The Complete Method of Performing Salah in the Light of Authentic Ahadith

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

① Aligning the Rows and Standing Close Together

That is, standing shoulder to shoulder and ankle to ankle, ensuring there is no gap in the rows is Sunnah.

Evidence

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «أَقِيمُوا صُفُوفَكُمْ، فَإِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ مِنْ وَرَاءِ ظَهْرِي، وَكَانَ أَحَدُنَا يُلْزِقُ مَنْكِبَهُ بِمَنْكِبِ صَاحِبِهِ، وَقَدَمَهُ بِقَدَمِهِ»

Translation
From Hazrat Anas (RA), he said that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Straighten the rows. I keep watching you from behind.” Each one of us would join his shoulder with the shoulder of his companion and his foot with his companion’s foot in the row.

② Takbir al-Ihram

When starting Takbir al-Ihram, raise both hands up to shoulder level and then say Allahu Akbar.

Evidence

أَنَّ ابْنَ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: «كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ لِلصَّلَاةِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى تَكُونَا حَذْوَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ، ثُمَّ كَبَّرَ،

Translation
Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) said: When the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) stood for prayer, he would raise both hands until they were level with his shoulders, then say Allahu Akbar.

③ Place the palm of the right hand on the back of the left hand’s palm

Evidence.

عَنْ وَائِلِ بْنِ حُجْرٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَأَنْظُرَنَّ إِلَى صَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي قَالَ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَاسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ فَكَبَّرَ فَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى حَاذَتَا أُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى ظَهْرِ كَفِّهِ الْيُسْرَى وَالرُّسْغِ وَالسَّاعِدِ

Translation
Sayyiduna Wa’il bin Hujr (RA) narrates that I said: I will definitely observe the prayer of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to see how he prays. He narrated: So the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood, faced the Qiblah, and said “Allahu Akbar,” then raised both his hands until they were level with his ears, then placed his right hand on the back of his left palm in such a way that it reached and also came onto the wrist.

Explanation:

From this hadith, it is understood that the right hand (palm) should be placed on the left hand’s palm in such a way that the front part of the palm (fingers) is on the left wrist and the back part is on the back of the left hand’s palm.

Or place the palm of the right hand on the left wrist.

Evidence

أَنَّ وَائِلَ بْنَ حُجْرٍ أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَأَنْظُرَنَّ إِلَى صَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَامَ فَكَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى حَاذَتَا بِأُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى كَفِّهِ الْيُسْرَى وَالرُّسْغِ وَالسَّاعِدِ

Translation
Narrated by Hazrat Wa’il bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) that (once) I said (to myself): I will surely observe the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) carefully to see how he prays. So I looked attentively at him. He stood up saying Allahu Akbar and raised both his hands until they were level with his ears. Then he placed his right hand on the palm, wrist, and joint of his left hand or placed his right hand on the forearm of his left hand.

Evidence

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ: «كَانَ النَّاسُ يُؤْمَرُونَ أَنْ يَضَعَ الرَّجُلُ اليَدَ اليُمْنَى عَلَى ذِرَاعِهِ اليُسْرَى فِي الصَّلاَةِ

Translation
Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) said that people were instructed to place the right hand over the left forearm during prayer.

④ Placing the hands on the chest

Evidence

Wa’il bin Hujr said:

“صليت مع النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – فوضع يده اليمنى على يده اليسرى على صدره

He said that I prayed behind the Prophet (peace be upon him).
He placed his right hand over the left and placed them on the chest.

حدثنا یحییٰ بن سعید عن سفیان ثنا سماك عن قبیصة ابن هلب عن أبیه قال رأیت رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیه وسلم ینصرف عن یمینه وعن یسارہ و رأیته یضع هذہ علی صدرہ ووصف یحییٰ الیمنیٰ علی الیسریٰ فوق المفصل

Meaning, we narrated from Yahya ibn Saeed Thawri.
He says that Samak narrated from Qabisa ibn Wahb.
He narrates from his father that he saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
He used to turn his greetings to the right and left, and I saw that he placed his right hand over his left on his chest.

⑤ Reciting Dua al-Istiftah

Dua al-Istiftah is authentically established from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in twelve hadiths; here only three duas are mentioned.

For the rest of the duas, refer to Imam Al-Albani’s book Sifat al-Salah al-Nabi ﷺ.

