Salât according to the manners of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم

[nurul3eyn]

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Salât according to the manners of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم
All praise is to Allah Alone, and may His peace and blessings be upon His Messenger and slave, our Prophet Muhammad, his Family and his Companions.

The objective of this concise pamphlet is to explain how Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم used to perform his Salât (prayers). I would like to present this explanation to every male and female Muslim so that they may strive to take up the Prophet's manner in performing their Salât (prayers) as a model for them. It was narrated by Al-Bukhari that Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

" صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي "

"Perform your Salât (prayers) in the same manner as you have seen me doing".

Therefore, here is the explanation for the Prophet's manner of prayer:

To perform completely the Wudu (ablution), adopting the method commanded by Allah in the Qur'ân: ‏يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ
"O you who believe! When you intend to offer prayer, wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles." (S.5:V.6)

The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

" لا تقبل صلاة بغير طهور "

"Salât (prayer) without purification (ablution) is invalid."

To turn one's face and the whole body towards the Ka'ba, the Sacred House at Makkah, intending by heart to perform the prayer which he wants to fulfill, whether it is a Fard (obligatory) prayer or a Sunnah (supererogatory) prayer, the worshipper in all cases, should not pronounce his Niya (intention) openly, because neither the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم nor his Companions رضي الله عنهم used to utter the intention for Salât. Thus, pronouncing the intention for Salât in audible voice is a heresy and an illicit action. Whether the individual be an Imâm or performs his Salât individually, he should make a Sutra i.e. a curtain for his Salât. Directing the face towards the Qiblah (the Ka'ba at Makkah) is an imperative condition for every Salât. However, there are few exceptions for this rule explained in authoritative books for those who wish to refer.
To pronounce Takbirat-al-Ihram that is to say Allahu Akbar الله أكبر (Allah is Great) proclaiming by that the Greatness of Allah and looking meanwhile, downwards to the place where he will prostrate.
To raise one's hands up to the level of the shoulders or near to the lobes of his ears, while pronouncing Takbirat-al-Ihram.
To put one's right hand over his left hand and left wrist, and put them both over his chest, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to do.
It is advisable that the worshipper recite this Du`a-e-Istiftah (opening supplication) saying:
"اللهم باعد بيني وبين خطاياي كما باعدت بين المشرق والمغرب, اللهم نقني من خطاياي كما ينقى الثوب الأبيض من الدنس, اللهم اغسلني من خطاياي بالماء والثلج والبرد"

"Allahumma ba'id bayni wa bayna khatayaya kama ba`adta baynalmashriqi wal maghribi. Allahumma naqqini min khatayaya kama yonaqqa ath-thawbu-labyado min addan as. Allahummagsilni min khatayaya bilma `i wath-thalji walbarad."

"O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the east and west. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as the white garment is cleansed from dirt. O Allah, wash off my sins with water, snow and hail."

Or, he may say instead:

"سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك وتبارك اسمك وتعالى جدك ولا إله غيرك"

"Suhhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika wa tabarakasmuka wa ta `la jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruka."

"Praise and glory is to Allah. Blessed is Your Name, Exalted is Your Majesty and Glory. There is no god but You."

Or he may say any other of the supplications which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to say in his prayers. It is better to recite these supplications alternately, the first one in the Fajr (morning) prayer, the second in the Zuhr (noon) prayer, each one by turn, in conformity with what the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used to do.

After reciting the opening supplication, the worshipper says:

"أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم"

"A`ûdhu billahi min ash-Shaytanir-ra- jim"

"I seek protection of Allah against the accursed Satan."

Then he says:

"بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم"

"Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem".

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

and recites the Fâtiha (the opening Surah of the Glorious Qur'ân). Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

" لا صلاة لمن لم يقرأ بفاتحة الكتاب "

"Salât without reciting the Fatiha is invalid".

The worshipper should say Ameen after reciting the Fâtiha loudly if the Salât is to be said loudly, and whisper it in inaudible prayers. To be in conformity with the Ahâdith (traditions) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم the worshipper is advised to recite verses from medium size Surah of the Qur'ân in the Zuhr (noon), `Asr (afternoon), and `Ishâ' (night) prayers. As for the Fajr (morning) prayer, the worshipper is advised to recite a passage from the long Surah of the Qur'ân. He has the choice in Maghrib (evening) prayer either to recite passages from the long Surah or from the short Surah of the Qur'ân.

