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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

CHAPTER IV

THE CONTENTS OF SALAH

Salah in Islam is a unique institution. It brings man closer to Allah by harmonising his mental attitude with physical posture. In Salah, a Muslim submits himself completely to his Creator.

When you are sure that you have fulfilled all the necessary conditions for Salah, you ready to offer Salah. A detailed account of how to say Salah is given below:

Say to yourself that you intend to offer this Salah(Fajr, Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib or 'Isha) Fard or Sunnah. Then raise your hands to your ears (as in figure 15)

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

NOTE: The hand is in line with ear lobe

NOTE: Ladies lift their hands up to their shoulders only as shown above.

Now placing your right hand on the left, just below, above or on the navel (as shown in figure 18 - and ladies placing their hands on their chest as shown in figure 17b) recite the following:

SUBHANA-KALLAH-HUMMA WA BI-HAMDAKA

O Allah, Glorified, praise worthy.

WATABARAKAS-MUKA WATA`ALA JADDUKA

and blessed is They Name and exalted Thy Majesty

WA-LA ILAHA GHAIRUK

and there is no deity worthy of worship except Thee.

A`U-THU-BIL-LA-HI MINASHAITANIR RAJEEM

I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected Satan

BISMILAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

After this recite the opening Surah, Al-Fatihaha:

ALHAMDU LIL-LAHI RAB-BIL `ALAMIN

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

AR-RAHMAN-NIR RAHIM

the Beneficent, ther Merciful

MALIKI YAW-MID-DIN

Master of the Day of Judgement

IYYA-KA N`ABUDU WA-IYYAKA NASTA`IN

Thee alone we worship and to Thee alone we turn for help.

IHDI-NAD-SIRA TAL MUSTAQIM

Guide us in the straight path.

SIRA TAL-LATHINA AN-`AMTA `ALIAHIM

the path of those whom You favoured

GHAIRIL MAGHDUBI `ALAINHIM

and who did not deserve Thy anger

WALAD-HALLIN (AMEEN)

or went astray.

Now recite the following or any other passage from the Holy Qur`an:

BISMILA-HIR RAHMA-NIR RAHIM

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, ther Merciful

QUL HU-WAL-LAHO AHAD

Say: Allah is one and the only God

ALLA-HUS-SA-MAD

Allah, upon whom all depend

LAM YALID WALAM YULAD

He begots not, nor is He begotten,

WALAM YAKUL-LAHU KUFU-WAN AHAD

and there is nothing which can be compared to Him.

Now bow down saying:

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

Place your hands on your knees and in this inclined position (Ruku` as shown in figure 19) recite these words thrice:

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL ATHIM

Glory to my Lord the great.

Postrure for ladies in Ruku` is slighty different to that of a man

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL ATHIM

Glory to my Lord the great.

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL ATHIM

Glory to my Lord the great.

Then come to the standing position (figure 21 & 22) saying:

SAMI `ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH

Allah has heard all who praise Him.

RAB-BANA LAKAL HAMD

Our Lord: Praise be to Thee

Now saying "Allahu Akbar" prostrate on the ground with your forehead, the knees the nose and palms of both hands touching the ground. In this position ajdah - as in figure 23, 24 & 25) repeat these words three times at least:

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL A`ALA

Glory to my Lord the most high

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL A`ALA

Glory to my Lord the most high

NOTE: Your nose & forehead in with carpet

Sit upright with knees still on the ground after a moments rest perform the second Sajdah saying:

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the Greatest

In the second Sajdah as before recite the following words thrice:

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL A'ALA

Glory to my Lord the most high.

This completes one raka'at of Salah. The second raka'at is. said in the same way except that after the second Sajdah you sit back, with the left foot bent towards the right, which should be placed vertical to the mat with the toes touching the mat. The palms should be lifted from the mat and placed on the knees.

In this position (Q'adahas shown in figures 26 and 27 silently say these words (Tashahhud):

AT-TAHI-YATU LIL-LAHI WAS-SALAWATU WAT-TAY-YIBATU

All prayers and worship through words, action and sanctity are for Allah only.

AS-SALAMU `ALAIKA AY-YUHAN-NABIY-YU

Peace be on you, O Prophet

WARAHMATUL-LAHI WABARAKATUH

and Mercy of Allah and His blessings.