Number 1.

إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَبِذَلِكَ أُمِرْتُ وَأَنَا مِنْ الْمُسْلِمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِأَحْسَنِ الْأَعْمَالِ وَأَحْسَنِ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَهْدِي لِأَحْسَنِهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ وَقِنِي سَيِّئَ الْأَعْمَالِ وَسَيِّئَ الْأَخْلَاقِ لَا يَقِي سَيِّئَهَا إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Number 2.

اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ فَاطِرَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ عَالِمَ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي لِمَا اخْتُلِفَ فِيهِ مِنْ الْحَقِّ إِنَّكَ تَهْدِي مَنْ تَشَاءُ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ

Number 3.

اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ، كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ المَشْرِقِ وَالمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنَ الخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْ خَطَايَايَ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالبَرَدِ

⑥ After Dua al-Istiftah, recite Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim

Evidence

Chapter: Statement about beginning the recitation in prayer with Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.

قَالَ وَأَخْبَرَنَا سَعِیدٌ عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ بَہْدَلَۃَ عَنْ سَعِیدِ بْنِ جُبَیْرٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِیَ اللَّہُ عَنْہُمَا أَنَّہُ کَانَ یَقُولُ تُفْتَتَحُ الْقِرَاءة بِ {بِسْمِ اللَّہِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ}۔

Translation:
Saeed bin Jubair narrates from Hazrat Ibn Abbas (RA) that the recitation should begin with { بِسْمِ اللَّہِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ }.
Another narration.

Chapter: Statement about beginning the recitation in prayer with بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم.

أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّہِ الْحَافِظُ وَأَبُو سَعِیدِ بْنُ أَبِی عَمْرٍو قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْعَبَّاسِ: مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ یَعْقُوبَ حَدَّثَنَا یَحْیَی بْنُ أَبِی طَالِبٍ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَہَّابِ بْنُ عَطَائٍ أَخْبَرَنَا سَعِیدُ بْنُ أَبِی عَرُوبَۃَ عَنْ أَیُّوبَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِیَ اللَّہُ عَنْہُمَا: أَنَّہُ کَانَ یَفْتَتِحُ الصَّلاَۃَ بِ {بِسْمِ اللَّہِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ}۔

Translation:
Nafi narrates from Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA) that he used to begin the recitation in prayer with { بِسْمِ اللَّہِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِیمِ }.

⑦ Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha

Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is obligatory for every worshipper, whether he is an Imam or a follower; it is obligatory for both to recite Surah Al-Fatiha. The same ruling applies to those who pray alone as well as those who pray in congregation.
There are four hundred authentic hadiths regarding reciting Surah Al-Fatiha behind the Imam.
Here, only a few hadiths will be mentioned.
Number 1.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «مَنْ صَلَّى صَلَاةً لَمْ يَقْرَأْ فِيهَا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ» ثَلَاثًا غَيْرُ تَمَامٍ. فَقِيلَ لِأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ: إِنَّا نَكُونُ وَرَاءَ الْإِمَامِ؟ فَقَالَ: «اقْرَأْ بِهَا فِي نَفْسِكَ»الخ

Translation
From Hazrat Abu Huraira﷜, he narrated from the Prophetﷺ that he said: “Whoever prays any prayer and does not recite Umm al-Qura (Surah Al-Fatiha) in it, then it is incomplete.” He said this three times, meaning it is not complete at all. Abu Huraira﷜ was asked: We are behind the Imam. He said: Recite it in your heart.
Number 2.

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ قَالَ صَلَّى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الصُّبْحَ فَثَقُلَتْ عَلَيْهِ الْقِرَاءَةُ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ قَالَ إِنِّي أَرَاكُمْ تَقْرَءُونَ وَرَاءَ إِمَامِكُمْ قَالَ قُلْنَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِي وَاللَّهِ قَالَ فَلَا تَفْعَلُوا إِلَّا بِأُمِّ الْقُرْآنِ فَإِنَّهُ لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِهَا

Translation
Ubada bin Samit رضي الله عنه says: The Messenger of Allahﷺ prayed Fajr, and recitation became difficult for him. After finishing the prayer, he said: “I feel that you people recite behind your Imam?” We said: Yes, by Allah, we do recite. He said: “Why do you do this except for Surah Al-Fatiha, because whoever does not recite it, his prayer is not valid.”

