This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahi Fazail-e-Amaal.
◈Intention of Prayer:
One should make the intention in the heart for the prayer to be performed, whether obligatory or voluntary. The honorable saying of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is:
إنما الأعمال بالنيات
"Actions are judged by intentions."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith and Vows, No: 6689. Sahih Muslim, No: 1907.
The place of intention is the heart, therefore making the intention verbally is not conclusively proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ or his companions, may Allah be pleased with them. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, states: "Making intention with words is not permissible according to any of the Muslim scholars."
Reference: Al-Fatawa al-Kubra.
◈Takbir al-Tahrima:
While looking at the place of prostration, say the words "Allahu Akbar" as Takbir al-Tahrima.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Establishing Prayers and the Sunnah in it, No: 803 Al-Bahr al-Zakhar: 168/2 -
Al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.◈Raising the Hands:
While saying Takbeer, raise both hands up to shoulder level or up to the earlobes.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Chapter on Raising Hands in the First Takbeer with or without the Opening, No: 735. Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 390, 391
◈Placing Hands on the Chest:
Then place the right hand over the left hand and fold them on the chest. As Sayyiduna Wail bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
صليت مع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ووضع يده اليمنى على اليسرى على صدره
"I prayed with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), and he placed his right hand over his left hand on his chest."
Reference: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, No: 479.
Ibn Khuzaymah has declared it authentic.◈Opening Supplications:
After the Takbir Tahrima, before starting the recitation, it is Sunnah to recite the Dua al-Istiftah, which is:
➊سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
"O Allah! You are pure, all praise is for You, Your name is blessed, Your status is the highest, and none besides You is worthy of worship."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Prayer, No: 243 - Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, No: 775-776 - Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Establishing Prayer, No: 806 - Mustadrak Hakim: 1/235.
Hakim has declared it authentic and Dhahabi has agreed with him.➋ If he wishes, he may also recite this supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ، كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ، كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الأَبْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ بِالثَّلْجِ وَالْمَاءِ وَالْبَرَدِ
"O Allah! Create a distance between me and my sins as You have created a distance between the East and 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."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Chapter: What is said after Takbir, No: 744. Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter: What is said between Takbir al-Ihram and the recitation, No: 598.
➌ A person said following the example of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him):
الله أكبر كبيرا والحمد لله كثيرا وسبحان الله بكرة وأصيلا
"Allah is the Greatest, very Great, and all praises are for Allah, very much. He is free from partnership and every defect. And morning and evening we declare His purity."
Virtue:
Upon hearing this, the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: "The gates of heaven have been opened for that person."
Abdullah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, narrates: Since I heard this from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, I have never stopped reciting these words.
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Mosques, Chapter on what is said between the opening Takbir and the recitation, No: 601.
◈Seeking Refuge:
Then recite one of the seeking refuge prayers:
➊ أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم
"I seek refuge in Allah Almighty from the evil of the rejected Satan."
Reference: Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, No: 467.
Ibn Khuzaymah has declared it authentic.➋ أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم من همزه ونفخه ونفثه
"I seek refuge in Allah Almighty from the evil of the rejected Satan, from his harm, his blows, and his whispers."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, No: 775 -
Allama Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.◈The Virtue of Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in Prayer:
Then recite Surah Al-Fatiha:
﴿بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ . الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ . الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ . مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ . إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ. اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ . صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ﴾ .
"All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of 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 upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked Your anger, nor of those who are astray."
Reference: (1-Al-Fatiha:1-7)
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that Allah Almighty says: "I have divided the prayer between Me and My servant, and I answer the servant's supplication when the servant says الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ, Allah says, 'My servant has praised Me.' And when the servant says الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ, Allah says, 'My servant has glorified Me.' When the servant says مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ, Allah says, 'My servant has honored Me.' When the servant says إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ, Allah says, 'This is between Me and My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for.' And when the servant says: اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ, Allah says, 'This is for My servant, and My servant shall have what he asked for.'"
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, Hadith No: 395.
◈The Virtue of Saying Ameen:
Say Ameen after the completion of Surah Al-Fatiha. And when the Imam is leading the prayer aloud, he should say Ameen loudly, and similarly the followers should also say it. Sayyiduna Wa'il bin Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) recite غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ then he said Ameen aloud.
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Prayer, No: 248 - Sunan Ibn Majah No: 855. Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, No: 932.
Sheikh Albani has declared it authentic.The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إذا أمن الإمام فأمنوا ، فإنه من وافق تأمينه تأمين الملائكة غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
"When the Imam says 'Ameen', you should also say 'Ameen' (at that time the angels also say Ameen), so whoever's Ameen coincides with the angels' Ameen, all his previous sins will be forgiven."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan No: 780 - Sahih Muslim, No: 410 - Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Book of Prayer: 225/1-256, No: 5701.
