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**Al Habeshi** · **Re: Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer -** 02-14-2008

The Fourth Pillar: Bowing

The Fifth Pillar: Rising from the bowing position

The Sixth Pillar: Prostrating on one’s seven limbs.

The Seventh Pillar: Erecting oneself from that

The Eighth Pillar: Sitting between the two prostrations. The proof for these (last five) pillars is Allaah’s statement:

“O you who believe! Bow and prostrate (in prayer).” [Surah Al-Hajj: 77]

And also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam):

“I was ordered to prostrate on seven body limbs.” 15

The Ninth Pillar: Being in a state of tranquility during all of the acts.

The Tenth Pillar: Following a sequential order between these pillars. The proof for these (i.e. last two pillars) is the hadeeth about the man who prayed badly, narrated by Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “One day we were sitting with the Prophet when a man entered and prayed. [Then he rose from prayer] and greeted the Prophet with Salaam. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told him: ‘Go back and pray for you have not prayed.’ This occurred three times, and finally the man said: ‘I swear by the One who sent you as a prophet in truth, I cannot do better than this, so teach me (the correct way to pray).’ So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘When you get up to pray, say the Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar). Then recite what is easy for you from the Qur’aan. Then bow until you feel tranquillity bowing. Then rise until you feel tranquil standing. Then prostrate until you feel tranquility whilst prostrating. Then rise from it until you feel tranquility sitting. Then do this in all of your prayers.’”

The Eleventh and Twelfth Pillar: The final Tashahhud is an obligatory pillar, as is stated in the hadeeth reported by Ibn Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “Before the tashahhud was made obligatory on us, we would say: ‘As-Salaamu ‘alaaAllaahi min ‘Ibaadihi. As-Salaamu ‘alaa Jibreel wa Mikaa’eel.’ [Peace be on Allaah from His servants. Peace be on Jibreel and Mikaa’eel]. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Do not say: Peace (Salaam) be on Allaah, for indeed Allaah, He is As-Salaam. Instead say: At-Tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-Salawaatu wat-Tayyibaat. As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh. As- Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘Ibaadillaahis-Saaliheen. Ash-hadu an Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah wa Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluh.’16” 17

The meaning of “At-Tahiyyaat” is that all of the glorifications are for Allaah, who possesses and deserves that, such as the acts of inclining, bowing, prostrating, remaining and continuing (in the acts of prayer). Everything for which the Lord of creation is glorified due to, then that belongs to Allaah. So whoever directs any part of that (glorification) to other than Allaah, he is a polytheist, disbeliever.

“As-Salawaat” means all of the supplications. It is also held that it refers to the five daily prayers.

“wat-Tayyibaat”: Allaah is Tayyib (good), He does not accept any of the sayings or actions except for those that are tayyib (good).

“As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh” means that you are supplicating for the Prophet to have safety, mercy and blessing. The one who is supplicated for is not being supplicated to along with Allaah. 18

“As-Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘Ibaadillaahis-Saaliheen” means you are sending Salaam (peace) upon yourself and to every righteous servant in the heaven and the earth.

“Salaam” is for the supplication. “Saaliheen” is for those who are being supplicated for, and they are not being supplicated to along with Allaah.

“Ash-hadu an Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah wahdahu laa Shareeka Lahu”: You testify with a certain testimony that no one in the heaven and the earth has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. And your testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah means that he is a slave (worshipper of Allaah) who is not to be worshipped, and a messenger who is not to be rejected. Rather, he is to be obeyed and followed. Allaah honored him with granting him the station of servitude (i.e. that he worships Allaah).

