The
Muslim observes his Prayers to show devotion and obedience to Allah,
because Prayer is one of the greatest forms of worship that Allah likes
His servants to offer.
To thank Him for creating us in the best form of creation. Because He
has
guided us to the Deen (Complete way of Life, Religion) of Islam.
Prayer is a chance for a Muslim to express to his Lord whatever he feels
and needs through Divine Words of Allah i.e. the Qur'an.
To remember his Lord and not forget His commands amid life's
pre-occupations.
To ask Allah, The Exalted, to give him aid and continuous guidance in
the darkness of life.
To strengthen love and fear of Allah in the Muslim's heart so that he
might remain sticking to the Right Path of Islam, and its laws and
manners.
Gaining good rewards from Allah and having our sins forgiven.
To rejoice when he finds himself on the Last Day pleased with the great
reward allotted to him in the Gardens of Bliss.
Prayer is a unique training and developmental program which, if well and
devotedly performed, can achieve for Muslims many valuable physical,
ethical and spiritual gains such as cleanliness, health, order,
punctuality, brotherhood, equality, social consolidation,… etc.
Prayer
Timings
Prayer timings do not remain constant as they are determined by looking
at the sun. Consequently the time of a particular prayer would be
different in different parts of the World. Prayer Time Tables are easily
available at the mosques and Islamic Centers throughout the World.
Now-a- days electronic devices like 'TBilal" or "Spectronic" are
available in the market which can tell the prayer times of nearly 1000
major cities of the World. They are particularly helpful to the Muslims
travelling to non-Muslim countries However, the following general
timetable for prayers can fairly be observed in almost any part of the
World. There are five obligatory prayers which are performed at five
different times of the day.
(1) Salat-ul-Fair.
The morning Prayer
It is the first of the Five obligatory prayers of the day.lt can be
performed at any time between the breaking of the dawn till sunrise. It
consists of two raka's (two units as explained through the accompanying
postures).
(2) Salat-ul-Zuhr.
The noon prayer
It consiss of four raka's, (4 units); Its time begins after the sun
declines from its zenith until it is about midway from setting.
(3) Sa la t-ul -Asr.
The afernoon Prayer
It consists of four raka's (4 units). Its time begins soon after the
time for Zuhr prayer ends and extends to just before sunset
(4) Salat-ul-Maghrib.
The evening prayer
It consists of three raka's (3 units). Its time begins just after sunset
and extends to a period of an hour and a half.
(5) Salat-ul-lsha. The night prayer.
It consists of four raka's (4 units) and its time begins about an hour
and a half after sunset and extends to dawn.
Of the 5 obligatory prayers mentioned above, one of them contains two
raka's, three contain four raka's and one containing three raka's Each
kind has been explained separately. All the prayers (to be recited in
Arabic) and the postures in which to recite each prayer have been
explained with the help of the given figures. The figures have been
drawn in the order in which each posture is assumed and the particular
prayer recited. In order to memorize the prayer for each posture the
reader only needs to look at the number of the figure and listen to the
tape while looking at the transcript which gives the Arabic prayer in
Roman letters.
Before
Salaat
1. Body, clothes and place of prayer must be clean.
2. Perform
wudu (ritual ablution)
if needed.
3. Women are required to cover their hair.
4. Face the Qibla, the direction of Mecca.
5. Stand erect, head down, hands at sides, feet evenly spaced.
6. Recite Iqama (private call to prayer):
|
Allaahu Akbar
(4x)
Ashhadu Allah ilaaha illa-Lah
(2x)
Ash Hadu anna Muhamadar rasuulullah
(2x)
Hayya' alas Salaah
(2x)
Hayya' ala Falaah
(2x)
[Fajr only] A-Salaatu Khayrun Mina-Naum (2x)
Qad qaamitis Salaah
(2x) [Iqama only - not recited in Athan]
Allaahu Akbar
(2x)
Laa ilaaha illa-Lah
|
God is great. (x4)
I bear witness that there none worthy of worship except God.
