✿ Beginning of Salah
Abu Humaid (RA) said:When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood for Salah, he would raise his hands to shoulder level and say the Takbir (Allahu Akbar), then begin reciting the Qur'an.
✿ Innovations in Intention (Niyyah)
Reciting the intention (Niyyah) in Urdu, Pashto, Bangla, or any other language before Salah is not established from any Hadith. Niyyah is the intention of the heart, and verbalizing it is an innovation.✿ Placement of Hands
Halb (RA) narrated:I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ placing his hands on his chest during Salah.
✿ Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah Behind the Imam
Scholars have three opinions on reciting Surah Al-Fatihah behind the Imam in audible prayers:① Not Required – If the follower can hear the Imam, he should not recite anything.
② Obligatory – The follower must recite Al-Fatihah in both silent and audible prayers.
③ Recommended – Reciting is preferable but not mandatory.
The second opinion is considered stronger among the scholars of Ahl al-Hadith.
✿ Raising Hands (Raf‘ al-Yadayn)
The Prophet ﷺ raised his hands:- At the beginning of Salah
- Before going into Ruku
- After rising from Ruku
This practice was consistent and widely reported. It was affirmed by Imam Bukhari, who authored a specific treatise on it and criticized those who abandoned it. No authentic narration proves that the companions abandoned this practice.
✿ Performing Ruku and Sujud Properly
The Prophet ﷺ said:He who does not perform Ruku and Sujud properly is stealing from his prayer.
One must not rush through Ruku and Sujud but perform them with calmness.
In Sajdah:
- Place the forehead and nose on the ground
- Keep chest, thighs, and belly lifted
- Do not rest forearms on the ground
- Keep arms raised and apart from the body
- Prostrate on seven bones (forehead, hands, knees, toes)
✿ Women’s Prayer
Women are to pray just as men do. Practices like spreading the arms on the ground are not established from the Prophet ﷺ and should be avoided.✿ Tashahhud and Pointing with the Finger
While sitting for Tashahhud, the Prophet ﷺ placed his hands on his thighs and raised the index finger, moving it while supplicating.✿ Disallowed Acts in Salah
- Turning the face or looking around
- Responding verbally to greetings
- Resting forearms on the ground in Sujud
- Wearing overly decorated clothes
- Chatting during Khutbah
- Rushing or pecking like a bird in Sujud
- Sitting like animals or reserving spots in the mosque
- Cracking fingers or playing with clothing
- Covering the face or letting garments drag
- Looking upwards
✿ Straightening Rows
The Prophet ﷺ emphasized aligning the rows and warned that failure to do so causes discord. The companions would align shoulders and feet in the row.✿ Praying in Shoes
The Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed barefoot and sometimes in shoes. He advised wearing shoes or placing them beside oneself to avoid causing discomfort to others.✿ Using a Sutrah
The Prophet ﷺ would use a stick or a camel saddle as a Sutrah to prevent people from crossing in front of him. Its height should ideally match that of the place of Sujud.✿ Uncovered Head in Salah
Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated:The Prophet ﷺ sometimes prayed bareheaded, proving that it is permissible.
✿ Recommended Duas and Adhkar in Salah
Various supplications are mentioned for different parts of Salah:- Opening Du'a (Du'a al-Istiftah)
- Ruku and Sujud Duas
- Tashahhud and Salawat
- Final Salam and post-Salah Adhkar
✿ Sujud al-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)
If one forgets or adds unintentionally, Sujud al-Sahw must be done. It can be before or after Salam depending on the nature of the mistake.✿ Prayer Times and Rakat Counts
- Fajr: 2 Sunnah + 2 Fard
- Dhuhr: 2 or 4 Sunnah + 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah
- Asr: 4 Fard
- Maghrib: 3 Fard + 2 Sunnah
- Isha: 4 Fard + 2 Sunnah + Witr
✿ Witr Prayer
- Can be prayed as 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9 Rak‘at
- Three Rak‘at: Either separately or with one Tashahhud at the end
- Dua al-Qunoot can be before or after Ruku
- Hands may be raised or not, and it is not obligatory to recite Qunoot daily
✿ Qiyam al-Layl (Tahajjud and Tarawih)
- Total of 11 Rak‘at including Witr
- Tarawih and Tahajjud are the same
- Performed in sets of two with one Witr at the end
✿ Combining and Shortening Prayers
- During travel, two prayers may be combined (Dhuhr-Asr or Maghrib-Isha)
- Salah is shortened to 2 Rak‘at after approximately 9 miles of travel
- If staying more than 3 days, full Salah should be resumed
✿ Post-Salah Adhkar
- Astaghfirullah (3 times)
- Ayat al-Kursi
- Surah Ikhlas, Falaq, Nas (once each)
- SubhanAllah (33), Alhamdulillah (33), Allahu Akbar (34)
- Du'a: Allahumma a‘inni ‘ala dhikrika…
✿ Focus and Humility in Salah
- Focus on the meaning of the recitation
- Recite slowly and calmly
- Avoid distractions (noise, imagery, hunger)
- Consider each prayer your last