AS-SALAMU `ALAINA WA`ALA `IBADIL-LAHIS-SALIHIN

Peace be on us and on those who are righteous servants of Allah.

ASH-HADU AL-LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU

I bear witness to the fact that there is no deity but Allah.

WA-ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMMADAN `ABDUHU WARASULUH

I bear witness taht Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

In a three raka`at (i.e. Maghrib) or four raka`at (like Zuhr, `Asr and `Isha) Salah you stand up for the remaining raka`at after Tashahhud. On the other had if it is a two raka`at (Fajr) Salah, keep sitting and after this recite Darud (blessing for the Prophet) in these words:

AL-LAHUM-MA SAL-LI`ALA MUHAMMAD-IN WA `ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN

O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad

AL-LAHUM-MA SALAITA `ALA IBRAHIMA WA`ALA ALI IBRAHIMA

As Though did exalt Ibrahim and his followers.

IN-NAKA HAMIDUM MAJEED

Thou art the praised, the Glorious.

AL-LAHUM-MA BARIK MUHAMMAD-IN

O Allah, exalt Muhammad

WA 'ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN

and his followers

KAMABARAKTA 'ALA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALA ALI IBRAHIMA

as Thou has blest Ibrahim and his followers.

IN-NAKA HAMIDUM-MAJEED

Thou art the Praised, the Glorious.

Then say silently:

RAB-BIJ-'ALNI MUQIMAS-SALATI WAMIN DHUR-RIY-YATI

O Lord! Make me and my children steadfast in Prayer;

RAB-BANA WATAQAB-BAL DU'A' RAB-BIGH FIRLI

Lord! Accept the prayer. Our Lord! forgive me.

WA LIWALIDAY-YA WALIL-MU'MININA YAUMA YAQUM-UL HISAB

and my parents and believers on the Day of Judgement.

Now turn your face to the right (as in figure 30) saying;

AS-SALAMU 'ALAIKUM WA-RAHMATUL-LAH

Peace be on you and Allah's blessings.

Then turn your face to the left (as in figure 31) and repeat the above words (aloud).

This completes your two raka'at Salah. The four raka'at of Zuhr, 'Asr and 'Isha are said in an identical manner with the only difference that in the first two Raka'at of Zuhr and 'Asr, Al-Fatihah is said silently while in 'Isha prayer it is recited aloud.

If you are performing a three raka'at (like Maghrib) or four raka'at (like Zuhr, 'Asr and 'Isha) Salah stand up after Tashahhud saying ALLAHU AKBAR and recite Al-Fatihah. You must remember that Al-Fatihah is always recited silently in the third and fourth raka'at of every Salah. When you are offering Fard Salah do not recite any additional passage from the Holy Qur'an after Al-Fatihah in the last two raka'at. After the second Sajdah in the fourth raka'at say the Tashahhud, Darud and end with "AS-SALAMU 'ALAIKUM WA-RAHMATUL-LAH" to each side (first right, then left as shown in the above pictures). This marks the end of Salah.
CHAPTER III

THE CONDUCT OF SALAH

In this section, some guide lines for the correct performance of Salah are given

The most important pre-requisite, Wudu (ablution), is explained in the last chapter. Other important condition are:

1. TIME

Each of the Salah must be offered at or during its proper time. No Salah can be said before its time. There are five obligatory prayers in a day.

  • Fajr - the morning prayer.
  • Zuhr - the early afternoon prayer.
  • 'Asr - the late afternoon prayer.
  • Maghrib - the sun-set prayer.
  • 'Isha - the night prayer.

2. DRESS

Before offering your Salah make sure that you are properly dressed. For men and boys, the dress should be such that it covers their bodies from the navel to the knees at least.

Women are required to cover themselves from head to foot, leaving only the face and hands uncovered. The dress for Salah must be clean and free from all filth. During the monthly period women are free from obligation of Salah.

3. PLACE

Wherever a man might be, he can turn towards Allah in Salah and in devotion. The prophet has said, "The (whole of the) earth has been rendered for me a mosque: pure and clean". Preferably Salah is to be offered in jama'at (congregation). Whenever possible, one should pray facing the Ka'bah, Makkah.

FARD OR NAFILAH

Salah is composed of the Fard (obligatory) and the Nafilah (superogatory) prayers.

