Complete Method and Rules of Prayer in the Light of Authentic Hadiths

Beginning of Salat:

Abu Humaid (may Allah be pleased with him) says when the Messenger of Allah stood for Salat, he would raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders, then say Takbir (i.e., Allahu Akbar), and then recite the Quran.

Bid’ah (Innovation):

Making intention (Niyyah) before Salat in Urdu, Pashto, Bengali, or any other language is not proven by any Hadith, therefore it is an innovation (Bid’ah). Niyyah is the name of the intention in the heart.

Halab (may Allah be pleased with him) says I saw the Messenger of Allah placing his hand on his chest.

Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam:

Question:
Is it necessary for us to recite Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam in audible (jahr) prayer? Because one of my brothers told me that according to Allama Albani, the Imam’s recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha is sufficient for my recitation.

Answer:
Regarding reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam in audible recitation, scholars have three opinions:

① In audible prayer, if the follower is listening to the Imam’s recitation, he should neither recite Surah Al-Fatiha nor any other Surah.

② The second opinion is that like in silent prayer, it is obligatory for the follower to recite Surah Al-Fatiha in audible prayer as well, this is the Shafi’i school of thought and also the opinion of Imam Hazm.

Addition:

And Sheikh Ibn Baz and Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on them, also hold this view.

③ The third opinion regarding this is that it is recommended for the follower to recite Surah Al-Fatiha.

[According to the scholars of Ahl al-Hadith, the second opinion is the most correct, supported by numerous evidences. For more details, see here (Note: This excerpt is not from the author.)]

Raising the Hands

الحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله وعلى آله وأصحابه اتباعه أجمعين، وبعد :

Question:

Regarding the authentic and mutawatir hadith about raising both hands before and after bowing in prayer, which is authentic and found in Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, and Sunan Abi Dawood, the question is why do the Hanafis not accept this hadith? What is the reason for abandoning this hadith? Did Imam Abu Hanifa, may Allah have mercy on him, not receive this hadith at that time?

Answer:

الحمد للہ ! The words of the hadith to which the questioner referred are as follows:

عن سالم بن عبد الله، عن أبيه: أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يرفع يديه حذو منكبيه إذا افتتح الصلاة وإذا كبر للركوع، وإذا رفع رأسه من الركوع رفعهما كذلك أيضا وقال: سمع الله لمن حمده، ربنا ولك الحمد، وكان لا يفعل ذلك فى السجود.

Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) started the prayer, he would raise both his hands to the level of his shoulders, and when saying takbir to go into ruku, and when raising his head from ruku, he would also raise both his hands in the same way and say سمع اللہ لمن حمدہ ، ربنا لک الحمد, but he did not do this in prostrations.

The majority of scholars have acted upon this hadith and have considered raising the hands at the places mentioned in the hadith to be recommended. Imam Bukhari wrote a special book on this issue, which he named (The Chapter of Raising the Hands). In it, he established the raising of both hands at these two places (going into ruku and rising from ruku). He strongly rejected those who oppose this, stating:

The Companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used to raise their hands when bowing (ruku) in prayer and when rising from bowing. Imam Bukhari states that Hasan Basri did not exempt any one Companion, nor is it established from any Companion of the Prophet ﷺ that they did not raise their hands.

As for whether the hadiths about raising the hands reached Imam Abu Hanifa or not, we do not know. However, these hadiths did reach his followers, but they did not act upon them because, according to them, these hadiths contradict other hadiths and reports which state that raising the hands is only done at Takbir al-Tahrima and not at other places.

One of these narrations is the one that Abu Dawood has transmitted from Bara’ bin Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, that when the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, would start the prayer, he would raise both hands near the ears and then would not do so again.

And another narration which Abu Dawood has narrated from Abdullah bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him. He said:

“Shall I not teach you the prayer of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him?” Then the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed and raised his hands only once.