The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:

“Blessed be the One who sent the Criterion to His slave so that He may be a warner for the creation.” [Surah Al-Furqaan: 1]

The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Pillar: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa Aali Muhammadin kamaa Salayta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa Aali
Ibraaheema Innaka Hameedun Majeed.” The meaning of Salaat from Allaah is His praising of His servant in the greatest of gatherings, as has been reported by Al- Bukhaaree in his Saheeh from Abul-‘Aaliyah who said: “The Salaat of Allaah means His praise for His servant in the highest of gatherings (i.e. angels).” It is also held that Salaat means mercy. But the first definition is more correct. As for the Salaat when it comes from the angels, then it means: Asking for forgiveness. And from the humans, it means supplication. Asking for blessing of Muhammad and what comes after that are all supererogatory statements and actions.

Footnotes:

10 Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I have been
ordered to prostrate on seven limbs: on the forehead – and he pointed to his nose – the (palms of
the) hands, the knees and the toes of the feet.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
11 Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahreem”, which has been translated as
opening, but which more specifically means that which makes something forbidden. This is since with
the opening Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become forbidden, as one is now in
prayer.
12 Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahleel”, which has been translated as closing,
but which more specifically means to make something permissible. This is since with the closing
Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become permitted again, as one is now out of
prayer.
13 Reported by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee, Ahmad and Al-Bazaar
14 Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah and Al-Haakim
15 Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim
16 Translator’s Note: This means “All acts of praise, supplications, and good are for Allaah. Peace
be on you O Prophet, and also the mercy and blessings of Allaah. Peace be on us, and on the
righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except Allaah
and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.”
17 Reported by Al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh
18 Translator’s Note: According to the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported in Al-
Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Companions would say: “As-Salaamu ‘alaan-Nabee” [Peace be on the
Prophet] instead of “As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee” [Peace be on you O Prophet] after the
Prophet died, mentioning him (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in the third person. Refer to “The Prophet’s
Prayer Described” by Imam Al-Albaanee for a discussion on this.

