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The Obligatory Acts during the Prayer |
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Written by dislam
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Sunday, 05 February 2006 |
Make the intention to perform a specific prayer. Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Dawud relate from 'Umar that God's Messenger said: "Actions are judged according to intentions. One is rewarded for whatever one intends to do. Whoever emigrates for God and His Messenger has emigrated for God and His Messenger; whoever emigrates to acquire something worldly or to marry has emigrated for what is intended." (Bukhari, "Bed'ul-Wahy," 1; Muslim, "Iman," 155.) Thus the intention is the aim and purpose of something. It is a condition of the heart and does not have to be spoken out loud. This is why the Prophet and his Companions never spoke their intentions.
Say the opening takbir and begin the prayer. When God's Messenger stood for prayer, he would stand straight, raise his hands as high as his ears, and, with his palms facing the qibla, say: "Allahu akbar."
Stand while reciting Surat al-Fatiha (the Opening Chapter of the Qur'an) and a selection of verses. One must stand during the obligatory prayers, if at all possible. But if this is not possible, the prayer can be performed while sitting or, if even that is not possible, while lying on one's right side. The feet should be kept about a span or a little more apart while standing in prayer. The voluntary (supererogatory) prayers can be offered while sitting, although standing will bring a greater reward.
Recite Surat al-Fatiha and another portion from the Qur'an. This is obligatory in the first two rak'ats (cycles) of the obligatory prayers and in every rak'at of necessary (wajib), recommended (sunna), and supererogatory (nafila) prayers. In the last cycle (i.e., the third rak'at of the evening prayer and the last two rak'ats of the obligatory noon, afternoon, and late evening prayers), reciting al-Fatiha is preferable, but one can glorify (Subhana'llah), praise (al-hamdu li'llah), exalt (Allahu akbar) God, and declare His Unity (La ilaha illa'llah). The portion to be recited after Surat al-Fatiha should be as long as the shortest sura (Surat al-Kawthar).
No translation of the Qur'an can be recited during the prayer, for the Qur'an is composed of both its meaning and wording and is from God with both its meaning and wording.
Bow down and remain in that position (ruku') for some time (long enough to say "Subhana'llah" three times). The position of ruku' consists of bending down and grasping the knees with the palms, and leaving the fingers partly spread apart. This position is maintained until one attains "calmness." The back must be kept straight while bowing.
Prostrate (sujud). God's Messenger explains: "Prostrate until you are calm in your prostration, then rise (and sit) until you are calm in your sitting, and then prostrate until you are calm in your prostration." The first prostration, sitting afterwards, the second prostration, and calmness during all of these acts are obligatory in every rak'at of every type of prayer offered.
Bukhari relates ("Ezan," 133, 134, 137) from God's Messenger, concerning the parts of the body that must touch the ground during prostration, that he said: "I have been ordered to prostrate on seven bodily parts: the forehead (and he also pointed to his nose), the hands, the knees and the ends of the feet."
The final sitting and recital of the tashahhud. In the prayer's last rak'at, one must sit long enough to recite the tashahhud before ending the prayer with giving greetings by turning one's head to the right and then to the left and saying: "As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatu'llah" (Upon you be peace and God's mercy). During this sitting, one says the tashahhud or tahiyyat. Reciting words of salat wa salam (God's peace and blessings) on Muhammad and his Family is necessary.
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A Muslim's Daily Life 