The Fard Salah are five in a day. Failure to perform any one of them is a blameable sin. The Nafilah includes the Sunnah, which the Prophet (S.A.W.) used to perform regularly before or after each Fard Salah.

PRAYERS IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

When in circumstances where it is not possible to pray, or when on journey, you are permitted to shorten Salah. Such a shortened prayer is known as Salatul-Qasr.

When travelling one may offer two raka'ats in place of four raka'ats in Zuhr, Asr and 'Isha, but there is no change in the two raka'ats of Fajr and three raka'ats of Maghrib Salah. Besides this concession in Fard Salah, one may leave all the additional Sunnah except the two Sunnah raka'ats of Fajr and the Witr of 'Isha prayer. But a section of Muslims do perform Sunnah even when on a journey.

In case the stay at any one place during the journey exceeds a fortnight, complete the Salah, with all the Fard and Sunnah raka'ats must be offered.

If you are sick, you may offer your Salah in a sitting position or Iying in bed, by making signs in place of the physical movements.

In journey, in sickness and in other emergencies, one is allowed to offer two separate Salah jointly. Thus Zuhr and 'Asr can be said together in the last part of the period of Zuhr, Maghrib and 'Isha may also be offered similarly towards the end of Maghrib time (when it is almost dark).

THE CALL TO PRAYER ADHAN

To assemble the Muslims for congregational prayer, "Adhan", or the call to prayer is given. The caller (Mu'adh-dhin) stands facing Ka'bah (Qiblah), and raising his hands to his ears calls in a loud voice:

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

ASH-HADU AL-LA ILAHA ILLALLAH

I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah.

ASH-HADU AL-LA ILAHA ILLALLAH

I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah.

ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMMADAR-RASULULAH

I bear witness that Muhammed (S.A.W.) is the Messenger of Allah

ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMMADAR-RASULULAH

I bear witness that Muhammed (S.A.W.) is the Messenger of Allah.

HAYYA 'ALAS SALAH

Come to prayer.

HAYYA 'ALAS SALAH

Come to prayer.

HAYYA 'ALAL FALAH

Come to your Good.

HAYYA 'ALAL FALAH

Come to your Good.

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the Greatest.

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the Greatest.

LA ILAHA ILLALLAH

There is no deity but Allah.

In Adhan for Fajr Salah, the following sentence is added after:

HAYYA 'ALAL FALAH

ASSALATU KHAYRUM MINAN NAUM

Salah is better than sleep.

ASSALATU KHAYRUM MINAN NAUM

Salah is better than sleep.

DU'A AFTER ADHAN

On completion of the Adhan, Muslims are recommended to recite

ALLAHUMMA RABBA HADHI-HID-DA'WA-TIT-TAMMAH

O Allah! Lord of this complete call and prayer of ours, by the blessing of it.

WAS-SALATIL QAAE-MATI MUHAMMADANIL-WASILATA

give to Muhammed his eternal riqhts of intercession,

WAL FADI-LAT WAD-DARAJATAR RAFI-A

distinction and highest class (in paradise).

WAB 'ATH-HU MAQAMAM-MAHMUDA-NI LATHI WA `ADTAK

And raise him to the promised rank You have promised him.

WAR-ZUQ-NA SHA FA 'ATAHU YAUM-AL-QIYAMAH

and bestow his Intercession on us on the day of judgement.

IN-NAKA LA-TUKHULIFUL-MI`AD

Surely You never go back on your word.

IQAMAH

After Adhan when the Muslims are assembled at the place of worship, a second call (Iqamah) is recited by one of the group. This signals the start of the congregational Salah. It is similar to Adhan except that it is recited faster but in a lower tone and these sentences are recited after HAYYA 'ALAL FALAH:

QAD QAMATIS SALAH

The prayer has begun

QAD QAMATIS SALAH

The prayer has begun.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Chapter II

TAHARAH

Before a person can say his prayer, he must be clean and pure. The Qur'an says: "Truly Allah loves those who turn to Him and those who care for cleanliness". Cleanliness of mind, of body, and of clothes is called Taharah or purification. It is only in such a condition of purification that a Muslim may perform the Salah. Purification of the body is attained by partial or total washing with clean water. The partial wash is known as Al-Wudu or the ablution, and the total wash is called Al-Ghusl or the washing (bath) of the whole body.