Number 3.

عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «كُلُّ صَلَاةٍ لَا يُقْرَأُ فِيهَا بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ، فَهِيَ خِدَاجٌ»

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Every prayer in which Surah Al-Fatiha is not recited is incomplete, it is incomplete.”

Note
If a person is behind the Imam or praying alone and does not recite Surah Al-Fatiha, his prayer is not accepted by Allah.

Evidence

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ، يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ «لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ»

Translation
It is narrated from Hazrat Ubada bin Samit رضي الله عنه, who attributed to the Prophet ﷺ (that he said): “There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Surah Al-Fatiha).”

⑧ Saying Ameen aloud

Evidence

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ: أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: إِذَا قَالَ الإِمَامُ: {غَيْرِ المَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ} [الفاتحة: 7] فَقُولُوا: آمِينَ، فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ وَافَقَ قَوْلُهُ قَوْلَ المَلاَئِكَةِ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

Translation.
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: When the Imam says “ghayril maghdubi ‘alayhim wa la ad-dallin” (not of those who have earned Your anger nor of those who go astray), then you also say Ameen, for whoever says Ameen with the angels, all his previous sins are forgiven.

⑨ After reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, recite any Surah you know from there

Evidence

قال رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم اقْرَأْ مَا تَيَسَّرَ مَعَكَ مِنْ الْقُرْآنِ

Translation
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Recite whatever is easy for you from the Quran.

⑩ Performing Ruku (Bowing)

Raising the hands (Raf’ al-Yadain) when going into Ruku.

Evidence

عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، أَنَّهُ رَأَى مَالِكَ بْنَ الحُوَيْرِثِ «إِذَا صَلَّى كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ، وَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ، وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنَ الرُّكُوعِ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ»، وَحَدَّثَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَنَعَ هَكَذَا

From Abu Qilabah that he saw Malik bin Huwayrith, a companion, that when he started the prayer, he raised his hands with Takbir al-Tahrimah, then when going into Ruku he raised his hands, and when rising from Ruku he also raised his hands. He narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to do the same.

⑪ Supplication to recite in Ruku

عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَرَكَعَ فَقَالَ فِي رُكُوعِهِ سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

It is narrated from Hazrat Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with him) that I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). When he went into Ruku, he said in his Ruku: [Subhana Rabbi al-Azeem] “Glory is to my Lord, the Most Great.”

⑫ Supplication to say when rising from Ruku

The Imam should say this supplication سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ and the followers should say Sami’a Allahu liman hamidah. Additionally, say this supplication:

رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ

⑬ Raising the hands when rising from Ruku

Evidence

مَالِكِ بْنِ الْحُوَيْرِثِ أَنَّهُ رَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ إِذَا رَكَعَ وَإِذَا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ مِنْ الرُّكُوعِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا فُرُوعَ أُذُنَيْهِ

Narrated from Hazrat Malik bin Huwayrith (RA), he saw the Prophet (PBUH) when he would bow or raise his head from bowing, he would raise both his hands up to the edges of his ears.

⑭ Saying Allahu Akbar while prostrating

Prostration supplication سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْأَعْلَى

⑮ Supplication between the two prostrations

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي

⑯ The second prostration along with the supplication

Note
The supplications in bowing and prostration should be recited at least three times each.
And the supplication that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) most frequently recited in bowing and prostration was this:

سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Evidence

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ فِي رُكُوعِهِ وَسُجُودِهِ سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي

Translation
Hazrat Aisha (RA) says that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite in his bowing and prostration: [سبحانک اللھم! ربنا وبحمدک اللھم! اغفرلی] “O Allah! Our Lord! You are free from all defects and possess all perfections. O Allah! Forgive me.”

⑰ Sitting for Tashahhud after offering two Rak’ahs

Evidence

عَنْ وَائِلِ بْنِ حُجْرٍ قَالَ أَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَرَأَيْتُهُ يَرْفَعُ يَدَيْهِ إِذَا افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاةَ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ وَإِذَا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ وَإِذَا جَلَسَ فِي الرَّكْعَتَيْنِ أَضْجَعَ الْيُسْرَى وَنَصَبَ الْيُمْنَى

Translation
Hazrat Wa’il bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I came to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and I saw that when he started the prayer and when he intended to bow, he would raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders, and when he sat after two rak’ahs, he would stretch out his left foot and keep the right one upright.

