Salat (Prayer)

…فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ ۚ إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَابًا مَوْقُوتًا

“…but when ye are free from danger, set up Regular Prayers: For such Prayers are enjoined on believers at stated times.” (Qur’an, 4:103).

How Imam As-Sadiq (‘A) Prayed

Ḥammad b. ʿIsa narrates: One day, Abu ʿAbd Allah [as-Sadiq] asked me: ‘Do you pray well, O Ḥamad?’ I said: ‘My master! I have in my keeping a valuable book on prayer.’ He said: ‘No problem. Stand up and pray!’

So, I got up in front of him, facing the qibla, and I began to pray, bowing and prostrating.

Then he said: ‘O Ḥammad! You don’t know how to pray well. It is a shame that a man should have spent sixty or seventy years in this world without offering a single perfect prayer!’

Feeling embarrassed, I said: ‘May I be your ransom! Teach me how to pray.’

So Abu ʿAbd Allah stood up straight, facing the qibla, and placed both his hands upon his thighs with his fingers closed, and brought his feet together until they were only the distance of three spread fingers apart. His feet pointed forward without turning aside from the qibla. He stood perfectly still in awe. Then he said: ‘Allahu Akbar’ and then recited [Surat] al-Ḥamd with clear enunciation, then he recited qul Huwa Allahu aḥad (Surat al-Ikhlas), then he paused for a breath while standing before saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ while standing.

Then he bowed and cupped his palms over his knees with their fingers spread out, and he pushed his knees back until his back was level, such that if you were to pour a drop of water or oil upon him it would not roll off [because of how level his back was]. He stretched out his neck and closed his eyes, before repeating ‘subḥana Allah’ three times with clarity and fluency, and then said: ‘subḥana Rabbi al-ʿAdhimi wa biḥamdih.’

Then he rose, and when he was still, he said: ‘samiʿ Allahu liman ḥamidah.’ Then he pronounced takbir while standing and raising his hands to either side of his face.

Then he prostrated, placing his hands on the ground with the fingers together, while his elbows were aligned with either side of his face, and said: ‘subḥana Rabbi al-ʿAla wa biḥamdih’ three times, and he did not put any part of his body on another part. He prostrated on eight points of his body: His forehead, his two palms, his knees, and the big toes of each foot. These seven are obligatory, but placing the nose on the ground is sunna and this is irgham.

Then he raised his head from prostration and when he was sitting up straight, he said: ‘Allah Akbar’ and sat, resting his weight on his left side, placing the top of his right foot over the bottom of his left. Then he said: ‘astaghfiru Allah wa atubu ilayh.’ Then he said a takbir while sitting and prostrated again and repeated what he had said in the first prostration. And he did not rest on any part of his body on anything else while bowing or prostrating, and he allowed his elbows to point out sideways; he did not rest his arms on the ground.

He prayed two units (rakʿas) like this; then he sat in tashahhud with his fingers joined, and after he finished the tashahhud he said the taslim.

Then he said: ‘O Ḥammad! Pray like this; do not turn from side to side or play with your hands or fingers, and do not spit on your left or right, or in front of you.’1

The Five Daily Prayers

Muslims are commanded to perform five prayers per day. These prayers are obligatory on every Muslim above the age of puberty, with the exception being those who are mentally ill, menstruating, or experiencing post-partum bleeding. Those who are ill or otherwise physically unable to offer their prayers in the traditional form are permitted to offer their prayers while sitting or lying, as they are able.

The five prayers are all given certain prescribed times in which they must be performed, unless there is a compelling reason for not being able to perform them on time. Some Muslims offer voluntary prayers immediately before and after the prescribed wajib (obligatory) prayers. The number of raka'ah for each of the five obligatory prayers as well as the voluntary prayers (before and after) are listed below:

Preparation:

Stand upright facing the Qiblah (direction of Mecca) and recite the adhan and iqama

Niyyat: Form the following solemn intention in your mind: “I offer this ____ (name of a particular prayer) prayer, of ____ (number of units) rak`ah’s seeking closeness to God”.

In arabic:

“Nuway an asali salat al____(prayer name), wujuban qurbatan il Allahi ta’ala”

The First Rak`ah:'

Takbirat ul Ihram: Lift both hands up to the ears palms facing forward and say: Allaahu Akbar

God is the greatest

This sentence, the Takbir, will be repeated several times during the prayer.

Qiyam (standing): Remain in the standing position with arms by the side while performing the recitations in the next step, Qira’ah.

Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi states to hold (takkatuf), which is to place the hands over one another across the body during salat invalidates the prayer. (Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi page 158

Ayatollah Sayed Sistani states if a person folds his hands as a mark of humility and reverence, his prayers will be void, but this is based on precautionary rule. However, there is no doubt about it being haram (forbidden) if it is done believing that shariah ordains it. There is no harm if a person places one hand on another forgetfully, or due to helplessness, or taqiyyah (hiding ones faith due to fear for his life), or for some other purposes, like, scratching. (Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed Sistani #1138 and 1139) For more see chapter on Takkatuf

Qira'ah (recitation): Initially, recite silently:

“A’udhu billahi min nash shaytan nir rajeem

(I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed satan)”

Then recite the first Chapter of the Holy Qur’an, Surat al-Fatiha.

