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Category: Salah (Prayer)

The Traveller Praying A Different Prayer Behind A Resident Imaam – Shaykh al-Albani

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By  Shaykh al-Albani
Translated by Abbas Abu Yahya

Shaykh al-Albani quotes from the book ‘Fiqh-us-Sunnah’ :

“….if a traveller does not find another traveller to lead him in prayer, then he should shorten the prayer and pray by himself.  It is disliked to be led in prayer by a resident person.”

Shaykh al-Albani says:

‘I say: As for this dislike, then even though it is devoid of evidence, it also opposes the Sunnah which was narrated by the scholar of theUmmah, Abdullaah bin ‘Abbas -radiAllaah anhu.

Musa bin Salamah mentioned: ‘We were with Ibn Abbas in Makkah and I said to him: ‘When we are with you we pray four rakat prayers and when we return to our temporary residences we pray two rakat prayers?’  He answered: ‘That is the Sunnah of Abul-Qassim – sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam.’’

Narrated by Ahmad with an authentic chain and it was also narrated in a summarized form by Muslim, Abu ‘Awaana and other than them.  It has been researched in ‘al-Irwaa’ (571).

Taken from ‘Tamam al-Minnah’ p.371 by Shaykh al-Albani

Additional evidence reported from Saheeh al-Bukhari

On the authority of Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah who said, “Mu’adh bin Jabal used to pray with the Prophet and then go to lead his people in prayer once he led the ‘Isha‘ prayer and recited Soorat “Al-Baqarah.” Somebody left the prayer and Mu’adh criticized him. The news reached the Prophet and he said to Mu’adh, ‘You are putting the people to trial,’ and repeated it thrice (or said something similar) and ordered him to recite two medium Suras of Mufassal.” (‘Amr said that he had forgotten the names of those Suras).

Also narrated by Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah that Mu’adh used to pray with the Prophet and then go and lead his people (tribe) in the prayer.

Both hadeeth have been mentioned in the Book of Adhan from Saheeh al-Bukhari

The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer – Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab

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AUTHOR: Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab
TRANSLATED: Al-Ibaanah Book Publishing
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

About the Book:

This is a translation of the beneficial treatise of Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, “Shuroot as-Salaat wa Arkaanuhaa wa Waajibaatuhaa.” [The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer]

In this short treatise, Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy on him, briefly outlines the nine conditions for the acceptance of one’s prayer, as well as the fourteen pillars and eight requirements of the prayer, mentioning some of their proofs and evidences from the Book and the Sunnah.

A condition is something that is required before the commencement of prayer in order for it to be valid. “The pillars are that which if one fails to perform any of them out of forgetfulness or intentionally, his prayer is rendered invalid because of his abandoning it. The requirements are that which if one fails to perform any of them intentionally, his prayer is rendered invalid due to his abandoning it, but if he leaves any of them due to forgetfulness, he is obligated to perform the (extra) prostrations for forgetfulness.”

The author also lists the conditions, obligations, requirements and nullifiers of wudoo (ablution). The translator has provided a quick reference guide as an appendix listing each of these points, as well as footnotes with hadeeth references and other comments gathered from several sources of this treatise.

Quotes from the Book:

“The things that nullify (nawaaqid) the ablution are eight: (1) Whatever comes out from the two private parts; (2) Any foul impure substance that comes out from the body; (3) Loss of consciousness (i.e. sleep/insanity); (4) Touching a woman with sexual desire; (5) Touching one’s private part with the hand, whether it is the frontal or rear (private part); (6) Eating the meat of camels; (7) Bathing a deceased person; and (8) Apostating from Islaam, may Allaah protect us from that!”

“The pillars of the prayer are fourteen: (1) Standing, if one has the ability to do so; (2) The opening Takbeer; (3) Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah; (4) Bowing; (5) Rising from Bowing; (6) Prostrating on all seven limbs; (7) Erecting oneself from it; (8) Sitting between the two prostrations; (9) Remaining tranquil (i.e. not rushing) during all of these pillars; (10) Maintaining the same sequence; (11) the Final Tashahhud; (12) Sitting for it; (13) Sending Salaat on the Prophet; and (14) the (final) two Tasleems.”