⑱ Reciting Supplications in the First Tashahhud

It is obligatory to recite two supplications in the first tashahhud and in the final tashahhud.

االتَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Reciting Durood Sharif is also obligatory in both tashahhuds. These supplications are obligatory because Allah has commanded us to do so. Allah Almighty has said that when you send blessings upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), it is also obligatory upon you to recite these Durood Sharif.

Evidence

إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Translation
Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who have believed, send blessings upon him and greet him with peace abundantly (33:56).

Tafseer Abdul Salam Bhattvi, may Allah have mercy on him
From the command of Allah Almighty in the Holy Quran ’’صَلُّوْا عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلِّمُوْا تَسْلِيْمًا ‘‘ and the explicit teaching of the words of salutation and prayer in the Tashahhud by the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, it is evident that at least in prayer, reciting this salutation and prayer is necessary.

⑲ While reciting the supplication in Tashahhud, keep moving the index finger used for testimony

The Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, used to do this in every prayer.

Evidence

كِتَابُ الِافْتِتَاحِ

بَاب مَوْضِعِ الْيَمِينِ مِنْ الشِّمَالِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ

890 صحيح أَخْبَرَنَا سُوَيْدُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ عَنْ زَائِدَةَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَاصِمُ بْنُ كُلَيْبٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي أَنَّ وَائِلَ بْنَ حُجْرٍ أَخْبَرَهُ قَالَ قُلْتُ لَأَنْظُرَنَّ إِلَى صَلَاةِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ كَيْفَ يُصَلِّي فَنَظَرْتُ إِلَيْهِ فَقَامَ فَكَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى حَاذَتَا بِأُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ وَضَعَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى عَلَى كَفِّهِ الْيُسْرَى وَالرُّسْغِ وَالسَّاعِدِ فَلَمَّا أَرَادَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلَهَا قَالَ وَوَضَعَ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى رُكْبَتَيْهِ ثُمَّ لَمَّا رَفَعَ رَأْسَهُ رَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ مِثْلَهَا ثُمَّ سَجَدَ فَجَعَلَ كَفَّيْهِ بِحِذَاءِ أُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ قَعَدَ وَافْتَرَشَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُسْرَى وَوَضَعَ كَفَّهُ الْيُسْرَى عَلَى فَخِذِهِ وَرُكْبَتِهِ الْيُسْرَى وَجَعَلَ حَدَّ مِرْفَقِهِ الْأَيْمَنِ عَلَى فَخِذِهِ الْيُمْنَى ثُمَّ قَبَضَ اثْنَتَيْنِ مِنْ أَصَابِعِهِ وَحَلَّقَ حَلْقَةً ثُمَّ رَفَعَ إِصْبَعَهُ فَرَأَيْتُهُ يُحَرِّكُهَا يَدْعُو بِهَا

It is narrated from Hazrat Wa’il bin Hujr رضي الله عنه that (once) I said (in my heart): I will surely observe the prayer of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم carefully to see how he prays. So I looked attentively at him. He stood up saying Allahu Akbar and raised both his hands until they reached the level of his ears. Then he placed his right hand on the palm, wrist, and joint of his left hand. Then when he intended to bow, he raised his hands in the same manner as before (raising the hands), and placed his hands on his knees. When he raised his head, he again raised his hands in the same way. Then when he prostrated, he placed both his hands at the level of his ears. Then he sat and stretched out his left foot, placing his left palm on his left thigh and knee, and rested the edge of his right elbow on his right thigh. Then he closed two fingers of his hand and made a circle with the middle finger and thumb. Then he raised his (Tashahhud) finger, and I saw that he moved it while supplicating.

⑳ When standing up for the third Rak’ah after completing two Rak’ahs, raising the hands (Raf’ al-Yadain)

Evidence

عَنْ أَبِي حُمَيْدٍ السَّاعِدِيِّ قَالَ سَمِعْتُهُ يُحَدِّثُ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا قَامَ مِنْ السَّجْدَتَيْنِ كَبَّرَ وَرَفَعَ يَدَيْهِ حَتَّى يُحَاذِيَ بِهِمَا مَنْكِبَيْهِ كَمَا صَنَعَ حِينَ افْتَتَحَ الصَّلَاةَ

Translation
Hazrat Abu Humaid Sa’idi (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stood up after two Rak’ahs, he would say Allahu Akbar and raise both his hands until they reached the level of his shoulders, just as he did when starting the prayer.

