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Written by dislam
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Sunday, 05 February 2006 |
Each prayer contains certain acts that are sunna, meaning that the Messenger, upon him be peace and blessings, performed them and advised Muslims to do likewise. They are highly important for completing the prayer and receiving a greater reward.
- While beginning the prayer and saying the opening takbir, one should raise one's hands (according to the Hanafis) as high as the ears and the thumbs touch the earlobes.
- According to the Hanafis, the hands should be placed below the navel, (the Shafi'is say below the chest), and the right hand should grasp the wrist of the left arm.
- The prayer should begin with a supplication used by the Prophet, upon whom be peace, to begin his prayers. This is said after the opening takbir and before reciting al-Fatiha. The Hanafis prefer: Subhanaka'llahumma wa bi-hamdik. Wa tebaraka'smuk. Wa ta'ala jadduk. Wa la ilaha ghayruk. (Glory be to You, O God, and to You is the praise. Blessed is Your Name and most high is Your honor. There is no deity besides You). The Shafi'is prefer: Inni wajjahtu wajhiya li'llezi fatara's-samawati wa'l-ardi hanifan wa ma ana mine'l-mushrikin. Inna salati wa nusuki wa mahyaya wa mamati li'llahi Rabbi'l-alamin, la sharika lah; wa bi-dhalike umirtu; wa ana mina'l-muslimin (I have turned my face to the One Who has originated the heavens and Earth as a sincere submissive one, and I am not one of the polytheists. My prayers, my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for God, the Lord of the Worlds. He has no partner. That is what I have been ordered and I am of those who submit.). Other supplications related from the Messenger also can be recited before al-Fatiha.
- Saying Amin after reciting al-Fatiha.
- Reciting considerably long passages from the Qur'an after al-Fatiha in the morning (about one page or more in each rak'at, being longer in the first one), noon, and afternoon prayers (about one page), either a somewhat long or shorter passages in the evening prayers, and short passages in the late evening prayer.
- Saying the takbir upon every bowing down, sitting down, moving to and rising from prostration, and standing up after sitting. Upon rising from the bowing, all Muslims should say: "Sami'a'llahu li-man hamidah" (God hears him who praises Him), and after it, "Rabbana wa-laka'l-hamd" (Our Lord, and to You is all praise).
- Saying "Subhana Rabiyya'l-'Azim" (Glory be to my Lord, the Mighty) three times while bowing, and "Subhana Rabbiya'l-A'la" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) while prostrating.
- Supplicating after the final tashahhud and before giving the final salutations (that end the prayer). These may consist of any supplication mentioned in the Qur'an or reported from the Messenger.
- Saying words of remembrance, asking forgiveness, and supplicating after the prayer. The most famous and widespread one reported from the Messenger is: Astaghfiru'llaha'l-'Azim (I ask God the Mighty for forgiveness: three times), and Allahumma anta's-Salamu wa minka's-salam. Tabarakta ya Dha'l-Jalali wa'l-Ikram (O God, You are the Peace, and from You is peace. All blessed and One bestowing blessings You are, O One of Majesty and Munificence). Afterwards, reciting Ayat al-Kursiy (2:255) and saying words of glorification (Subhana'llah), praise (al-hamdu li'llah), and exaltation (Allahu akbar) each 33 times.
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