[Download the PDF Book]

Children Praying in the Masjid – Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee

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AUTHOR: Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee
SOURCE: Sharh Shuroot as-Salaat (pg. 7)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

A child that is below the age of seven does not yet comprehend. This is why we were commanded to order our children to pray when they turn seven since before this age they do not possess the adequate level of comprehension. So the point at which he begins to comprehend things is the age of seven. After reaching this age, a child must be ordered to pray. This is based on the statement of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “Order your children to pray at seven (years of age), and beat them to it (if they fail to comply) at ten. And separate them in their beds.”These are Islamic etiquettes that we are required to follow, and included amongst them is: Commanding the children to pray at the age of seven.

Ordering them to pray doesn’t mean that you just tell your child “Pray” and that’s it. The understanding that we derive from this command of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) of ordering our children to pray is that we should teach them how to pray. And if this is not so, then the act of you telling your child who is playing by the door: “Go to the masjid and pray” when you have not taught him how to purify himself or how to perform the prayer, does not remove the responsibility from your shoulders.

You have only fulfilled your responsibility when you have taught him how to purify himself and then you tell him “Go pray.” In this circumstance, you have complied.

Many people are inconsiderate when they bring to the masjid their children – aged seven or less – who are not in a state of purity and have no understanding of how to pray, and then place them in a row of prayer. This row is considered disconnected due to this child standing in it since he is not praying.

The following statement of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) applies to people who this:“Whoever connects the row, then Allaah will connect him, and whoever cuts off the row, then Allaah cut him off.”

You bring a child who does not comprehend the prayer to the masjid and put him to stand in the first row next to you behind the Imaam while the people remain silent out of courtesy. This child is not in prayer. Perhaps he may not even be in a state of purity, i.e. he may have impurities in his body! This is since you took him from the front of the house before teaching him how to purify himself and how to pray. This is incorrect.

So it is mandatory that you teach him at home how to purify himself and how to pray. Then you should teach him where to stand in the masjid. He should not stand in the front row. Rather, he should stand in the row where all the children are lined up. If a group of people congregate for prayer and they consist of two rows, then the children should stand in the second row, i.e. the last row, after the row of men. This is what the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed us to do. So we must abide by these etiquettes.

Then when the child reaches ten years of age, and non-compliance and rebelliousness (against this order) arises in him, he should be hit for the purpose of disciplining and intimidating him until he prays and safeguards all of his prayers.

Children should be separated in their beds at this age also, i.e. each child must sleep by himself (in his own bed). This is the etiquette of Islaam.

Published on: April 23, 2007

The Man who Prayed Badly – Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee

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AUTHOR: Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee [D. 1416H]
SOURCE: Sharh Shuroot as-Salaat (pg. 25-27)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

In his explanation of Imaam Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab’s classical treatise Shuroot-us-Salaat,  Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

This story is well known amongst the students of knowledge. It is a story about a person who was known as “the man who prayed badly.” At that time perhaps there were few like him which explains why he came to be known by this nickname. But as for today how numerous are those who pray badly like this man!

Perhaps the students of knowledge who see these people praying badly don’t inform them of their error out of politeness or because they think that the only thing that is required of them is to perform their own prayer and that they are not required to do anything else with respect to others. This is a wrong notion that some students of knowledge have, i.e. that a person should not be concerned with anything more than performing acts of worship for himself. So he forgets the issue of commanding good and forbidding evil and sincerely advising the servants of Allaah.

On the other side, some people are unaware of this issue and that praying like this invalidates the prayer, i.e. such as those who peck on the floor in their prayer, condensing the pillars of (1) lifting the head and (2) sitting between the two prostrations. Many people are negligent about these two pillars of the prayer since they peck like chickens on the ground and do not observe tranquility. No sooner does his back rise from prostrating than he prostrates again before he sits up straight. He barely lifts his head from the first prostration, and before sitting tranquilly for a moment, he rushes down for his second prostration. Whoever does this, his prayer is invalid and he falls under the label of “the man who prayed badly.”

So it is upon the students of knowledge to advise those who pray badly, and they are many in these days.