But the leading scholars of Hadith and the Hafiz have declared these Ahadith weak. The narration of Bara ibn Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) has been declared weak by Imam Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, Imam Shafi’i, Imam Hamidi (teacher of Imam Bukhari), Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Yahya ibn Ma’in, Imam Darimi, Imam Bukhari, etc. And the narration of Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) has been declared weak by Imam Abdullah ibn Mubarak, Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Bukhari, Imam Bayhaqi, and Imam Dar Taqsim, etc. Similarly, the reports that the Hanafis have narrated from some companions regarding not raising the hands are also all weak, and the statement of Imam Bukhari mentioned earlier is that it is not established from any of the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that they did not raise their hands.

So when it was proven that the hadiths and reports about not raising the hands are weak, the hadiths that mention raising the hands remain, and there is no hadith contradicting them. Therefore, a believer should not abandon raising the hands in the places where the hadiths have established it, and should make every effort to perform the prayer as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ prayed. Because the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:

صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي.

Pray as you have seen me praying.

For this reason, Imam Ali ibn al-Madini, the teacher of Imam Bukhari, said:

It is the right of Muslims to raise their hands when going into and coming out of Ruku in Salah. After the Sunnah has become clear, it is not permissible for anyone to abandon the Sunnah due to following any scholar. Imam Shafi’i, may Allah have mercy on him, states: The scholars agree that if the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ becomes clear to someone, it is not permissible for that person to abandon the Sunnah because of someone’s opinion.

When a person follows Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad, and in some matters finds the opinion of another Imam stronger and follows that correct and preferred opinion instead of his own Imam’s statement, this action is very good. It does not affect his religiosity or honesty; there is no disagreement on this. Rather, it is closer to the truth and more pleasing to Allah and His Messenger, as Sheikh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, stated in his

. Besides these three occasions in prayer (at the start of the prayer, when bowing for Ruku’, and when rising from Ruku’), it is also Sunnah to raise the hands at a fourth occasion, which is when rising from the middle Tashahhud to stand for the third Rak’ah.

May Allah grant us the ability to know the truth and follow the truth. واللہ اعلم، فضلی اللہ علی نبینا محمد۔

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Whoever does not complete the bowing and prostration in prayer, he steals in the prayer.

Often people rush and join in the bowing (ruku) and consider it a complete unit of prayer, whereas they miss reciting Surah Al-Fatiha and standing (qiyam). The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that without Surah Al-Fatiha, there is no prayer. Therefore, bow with calmness and stand straight, then prostrate with calmness and sit straight, then perform the second prostration. Performing prostrations hastily is strictly prohibited.

✿ The Prophet ﷺ said:

When any of you prostrates, do not sit like a camel, but place both your hands before your knees.

✿ In prostration, place the nose and forehead on the ground.

✿ In prostration, keep the chest, stomach, and thighs elevated from the ground; keep the stomach separate from the thighs and the thighs separate from the calves.

✿ Do not place the wrists on the ground during prostration.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead, both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet.

✿ Women spread their arms on the ground and stick to the ground, which is not proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and is incorrect. A woman’s prayer is like a man’s prayer.

✿ Umar رضي الله عنه narrates that when the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would sit in (Tashahhud), he would place both hands on both knees and raise his right index finger (the finger of testimony), supplicate with it, and move the finger. That is, he would recite At-Tahiyyat, the Ibrahimic supplication, and make du’a.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

Looking around during prayer is the share of Satan in a person’s prayer.

If someone greets you with Salaam, respond to the greeting with a gesture of the right hand during the prayer, but do not say anything with the tongue.

✿ The prostration of forgetfulness (Sajdat as-Sahw) can also be performed before turning the Salaam.

Row Formation:

✿ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

Straighten your rows. Indeed, the straightening of rows is part of establishing the prayer.

✿ Nu’man bin Bashir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to straighten our rows as if he was aligning feet with feet. To the extent that we understood the Prophet (peace be upon him) to be straightening the rows. One day, when he stood up and was about to say Takbeer, he saw a person whose chest was sticking out. He said:

Straighten and align your rows, otherwise Allah will cause discord among you.