Then, the worshipper bows in Rukû 'raising his hands up to the level of his shoulders or ears while saying الله أكبر AIlahu Akbar (Allah is Great) then bends down, making his head and back on one level and putting his hands with the fingers spread on his knees. The worshipper should feel serenity and tranquillity while bowing, he should say thrice at least:
"سبحان ربي العظيم"

"Subhana Rabbiyal `Azim"

"Glory is to my Lord, the All-Mighty."

It is advisable to say while bowing in addition to that:

"سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك اللهم اغفر لي"

"Subhanaka AIlahumma Rabbana wa bi hamdika, AIlahummaghfir li"

"Glory is to You O Allah, Our Lord, and I praise You, forgive me my sins."

To raise one's head up from bowing, raising one's hands to the level of his shoulders or ears, saying, in case of being Imâm or praying alone:
"سمع الله لمن حمده"

"Sami `allahu liman hamidah".

"Allah listens to him who praises Him".

While resuming the standing position, he should say:

"ربنا ولك الحمد حمدا كثيرا طيبا مباركا فيه ملء السماوات وملء الأرض وملء ما بينهما وملء ما شئت من شيء بعد"

"Rabbana wa lakal hamd, hamdan katheeran taiyiban mubarakan fihi mil`as -samawaati wa mil-alardi wa mil`a ma baynahuma wa mil`a ma shi`ta min shai`in bad."

"Our Lord, praise is for You only, praises plentiful and blessings as to fill the heavens, the earth, what is in between, and fill that which will please You besides them."

But if the worshipper is a follower, and led in his Salât by the Imâm he should say when rising up:

"ربنا ولك الحمد..."

"Rabbana wa lakal hamd... "etc.

It is advisable for the Imâm, the follower, or who prays alone to add also:


"أهل الثناء والمجد أحق ما قال العبد وكلنا لك عبد, اللهم لا مانع لما أعطيت ولا معطي لما منعت ولا ينفع ذا الجد منك الجد"

"You Allah, Who deserve all praises and all glory, Your praising is the best and most true of whatever Your slave can say, we all are Your slaves. O Allah, no one can ever deprive of what You have bestowed and no one can ever give of what You have deprived."

The worshipper is advised to put his hands on his chest, as he had done before he bowed. Both Wa'il bin Hujr and Sahl bin Sa'd narrated that this was the manner of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم when he used to raise his head up after bowing.

To prostrate saying Allahu Akbar الله أكبر (Allah is Great). He should touch the ground with his knees before touching it with his hands, if that is possible to him. If not, he is permitted to touch the ground by his hands before his knees. His fingers and toes should be directed towards the Qiblah at Makkah, and his hands should be stretched, and the fingers close together and not separated. In Sajdah (prostration), the worshipper should use these seven organs:
The forehead, the nose, both hands, both knees and the internal parts of the toes.

These seven organs should touch the ground. Then the worshipper should say thrice or more:

"سبحان ربي الأعلى"

"Subhana Rabbiyal A`la"

"Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted."

It is advisable to say:

"سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك - اللهم اغفر لي"

"Subhanaka Allahumma Rabbana wa bi hamdika, Allahumaghfirli."

"Glory is to You O Allah, Our Lord, and I praise You. Our Lord, forgive me my sins."

It is recommendable for the worshipper to exceed more and more in supplications and ask for more from his Lord, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

" أما الركوع فعظموا فيه الرب, وأما السجود فاجتهدوا في الدعاء فقمن أن يستجاب لكم

"As for Rukû' (bowing), you should glorify your Lord during performing it; as for Sajdah (prostration), you should do your best to supplicate and ask for more from Him, because your supplications during prostration are more worthy to be accepted."

The worshipper should ask his Lord for prosperity both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Whether it is an obligatory prayer or an optional prayer, the worshipper, while prostrating, should neither bring his hands close to his sides, nor stick his abdomen to his thighs, or his thighs to his legs. The worshipper's arms should be raised up from the ground because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم prohibited putting the arms and stretching them on the ground, ordering that "adjust your prostration, keep straight in it, and stretch not your hands on the ground as dogs do."

He should raise his head from prostration saying Allahu Akbar الله أكبر and lay his left foot flat on the ground and sit upon it, keeping his right foot erected, his hands on his thighs and knees, and say:
"رب اغفر لي وارحمني واهدني وارزقني وعافني واجبرني"

"O my Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, provide me with Your blessings and console me."

The worshipper should feel tranquillity during this pause.