(x2)
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God. (x2)
Come to prayer. (x2)
Come to felicity. (x2)
[Fajr only] Prayer is better than sleep. (x2)
[Iqama only] Our prayers are now ready. Our prayers are now
ready. (x2)
God is great. (x2)
There is none worthy of worship except God.
|
7.
Express intent to perform
Salaat
(niyyat):
I intend to offer _____
rakats
of the ____ prayer, and face the
Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.
(For example: "I intend to offer the 4
rakats
of the Isha prayer and face the
Qibla for the sake of Allah and Allah alone.")
How to Perform
Salaat
Videos:
Performing two units (Rakats) of Prayer (Reciting Surah Fatiha)
Performing
Ruku and
Sajdah
Performing Sajdah
Performing the Second unit (Rakat)
The Tashahud
Performing three units (Rakats) of prayer
First two Rakats
Last Rakat
Performing Four units (Rakats)
of Prayer
Steps
for Performing Salaat
1.
Announce your Niyya (intentions) silently in your heart
2.
Make your Qibla (prayer direction) face the direction of the Ka'bah
|
Thus We have made you [true Muslims -- real believers of
Islamic Monotheism, true followers of Prophet Muhammad
(SAW)
and his Sunna (legal ways)], a just (and the best) nation, that
you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad (SAW))
be a witness over you. And We made the Qiblah (prayer direction
towards Jerusalem) which you used to face, only to test those
who followed the Messenger (Muhammad
SAW)
from those who would turn on their heels (i.e. disobey the
Messenger). Indeed it was great (heavy) except for those whom
Allah guided. And Allah would never make your faith (prayers)
to be lost (i.e. your prayers offered towards Jerusalem).
Truly, Allah is full of Kindness, the Most Merciful towards
mankind.
Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's
(SAW))
face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah
(prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in
the direction of Al-Masjid-al-Haram (at Makka). And wheresoever
you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction.
Cerainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews
and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards
the direction of the Ka'ba at Makka in prayers) is the truth
from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.
And even if you were to bring to the people of the Scripture
(Jews and Christians) all the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses,
lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), they would not follow your
Qiblah (prayer direction), nor are you going to follow their
Qiblah (prayer direction).
[Qur'an:
Al-Baqara 2:143-145]
|
3. Position your feet about shoulder width with arms to side
Do not put either arm on your hip
Abu Hurairah (r.a.) relates: "The
Messenger of Allah
prohibited
putting one's hands on one's hips during the salah."
[Abu Dawud]
Do not intertwine fingers
4. Group/Congregational Salah)
"...stand before Allâh with obedience..."
[Qur'an 2:238]
An-Nu'maan Bin Basheer(r) reported that Allaah's Messenger
used
to straighten his companions' rows for the prayer like a straight arrow.
One day, though, he was about to start the prayer when he noticed a
man's chest protruding outside the row, and he
said:
"Servants
of Allaah! You either straight.. your rows, or Allaah would cause your
faces to differ."
[Recorded by Muslim, Abu Daawood, and others]
In another report, he
said:
"Straighten your rows, or Allah would cause your hearts to differ"
[Recorded by Abu Daawood and Ibn Hibbaan]
Related Link:
Straighten the Rows
5. Focus your eyes on where you will be prostrating later
He (SAW) used to incline his head during prayer and fix his sight
towards the ground [Baihaqi and Haakim, who declared it saheeh and also
agreed by Albaani.]
While he was in the Ka'bah, his sight did not leave the place of his
prostration until he came out from it [Baihaqi and Haakim, who declared
it saheeh and also agreed by Albaani.]
For group salah, you make the Rakat motions after the Imam and say
nothing outloud, except "Amin" which you should not say before
the Imam says it. Women are allowed to, but do not have to say "Amin",
for it is not recommended for her to bring attention to her voice if
around non-mahram men.
For individual salah, or in the case that you are the Imam leading a
group salah, use the following guidelines, insha'Allah. Once these
guidelines and learned, the muslim should study hadith to learn various
other du'a that may be made in place of the basic ones listed here, as
it is recommended that he alternates between the various du'a.