◈The Sunnah Recitations in Prayer:
Then recite from the Quran whatever is easy and remembered. For your convenience, we write a few Surahs:
﴿قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ . اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ . لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ . وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ.﴾
"Say, He is Allah, [who is] One, Allah, the Eternal Refuge. He neither begets nor is born, Nor is there to Him any equivalent."
Reference: (112-Al-Ikhlas:1-4)
◈The Virtue of Surah Ikhlas:
An Ansari companion used to lead prayers in Masjid Quba. His habit was that after Surah Al-Fatiha, before reciting any other Surah, he would recite ﴿قل هو الله أحد﴾ (i.e., Surah Ikhlas) in every Rak'ah in the same manner. The followers said to the Imam, "You first recite ﴿قل هو الله أحد﴾, then add another Surah afterwards. Isn't one Surah enough for recitation? If you do not recite قل هو الله أحد, then leave it and recite the other Surah." The Imam replied, "I cannot leave the recitation of ﴿قل هو الله أحد﴾." They presented the matter to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the Prophet said to this Imam, "Why do you not accept the followers' words? Why do you insist on reciting this Surah in every Rak'ah?" He said, "I have love for this Surah." The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Your love for this Surah will admit you into Paradise."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Chapter on Combining Two Surahs in a Rak'ah, Commentary - Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters on the Reward of the Quran, No: 2906
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ الْفَلَقِ. مِن شَرِّ مَا خَلَقَ . وَمِن شَرِّ غَاسِقٍ إِذَا وَقَبَ. وَمِن شَرِّ النَّفَّاثَاتِ فِي الْعُقَدِ . وَمِن شَرِّ حَاسِدٍ إِذَا حَسَدَ﴾ .
"O my Prophet! Say, I seek refuge in the Lord of the dawn, from the evil of all creatures, and from the evil of the night when it grows dark everywhere, and from those witch women who blow on knots and cast spells, and from the evil of the envier when he envies."
Reference: (113-Al-Falaq:1-5)
﴿قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ . مَلِكِ النَّاسِ . إِلَٰهِ النَّاسِ . مِن شَرِّ الْوَسْوَاسِ الْخَنَّاسِ . الَّذِي يُوَسْوِسُ فِي صُدُورِ النَّاسِ . مِنَ الْجِنَّةِ وَالنَّاسِ.﴾
"O my Prophet! 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 hearts of mankind, whether from among the jinn or mankind."
Reference: (114-An-Nas:1-6)
◈Description of Ruku (Bowing):
Then say ” الله أكبر “ and perform ruku, raising both hands up to the shoulders, placing the palms of both hands on the knees, and say سبحان ربي العظيم. It is Sunnah to recite the mentioned supplication three times or more.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, No: 789, 828 - Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salat, No: 390, 392, 772. Sunan Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Salat, No: 261.
◈Additional Supplications in Ruku:
➊ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite this supplication in ruku:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ رَكَعْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ ، خَشَعَ لک سَمْعِي وَبَصَرِي ومخمِي وَعَظْمِي وَعَصَبِي
"O Allah! I bow down only to You, I believe in You alone and obey You alone. For Your sake, my ears, eyes, mind, bones, and nerves have become humbled."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Kitab Salat al-Musafirin, No: 1812.
➋ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that the Prophet (peace be upon him) often used to say in his ruku:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي
"O Allah! You are Pure, O our Lord! We praise You, O Allah! Forgive me."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Kitab Al-Adhan, No: 817, 794. Sahih Muslim, Kitab As-Salat, No: 484.
➌ It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say in his bowing and prostration:
سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ، رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
"Most Pure, Most Holy is the Lord of all the angels and the Spirit (Jibreel, peace be upon him)."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Kitab As-Salat, No: 487.
➍ It is narrated from Sayyidna Awf bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say in his bowing:
سُبْحَانَ ذِي الْجَبَرُوتِ وَالْمَلَكُوتِ وَالْكِبْرِيَاءِ وَالْعَظَمَةِ
"Pure is He (Allah) who is Possessor of Great Power and Sovereignty, Most Great and Most Honorable."
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood: 247/1, No: 873.
➎ Habib Kubra (peace be upon him) used to say in bowing:
سُبْحَانَكَ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
"O Allah! To You alone belongs purity and praise, there is no true deity except You."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 458.