✿ It is narrated from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

Straighten the rows, for I see you even behind your backs (a miracle of the Prophet (peace be upon him)). Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) says that each of us used to join his shoulder with the other’s shoulder and his foot with every other’s foot.

Praying with shoes on:

✿ The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sometimes barefoot and sometimes wore shoes.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

When someone intends to perform prayer, he should either wear his shoes or take them off and place them between his feet. No one should be harmed by them. In one narration, the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized praying with shoes on and said to oppose the Jews, as they do not pray wearing shoes and socks.

The obligation of seventeen in prayer:

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said that when a person begins to pray, he should be close to seventeen so that Satan does not pass in front of him and spoil his prayer.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to count a spear or a camel’s saddle as seventeen.

There is no Hadith regarding the age of seventeen. The scholars’ opinion is that the age of seventeen is the limit for prostration. Beyond this, one can pass. (واللہ اعلم)

Praying Bareheaded:

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sometimes prayed bareheaded.

Takbir Tahreemah:

✿ الله اکبر۔ Allah is the Greatest.

Dua of Istiftah (Opening supplication of Salat)

✿ O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the East from the West. O Allah, cleanse me of my sins as a white garment is cleansed of dirt. O Allah, wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail.

O Allah! Distance between me and my sins as You have distanced the East and the West. O Allah! Purify me from sins as a white cloth is purified from dirt. O Allah! Wash away my sins with water, snow, and hail.

✿ سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك، وتبارك اسمك وتعالى جدك، ولا إله غيرك.

You are pure, O Allah! And all praise is for You alone, and blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your status, and there is no deity except You.

✿ أَعُوْذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطِنِ الرَّجِيمِ.

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.

✿بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ.

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Seeking refuge and naming with Surah Al-Fatiha:

أَعُوْذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطِنِ الرَّجِيمِ.

✿ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ‎﴿١﴾‏ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ‎﴿٣﴾‏ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ‎﴿٤﴾‏ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ‎﴿٥﴾‏ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ‎﴿٦﴾‏ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ ‎﴿٧﴾‏

I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah (I begin), the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path, the path of those You have blessed, not of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who go astray.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

✿Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you ‎(1)‎ Until you visit the graves ‎(2)‎ No! You will come to know ‎(3)‎ Then no! You will come to know ‎(4)‎ No! If you only knew with certainty ‎(5)‎ You would surely see Hellfire ‎(6)‎ Then you would surely see it with the eye of certainty ‎(7)‎ Then on that Day you will surely be asked about pleasure ‎(8)‎

You are busy desiring abundance (of wealth and children) (forgetting Allah) until you reach the graves. Never! Soon you will come to know. Never! Then you will soon gain knowledge. Never! Then you will certainly know with certainty (so never be heedless). You will surely see Hell. You will see it with the eye of certainty. Then on that Day, you will definitely be questioned about the blessings.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ .

✿ وَالْعَصْرِ ‎﴿١﴾‏ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ ‎﴿٢﴾‏ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ ‎﴿٣﴾‏

By the time. Indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

✿قُلْ هُوَ اللّٰهُ اَحَدٌ(1)اَللّٰهُ الصَّمَدُ(2)لَمْ یَلِدْ ﳔ وَ لَمْ یُوْلَدْ(3)وَ لَمْ یَكُنْ لَّهٗ كُفُوًا اَحَدٌ(4)

Say, He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

✿ قُلْ اَعُوْذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ(1)مِنْ شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ(2)وَ مِنْ شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ اِذَا وَقَبَ(3)وَ مِنْ شَرِّ النَّفّٰثٰتِ فِی الْعُقَدِ(4)وَ مِنْ شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ اِذَا حَسَدَ(5)

Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of daybreak From the evil of that which He created; And from the evil of darkness when it settles; And from the evil of the blowers in knots; And from the evil of an envier when he envies.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ .

✿ قُلْ اَعُوْذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ(1)مَلِكِ النَّاسِ(2)اِلٰهِ النَّاسِ(3)مِنْ شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ ﳔ الْخَنَّاسِ(4)الَّذِیْ یُوَسْوِسُ فِیْ صُدُوْرِ النَّاسِ(5)مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَ النَّاسِ(6)

Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, The Sovereign of mankind, The God of mankind, From the evil of the whisperer who withdraws – Who whispers in the breasts of mankind – Among jinn and among mankind.

Supplications of Ruku:

✿ سُبْحانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Pure is my Lord, the Most Great. (Recite more and in odd numbers).

✿ سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك. اللهم اغفر لي.

So pure, O Allah! O our Lord, and all praise is Yours. O Allah, forgive me.

✿ سبوح قدوس رب الملائكة والروح .

Very pure, very sacred. The Lord of the angels and the Trustworthy Spirit (Jibra’il).

✿Glory be to the Possessor of Power, the Kingdom, the Greatness, and the Magnificence.

Pure is the Lord who has dominion, sovereignty, greatness, and magnificence.

Supplication after rising from Ruku:

✿Allah has heard him who praised Him.

Allah has heard the one who praised Him.

Qunoot (after Ruku) supplications:

✿ اللهم ربنا ولك الحمد .

O Allah! O our Lord, all praise is for You.

✿ربنا ولك الحمد ، حمدا كثيرا طيبا مباركا فيه.

O our Lord! And all praise is for You. Much pure praise (that) is blessed in it.

Supplications in Sajdah:

✿ سبحان ربي الأعلى.

Pure is my Most High Lord, (recite as much as possible and in odd numbers.)

✿ سبحانك اللهم ربنا وبحمدك، اللهم اغفر لي.( بخاری و مسلم)

O Allah! You are pure. O our Lord! And all praise is for You, O Allah forgive me.

✿Glory be to the Most Holy, the Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

Very pure, very sacred. The Lord of the angels and the Trustworthy Spirit (Jibra’il).

Supplications between the two Sajdahs:

رب اغفر لي، رب اغفر لي.

O my Lord! Forgive me. (twice)

اللهم اغفر لي، وارحمني. واھد نی، واجبرني، وعافني.And provide for me

O Allah! Forgive me and have mercy on me, and guide me, and grant me well-being, and provide for me.

Supplication of Tashahhud:

التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات السلام عليك أيها النبى ورحمة الله وبركاته السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله .

All praise is for Allah alone, the Lord of the worlds. Peace be upon you, O Prophet ﷺ, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and I bear witness that indeed Muhammad ﷺ is His servant and His Messenger.
Question: What is the meaning of التحیات اللہ والصلوات in Tashahhud?

Answer: Al-Tahiyyat means all words of reverence, that is, verbal acts of worship, belong solely to Allah Almighty and are purely for Him.
Because the word Tahiyya means respect and honor, all kinds of respect and honor are due only to Allah Almighty and are exclusive to Him.
And Salawat, meaning physical acts of worship, are for the prayer of Allah; no prayer is to be offered for anyone other than Allah. Tayyibat means the pure deeds of the children of Adam are for Allah, for Allah is pure and only accepts what is pure. Similarly, all pure words, actions, and attributes are for Allah; all of Allah’s words are pure, His deeds are pure, and all His attributes are pure. So, from everything, only the pure things are for Allah Almighty, and He Himself is Glorious and Pure and accepts only what is pure. (Sheikh Al-Uthaymeen)

The Abrahamic Supplication:

اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم، إنك حميد مجيد. اللهم بارك على محمد وعلى ال محمد كما باركت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم، إنك حميد مجيد .

O Allah, send blessings and mercy upon Muhammad ﷺ and the family of Muhammad ﷺ as You sent mercy upon Ibrahim عليه السلام and the family of Ibrahim عليه السلام. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ and the family of Muhammad ﷺ as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim عليه السلام and the family of Ibrahim عليه السلام. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy, Glorious.