21 Sunnah supplications in the final Tashahhud

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَحْيَا، وَفِتْنَةِ المَمَاتِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ المَأْثَمِ وَالمَغْرَمِ

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّك أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ يَا أَللَّهُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ، الَّذِي لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ، وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ، أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذُنُوبِي، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ،

22 The Sunnah method of sitting in the first and final Tashahhud

بَابُ الجُلُوسِ فِي التَّشَهُّدِ سُنَّةِ

828 عن محمد بن عمرو بن عطاء، أنه كان جالسا مع نفر من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فذكرنا صلاة النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال أبو حميد الساعدي أنا كنت أحفظكم لصلاة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم رأيته إذا كبر جعل يديه حذاء منكبيه، وإذا ركع أمكن يديه من ركبتيه، ثم هصر ظهره، فإذا رفع رأسه استوى حتى يعود كل فقار مكانه، فإذا سجد وضع يديه غير مفترش ولا قابضهما، واستقبل بأطراف أصابع رجليه القبلة، فإذا جلس في الركعتين جلس على رجله اليسرى ونصب اليمنى، وإذا جلس في الركعة الآخرة قدم رجله اليسرى ونصب الأخرى وقعد على مقعدته‏.‏

Muhammad bin Amr bin Ata narrated that he was sitting with some companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ when the topic of the Prophet’s prayer came up. Abu Humaid Saidi رضي الله عنه said that I remember the Prophet’s prayer more than all of you. I saw that when the Prophet said Takbir, he would raise his hands up to his shoulders. When he bowed (Ruku), he would hold his knees completely with his hands and bend his back. Then when he raised his head from Ruku, he would stand straight in such a way that all his joints would be straightened. When he prostrated (Sujood), he would place his hands on the ground in such a way that they were neither completely spread out nor closed together. He would place the toes of his feet facing the Qiblah. When he sat after two Rak’ahs, he would sit on his left foot and keep his right foot standing. And when he sat in the last Rak’ah, he would bring the left foot forward and keep the right foot standing, then sit on his buttocks.

Allah Almighty has commanded to make remembrance after turning the salam in prayer

فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ

Then when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah

After salam, say Allahu Akbar and Astaghfirullah three times aloud

Evidence

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that I used to know the end of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) prayer by the people saying Allahu Akbar.

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), when people finished the obligatory prayer, they used to raise their voices in remembrance.

The freed slave of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), Hazrat Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him), narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finished his prayer, he would say Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah) three times.

اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ السَّلَامُ وَمِنْكَ السَّلَامُ تَبَارَكْتَ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ

Say SubhanAllah ten times, say Allahu Akbar ten times, say Alhamdulillah ten times

Translation: It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Whoever consistently acts upon two things will enter Paradise, and these things are easy (to do), but few act upon them. After every prayer, say (SubhanAllah) ten times, (Allahu Akbar) ten times, and (Alhamdulillah) ten times.” The Companion said: I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ indicate this number with his hand and said: “This is one hundred and fifty words by the count of the five prayers, and in the scale (on the Day of Judgment, considering the reward of one good deed as tenfold) it will be one thousand five hundred. And when he goes to his bed, let him say (SubhanAllah), (Alhamdulillah), and (Allahu Akbar) a total of one hundred times; these are one hundred words by the tongue and in the scale (considering tenfold reward) one thousand. Who among you commits two thousand five hundred sins in a day?” (While he earns those two thousand five hundred good deeds.) The Companions asked: Why can’t a person consistently perform these two acts? He said: “When a person is praying, Satan comes and says: Remember this thing, remember that thing, until the person becomes heedless of the prayer. And when the person goes to bed, Satan comes and tries to put him to sleep until the person falls asleep.”

ا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ اللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ

Reciting Ayat al-Kursi

It is narrated from Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever recites Ayat al-Kursi after every obligatory prayer, nothing will prevent him from entering Paradise except death.”

اللَّهُمَّ أَعِنِّي عَلَى ذِكْرِكَ وَشُكْرِكَ وَحُسْنِ عِبَادَتِكَ

Reciting Al-Mu’awwidhat after every prayer
He commanded me to recite Al-Mu’awwidhat after every prayer.