The story of this man is known to the students of knowledge. A man once entered the masjid while the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was sitting amongst his Companions. So he offered his prayer, made the tasleem, then greeted the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him: “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.”He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not teach him right away. Instead he told him: “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.”

This is since it is possible that the man knew (how to pray properly) but hastened and left off (those pillars) for some reason, as is the case with many of the people who rush through prayer. So the man went back and prayed just as he did the first time. Then he came back and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet returned his greeting and said to him: “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.”

So the man went back and prayed just as he did the first time. He then returned a third time and greeted the Prophet. The Prophet told him again after returning his greeting: “Go back and pray for you have not prayed.”

This is the point where the man declared his ignorance, saying: “By the One who sent you with the truth, I can’t do any better than this.” Meaning: “This is all that I know. I don’t know any other way to pray.”

This was after the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made this man devote special attention to his prayer by making him repeat it several times and after he confirmed that the man didn’t know any other way to pray and that he only prayed badly due to ignorance. This repetition on the part of the man kindled his interest and made him ready to receive (knowledge of the correct way). Had the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught him upon the first instance, the man would not have given it that much attention nor would he have accepted it in the same manner.

This is one of the points of wisdom that the people of knowledge have indicated, i.e. that the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not teach the man in the first instance. It is recommended for a teacher to interact with his students in a similar manner when going over certain issues. He should ask his student and inform him what he knows about a certain issue. But if his student hesitates and doesn’t know the answer, the teacher should not rush to give him an answer immediately. Rather, he should leave the matter open so that the student’s mind could preoccupy itself with reflecting on it and trying to find an answer for it. He should tell his student: “Bring the answer tomorrow” or something like that unless the issue is of an urgent nature. This is what the leading teachers from among the elders whom we reached would do.

The teacher should present issues in the form of questions to the student of knowledge who is unprepared. He should not answer the questions but rather leave it so that the student could do some research and bring an answer in a later gathering. This is from the aspects of wisdom.

Similarly, the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would present questions at time to his Companions to the point that they would say: “Allaah and His Messenger know best.” They would declare their lack of knowledge and afterward he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would teach them. This is what the man who prayed badly did and afterward the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught him that the first thing he should do is face the Qiblah and make the takbeer. Meaning: He should commence the prayer with the initial takbeer. This is proof that one should not vocalize his intention before the initial takbeer. The place of the intention is the heart so saying it out loud is an innovation as we stated previously. This is also since everything the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) taught the one who prayed badly to do in prayer – in most cases – is either a pillar or a requirement of the prayer. And whatever part of the prayer that was not mentioned in this prophetic lesson is neither a pillar nor a requirement. This is with respect to those who differentiate between a pillar and a requirement. Some madh-habs do not distinguish between a pillar and a requirement. They do not regard there being any distinction between the two except in matters of Hajj and ‘Umrah contrary to what we are upon today.

Then after making the initial takbeer, he should recite what he is able to from the Qur’aan. “What he is able to from the Qur’aan” has been explained in another narration as the opening chapter of the Qur’aan, Surah Al-Faatihah. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did not mention the opening supplication however it has been mentioned in some other narrations. Likewise, making the ta’awudh (seeking refuge in Allaah from the Devil) is also prescribed. So therefore, not everything that has been mentioned in this hadeeth is obligatory even though the scholars of Fiqh have differed as to whether or not the ta’awudh and the opening supplication are obligatory or not.

Then the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered the man to bow and to remain tranquil while in the bowing position. This is where the basis of this issue is found since one of the most important things that the man left out of his prayer was being tranquil and calm while in each position. Then the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) ordered him to rise from the bowing position and to balance himself while standing. This second standing is known as ‘Itidaal (and not Qiyaam). This standing has been reported clearly in some ahaadeeth with the wording ‘Itidaal. This is the point used by some scholars who hold the view that it is not necessary to place the right hand over the left hand on the chest after rising from the bowing position since this standing is not referred to as Qiyaam (standing) unless there exists a clear contextual proof.