To prostrate again saying AIlahu Akbar الله أكبر and repeating during his prostration what he did and said in the first prostration.
Then the worshipper raises his head saying AIlahu Akbar الله أكبر taking a pause similar to the pause between the two prostrations; this is called Jalsah-e-Istrâhat (the pause for rest). It is recommended for the worshipper to do such a pause, but there is no sin if he desists from it. Then the worshipper rises up and stands supporting on his knees, or on the ground if he cannot support himself on the knees, reads the Fâtiha (the opening Surah of the Glorious Qur'ân) and some other verses of the Qur'ân and do as just as he did in the first Rak `a (unit of prayer). Those who pray behind the Imâm should not compete with him in the prayer actions as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
" إنما جعل الإمام ليؤتم به فلا تختلفوا عليه, فإذا كبر فكبروا, وإذا ركع فاركعوا, وإذا قال: سمع الله لمن حمده, فقولوا: ربنا لك الحمد, وإذا سجد فاسجدوا "

"The Imâm is to be followed, if he says Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great), then say the same after him. If he bows in Rukû', bow after him. If he says Sami`allahu ilman hamidah (Allah hears him who praises Him), then say Rabbana wa lakal-hamd (Our Lord! All praises are for You); and if he prostrates, then prostrate after him." (Agreed upon)

If the prayer consists of two Rak`a (two units of prayer) as the Fajr (morning) prayer, Eid (feast) prayer, or the Jumu`a (Friday) prayer, the worshipper sits after the second prostration, with his right foot erect, sitting on his left foot laid down, putting his right hand on his right thigh, all his fingers close-fisted except the index finger which he uses to point out as a sign for his Monotheistic Belief, and his left hand is put on his left thigh. There is nothing in the way, if the worshipper keeps both the little and ring fingers closed, while rounding his thumb and middle finger in a ring-shape, and uses his index finger to point out as a sign for his Monotheistic Belief. It has been related that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had practised both of these ways, thus, it is advisable for the worshipper to perform the first way once and the other on the second time.
The worshipper reads the Tashahhud while sitting and says:

"التحيات لله, والصلوات والطيبات السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته, السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين, أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله, وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله, اللهم صل على محمد, وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم, وعلى آل إبراهيم إنك حميد مجيد"

"At-tahiyatu lillahi was-salawatu wattaiyibatu assalamu alayka aiyuhannabiyu wa rahmat-ullahi wa barakatuhu. Assalamu alaina wa ala ibadi-llahis- salihin. Ashhadu an Ia ilaha illallahu wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasûluhu. Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayata ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahima. Innaka Hamidun Majid. Wa barik ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama barakta ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahima. Innaka Hamidun Majid."

"Greetings, prayers and the good things of life belong to Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family as You blessed Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, The Most Glorious. O Allah, bestow Your grace on Muhammad and his family as You bestowed it on Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, The Most Glorious."

After reciting the Tashahhud, the worshipper asks Allah's protection from four evils, he should say:

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

"My Lord, I ask your protection from torment of the Hell, torment of the grave, the trials in lifetime and after death, and from the impostor Masih Dajjal (Antichrist)."

The worshipper may ask Allah for prosperity in this worldly life and in the Hereafter, supplicate Allah to bestow His favours on his parents and other Muslims. He could do this in both obligatory and optional prayers. It has been narrated by Ibn Mas'ud that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught him how to recite the Tashahhud and told him that the worshipper should invoke Allah and ask Him for the more beloved wishes which he likes, or, as it has been related in other wordings, the worshipper should ask Allah for whatever he wishes.
In this manner, the slave can ask Allah for all the prosperities of this worldly life and the life to come. The worshipper terminates his Salât by turning his face to the right, saying:

"السلام عليكم ورحمة الله"

"As-salamu alaikum wa rahmatullah"

"Peace and mercy of Allah be on you."

In case of a three Rak`a prayer (prayer consisting of three units) as that of Maghrib (evening) prayer, or a four Rak`a prayer like that of Zuhr (noon) prayer, Asr (afternoon) prayer, and `Ishâ (night) prayer; the worshipper stands up after reciting the Tashahhud according to the manner stated before, and raises his hands upto the level of his shoulders saying Allahu Akbar الله أكبر. The worshipper puts his hands over his chest as it had been explained before and recites only theFâtiha. There is no objection if he adds to the Fâtiha some other verses of the Qur'ân while performing the third or fourth Rak`a (unit of prayer) of Zuhr (noon) prayer, because this was stated to be one of the manners adopted by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم according to the Hadîth (tradition) narrated by Abû Sa'id.
After the third Rak`a of Maghrib (evening) prayer, and the fourth Rak`a of Zuhr (noon), Asr (aftenoon) and `Ishâ (night) prayers, the worshipper recites the Tashahhud and terminates his Salât by saying:

"السلام عليكم ورحمة الله"

"Assalamu-alaikum wa rahmatullah"

while turning first to the right, and second to the left as it has been explained before.