Prayers after the Ibrahimic Supplication:

 اللهم إني ظلمت نفسي ظلما كثيرا ولا يغفر الذنوب إلا أنت، فاغفر لي مغفرة من عندك وارحمني، إنك أنت الغفور الرحيم .

O Allah! Indeed, I have wronged myself greatly, and none can forgive sins except You. So forgive me with forgiveness from Yourself and have mercy upon me. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Merciful.

Salam:

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ . (on both sides) Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah (be upon you).

Sajdah Sahw:

In case of deficiency or excess in the prayer, performing the prostration of forgetfulness (Sajdat al-Sahw) is necessary. Sajdat al-Sahw can be performed before turning the Salam or after turning Salam on both sides. (Muslim) It is not proven to perform Sajdat al-Sahw after turning Salam on one side only.

Note: If you have doubt that you have missed or added a Rak’ah in the prayer, Sajdat al-Sahw is obligatory; after At-Tahiyyat, the Ibrahimic supplication, and other supplications, perform two prostrations before turning Salam. And if the mistake is realized after turning Salam, perform two additional prostrations and then turn Salam.

Salawat after Salam:

الله اكبر (Once aloud).

Allah is the Greatest.

أستغفر الله أستغفر الله، أستغفر الله. Three times aloud.

I seek forgiveness from Allah.

اللهم أنت السلام، ومنك السلام، تباركت يا ذا الجلال والإكرام .

O Allah! You are free from every imperfection and peace is with You; You are the Most Blessed, O Possessor of Glory and Honor.

اللهُمَّ أَعِنِّى عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ .

O my Lord! Help me in remembering You, thanking You, and worshipping You in the best manner.

لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد. وهو على كل شيء قدير اللهم لا مانع لما أعطيت ولا معطي لما منعت ، ولا ينفع ذا الجد منك الجد.( بخاری و مسلم)

There is no deity except Allah, He is alone. He has no partner. His is the dominion and all praise is His, and He is over all things competent. O Allah! There is no one who can withhold what You grant, and no one who can grant what You withhold. And the honored ones will not benefit from their status (wealth and power) against Your (punishment).

Ayat al-Kursi:

اللَّهُ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ ۚ لَا تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلَا نَوْمٌ ۚ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ ۗ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ ۚ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلَّا بِمَا شَاءَ ۚ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ

Allah (He is) there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.

سُبْحَانَ الله. (33 times) Allah is Pure (free from all defects)

الحَمْدُ لِلهِ. (33 times) All praise is due to Allah alone.

الله اكبر. (34 times) Allah is the Greatest.

It is also Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, and Surah An-Nas after every prayer.

Remembrances after Fajr:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Whoever asks Allah three times for Paradise, Paradise says: O Allah, admit him into Paradise, and whoever seeks refuge from Hellfire three times, Hellfire says: O Allah, save him from Hellfire.

Kareeb, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated from Hazrat Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, who narrated from Hazrat Juwayriyah, may Allah be pleased with her, that after the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had performed prayer early in the morning, he went to her place while she was in her prayer area. Then after the day had advanced, the Prophet ﷺ returned to her, and she was still sitting in the same manner. The Prophet ﷺ said:

Are you still sitting in the same state in which I left you? She replied: Yes, O Prophet of Allah ﷺ said:

After going to your place, I recited the four kalimas three times; if they are weighed against what you have said so far today, they will outweigh them:

✿ سبحان الله وبحمده عدد خلقه ورضا نفسه وزنة عرشه ومداد كلماته .

Purity belongs to Allah and with His praise, as many as the count of His creation, as much as He likes, as heavy as His Throne, and as much as the ink of His words.
✿ After Maghrib seven times: اللَّهُمَّ أَجِرْنِي مِنَ النَّارِ

O Allah! Save me from the fire.

✿ After Maghrib ten times: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد يحيي ويميت، وهو على كل شيء قدير .

