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Prophet
Muhammad's Manner of Performing Prayers (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him)
By: (Shiekh Abdul Aziz Abdullah Bin Baz) All praise is to Allah alone and may His peace and blessings be upon
His messenger Muhammed our Prophet also his family and his companions. The objective of this concise topic is to explain how Prophet
Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to perform his
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 prayers as a model for them. It was narrated by Al
Bukhari that Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
had said: "Perform your prayers in the same manner you had seen me
doing." Therefore, here is the explanation for the Prophet's manner
of prayer. 1. To perform completely the ablution, adopting the method commanded by Allah in the Quran: Wash your self. "0 ye who believe, when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces
and your hands (and arms) to the elbows, rub your heads (with water) and
(wash) your feet to the ankles."(5:6 Al-Quran) The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said: ( prayer without ablution is invalid) 2. To turn one's face and whole body towards the Ka'aba. The Holy House at
Makkah, intending by Heart to perform the prayer which he wants to
fullfil. l. Whether it is an Obligatory prayer or a Supererogatory prayer,
the worshipper in all cases, should not pronounce his intention openly,
because neither the Prophet nor his companions used to utter the
intention for prayer. Thus, pronouncing the intention for prayer in
audible voice is a heresy and an illicit action. Whether the individual
be an Imam or performs his prayer individually, he should make (A Sutra)
i.e. a curtain for his prayer. Directing the face towards the Qibla (The
Ka'aba at Makkah) is an imperative condition for every prayer . However,
there are few exceptions for this rule explained in authoritative books
for whom who wish to refer. ”If you don’t know the Direction to the
Kabba. 3. To pronounce "Takbirat Al Ihram" that is
to say:" Allahu Akbar" celebrating by that the greatness of
Allah and looking meanwhile, downwards to the place where he will
prostrate. 4. 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". 5. To put one's right hand over his left hand and left wrist, and
put them both over his chest, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) used to do. 6. It is advisable that the worshipper recite "Allahumma
baid bayni wa bayena khatayaya kama baadta bayena al-mashriki wal
maghribi, Allahumma naqqiniy' min khatayaya kama yonaqa al thawbo
alabyado min aldans.. Allahumma igysilniy min khatayaya bilmai wathalgi
walbarad." This
supplication means: "O Allah, separate me from my sins as You have separated the
east and west. 0 Allah, clean me of my sins as the white rope is cleaned
from dirt. 0 Allah, wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.” or he
may say instead: "Sobhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika watabaraka Ismoka wata'la
jaddoka wala ilaha ghayroka" This
supplication means: "Praise and glory be to Allah. Blessed be Your Name, exalted be
Your Majesty and Glory. There is no god but You." Or he may say any other
supplications which the Prophet, (peace and blessings of Allah be on
him) used to say in his prayers. It is better to recite these
supplications alternately, the first one in the morning prayer
"Fajr", the second in the noon prayer "Zuhr", each
one by turn, in conformity with what the Prophet used to do. After reciting the opening supplication, the worshipper says: "Aouzo billahi min al-shaytani-r-ragim" Which means? "I
seek protection of Allah against the accursed Satan." Then he says: "Bism
illahi-Rahmani Raheem" Which
means? "In
the name of Allah, the All Merciful, the All
Compassionate." Then
recites the Fatiha (The opening Sura of the glorious Quran).
Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings be upon him said:-"
Prayer without reciting the F atiha is invalid". The
worshipper should say "Almeen" after reciting the Fatiha
loudly if the prayer is said loudly, and whisper it in inaudible
prayers. To be in conformity with the traditions of the Prophet, the
worshipper is advised to recite verses from medium size Suras of the
Quran in the Zuhr (noon), Asr (late afternoon), and Isha (night)
prayers. As for the Fajr (morning) prayer, the worshipper is advised to
recite a passage from the long Suras of the Quran. He has the choice in
Maghrib prayer (Evening prayer) either to recite passages from the long
Suras or from the short Suras of the Quran. 7.
Then, the worshipper bows in "Ruku " raising his hands up to
the level of his shoulders or ears while saying " Allahu
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 tranquility while
bowing, he should say thrice at least: ,
"Subhana Rabbiayl A'zim" Which
means? "Glory
be to my Lord, the Almighty." It
is advisable to say while bowing in addition to that: "Subhanak-Allahumma
Rabbana wa bi hamdika, Allahumma ighfir liy" Which
mean.: "Glory
be to Thee, O Allah, and I praise Thee, forgive me my sins." 8.
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 Imam or praying alone:
-"Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah" Which
means? "
Allah listens to him who praises Him " While
resuming the standing position, he should say: "Rabbana
wa laka al hamdu hamdan katheera'n tayyiban mobarakan feehiy mil'a
ssamawati wa mila alardhi wa mil'a ma baynahoma wa mil'a ma Shita min
shiyin ba'ad" This
supplication means: "Our
Lord, praise be fore Thee only, praises plentiful and blessed as to fill
the heavens, the earth, what in between, and fill that which will please
Thee besides them." But
if the worshipper is a follower, and led in his prayer by the Imam he
should say when rising up "Rabbana wa laka alhamd... - etc The
worshipper is advised to put his hands on his chest, as he had done
before he bowed. Both Wa'il Ibn Haggar and Sahl Ibn Sai'yd reported that
this was the manner of the Prophet when he used to raise his head up
after bowing. 9.
To prostrate saying: "Allahu Akbar" " 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 hand before his knees. His fingers and toes
should be directed towards the Qibla Makkah, and his hands should be
stretched, and the fingers close together and not separated. In
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: "Suhhana
Rahbiyal A'ala" Which
means? "Glorified
is my Lord, the Exalted." It
is advisable to say: "Suhhanaka
Allahuma Rahhana wa hi hamdika,
Allahuma Ighfir -Iiy." This
means: "Glory
be to Thee, Our Lord, and I praise Thee. Our Lord, forgive me ." It
is recommendable for the worshipper to exceed more,and more in
supplications and ask for more from his Lord, because the Prophet, may
peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said: "As
for bowing "Ruku" you should glorify your Lord during
performing it, as for Prostration. you should do your best to cate
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, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him,
prohibited putting the arms and stretching them on the ground, ordering
that "adjust your prostration, keep straigtht in it, and stretch
not your hands on the ground as dogs do. " 10.
He should raise his head from prostration saying: "Allahu
Akbar" and lays his left foot flat on the ground and sits upon it,
keeping his right foot erected, his hands on his thighs and knees, and
says : "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. 11.
To prostrate again saying " Allahu Akbar" and repeating during
his prostration what he did and said in the first prostration. 12.
Then the worshipper raises his head saying " Allahu Akbar"
taking a pause similar to the pause between the two prostrations; this
is called "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
Fatihah (The opening Sura of the glorious Quran) and some other verses
of the Quran and do as just as he did in the first Rakaah (unit of prayer). Those who pray be- hind the Imam should not compete with him in the prayer actions as the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The
Imam is to be followed, if he says: "
Allahu Akbar" which means " Allah is Great" then say the
same after him. If he bows in "Ruku" bow after him. If he
says: "Samia-l-lahu liman hamidah" which means " Allah
hears him who praises Him", then say: "Rabbana wa
laka-l-hamd" which means "Our Lord! All praises are for
Thee"; and if he prostrates, then prostrate after -him".
(Bukhari V: 1 P.37) 13. If
the prayer consists of two Rakaat (two units of prayer) as the morning
prayer "Fajr", Feast prayer "Eid" ; or the Friday
prayer "Jumu'a", 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 save the index finger which he uses to point out as a sign
for his monotheis- tic 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 fin- gers closed, while rounding his thumb and middle
finger in a ring-shape, and uses his index finger ot point out as a sign
for his monotheistic belief. .It has been related that the Prophet, may
peace and blessings of Allah be on him, 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 Tashahud while sitting and says: - "Al-tahiyatu
lilahi waslwatu watayibatu Assalamu
alayka ayuha-n-nablyu wa rahmat-u-llahi wa barakatuhu. Assalamu alayi-
na wa ala ibadi-l-lahi-s-salalihiyn. Ashadu ala ilaha ila lahu wa ashadu
anna Muham- "
madan abdoho wa raswuloh. Allahuma salliy ala Muhammad wa ala aali
Muhamad. kama salayata ala lbrahima wa aali lbra- him. lnaka Hamidon
Majid. Wa barik ala Mohammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama barkta ala
Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahima. Inaka Hamidon Majid. This
means: "Greetings, prayers and the good thing. of
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. 1
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 best- woed it on Ibrahim and his family. You are the
Most-Praised, The Most-glorious. After
reciting the Tashahud, the worship- pet asks Allah's protection from
four evils: “My
Lord, I ask your protection from torment of the Hell , torment of the
grave theTrails in life-time and after death, and from the imposter
Antichrist." The worshipper may ask Allah for prosperity in this
worldly life and in the Hereafter, supplicate Allah to bestow His favors
on his parents and other muslims. He could do this in both obligatory
and optional prayers. It has been reported by Ibn Massoud that the
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, taught him how to
recite the Tashahud and told him that the worshipper should ~nvoke Allah
and ask Him for the more beloved wishes which he likes, or, as it has
been related in other word- ings, the worshipper should ask Allah for whatever
he wishes. In this manner, the ser- vant can ask Allah for all the
prosperities of this worldly life and the life to come. The worshipper
tenninates his prayer by turning his face to the right saying: "As-salamu
alai kum wa rahmatu Allah" and to the left saying this salutation
which means "Peace and mercy of Allah be on you." 14.