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Al Habeshi Eesa Abdullah Status: Offline Posts: 5,784 Reputation: 22602 Rep Power: 51 Join Date: Jan 2006 Gender: Way of Life: Muslim	Re: Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of Prayer - 02-14-2008 The Fourth Pillar: Bowing The Fifth Pillar: Rising from the bowing position The Sixth Pillar: Prostrating on one’s seven limbs. The Seventh Pillar: Erecting oneself from that The Eighth Pillar: Sitting between the two prostrations. The proof for these (last five) pillars is Allaah’s statement: “O you who believe! Bow and prostrate (in prayer).” [Surah Al-Hajj: 77] And also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “I was ordered to prostrate on seven body limbs.” 15 The Ninth Pillar: Being in a state of tranquility during all of the acts. The Tenth Pillar: Following a sequential order between these pillars. The proof for these (i.e. last two pillars) is the hadeeth about the man who prayed badly, narrated by Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “One day we were sitting with the Prophet when a man entered and prayed. [Then he rose from prayer] and greeted the Prophet with Salaam. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told him: ‘Go back and pray for you have not prayed.’ This occurred three times, and finally the man said: ‘I swear by the One who sent you as a prophet in truth, I cannot do better than this, so teach me (the correct way to pray).’ So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘When you get up to pray, say the Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar). Then recite what is easy for you from the Qur’aan. Then bow until you feel tranquillity bowing. Then rise until you feel tranquil standing. Then prostrate until you feel tranquility whilst prostrating. Then rise from it until you feel tranquility sitting. Then do this in all of your prayers.’” The Eleventh and Twelfth Pillar: The final Tashahhud is an obligatory pillar, as is stated in the hadeeth reported by Ibn Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “Before the tashahhud was made obligatory on us, we would say: *‘As-Salaamu ‘alaaAllaahi min ‘Ibaadihi. As-Salaamu ‘alaa Jibreel wa Mikaa’eel.’* [Peace be on Allaah from His servants. Peace be on Jibreel and Mikaa’eel]. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘Do not say: Peace (Salaam) be on Allaah, for indeed Allaah, He is As-Salaam. Instead say: At-Tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-Salawaatu wat-Tayyibaat. As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh. As- Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘Ibaadillaahis-Saaliheen. Ash-hadu an Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah wa Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluh.’16” 17 The meaning of *“At-Tahiyyaat”* is that all of the glorifications are for Allaah, who possesses and deserves that, such as the acts of inclining, bowing, prostrating, remaining and continuing (in the acts of prayer). Everything for which the Lord of creation is glorified due to, then that belongs to Allaah. So whoever directs any part of that (glorification) to other than Allaah, he is a polytheist, disbeliever. *“As-Salawaat”* means all of the supplications. It is also held that it refers to the five daily prayers. *“wat-Tayyibaat”: Allaah is Tayyib (good), He does not accept any of the sayings or actions except for those that are tayyib (good). “As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh”* means that you are supplicating for the Prophet to have safety, mercy and blessing. The one who is supplicated for is not being supplicated to along with Allaah. 18 *“As-Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘Ibaadillaahis-Saaliheen”* means you are sending Salaam (peace) upon yourself and to every righteous servant in the heaven and the earth. *“Salaam”* is for the supplication. *“Saaliheen”* is for those who are being supplicated for, and they are not being supplicated to along with Allaah. *“Ash-hadu an Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah wahdahu laa Shareeka Lahu”: You testify with a certain testimony that no one in the heaven and the earth has the right to be worshipped except Allaah. And your testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah means that he is a slave (worshipper of Allaah) who is not to be worshipped, and a messenger who is not to be rejected. Rather, he is to be obeyed and followed. Allaah honored him with granting him the station of servitude (i.e. that he worships Allaah). The proof for this is Allaah’s statement: “Blessed be the One who sent the Criterion to His slave so that He may be a warner for the creation.”* [Surah Al-Furqaan: 1] The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Pillar: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa Aali Muhammadin kamaa Salayta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa Aali Ibraaheema Innaka Hameedun Majeed.” The meaning of Salaat from Allaah is His praising of His servant in the greatest of gatherings, as has been reported by Al- Bukhaaree in his Saheeh from Abul-‘Aaliyah who said: “The Salaat of Allaah means His praise for His servant in the highest of gatherings (i.e. angels).” It is also held that Salaat means mercy. But the first definition is more correct. As for the Salaat when it comes from the angels, then it means: Asking for forgiveness. And from the humans, it means supplication. Asking for blessing of Muhammad and what comes after that are all supererogatory statements and actions. Footnotes: 10 Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I have been ordered to prostrate on seven limbs: on the forehead – and he pointed to his nose – the (palms of the) hands, the knees and the toes of the feet.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim] 11 Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahreem”, which has been translated as opening, but which more specifically means that which makes something forbidden. This is since with the opening Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become forbidden, as one is now in prayer. 12 Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahleel”, which has been translated as closing, but which more specifically means to make something permissible. This is since with the closing Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become permitted again, as one is now out of prayer. 13 Reported by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee, Ahmad and Al-Bazaar 14 Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah and Al-Haakim 15 Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim 16 Translator’s Note: This means “All acts of praise, supplications, and good are for Allaah. Peace be on you O Prophet, and also the mercy and blessings of Allaah. Peace be on us, and on the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.” 17 Reported by Al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh 18 Translator’s Note: According to the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported in Al- Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Companions would say: “As-Salaamu ‘alaan-Nabee” [Peace be on the Prophet] instead of “As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee” [Peace be on you O Prophet] after the Prophet died, mentioning him (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in the third person. Refer to “The Prophet’s Prayer Described” by Imam Al-Albaanee for a discussion on this. __________________ إتبعوا ولا تبتدعوا، فقدكفيتم، وكل بدعة ضلالة Follow (the Sunnah) and do not innovate (into it), for verily you have been sufficed. And every innovation is a misguidance. Confused about which religion is true? How can I know? Come and check out some proposed fundamental principles (#1 , #2) to aid you in making a decision.