Rakat
1
Standing Position
1. Takbir (raise both hands shoulder level and say "Allahu Akbar")
I was sitting with some of the companions of Allah's Apostle
and
we were discussing about the way of praying of the Prophet
.
Abu Humaid As-Saidi said,
"I remember the prayer of
Allah's Apostle better than any one of you. ... I saw him raising both
his hands up to the level of the shoulders on saying the Takbir..."
[Bukhari 1.791, Narrated Muhammad bin Amr bin
Ata]
"Allah's Messenger
used
to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening
the As-Salat (the prayer); and on saying the Takbir for bowing. And on
raising his head from bowing he used to do the same and then say Sami
'Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana walakal-hamd. And he did not do that
(i.e. raising his hands) in prostrations."
[Bukhari 1.702, Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar]
2. Place the right hand on the left
The people were ordered to place the right hand on the left forearm in
As-Salat (the prayer). [Bukhari 1.707, Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd]
He (SAW) passed by a man who was praying and had placed his left arm on
his right, so he pulled them apart and placed the right on the left.
[Ahmad & Abu Dawood, saheeh isnaad]
3. Men should place hands across the chest (NOT navel). Women
should also place hands across the chest.
Fiqh 1.132.
Al-Kamal ibn al-Hamam is of the opinion, "There is no authentic hadith
stating that one must place the hands under the chest or below the
navel. According to the Hanifiyyah, the hands are to be placed below the
navel, and the Shafiyyah say below the chest. Ahmad has two narrations
corresponding to these two opinions. The correct position is somewhere
in the middle - to be equal." Observes at-Tirmidhi, "Knowledgeable
companions, their followers and those that came after them believed that
one should put his right hand over the left during prayer, while some
say above the navel and others say below the navel..." Nevertheless,
there do exist hadith that the Propet, upon whom be peace, placed his
hands on his chest. Reported Hulb at-Ta'i, "I saw the Prophet, upon whom
be peace, praying with his right hand over his left upon his chest above
the elbow." This is related by Ahmad and at-Tirmidhi, who grades it as
hassan.
Fiqh 1.132.
Reported Wa'il ibn Hajr, "Once when I prayed with the Prophet, upon whom
be peace, he placed his right hand over his left upon his chest." The
report is recorded by Ibn Khuzaimah, who considers it as sahih, and by
Abu Dawud and an-Nasa'i with the wording, "Then he put his right hand
over the back of his left wrist and forearm."
4. Look down without looking around
The Prophet
said,
"What is wrong with those people who look towards the sky during the
Salat (prayer)?"
His talk grew stern while delivering this speech and he said,
"They should stop [looking towards the sky during the Salat (prayer)];
otherwise their eyes would be snatched away." [Bukhari
1.717, Narrated Anas bin Malik]
I asked Allah's Messenger
about
looking hither and thither in As-Salat (the prayer). He replied,
"It is a way of stealing by which Satan takes away (a portion) from the
Salat (prayer) of a person." [Bukhari
1.718, Narrated 'Aisha]
5. Commence with a prescribed Du'aa (supplication)
One example: Subhana kallah humma wa bi-hamdika watabara kasmuka wata
'ala jad-duka, wa la ilaha ghayruk, meaning "You are Glorified, O
Allaah, and Praised; Your Name is Blessed;Your Majesty is Exalted, and
none has the right to worshipped but You."
Another example: Allah humma ba'id baynee wa bayna khatayana kama
ba'adta baynal mashriqi wal maghribi, Allah humma naq-qinee min
khatayaya kama yunaq-qath thuwabul abyadu minad danasi , Allah hum
maghsilnee min khatayaya bil maee wath thalji wal bardi, meaning "O
Allaah! Separate me (far) from my sins as you have separated (far) the
East and West. O Allaah ! Cleanse me of my sins as white cloth is
cleansed from dirt. O Allaah ! Wash me of my sins with water, ice and
snow."