And if the word Qiyaam (standing) is used in the general sense, then it refers to the standing which takes place before the bowing. So based on this, the statement of the Companion: “When the Messenger of Allaah would stand in prayer he would place his right hand over his left hand on his chest while standing” means that the word “standing” here if applied in the general sense refers to that which occurs before the bowing position. And as for the standing that takes place after rising from the bowing position, then that should not be called Qiyaam (standing) unless it is accompanied by some clear contextual proof. Rather, it is called ‘Itidaal (straightening).

When discussing this issue previously, we stated that the most precise understanding on this issue is that of Imaam Ahmad bin Hanbal, who did not regard this issue as something too troublesome, may Allaah have mercy on him. He held that a person has the choice when he stands after bowing on whether or not he wants to place his right hand on his left hand over his chest. So he may choose – If he wishes, he may put his hands on his chest and if he wishes he may not. Why is this? This is from the intricate matters of Fiqh since the hadeeth does not literally state this type of standing. It only literally states the first standing. So whatever is stated literally (i.e. verbatim), there should be no differing in regards to that issue. And whoever does oppose it should be advised.

As for the second standing, then there is also an implied meaning that is derived from the (above) hadeeth which is not literal. So whatever is implied from a text, then that is usually the place where differing most likely occurs amongst the scholars of jurisprudence. So if the jurisprudent scholars of the past and present differed on this issue, we should pardon all of them. Those who say the hands should be placed on the chest are pardoned because they have gone by what is implied from the hadeeth, i.e. what is probable from the text not literal.

And as for the one who holds that the hands should not be placed on the chest in the second standing, he too should be pardoned because the hadeeth is not literal but rather implicative, as we stated previously.

This is one of the causes for the differing between the scholars of jurisprudence on subsidiary issues of Fiqh. Whoever amongst the students of knowledge wants to find out what these causes are and research them should refer to the booklet which is small in size yet grand in terms of the knowledge contained within it, “Raf’ul-Malaam ‘an-il-A’immat-il-A’laam” (of Ibn Taimiyyah) in order to find out the reasons why the scholars of Fiqh differed.

One of these causes, which we are discussing now, is when a scholar, for example, understood from the proofs that they include the first and second standing, while another scholar says that it only includes the first standing whereas the second standing is not included since it is known as ‘Itidaal (straightening) and not Qiyaam (standing) unless there is a clear contextual proof, and if this is not the case then the Qiyaam (standing) is only applied to the first standing. So the probability exists and Allaah knows best.

Published on: May 6, 2007

Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah in Every Prayer – Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee

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Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah in Every Prayer

AUTHOR: Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee [D. 1416H]
SOURCE: Sharh Shuroot as-Salaat (pg. 25-27)
PRODUCED BY: Al-Ibaanah.com

Click the Below Link to Read or Download the PDF Document

Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah in Every Prayer – Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee [PDF]

In his classical treatise, Shaikh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab, may Allaah have mercy on him, says: “The pillars of the prayer are fourteen: (1) Standing, if one has the ability to do so; (2) The opening Takbeer; (3) Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah…”

In his explanation of this last pillar, Shaikh Muhammad Amaan Al-Jaamee, may Allaah have mercy on him, said:

This applies to everyone – the one leading the prayer (Imaam), the one being led in prayer (ma’moom) and the one praying alone (munfarid) in the same manner – and according to the most correct opinion even in the audible prayers.

The ma’moom listening to the recitation of the Imaam and remaining attentive to it does not remove the obligation of reciting Surah Al-Faatihah from him according to the most correct opinion of the scholars. This issue is one of differing since the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement: “There is no prayer for he who does not recite the opening chapter of the Book” includes the one leading the prayer, the one being led in prayer and the one praying alone. He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “There is no prayer for he who does not recite…” Listening is not reciting.

It’s true that the one being led in prayer should remain attentive to the recitation of the one leading the prayer. However, the extent in which it takes him to recite Surah Al-Faatihah is exempted from this, whether he recites Al-Faatihah along with the Imaam in succession or he is able to recite it during one of the moments in which the Imaam pauses or he recites it while the Imaam is reciting the (next) surah in any of the opportunities he gets. This is since there is no mention (in the texts) of a specific time for the one being led in prayer to recite Surah AlFaatihah.