In case of a three Rakaat prayer (prayer
consisting of three units) as that of Maghrib prayer, (evening prayer),
.or a four- Rakaat prayer like that of noon prayer (Zuhr), Asr prayer
(late afternoon prayer) or , Isha prayer (night prayer), the worshipper
stands up after reciting the Tashahud according to the manner stated
before, and raises his hand to the level of his shoulders saying: Al1ahu
Akbar). The worship- per puts his hands over his chest as it had . been
explained beforc, and recites, only the Fatiha. There is no objection if
he adds to the -Fatiha
some other verses of the Quran while performing the third or fourth
Rakaat (units of prayer) of noon prayer (Zuhr), because this was stated
to be one of the manners adopted by the Prophet, may peace and blessings
of Allah be on him, according to the tradition reported by Abi Saied. After
the third Rakaah of Maghrib prayer (evening prayer), and the fourth
Rakaah of Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon) and Isha (llight) . prayers, the
worshipper recites the Tashahud and
terminates his prayers by saying: Assalamu-alaikum
wa rahmatu Allah 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 rec- ommendable prophetic
tradition to invoke Allah after terminating the prayer by asking Him
forgiveness thrice and saying before turning one'& face towards his
followers if he is the Imam : "O
Allah, Thou art peace andfrom Thee is peace, Thou art blessed, O possessor
of Glory and Honour." It
is advisable for the worshipper to say: "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 can- not avail a wealthy person with Thee.
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 accord- ed. There is no god but Allah, to Whom we are sincere in
devotion, even though the un- believers may detest it." It
is also advisable to the worshipper to extol
Allah 33 times by saying" (Subhana Allah). praise Him by
saying: (Al
Hamdu lil-Allah) 33 times also by saying:
Allahu Akbar and the worshipper completes his supplications to be
one hundred by saying once: "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 AI-Kursiy". 'Sur.at AI-Ikhlas, Surat EI-Falaq, and Surat
AI-Nas. It is recommendable to recite these Suras thrice after the Fajr
prayer (Morning prayer), and the Maghrib prayer (evening prayer) because
this was reported to be one of the traditions of the Prophet, peace and
blessings of Allah be on him. 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 Rakaat of
super- erogatory prayers every day: four of these Rakaat (units of
prayers) are before noon prayer, two after it, two after Maghrib prayer,
two after Isha (night) prayer and two before the morning prayer These
supererogatory prayers are called (Rawatib) which means: "Certain
supererogatory exercises of optional prayers." The Prophet peace
and blessings of Allah be on him, preserved the performance of these
optional prayers wherever
he settled. During his travels, he used to practise the two optional
Rakaat be- fore the morning prayer and also the Witr prayer (after the
Isha prayer). There is no ob- jection to perform these optional prayers
in the mosque, but it is better to perform it at home, because the
Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said "The best of
the prayers are those which are fulfilled at one's own home, with
exception to obligato- ry 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, may peace and blessings of Allah be on him, said:
"Whoever
prays optionally twelve Rakaat everyone day and night, Allah will reward
him by an established dwelling in the para- dise." It
is also advisable to the muslim to pray four optional Rakaat before Asr
prayer (afternoon prayer), two before Maghrib prayer (evening prayer),
and two before Isha prayer (night prayer), because this manner was
reported to be one of the traditions of the Prophet. Allah, the Almighty
says: ”Ye have indeed in the Messenger of At'"'! lah an excellent
exempler" (33:21). And
the Prophet (May the peace and blassings of Allah be upon him) said: "Perform
your prayer in the same manner as you had 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
Abdellah, his family, his companions and whoever follows his way till
doomsday.
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