6. Seek refuge with Allah (SWT)
(silently)
"Audhu billahi mina shaitaan nir rajeem" (I seek refuge in Allah
from the rejected Satan)
So when you want to recite the Qur'ân, seek refuge with Allâh from
Shaitân (Satan), the outcast (the cursed one). [Qur'an 16:98]
7. Say Bismillah ahRahman nirRaheem
(silently)
8. Recite Surah Al-Fatihah (Quran 1:1-7)
Forgetting or deliberately neglecting to recite Al-Fatihah, invalidates
the prayer.
Allah's Messenger
(SAW)
said,
"Whoever does not recite Surat Al-Fatiha (the first Surah of the Qur'an)
in this Salat (prayer), his Salat (prayer) is invalid." [Bukhari
1.718, Narrated 'Ubada bin As'Samit]
Recite outloud for Fajr, Maghrib, and Isha Salah; silently for Zuhr, Asr
or Sunnah Salah.
9.
Say "Amin"
10. Recite a different Surah of at least three ayat (verses) in length.
It is sunnah for the person to recite a section of the Qur'an after
al-Fatihah during the two rak'ah of the morning prayer and the Friday
prayer, and the first two rak'ah of the noon, afternoon, sunset and
night prayers, and in all of the rak'ah of the superogatory prayers. Abu
Qatadah reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, would recite
al-Fatihah and some surah in the first two rak'ah of the noon prayer,
and only al-Fatihah in the last two rak'ah. Sometimes he would recite
some verses. The first rak'ah's recital would be longer than the second.
That was how it was done in the afternoon and morning prayers.
[al-Bukhari, Muslim and by Abu Dawud]
Bow. (Rukoo')
Position
11. Takbir (raise both hands shoulder level and say "Allahu Akbar")
12.
Make Rukoo' (Bow)
Place palms on the knees (as though grasping them)
I offered prayer beside my father and approximated both my hands and
placed them in between the knees. My father told me not to do so and
said, "We used to do the same but we were forbidden (by the Prophet
(SAW)) to do it and were ordered to place the hands on the knees."
[Bukhari 1.756, Narrated Musab bin Sad]
Space your fingers out
Keep your elbows away from your sides.
Make your back level and not curved.
Be at ease
13. Silently make Adhkaar (supplication and remembrance of Allah)
in Rukoo'
Reported Hudhaifah, "I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (SAW), and
while bowing he would say, 'Subhana
Rabiyy al-'Adheem. (Glory to my Lord, the Exalted)" [Muslim,
Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i, at-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]
The phrase Subhana Rabiyy al-'Adheem wa bihamdihi has been related
through a number of chains, but all of them are weak. Ash-Shaukani
maintains, "The different chains support each other. It is perfectly
acceptable for one who is praying to limit himself to Subhana Rabiyy
al-'Adheem or to add one of the following:
The Prophet (SAW) used to say in his bowing and prostrations,
"Subhanaka-Allahumma Rabbana wa-bihamdika Allahumma-ighfirli. (I honor
Allah from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him. O Allah Our
Lord! And all the praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me)."
[Bukhari 1.760, Narrated 'Aisah, r.a.]
The Prophet used to say frequently in his bowing and prostrations
"Subhanaka-Allahumma Rabbana Wabihamdika, Allahumma Ighfir-li" (I honor
Allah from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him, O Allah! Our
Lord! All praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me).
In this way he was acting on what was explained to him in the Holy
Qur'an. [Bukhari 1.781, Narrated 'Aisah, r.a., also related by Ahmad,
Muslim and others]
Standing
Position
14. Straighten up back (stand up) and say "Sami Allahu liman humida"
(Allah listens to the one who praises Him).
Narrated Ahmad & Tabaraani in Mu'jam al-Kabeer with a saheeh isnaad: The
Prophet
used
to say:
“Allah, Mighty and Sublime, does
not look at the prayer of the slave who does not make his backbone
upright in between his bowings and prostrations.”
15. While standing, say "Rabbana walakal Hamd" (Our Lord, [and] to You
be all Praise.)
"...And on raising his head from bowing he used to do the same and then
say
“Sami 'Allahu liman hamidah, Rabbana walakal-hamd”..."