Irregardless, he must recite it since the prayer of the one who does not recite Surah Al-Faatihah is invalid whether he is leading the prayer, praying alone or – according to the most correct view as stated before – even if he is being led in prayer and standing behind an Imaam that is reciting out loud. The strongest proof for this is the qudsee hadeeth in which Allaah said: “I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves.” What is meant by “prayer” here is Surah Al-Faatihah. Allaah referred to Al-Faatihah as the prayer.

“I have divided the prayer between Myself and My servant into two halves, and My servant will have what he asks for. When the servant says: ‘Al-Hamdulillaahi Rabb-il-‘Alameen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has praised Me.’ And when he says: ‘Ar-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has extolled Me.’ And when he says: ‘Maaliki-yawm-id-Deen’, Allaah says: ‘My servant has honored Me.’

And when he says: ‘Iyyaaka Na’bdu wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een’, Allaah says: ‘This is between My servant and I and My servant will have what he asks for.’ And when he says: ‘Ihdinaas-Siraat-al-Mustaqeem. Siraat-aladheena an’amta ‘alaihim. Ghairil-Maghdoobi ‘alaihim wa lad-Daalleen’, Allaah says: ‘This is for My servant and for My servant will be what he asks for.’”

Allaah has referred to Surah Al-Faatihah as the “Prayer” in this qudsee hadeeth. This includes everyone who prays, meaning: Whoever does not recite Al-Faatihah has no prayer. So the hadeeth explains itself and supports itself.

Therefore, a person who prays behind someone – even an Imaam that is reciting out loud – should not leave off reciting Surah Al-Faatihah just because of what he has read in the books of one of the madh-habs. If he considers this type of hadeeth to be authentic as well as the second hadeeth “There is no prayer for he who does not recite the opening chapter of the Book” and other narrations concerning Surah Al-Faatihah that bear a similar meaning, it is not permissible for him to turn away from these ahaadeeth by claiming that he is following the madh-hab of so and so and that this madh-hab says it is not obligatory upon the one being led in prayer to recite Al-Faatihah particularly when the Imaam is reciting out loud. This is not a correct stance.

Imaam Maalik, may Allaah have mercy on him, the Imaam of Madeenah and one of the great ones to have taught at the Prophet’s Masjid during the time of the Taabi’-ut-Taabi’een who would teach in the proximity of the garden would advise his students saying to them: “Every person’s statements can either be accepted or rejected except for the inhabitant of this grave” and he pointed to the Prophet’s (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) grave, which was close to where he was teaching.

This is what it means: It is not befitting for a Muslim – especially a student of knowledge – that comes upon a hadeeth of Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to claim that this hadeeth opposes our madh-hab, and then abandons it claiming that he is doing so out of following his madh-hab. Following one of the madh-habs is not obligatory. There does not exist at all any creature whom we are obligated to follow and for whom we will be questioned about following – if we fall short in doing that – except for the Messenger of Allaah, Muhammad, (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Such a person does not exist.

As for the one who says: “And it is an obligation to blindly follow a scholar from amongst them” as the saying goes, using such wording that implies the same understanding of this statement made by the author of Jawharat-ut-Tawheed, then such a statement is baseless.

We are not obligated to follow any one of the four madh-habs. It is not an obligation. In fact, the most correct view is that it is not even permissible. The term “obligation” is a legal ruling and a legal ruling does not become established except by a proof from the Qur’aan or the Sunnah.

Whoever claims that something is obligatory is required to bring forward the proof for his claim. What is meant by the saying that we are obligated to follow the madh-hab of Imaam Maalik?? How could this be when at his time there were three other Muslim Imaams of his caliber? And altogether, these four Imaams were considered the Imaams of the world during the time of the Taabi’-ut-Taabi’een as Ibn Taimiyyah said: “These four are the Imaams of the world during the time of the Taabi’-ut-Taabi’een. Amongst them is Imaam Maalik in the Hijaaz, Al-Laith bin Sa’ad in Egypt, Ath-Thawree in ‘Iraaq, and Al-Awzaa’ee in Shaam.” So it is not permissible to blindly follow three of them but as for the fourth, we can?!?!