Al-Wudu

The process of performing Wudu is as follows:

Mention the name of Allah by saying "Bismilla-Hir-Rahma-Nir-Rah'im" (in the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful).

Wash both hands up to the wrists together three times, ensuring that every part including between the fingers is wetted by water as shown in figures 1, (a) and (b).

Taking a handful of water into the mouth, rinse the mouth three times as shown in figure 2.

Snuff water contained in the right palm into the nose and then eject the water with the left hand (thrice) - as shown in figures 3 and 4.

Wash the face, ear to ear, forehead to chin, three times as shown in figures 5, 6 and 7.

Wash the right arm thoroughly from the wrist to the elbow three times. Repeat the same with the left hand - as shown in figures 8 and 9.

Run moistened hands over the head from forehead to the back and back to forehead (once) - as in figures 10, 11 and 12.

Run moistened fingers through the ears, the first finger of each hand going across the inside of the corresponding ear, while the thumb runs across the outside (once) - as shown in figure 13.

Wash both feet up to the ankles starting from the right and ensuring that all parts particularly between the toes are wetted - as shown in figure 14. If you had performed complete "Wudu" before putting on your socks or stockings, it is not necessary to remove them when you want to repeat the performance of "Wudu". It is enough to wipe over the stockinged feet with wet hands. This may be done for a period of one day, (and three days on journey) on the condition that the socks or stockings are never removed.

If they are removed, it is necessary to re-wash the feet for Wudu. The process ends with the recitation of the Kalimatus-Shahadah.

ASH-HADU ALLA ILAHA ILLALLAHU WA-ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMMADAN 'ABDUHU-WA-RASULUH

A fresh performance of Wudu is necessary if one breaks wind, touches genitals, or becomes sexually excited, or pays a visit to the lavatory, or falls into sleep lying down, or vomits violently, or incurs a flow of blood from an injury, or a flow of impure fluid.

AL-GHUSL (THE WASHING OR BATH)

The greater purification, Ghusl, is obligatory when one is defiled as a result of nocturnal emission (or a wet dream), marital intercourse, child birth, or when entering into the fold of Islam.

The procedure is as follows:

Begin with the name of Allah as for Wudu. Wash the hands and the affected parts of the body with water to remove any impurity. Perform Wudu as above. Then wash the whole body three times, using clean water for each wash.

TAYAMMUM(DRY ABLUTION)

On certain occasions, it may become either impossible (eg. when water cannot be found or just enough for drinking is available), or it is dangerous, because of illness, to use water for Wudu or Ghusl. In such situations, Tayammum (dry ablution) is performed. The procedure:

Begin with the name of Allah. Strike both palms on sand, or anything containing sand or dust, like a wall or a stone etc. Pass the palms of the hands over the face once. Strike the sand etc., again with the palms. Rub the right hand with the left palm from the wrist to the elbow and similarly for the left hand with the right palm. Finish with the Kalimatus-Shahadah as for Wudu.
DIRECTION OF KA'BAH FROM VARIOUS CITIES

CHAPTER I

`IBADAH

The word 'Ibadah comes from the Arabic "Abd", which means slave or servant. Man is a born subject and servant of Allah. When he turns to Allah with humility and devotion, he performs an act of `Ibadah. `Ibadah is a means for purifying man's physical and spiritual life. In Islam, every good deed performed to seek the pleasure of Allah is an act of worship.

The obligatory rituals of `Ibadah are prayers (Salah), fasting (Saum), Zakah, pilgrimage (Hajj), and struggling in the ways of Allah (Jehad). These along with Iman are often called the pillars of Islam. Islam is an integral whole. It covers all aspects of man's life. The pillars unite all human activities, spiritual and material, individual and collective.

The obligatory rituals of `Ibadah make "faith" (Iman) to play a practical and effective role in the human life. `Ibadah is therefore something positive. It is the means by which the faithfuls can serve Allah as well as their fellow men.

The Salah, which is the subject of this booklet, is an essential part of 'Ibadah. The Prophet (S.A.W.) is reported to have said: "Salah is the pillar of Islam and whosoever abandons it, demolishes the very pillar of religion".

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