[Bukhari 1.702, Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar]
16. Takbir (raise both hands shoulder level and say "Allahu Akbar")
Prostrating (Sajda)Position
17. Position yourself:
Kneel on the floor. Prostrate head on the floor so that nose and
forehead are touching the floor. Also, the toes should touch the floor,
and the palms of both hands. Do not allow elbows to touch the floor.
Toes should be bent forwards, pointing towards the Qiblah. Feet should
be together, big toes meeting and heels meeting.
The Prophet
was
ordered (by Allah) to prostrate on seven parts and not to tuck up the
clothes or hair (while praying). Those parts are: the forehead (along
with the tip of nose), both hands, both knees, and (toes of) both feet.
[Bukhari 1.773, Narrated Ibn Abbas]
I was sitting with some of the companions of Allah's Apostle
and
we were discussing about the way of praying of the Prophet
.
Abu Humaid As-Saidi said, "I remember the prayer of Allah's Apostle
(SAW) better than any one of you. ... In prostrations, he placed both
his hands on the ground with the forearms away from the ground and away
from his body, and his toes were facing the Qibla..." [Bukhari 1.791,
Narrated Muhammad bin Amr bin Ata]
18. While in this position, in your heart, say a prescribed
supplication such as, "Subhana rabbil Allah"
3 times or more, doing an odd number or repetitions, i.e. say it 3, 5,
7, 9, or 11 times.
Says at-Tirmidhi, "The scholars prefer the one bowing or prostrating to
make the glorifications at least three times." According to the
majority, the minimum that is sufficient for the prostrations or bowings
is one glorification.
"I have prohibited you from reciting while bowing or prostrating. During
the bowing, glorify the Lord. During the prostrations, strive your
hardest in making supplications. Most likely, you will be listened to."
[Related by Ahmad and Muslim]
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to say while prostrating himself:
“O Lord, forgive me all my sins, small and great, first and last, open
and secret”.
[Muslim 980, Narrated Abu Hurayrah]
Sitting (Qa'dah)Position
19. Tuck your left foot under your right foot, raise your head (eyes
focused on prostration spot), and come to a sitting position.
20. Say, "Allahu Akbar" without raising hands.
21. Pause briefly in this position.
The Prophet
used
to say:
“Allah, Mighty and Sublime, does not look at the prayer of the slave who
does not make his backbone upright in between his bowings and
prostrations”.
[Narrated Ahmad & Tabaraani in Mu'jam al-Kabeer with a saheeh isnaad]
Prostrating (Sajda)
Position
[Same as above]
Sitting
Position
[Same as above]
Abu Qilaba (Radhiallaho anho) said, "Malik bin Huwairith came to this
Mosque of ours and said, 'I pray in front of you and my aim is not to
lead the prayer but to show you the way in which the Prophet (SAW) used
to pray.' I asked Abu Qilaba, 'How did he use to pray?' He replied,
'(The Prophet (SAW) used to pray) like this Sheikh of ours and the
Sheikh used to sit for a while after the prostration, before getting up
after the first Rak'a.' " [Bukhari 1/645, Narrated Aiyub]
Rakat
2
22. Repeat all the same steps as Rakat 1
Regarding Standing back up from the first rakat
Use your hands to push yourself up
Abu Qilaba said, "Malik bin Huwairith came to us and led us in the
prayer in this mosque of ours and said, 'I lead you in prayer but I do
not want to offer the prayer but just to show you how Allah's Apostle
performed his prayers." I asked Abu Qilaba, "How was the prayer of Malik
bin Huwairith?" He replied, "Like the prayer of this Sheikh of ours--
i.e. 'Amr bin Salima." That Sheikh used to pronounce the Takbir
perfectly and when he raised his head from the second prostration
he would sit for a while and
then support himself on the ground and get up. [Bukhari 1:787,
Narrated Aiyub]
Tashahhud
23. Position yourself
I was sitting with some of the companions of Allah's Apostle and we were
discussing about the way of praying of the Prophet. Abu Humaid As-Saidi
said, "I remember the prayer of Allah's Apostle better than any one of
you. ... On sitting in the second Rak'a he sat on his left foot and
propped up the right one; and in the last Rak'a he pushed his left foot
forward and kept the other foot propped up and sat over the buttocks."
[Bukhari 1.791, Narrated Muhammad bin Amr bin Ata]
24. Place the right hand on the right thigh and point out index finger,
moving finger up and down in a calm manner. Do not move it in circles.
The sunnah with regards to pointing is to move the forefinger throughout
the tashahhud,in accordance with the hadeeth of Wail ibn Hujr(ra) -which
is reported by Ahmad(4/138),Abu Daawood (no.727), an-Nasaaee(2/236),
ad-Daarimee (1/314-315), Ibn ul-Jaarood(no.208) and Ibn Khuzaimah
(no.714) with Saheeh isnaad and there occurs in it, "...then he closed
his fingers and made a ring,then he raised his finger and I saw him
moving it and making duaa with it, then I came in a time and when it was
cold and so I saw the people with cloaks upon them moving their hands
beneath their clothes due to the cold".
As for the hadeeth of Abdullah ibn az-Zubair(ra)-where in is mentioned
that the prophet (saw) used to point with his finger when he made duaa
and not move it. It is reported by Abu Dawood(no.989); its isnaad is not
authentic since it contains Muhammad ibn 'Ajalah, about whom adh-Dhabee
says, "of average memory," The ahadeeth of the like of him are not
acceptable if they contradict anyone who is more reliable than him and
his narration becomes shaadh and therefore Muslim does not report from
him except to endorse something. Even if this hadeeth were established,
then it is a denial and the hadeeth of Waail ibn Hujr is affirming.That
which affirms is taken over that which denies, since the one who affirms
something has an increase in knowledge and he knows is a proof against
he who does not.This sunnah is also from the sayings of Imaam
Maalik(ra)-as occurs in the book ar-Risaalah of Abdullah ibn Abee Zaid
al-Qairwanee al-Maalikee (p.27) and the book al-Fiqh alal madhaahib
il-Arbaah(no.98).Imaam Ahmad was asked,Should a man point his finger in
the Prayer? So he said,"Yes strongly." See Masaail ul-Imaam Ahmad,the
narration of Ibn Haani(1/80).
25. Make the following du'a while moving index finger of right hand.
When we prayed with the Prophet we used to say: As-Salam be on Allah
from His worshipers, As-Salam be on Gabriel, As-Salam be on Michael,
As-Salam be on so-and-so. When the Prophet finished his prayer, he faced
us and said, "Allah Himself is As-Salam (Peace), so when one sits in the
prayer, one should say, 'At-Tahiyatu-lillahi Was-Salawatu,
Wat-Taiyibatu, As-Salamu 'Alaika aiyuhan-Nabiyyu wa Rah-matul-iahi wa
Barakatuhu, As-Salamu 'Alaina wa 'ala 'Ibadillahi assalihin,' for if he
says so, then it will be for all the pious slave of Allah in the Heavens
and the Earth. (Then he should say), 'Ash-hadu an la ilaha illalllahu wa
ash-hadu anna Muhammadan 'Abduhu wa rasulu-hu,' and then he can choose
whatever speech (i.e. invocation) he wishes." [Bukhari 8.249, Narrated
Abdullah]
Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar used to
say the tashahhud saying, "In the name of Allah. Greetings belong to
Allah. Prayers belong to Allah. Pure actions belong to Allah. Peace be
on the Prophet (SAW) and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be
on us and on the slaves of Allah who are salihun. I testify that there
is no god except Allah. I testify that Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger
of Allah."
"Bismillah, at-tahiyatu lillah, as-salawatu lillah, az-zakiyatu
lillah. As-salamu ala'n-nabiyyi wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu
alayna wa ala ibadi'llahi's-salihin. Shahidtu an la ilaha illallah.
Shahidtu anna Muhammadu'r-rasulu'llah."
He used to say this after the first two rakas and he would make
supplication with whatever seemed fit to him when the tashahhud was
completed. When he sat at the end of the prayer, he did the tashahhud in
a similar manner, except that after the tashahhud he made supplication
with whatever seemed fit to him.
When he had completed the tashahhud and intended to say the Tasleem, he
said, "Peace be on the Prophet (SAW) and His mercy and blessings. Peace
be upon us and on the slaves of Allah who are salihun."
"As-salamu ala'n-nabiyyi wa rahmatu'llahi wa barakatuhu. As-salamu
alayna wa ala ibadi'llahi'ssalihin "
He then said, "Peace be upon you" to his right, and would return the
greeting to the imam, and if anyone said "Peace be upon you" from his
left he would return the greeting to him.
26. At the end the LAST rakat, add the following to the end of the
Tashahud prayer/supplication:
Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, Kama
sal-layta 'ala Ibraheema wa 'ala ali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed,
wa barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, Kama barakta 'ala
Ibraheema wa 'ala ali ibraheema innaka hameedum majeed
This means:
O Allah, send Grace and Honour on Muhammad (SAW) and on the family and
true followers of Muhammad (SAW)just as you sent Grace and Honour on
Ibrahim and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim. Surely, you are
praiseworthy, The Great. O Allah, send blessings on Muhammad (SAW) and
on the family and true followers of Muhammad (SAW) just as you sent
blessings on Ibrahim and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim.
Surely, you are praiseworthy, The Great.
Ending with Salaam (Tasleem)
First, look towards your right shoulder and, speaking to the angel that
records your good deeds, say "as sala'amu alaikum" or a better greeting
(i.e. "as sala'amu alaikum wa rahmatullahi").
It is optional to then turn your head and look towards your left
shoulder, speaking to the angel that records your bad deeds, and give
the same or lesser greeting as to your right.
Additional Info
Regarding the Takbir upon standing up for a new rakat:
When standing up to begin rakat 2 and 4, Do NOT lift hands, but DO say
"Allahu Akbar" (Takbir).
When standing up to begin the 3rd rakat, DO lift hands shoulder-height
and say "Allahu Akbar" (Takbir).
If you are performing more than two rakats, then:
Do not salam out (Tasleem) until after your last rakat.
For rakats 3 and/or 4, only recite ONE surah when standing (Al-Fatihah),
instead of 2.
If your third rakat is also your last rakat, do Tashahud right before
Tasleem.
The prayer of a sick person:
'Imran ibn Husain (r.a.) said, "I was suffering from hemorrhoids
(piles), so I asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and he said:
“Pray standing; if you are not able, then sitting down; if you are not
able to do so, then pray lying down”.
[Bukhari, Abu Dawood and Ahmad]
'Imran ibn Husain also said, "I asked him (SAW) about the prayer of a
man while sitting, so he said:
“He who prays standing, that is better; he who prays sitting, his reward
is half that of the former. He who prays lying down (and in another
narration: reclining), has half the reward of the one who sits."
[Bukhari, Abu Daawood and Ahmand. Khattaabi said, "The meaning of
'Imran's hadeeth is intended for a sick person who is able to undergo
hardship and stand with difficulty. Hence the reward of praying sitting
has been made half of the reward of praying standing: encouraging him to
pray standing while allowing him to sit." Ibn Hajr said in Fath al-Baari
(2/468): "This deduction is valid.".]
This applies to the sick person, for Anas (r.a.) said, "The Messenger of
Allah (SAW) came out to the people while they were praying sitting due
to illness, so he said:
“Verily, the prayer of one who sits is (worth) half of the prayer of the
one who stands”.
[Ahmad & Ibn Maajah with a saheeh sanad]
Action Items for the Muttaqun:
Do salah with sincerity and humbleness, recognizing that you are in the
presence of your Lord, subhana wa ta'ala.
Make each salah at the prescribed time. Plan your life around salah,
not the other way around. For instance, don't just try to squeeze salah
into a busy day - plan your busy day around the prescribed times for
salah, making the salah the priority.
Enjoy your salah! Be at peace with your Creator. You have found your
purpose in life... it is Ibadah (to worship Allah).
Courtesy: The Canadian Society of Muslims;
Muttaqun Online