Where did they get this from? What is the proof for it? For three of them it is not permissible, ok, it is not obligatory. It is not permissible for us to blindly follow Laith or Thawree or AlAwzaa’ee, but as for Imaam Maalik, we must blindly follow him? Where did such a division come from? Who is the one who made such a thing an obligation? Did some revelation come down saying: “If an Imaam reaches the level of Imamship, the ummah is obligated to follow him?” There must be some text similar to this reported. And because there is none, the claim that blind-following one of the four Imaams is a false claim.

I am only using Imaam Maalik as an example here because I used his statement previously. Afterward, I remembered the three other Imaams that were of his caliber. Imaam Abu Haneefah, Ash-Shaafi’ee, Maalik and Ahmad were all Muslim Imaams, but there were others along with them who were just like them. Weren’t they more knowledgeable than them? It was said that Laith bin Sa’ad was more knowledgeable than Maalik. The point I’m trying to make is: The only one whom we are obligated to follow and for whom we will be questioned about following is Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Every Muslim knows and memorizes the three questions that he will be asked in the grave. When a person dies and is buried, he will definitely be asked these three questions: “Who is your Lord?” “What is your Religion?” And “who is your Prophet?” In some wordings of the narration, it states: “What do you say about the man who was sent to you?”

This is in reference to Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). One of the questions will not be: “Who is your Imaam? What is your madh-hab? What is your way?” No such report has been mentioned. Our Imaam, our example, our prophet and our leader to Allaah is Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). We have no other Imaam. The four Imaams as well as those who were of their caliber and standing would call the people to follow this same Imaam. They did not come with the purpose of calling people to follow them. This is why Imaam Abu Haneefah would say: “It is Haraam (unlawful) for anyone to blindly-follow us until they know from where we took (i.e. the sources).” Several scholars have reported this statement on him, such as Ibn ‘Abdil-Barr and Ibn ‘Aabideen in his Hanafee notes.

I would like to reiterate to the students of knowledge that the act of following the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) does not fall second to the act of worshipping Allaah. This is since worshipping Allaah is what is meant by “Laa Ilaaha Illaa Allaah” whereas following the Messenger of Allaah is what is meant when you say: “Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan Rasoolullaah.” These two statements are like one statement – the first part of it is not complete without the second part or the second part without the first. We must understand this point well. So the opening chapter of this Qur’aan is one of the important pillars of the prayer.

Abomination of Joining As-Salat (The Prayer) when the Food is ready orwhen one is in desperate need to answer the call of Nature

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 339
Abomination of Joining As-Salat (The Prayer) when the Food is ready or when one
is in desperate need to answer the call of Nature

1753. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “No Salat (prayer) should be performed when the food has been served, nor should it be performed when a person is in need of relieving himself.”
[Muslim].

Prohibition of Placing the hands on the sides during As-Salat (ThePrayer)

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 338
Prohibition of Placing the hands on the sides during As-Salat (The Prayer)

1752. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: We are prohibited from placing the hand on the side during As-Salat (the prayer).
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Undesirability of Glancing in one Direction of the other during Prayer

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Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 341
Undesirability of Glancing in one Direction of the other during Prayer

1755. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) about random looks in Salat (prayer), and he replied, “It is something which Satan snatches from the slave’s Salat.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1756.  Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said to me, “Beware of looking around in Salat (prayer), because random looks in Salat are a cause of destruction. If there should be no help from it, it is permissible in the voluntary and not in obligatory Salat.”
[At-Tirmidhi].

Abomination of Holding Conversation after ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayer

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Abomination of Holding Conversation after ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayer

1746. Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) disliked going to bed before the `Isha’ (night) prayer and indulging in conversation after it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1747. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) said: Once, towards the end of his life, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) concluded the `Isha’ (night) prayer and said, “After one hundred years from tonight none of the people on the surface of the earth will survive.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1748. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: Once the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) delayed the `Isha’ (night) prayer till midnight. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) turned to us after the prayer and said, “All the people slept after offering their prayers, but you who waited, will be accounted as if you were engaged in your prayer throughout the period.”

[Al-Bukhari].

Prohibition of facing the Graves during Salat (Prayer)

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1757. Abu Marthad Kannaz bin Husain (May Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “Do not offer Salat (prayer) facing the graves and do not sit on them.”
[Muslim].