✿ After Fajr ten times: لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك وله الحمد يحيي ويميت ، وهو على كل شيء قدير –

Number of Rak’ahs in Salah:

✿ Fajr: two Sunnah, two Fard
✿ Zuhr: two or four Sunnah, four Fard, two Sunnah; two Rak’ahs narrated from Abdullah bin Umar (RA) before Zuhr.
✿ Asr: four Fard
✿ Maghrib: three Fard, two Sunnah
✿ Isha: four Fard, two Sunnah, one Witr or three or five Witr or seven Witr or nine Witr (but Witr is not part of Isha prayer)

Method of performing Witr:

After the second Witr, recite one unit alone or three units together without sitting for Tashahhud after two units. For five Witr, recite At-Tahiyyat and Dua only in the last unit and then conclude with Salam. For seven units, also conclude with Salam after Tashahhud and Dua in the last unit. For nine units of Witr, recite Tashahhud in the eighth unit and stand up without concluding with Salam, then in the ninth unit recite At-Tahiyyat and Dua and then conclude with Salam.

Note: Qunoot can be recited in the last unit either before or after Ruku. It can be done with raised hands or without raising hands. It is not necessary to recite Qunoot every day; sometimes recite it, sometimes do not.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) did not raise his hands in any Dua except in Salat al-Istisqa (the prayer for rain), in which he raised his hands so high that the whiteness of his armpits was visible.

It is an innovation to have a congregational supplication by the Imam after the obligatory prayer, and this practice is not established from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. According to the narration in Sahih Bukhari, the Prophet, peace be upon him, did not lead a congregational supplication even after turning the salam. Individual supplication is permissible. Before the obligatory prayer or at any time, ask Allah Almighty with the palms of the hands, as narrated from Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, and do not ask with the backs of the hands.

Number of Sunnah Prayers:

Abdullah bin Shaqiq, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that when the condition of the Nawafil (supererogatory prayers) of the Mother of the Believers, Hazrat Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, was asked, Aisha Siddiqah, may Allah be pleased with her, said:

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to pray four rak’ahs before Dhuhr in my house, and after performing the obligatory prayer, he would come back home and pray two rak’ahs. He would pray Maghrib prayer with you and then enter the house and pray two rak’ahs. Then he would pray Isha prayer with you, and upon entering the house, he would pray two rak’ahs, and at night he would pray nine rak’ahs of Tahajjud prayer. Among them was Witr, and he would pray two rak’ahs of Fajr (before the obligatory prayer).

Qiyam al-Layl, Tahajjud:

✿ Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, narrates the method of the Prophet’s, peace be upon him, Witr prayer:

The Prophet, peace be upon him, used to pray eleven rak’ahs from Isha until Fajr, turning to say salam after every two rak’ahs, and then he would pray one Witr.

✿ Amir Muawiyah, may Allah be pleased with him, used to pray only one Witr (i.e., one rak’ah). Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said he (Muawiyah) was a jurist and a companion.

✿ It is narrated from Abu Ayyub رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

Witr is the right of every Muslim. So whoever wants to pray five, let him pray five; whoever wants to pray three rak’ahs, let him pray three; and whoever wants to pray one rak’ah, let him pray one.

✿ In the Indian subcontinent, three witr rak’ahs are prayed together, which is completely incorrect. After two rak’ahs, say the salam, then pray one rak’ah.

The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

Do not pray witr in imitation of Maghrib. Or pray three together, meaning do not sit for tashahhud after two rak’ahs, but sit in the third rak’ah. It is not necessary to recite qunoot continuously, nor to raise hands. There is no authentic hadith regarding raising hands while making dua.

✿ The Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan is also eleven rak’ahs including witr, and Tahajjud and Taraweeh are not separate prayers but one and the same prayer; therefore, you cannot pray Tahajjud and Taraweeh separately.

✿ The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to pray three witr rak’ahs and recite the qunoot dua before ruku’.

Note: The word Taraweeh is a later invention and is not found in any Hadith; it is the prayer of Tahajjud which is established as eleven Rak’ahs from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).