It is not an obligatory duty, but it is a recommendable Prophetic tradition to invoke Allah after terminating the Salât by asking Him forgiveness thrice and saying before turning one's face towards his followers if he is the Imâm:

"اللهم أنت السلام ومنك السلام تباركت يا ذا الجلال والإكرام"

"O Allah, You are peace and from You is peace, You are blessed, O Possessor of Glory and Honour."

It is advisable for the worshipper to say:

"لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له, له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير, اللهم لا مانع لما أعطيت ولا معطي لما منعت ولا ينفع ذا الجد منك الجد, لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله, لا إله إلا الله ولا نعبد إلا إياه له النعمة وله الفضل وله الثناء الحسن لا إله إلا الله مخلصين له الدين ولو كره الكافرون"

"There is no God but Allah. He is the One. He has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him Alone is the praise. He has power over all things. O Lord, none may withhold what You have given and none may give what You have withheld and the riches cannot avail a wealthy person with You. There is no might or power except by the support of Allah, There is no God but Allah and we do not worship but Him Alone. To Him Alone belong all bounties, to Him Alone belong all grace, and to Him worthy praise is accorded. There is no God but Allah, to Whom we are sincere in devotion, even though the disbelievers may detest it."

It is also advisable to the worshipper to extol Allah 33 times by saying Subhan Allah سبحان الله praise Him by saying Al Hamdulillah الحمد الله 33 times, and also by saying 33 times Allahu Akbar الله أكبر and the worshipper completes his supplications to be one hundred by saying once:

"لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له, له الملك وله الحمد وهو على كل شيء قدير"

"There is no God but Allah. He is the One. He has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him Alone is the praise. He has power over all things."

The worshipper adds to that the recitation of the Verse of the Throne (Ayat Al-Kursi), Surat Al-ikhlâs, Surat Al-Falaq, and Surat An-Nas. It is recommendable to recite these Surah thrice after the Fajr (morning) prayer, and the Maghrib (evening) prayer because this was reported to be one of the Ahâdith (traditions) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. As it had been stated before, all these after-prayer supplications are optional and not obligatory.

Every Muslim, whether be male or female, is recommended to pray 12 Rak`a of Sunnah (supererogatory) prayers every day: four of these Rak`a (units of prayers) are before Zuhr (noon) prayer, two after it, two after Maghrib (evening) prayer, two after `Ishâ (night) prayer and two before the Fajr (morning) prayer. These supererogatory prayers are called Rawâtib which means: "Certain supererogatory exercises of optional prayers." The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم preserved the performance of these optional prayers wherever he settled. During his travels, he used to practise the two optional Rak`a before the Fajr (morning) prayer and also the Witr (odd) prayer (after the `Ishâ prayer). There is no objection to perform these optional prayers in the mosque, but it is better to perform it at home, because the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

" أفضل صلاة المرء في بيته إلا الصلاة المكتوبة "

"The best of the Salât (prayers) are those which are fulfilled at one's own home, with exception to obligatory prayers which should be performed in congregation at the mosque."

Observance of fulfilling these optional prayers is a means for gaining admission to Paradise. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

" من صلى اثنتى عشرة ركعة في يومه وليلته تطوعا بنى الله له بيتا في الجنة "

"Whoever prays optionally twelve Rak`a every day and night, Allah will reward him by an established dwelling in the Paradise."

It is also advisable to the Muslim to pray four optional Rak`a before Asr (afternoon) prayer, two before Maghrib (evening) prayer, and two before `Ishâ' (night) prayer, because this manner was reported to be one of the Ahâdith (traditions) of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Allah عز وجل says:

‏لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) you have a good example to follow..." (S.33:V.21).

And the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:

"صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي"

"Perform your Salât (prayers) in the same manner as you have seen me doing."

Allah is He, Who is Able to render us success and prosperity, and may Allah give His blessings and peace to our Prophet Muhammad son of Abdullah, his Family, his Companions and whoever follows his way till Doomsday.
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If you came this far that means you read the whole article,,u deserve a reward....May Allah shower you with his blessing and keep you under his shade on the day of judgement" thats ur reward hehehe :D:D:D
:w: wr wb

[Khayal]

:sl:

May Allah shower you with his blessing and keep you under his shade on the day of judgement"

Aameen!!! Jazaak ALLAH khayr. @};-

:w: