praise be to Allah,
the Cherisher and Sustainer
of the world
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