Qunoot Nazilah:

When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) intended to supplicate for curse or good prayer for someone, he would raise his voice in supplication after the Ruku of the last Rak’ah, and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) would say Ameen behind him.

It is established from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that he recited Qunoot Nazilah in all five prayers.

While supplicating, he said: Grant salvation to Walid bin Walid, Salmah bin Hisham, and Ayyash bin Abi Rabi’ah. O Allah, strengthen Your grip on the tribe of Muzar and impose famine upon them as You imposed famine during the time of Yusuf (peace be upon him). O Allah! Curse Al-Hayan, Ra’l, Dhakwan, and Khasiyah who disobey Allah and His Messenger.

And when he finished the Qunoot, he would say اللہ اکبر and then go into prostration.

It is narrated from Saeed bin Musayyib that Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) used to perform Tahajjud after Isha, and Umar bin Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to perform it in the last part of the night (meaning you can perform Tahajjud anytime from after Isha until the morning).

Dua Qunoot:

اللهم اهدني فيمن هديت، وعافني فيمن عافيت. وتولني فيمن توليت، وبارك لي فيما أعطيت، وقني شر ما قضيت، فإنك تقضي ولا يقضى عليك، إنه لا يذل من واليت تباركت ربنا وتعاليت.

O Allah! Guide me among those whom You have guided, and grant me well-being among those whom You have granted well-being, and take me under Your protection among those whom You have taken under Your protection, and bless me in what You have bestowed, and save me from the harm You have decreed. Indeed, You decree, and none can decree against You. Indeed, he is not humiliated whom You befriend, and he is not honored who is Your enemy. You are Most Blessed, our Lord, Most High and Exalted.

Anas bin Malik رضي الله عنه narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to ask for this comprehensive supplication more than any other prayer:

✿ ربنا آتنا فى الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار.

Combining Prayers:

✿ It is narrated from Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha رضي الله عنها that if the night prayer (Tahajjud) of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was missed due to pain or other reasons, he would pray twelve rak’ahs during the day.

✿ It is narrated from Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers in Medina, even though there was no fear or travel involved.

✿ It is narrated from Abdullah bin Shafiq رحمه الله that once Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه began delivering a sermon after Asr prayer in Basra until the sun set and the stars began to shine. Someone said that the time for prayer had arrived. He replied:

That I should not be taught the Sunnah; I have seen the Prophet ﷺ combining Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha prayers. Abdullah bin Shafiq said that I had a strong doubt, so I asked Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, and he confirmed it.

✿ Both of the above hadiths are from Sahih Muslim with authentic chains, meaning no one has called them weak. But I have never seen anyone practicing this Sunnah. Therefore, it should be done occasionally so that the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ can be followed, rather than blindly following Imams and clerics and declaring that as Sunnah and obligatory.

Qasr Salah:

✿ The Messenger of Allah ﷺ prayed four rak’ahs of Dhuhr in Medina and two rak’ahs of Asr in Dhu al-Hulayfah.

✿ That is, after approximately nine miles, Salah can be shortened (Qasr).

✿ If the intention is to stay for three days, then perform Qasr Salah, and if the stay exceeds three days, then from the beginning, perform the full Salah.

✿ Summary of the narration of Ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه: And in another hadith, shortening the prayer for 19 days is also established.

✿ It is narrated from Ibn Umar رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم used to combine Dhuhr and Asr, and Maghrib and Isha during travel. (Bukhari Taqseer Salah: 1167)
✿ It is narrated from Muadh bin Jabal رضي الله عنه that on the occasion of the Battle of Tabuk, if the Messenger of Allah ﷺ started traveling after sunset, he would combine Dhuhr and Asr until that time, and if he started before sunset, he would delay Dhuhr and pray it with Asr. Similarly, if he started traveling after sunset, he would pray Maghrib and Isha at that time, and if he started traveling before sunset, he would delay Maghrib and combine it with Isha.

✿ Sunnah prayers are excused during travel.