Prohibition of passing in front of a Worshipper while he is offeringSalat (Prayer)

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(Prayer)

1758. Abul-Juhaim `Abdullah bin Al-Harith (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If the person who passes in front of a praying person, realizes the enormity of the sinfulness of this act, it will have been better for him to wait forty than to pass in front of him.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

[The narrator was not sure whether the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said forty days, months or years.]

Prohibition of raising one’s Head before the Imam

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1751. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Does he who raises up his head before the Imam not fear that Allah will make his head that of a donkey or make his appearance similar to that of donkey?”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Prohibition of raising one’s Eyes towards the sky during As-Salat (ThePrayer)

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1754. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “How is it that some people raise their eyes towards the sky during As-Salat (the prayer)?” He stressed (this point) and added, “People must refrain from raising their eyes towards heaven in Salat (prayer), or else their sights will certainly be snatched away.”
[Al-Bukhari].

The Excellence of Optional (Tawawih) Prayer during Ramadan

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1187.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who observes optional prayer (Tarawih prayers) throughout Ramadan, out of sincerity of Faith and in the hope of earning reward will have his past sins pardoned.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1188.  Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to urge (the people) to perform (optional Tarawih) prayer at night during the month of Ramadan. He did not order them or make it obligatory on them. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whosoever performs (optional Tarawih) prayers at night during the month of Ramadan, with Faith and in the hope of receiving Allah’s reward, will have his past sins forgiven.”
[Muslim].

 

Sunnah of the Maghrib Prayer

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Sunnah of the Maghrib Prayer

[In the previous chapter, the practice of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has been reported by `Umar and `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with them) that he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two Rak`ah Sunnah after the obligatory Maghrib prayer].

1122. `Abdullah bin Mughaffal (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perform two Rak`ah before Maghrib prayer.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) repeated it twice; when repeating it for the third time he added: “He who may so wish.”
[Al-Bukhari].

1123. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I saw the principal Companions of Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) rushing to the pillars (of the mosque) to perform two Rak`ah prayers behind them before the Maghrib prayer.
[Al-Bukhari].

1124. Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: In the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), we used to perform two Rak`ah (optional prayer) after sunset before the Maghrib prayer. It was asked: “Did Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) perform them?” He replied: “He saw us performing it, but he neither ordered us to perform them nor did he forbid us from doing so.”
[Muslim].

1125. Anas bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: When we were in Al-Madinah, the moment the Mu’adhdhin finished the Adhan of the Maghrib prayer, the people hastened to the pillars of the mosque and performed two Rak`ah prayer behind them. A stranger coming into the mosque would think that the obligatory prayer had already been performed because of the number of people performing them.
[Muslim].

Witr Prayer, its Time and Ruling

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Witr Prayer, its Time and Ruling

1132. `Ali (bin Abu Talib) (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Witr prayer is not obligatory as the prescribed Salat (prayers), but the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) observed it as his regular practice (Sunnah). He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah is Witr (single, odd) and loves what is Witr. So perform Witr prayer. O followers of Qur’an, observe Witr (prayer).”
[At-Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud].

1133. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) observed Witr prayer in every part of night at the beginning, middle and at the last part. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), however, would finish his Witr prayer before dawn.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1134. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Make Witr prayer the last of your Salat at night.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1135. Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Perform Witr prayer before dawn.”
[Muslim].

1136.`Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to perform his voluntary prayer at night (i.e., Tahajjud prayer) while she was sleeping in front of him; and when the Witr prayer was yet to be observed, he would awaken her to perform her Witr prayer.
[Muslim].

1137. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Hasten to perform the Witr prayer before dawn.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1138. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who apprehends that he may not get up in the later part of the night, should observe the Witr prayer in the first part of it; and he who is certain to get up in the last part of it, he should observe Witr at the end of the night, because Salat at the end of the night is attended (by the angels), and that is better.”
[Muslim].

Sunnah of the ‘Isha’ Prayer

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Sunnah of the ‘Isha’ Prayer

[Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) has narrated that he performed two Rak`ah after the Fard prayer of `Isha’ with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). `Abdullah bin Maghaffal has narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has said, “There is a Salat between every Takbir and Adhan.”

