❀ The 9 Obligatory Acts (Faraid) and Pillars (Arkan) of Salah with Complete Evidences ❀
Source: Fatawa Muhammadiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 438
❖ Question:
What is meant by the obligatory acts (Faraid) and pillars (Arkan) of Salah?
❖ Answer:
Alhamdulillah, was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala Rasulillah, amma ba‘d!
The obligatory acts and pillars of Salah are those actions and specific postures which, when combined, form the complete structure of prayer. If any of these are omitted, the Salah is not valid according to Shari‘ah.
These pillars are as follows:
➊ Intention (Niyyah)
Qur’anic Evidence:
﴿وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّـهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ …٥﴾ (Al-Bayyina)
“They were not commanded except to worship Allah, making the religion purely for Him…”
Hadith Evidence:
(إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ)
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
“Actions are based upon intentions.”
➥ Niyyah means the resolve of the heart; uttering it verbally is not proven from Sunnah, hence doing so is considered a bid‘ah.
➋ Takbir al-Tahrimah
The prayer begins with the words “Allahu Akbar”.
Hadith Evidence:
"مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلَاةِ الطُّهُورُ، وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ، وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ”
(Reported by al-Shafi‘i, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, al-Tirmidhi)
➥ No other wording (like Allah al-Kabir or Allah al-A‘zam) is valid.
➌ Standing (Qiyam) in Fard Salah
Qur’anic Evidence:
﴿وَقُومُوا لِلَّـهِ قَانِتِينَ﴾ (Al-Baqarah: 238)
“Stand before Allah in obedience.”
Hadith Evidence:
The Prophet ﷺ told a companion afflicted with illness:
“Pray standing, and if you cannot, then sitting, and if not, then on your side.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
➥ Thus, standing is obligatory in fard Salah if one is able.
➍ Recitation of Surah al-Fatihah
Hadith Evidence:
"لاَ صَلاَةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الكِتَابِ”
(al-Jami‘ al-Sahih)
“There is no prayer for the one who does not recite Surah al-Fatihah.”
➥ Reciting Surah al-Fatihah in every rak‘ah is obligatory for imam, follower, and individual.
➎ Bowing (Ruku‘)
Qur’anic Evidence:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا ارْكَعُوا وَاسْجُدُوا﴾ (Al-Hajj: 77)
“O believers, bow and prostrate…”
Hadith Evidence:
"ثَمَّ ارْکَعْ حَتّٰی تَطْمَئِنَّ رَاکِعاً”
(Sunan Abi Dawud)
“Then bow until you are at ease in bowing.”
➥ Ruku‘ with calmness is a compulsory pillar.
➏ Standing Upright after Ruku‘ (I‘tidal)
Hadith Evidence:
The Prophet ﷺ “would not go into sujud until he stood upright after ruku‘.” (Sahih Muslim)
➥ Thus, standing straight after bowing is obligatory.
➐ Prostration (Sujud)
Qur’anic Evidence: Same verse as for ruku‘ (Al-Hajj: 77).
Hadith Evidence:
"ثُمَّ اسجُدْ حَتّٰی تَطْمَئِنَّ سَاجِداً”
(Sunan Abi Dawud)
“Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration.”
➥ Two sujuds in each rak‘ah with calmness are obligatory.
Obligatory limbs of sujud (7 parts):
Forehead (including nose), both hands, both knees, both feet (toes).
(Sahih narrations from Ibn Abbas RA)
⑧ Final Sitting (Qa‘dah Akhirah) with Tashahhud
Hadith Evidence:
The Prophet ﷺ instructed his companions the proper tashahhud in the final sitting.
(Reported by al-Daraqutni, al-Bayhaqi, authenticated by scholars)
➥ Sitting in the last rak‘ah after the two sujuds and reciting tashahhud is an obligatory pillar.
⑨ Taslim (Concluding Salam)
Hadith Evidence:
"مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلَاةِ الطُّهُورُ، وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ، وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ”
(Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, al-Tirmidhi)
➥ The Prophet ﷺ would turn his face to the right and left, saying:
“السلام عليكم ورحمة الله” until the whiteness of his cheek was visible. (Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud)
Conclusion
The nine obligatory pillars of Salah are:
① Niyyah
② Takbir al-Tahrimah
③ Standing in fard Salah
④ Recitation of Surah al-Fatihah
⑤ Ruku‘
⑥ Standing after Ruku‘
⑦ Sujud (on seven limbs)
⑧ Final Sitting with Tashahhud
⑨ Taslim (Salam)
These are proven from the Qur’an and authentic Hadith. Salah is invalid if any of these are omitted deliberately.
ھذا ما عندی، واللہ اعلم بالصواب