✿ Tasbeeh after Salah is established from you ﷺ on the right hand.

✿ Umm al-Mu’minin Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to start with the right side in wearing shoes, combing, performing ablution, and in all his affairs. But nowadays, the use of the Ranaj Tasbih is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.

✿ It is not permissible to pray behind a polytheist or an innovator imam in any way. It is better to pray alone or at home with an imam who seeks help from anyone other than Allah or is clearly involved in innovations.

Matters Contrary to Khushu (humility) in Salah:

✿ Umm al-Mu’minin Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say that the prayer of one before whom food is prepared (or) who has gas in his stomach or the urge to defecate is not accepted.

Jabir bin Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that those who raise their eyes towards the sky while praying should stop, lest their eyes do not return.

✿ Umm al-Mu’minin Aisha Siddiqah رضي الله عنها says that I asked the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم about looking around during Salah, and he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

It distracts attention, meaning it disrupts humility and concentration.

✿ It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم forbade placing the hand on the side during Salah.

✿ It is narrated from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم forbade letting the cloth hang down to the ground and covering the face during Salah.

✿ It is narrated from Abdur Rahman bin Shibl رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم forbade making pecking movements like a crow (i.e., performing prostrations quickly), sitting like beasts (i.e., placing both elbows on the ground during prostration), and designating a specific place in the mosque as one’s own, just as a camel sits in its particular spot.

✿ It is narrated from Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه that putting fingers into fingers during Salah is the prayer of those from whom Allah Almighty is displeased.

✿ It is narrated from Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

When the evening meal is served and the congregation stands for prayer, eat first and then perform Salah.

✿ Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:

The Imam is to be followed; do not go into Ruku’ until he goes into Ruku’, and do not rise from Ruku’ until he rises.

It is narrated from Aisha رضي الله عنها that the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ordered her to remove a decorated (i.e., patterned) sheet from in front of him, and said that its pictures cause disturbance and corruption in my Salah.

✿ Abu Qatada رضي الله عنه narrates:

When you come for prayer, come with calmness. (That is, do not rush hurriedly to join the congregation)

✿ Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

When someone feels yawning, he should try to stop it and not say “ha… ha…” because doing so is a satanic act that makes Satan laugh.

✿ Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) forbade me from reciting the Quran during bowing and prostration. (However, Quranic supplications can be recited with the intention of supplication only).

✿ Mu’iqib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

Whoever wants to clean the place of his prostration during prayer, such as removing stones, should do it once, not repeatedly.

✿ Allah the Exalted says:

And woe to those who pray, [But] who are heedless of their prayer –

Hafiz Ibn Kathir states in the interpretation of this verse:
1. This verse refers to those people who delay praying Salah instead of offering it at its prescribed time.
2. Or those who do not perform the pillars of Salah according to the Sunnah method.
3. Or those who do not adopt humility and concentration in Salah and pray without reflection and understanding of the meanings. A person who has all these three defects is deserving of the warning mentioned in the above verse and is a complete hypocrite.

Method of Humility in Salah:

Allah Almighty says:

“Successful indeed are the believers who are humble in their prayers.”

A person should pay full attention and focus on what he is reciting in Salah. He should learn the translation of the Quranic verses recited during Salah so that he knows what he is reading.

During Salah, translate as many of the prayers as you remember and learn as many supplications as possible. Pray Salah free from satanic whispers and worldly distractions.

Pray Salah calmly and do not rush; reflect on each word you pronounce.

Remember death during Salah and understand that this might be your last Salah.

If whispers come during Salah, recite “A’udhu billah.”

Pray on a simple mat, not one with patterns or designs.

Do not pray Salah while asleep.

Do not look around during Salah.

It is forbidden to pray Salah with the cuffs of a shirt or garment rolled up. Abdullah bin Abbas (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

I have been commanded to prostrate on seven parts and also not to tie my hair during prayer nor roll up the sleeve of my shirt.

Therefore, repeatedly folding clothes and playing with the fingers also diminishes humility in prayer.