This proves that apart from the four Rak`ah Fard, there are also two Rak`ah Sunnah of the `Isha’ prayer). See Ahadith No. 1098 and 1099.

 

The Excellence of Performing Salat (Prayers) in Congregation

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The Excellence of Performing Salat (Prayers) in Congregation

1064. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “Salat in congregation is twenty-seven times more meritorious than a Salat performed individually.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1065. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “A man’s Salat in congregation is twenty-five times more rewarding than his Salat at home or in his shop, and that is because when he performs his Wudu’ properly and proceeds towards the mosque with the purpose of performing Salat in congregation, he does not take a step without being raised a degree (in rank) for it and having a sin remitted for it, till he enters the mosque. When he is performing Salat, the angels continue to invoke Blessings of Allah on him as long as he is in his place of worship in a state of Wudu’. They say: `O Allah! Have mercy on him! O Allah! Forgive him.’ He is deemed to be engaged in Salat as long as he waits for it.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1066. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “O Messenger of Allah! I have no one to guide me to the mosque.” He, therefore, sought his permission to perform Salat (prayer) in his house. He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) granted him permission. When the man turned away, he called him back, and said, “Do you hear the Adhan (call to prayer)?” He replied in the affirmative. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) then directed him to respond to it.
[Muslim].

1067. `Abdullah bin Umm Maktum, the Mu’adhdhin (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I said to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): “There are many poisonous insects and wild beasts in Al-Madinah, and I am blind. Please grant me permission to perform Salat at home.” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) enquired whether he could hear the call: Hayya `alas-Salah; Hayya `alal-Falah (Come to the prayer, come to the salvation). When he replied in affirmative, the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) directed him to come (to mosque) for prayer.”
[Abu Dawud].

1068. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, I sometimes thought of giving orders for firewood to be collected, then for proclaiming the Adhan for Salat. Then I would appoint an Imam to lead Salat, and then go to the houses of those who do not come to perform Salat in congregation, and set fire to their houses on them.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1069.Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: He who likes to meet Allah tomorrow (i.e., on the Day of  Requital) as a Muslim, should take care and observe the Salat when the Adhan is announced for them. Allah has expounded to your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) the ways of right guidance, and these (the prayers) are part of the right guidance. If you have to perform Salat in your houses, as this man who stays away (from the mosque) and performs Salat in his house, you will abandon the Sunnah (practice) of your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and the departure from the Sunnah of your Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) will lead you astray. I have seen the time when no one stayed behind except a well-known hypocrite. I also saw that a man was brought swaying (on account of weakness) between two men till he was set up in a row (in the mosque).
[Muslim].

1070. Abud-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “If three men in a village or in the desert, make no arrangement for Salat in congregation, Satan must have certainly overcome them. So observe Salat in congregation, for the wolf eats up a solitary sheep that stays far from the flock.”
[Abu Dawud].

 

Sunnah of the ‘Asr Prayer

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1119. `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to perform four Rak`ah before the `Asr prayer, separating them with Taslim (i.e., offering blessings) on the favourite angels who are near Allah’s proximity and the Muslims and the believers who come after them.
[At-Tirmidhi].

1120. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “May Allah have mercy on a man who performs four Rak`ah before the `Asr prayer.”
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

1121. `Ali bin Abu Talib (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to perform two Rak`ah before the `Asr prayer.
[Abu Dawud].

Urging to Observe ‘Isha’ and Fajr Prayers in Congregation

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1071. `Uthman bin `Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “One who performs `Isha’ prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat the whole night.”
[Muslim]

The narration of At-Tirmidhi says: `Uthman bin Affan (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying: “He who attends `Isha’ in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night; and he who attends `Isha’ and Fajr prayers in congregation, is as if he has performed Salat for the whole night.”

1072.Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “If they knew the merits of Salat after nightfall (`Isha’) and the morning (Fajr) Salat, they would come to them even if they had to crawl to do so.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

1073. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “No Salat is more burdensome to the hypocrites than the Fajr (dawn) prayer and the `Isha’ (night) prayer; and if they knew their merits, they would come to them even if they had to crawl to do so.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

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