In the first and second rakats of Zuhr and Asr prayers one should say Bismillah loudly. It is mustahab (recommended) also to recite Surah al-Hamd and other Surah distinctly, with a pause at the end of every verse (i.e. not joining it with the next verse), and while reciting Surah al-Hamd and Surah, one should pay attention to the meanings of each verse.

(١) بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillaahir-Rahmani, ar-Rahim

“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful” (1:1).

(٢) الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Al-hamdu lillaahi rabbil-`alameen

“All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds” (1:2).

(٣) الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Ar-rahmani, ar raheem

“The Beneficent, the Merciful” (1:3).

(٤) مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ

Maliki Yawm id-Deen

“The Master of the Day of Judgement” (1:4).

(٥) إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ

Iyyaka na’abudu wa iyyaka nasta`een

“You alone we worship, and from You alone we seek help” (1:5).

(٦) اهدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

Ihdina as-sirat al-mustaqeem

“Guide us to the Straight Path” (1:6).

(٧) صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ

sirat al-ladheena an`amta `alayhim, ghayril maghdubi `alayhim, wa la’d-daalleen

“The Path of those upon whom Thou hast bestowed favours, not of those inflicted by Thy wrath, nor of those gone astray” (1:7).

Imam al-Ṣadiq (‘a) said: ‘If you are behind the prayer leader, and he has finished reciting al-fatiha, then you say: “All praise is for the Lord of the Worlds,” and do not say: “Amen (amin).3”

Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi states to say “amin” (amen) after reciting al-Hamd invalidates one’s prayer. However, if one says this inadvertently, or on grounds of taqiyyah, to hide his faith and protect himself in dangerous surrounding, his salah is not rendered void4.

Ayatollah Sayed Sistani states that something that invalidates prayers is to say “Amin” (amen) after Surah al-Hamd. This rule, when applied to one praying individually is based on Ihtiyat (precaution), but if someone utters it believing that it has been ordained by Shariah (Islamic Law) it is haram (forbidden). There is no harm if someone utters it erroneously or under taqiyyah. (Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed Sistani #1139)

Second, recite another complete Chapter of the Holy Qur'an (for example the short chapter Surat al-Ikhlas, number 112).

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismillaahir-Rahmani, ar-Rahim

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

(١) قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ

Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad

“Say: He, Allah, is One” (112:1).

(٢) اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ

Allaahu as-samad

“Allah is He on Whom all depend” (112:2).

(٣) لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ

Lam yalid wa lam yulad

“He begets not, nor is He begotten” (112:3).

(٤) وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ

Wa lam yakul lahu kufuwan ahad

“And none is like Him” (112:4).

Ruku`: After completing the second chapter, the worshipper would say the Takbir (see above) and then bow down until the hands can be placed on the knees. The following dhikr (remembrance/glorification) is recommended to be recited audibly once in this position:

Subhana Rabbiy al-`adheemi wa bi hamdih

Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise belongs to Him

Or also Subhana Allah (glory be to Allah) 3 times

Resume the standing position and recite audibly:

Sami` Allahu liman hamidah

God hears the one who praises Him

Say Takbir, then go into Prostration (sujud).

Sujud (plural for sajdah, meaning “prostration”) is done by placing one's forehead on earth in a special manner, with the intention of humility before God.

While performing the sujud, it is obligatory that both the hands (palms and thumbs at the minimum) and the knees, and both the big toes be placed on the ground. The following dhikr is recommended to be recited audibly in the sujud once:

Subhaana Rabbi al-a`laa wa bi hamdih

Glory be to my Exalted Lord, and praise belongs to Him

Or also Subhana Allah (glory be to Allah) 3 times

The majority of scholar’s state that sajdah should be performed on earth, and on those things that are neither edible nor worn, and on things which grow from earth (e.g. wood and leaves of trees). It is not permissible to perform sajdah on things that are used as food or dress (e.g. wheat, barley and cotton etc.), or on things that are not considered to be parts of the earth (e.g. gold, silver, etc.). And in the situation of helplessness, asphalt and tar will have preference over other non-allowable things.5

After first sajdah, raise the forehead and sit up in a kneeling position (see illustration) with the ankle of the right foot in the sole of the left foot, with hands resting on the thighs and say Takbir, then recite audibly:

Astaghfiru Allah Rabbi wa atubu ilayh

I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn towards Him

Repeat Takbir again. Repeat the sajdah again and then sit up in a kneeling position and say Takbir.

Sit up for a moment and then rise while saying audibly:

Bi hawli-Llahi wa quwwatihi aqumu wa aq`ud

With God’s help and through His power I stand and sit

Second Rak`ah

After regaining the upright posture, recite Surat al-Fatiha and another Surah of the Holy Qur'an as in the first rak`ah. Then say Takbir, and then do Qunut.

Qunut: In performing Qunut, it is mustahab (recommended) to raise the hands to the proximity/level of the face, aligning the palms of the hands side by side, fingers joined, with the exception of the thumbs, with the palms of the hands facing skywards, and one should look into the palms of the hands. It suffices to recite any dhikr one wishes, even if one said Subhana Allah once.

Recite audibly the following or any other du’a (invocation) you choose:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Rabbanaa aatinaa fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qinaa `adhaab an-naar

“…O’ our Lord! Bestow upon us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the fire” (Qur’an 2:201)

Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi states it is mustahab to perform Qunut in all prayers, obligatory and optional, and it should be performed before the ruku‘ of the second rak‘ah, and as per mustahab precaution it should not be missed out in the obligatory salat6.

Say Takbir, followed by the ruku`, then the two sujud, both as described for the first rak`ah

Tashahhud: After the second prostration resume the kneeling position, and recite audibly:

1. Al-Hamdu lillah

2. Ash-hadu an la ilaha illa Allaah, wahdahu la shareeka lah,

3. wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluh

4. Allaahumma salli `ala Muhammadin wa Aale Muhammad

1. All praise be to Allah

2. I bear witness that there is no god apart from Allah, Who is alone and without partners.

3. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger.

4. O God, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad.

If you are performing the Fajr prayer, please skip the rest and go to section entitled Completion.

If you are performing the Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib or `Isha prayer, continue by standing up for the third unit while reciting Bihawlillahi…. as described at the end of the section First Rak`ah.

Third Rak`ah

Tasbihat Arba`ah: After regaining the upright posture, either recite silently Surat al-Fatiha, or recite silently Tasbihat Arba`ah three times, as follows:

Subhaanallaahi wa’l hamdu lillaahi wa laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu Akbar

Glory be to God, and praise be to God; there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest

Perform the ruku`, stand up momentarily and then do the two sujud. This is exactly as described under section First Rak`ah.

If you are performing the Maghrib prayers, recite the Tashahhud next. Then skip the rest and go to Completion.

If you are performing the Zuhr, `Asr or`Isha prayer, continue by standing up for the fourth rak`ah while reciting Bihawlillahi…. as described at the end of the section First Rak`ah.

Fourth Rak`ah

This is identical to the third rak`ah. After the second prostration resume the kneeling position, and recite the Tashahhud.

Completion

After reciting the Tashahhud of the final rak`ah, recite the Taslim (Salutation) audibly, without deviating the face from the direction of the Qibla, which completes your prayer:

1. As-salaamu `alayka ayyuhan nabiyu wa rahma tul laahi wa barakaatuh

2. As-salamu `alaynaa wa `alaa `ibaadillaa his saaliheen

3. As-salamu `alaykum wa rahma tul laahi wa barakaatuh

1. God’s peace, mercy and blessings be upon you, O Prophet.

2. Peace be upon us, and upon the righteous servants of God.

3. Peace be upon you [all], and God’s mercy and blessings.

Thereafter proceed to say Takbir three times audibly. At this point, your prayer is completed.

Then, after the completion of your prayer, it is recommended to do sajdah shukr (prostration of thanks) and say Shukran lillah (Thank you, Allah!).

It is also recommended to do the Tasbihaat of Fatimahh az-Zahra’ (‘a) which is:

1) “Allahu Akbar,” recited 34 times

2) “Al-Hamdu lillah,” recited 33 times

3) “Subhana Allah,” recited 33 times

Then you may proceed to do your own supplications in your own language or any of the recommended du’a that can be found in various books such as Mifatih ul Jinan by Sheikh Abbas Al-Qummi, Sahifa Sajjadiyya by Imam as-Sajjad (‘a), etc.

• 1.Mustadrak Wasaʾil Al-Shiʿa, Kitab Al-Salat, Abwab Afʿal Al-Salat, Bab 1, tradition no. 1, and this tradition can be found in the same chapter and section of Wasaʾil Al-Shiʿa with minor differences in wording.

• 2.Refer to Shara’i al-Islam Vol. 1, p. 83, Ch. Kitab as-Salat, Section Qirah.

• 3.Wasaʾil al-Shiʿa, v. 4, p. 756, h. 1.

• 4.Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi page 158.

• 5.For example, see Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed Sistani #1085 and also Islamic Laws by Ayatollah Sayed as-Sadiq Shirazi Islamic pages 150-151.

• 6.Islamic Laws by Ayatollah as-Sadiq Sayed Shirazi page 156.

https://www.al-islam.org/mystery-shia-mateen-charbonneau/furu-al-deen-branches-religion