➏ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite three times in bowing and prostration:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
"Allah is pure (free from partnership and every defect), (we) praise Him (declare His purity)."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Chapter on the amount of bowing and prostration, No: 885 -
Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.◈ Description of standing after bowing:
Then if the person is an Imam or praying alone, he raises his hands and says سمع الله لمن حمده and stands up from bowing. After standing completely upright, he recites this supplication:
➊رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ حَمْدًا كَثِيرًا طَيِّبًا مُبَارَكًا فِيهِ
"O our Lord! To You alone belongs praise, abundant, pure, and blessed."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, No: 735, 737, 736, 796 - Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 476.
Virtue:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Rifa'ah bin Rafi' رضي الله عنه that we were praying behind the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, and when he raised his head from Ruku, he said: ”سمع الله لمن حمده“. Then a follower said: ”ربنا ولك الحمد حمدا كثيرا طيبا مباركا فيه “. After the prayer was finished, he asked: "Who just recited these words?" A person said, "O Messenger of Allah! It was I." The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "I saw more than thirty angels hastening to record the reward of these words."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, No: 795.
◈More supplications after standing up from Ruku:
➋اللهمOur Lord, to You belongs all praise, filling the heavens and the earth, and whatever is between them, and whatever You will besides that.
"O our Lord Allah! All praise is for You, equal to the heavens and the earth, and equal to whatever is between them, and equal to whatever else You wish besides that."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Adhan, No: 476.
➌اللهم لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ،اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي بِالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ وَالْمَاءِ الْبَارِدِ، اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْنِي مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ وَالْخَطَايَا كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَبْيَضُ مِنْ الوسخ
"O Allah! All praise is for You, as much as would fill the heavens and fill the earth and fill whatever You wish to fill. O Allah! Purify me with snow, hail, and cold water. O Allah! Purify me from sins and mistakes as a white garment is purified from dirt."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 476/204.
Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Khudri (RA) narrates that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) would raise his head from Ruku, he would recite this supplication:
رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ، مِلْءَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ، وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ بَعْدُ أَهْلَ الثَّنَاءِ وَالْمَجْدِ، أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ: وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ لَا مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَلَا مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ، وَلَا يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ
"O our Lord! To You belongs all praise, filling the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and whatever You will besides that. O the One worthy of praise and greatness, the truest statement a servant has ever said is this, while we are all Your servants! O Allah! There is no one who can withhold what You give, and no one who can give what You withhold, and no status or rank can protect anyone from Your punishment."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 477.
◈The Reward of Raising the Hands:
Raising the hands (Raf' al-Yadain) is an adornment of the prayer and a cause of reward and blessings. Thus, Nu'man bin Abi 'Ayyash (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "Everything has an adornment, and the adornment of the prayer is raising the hands."
Reference: Juz' Raf' al-Yadain, p. 59.
Imam Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "The purpose of raising the hands at the time of Takbir al-Tahrima is the same purpose as raising the hands when going into Ruku' and when rising from Ruku', and that is to show reverence to Allah Almighty and to follow the Prophet of Mercy (peace be upon him)."
Reference: Kitab al-Umm: 91/1 - Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi: 82/2.
Sayyiduna 'Uqbah bin 'Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported with a Marfu' narration that "Whoever raises his hands in prayer receives one good deed or rank for each finger for every gesture."
Reference: Al-Fawa'id by Al-Buhairi, vol. 2, p. 39 - Musnad al-Firdaws by Al-Dailami: 344/4 - Mu'jam Kabir by Al-Tabarani: 297/7 - Majma' al-Zawa'id: 103/2 - Silsilat al-Sahihah, no. 3286.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna 'Uqbah bin 'Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"A person is recorded ten good deeds for every gesture he makes with his hand in his prayer; one good deed is given for each finger."
Reference: Silsilat Ahadith Sahihah, no. 3286. Al-Tabarani Kabir: 297/17.
Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him) states in his book As-Salat, as researched and presented by Sheikh Muhammad Hamid Al-Fiqi, page 56, that: Raising the hands in prayer increases the good deeds.
◈The Recognition and Elevation of Raising the Hands:
If one receives ten good deeds for raising the hands (Raf' al-Yadain) once, then in a four-unit prayer, by only raising the hands, a person obtains one hundred (100) good deeds. While the good deeds of the five daily prayers amount to (430), and there are (360) days in the Islamic year. According to this calculation, one will earn (154,800) good deeds in one year.
If we look at the Sunnah prayers, they are "twelve" units in one day, in which the number of times the hands are raised is (60). In this regard, a person will earn six hundred (600) good deeds in one day on Sunnah prayers. While the good deeds in one year will be two hundred sixteen thousand (216,000).
The good deeds obtained only from raising the hands in Sunnah prayers and obligatory prayers reach up to three hundred seventy thousand eight hundred (370,800). If a person is accustomed to voluntary prayers (Nawafil), then his good deeds will be even more. ” ان الله يرزق من يشاء بغير حساب“
Dear brothers and sisters! Everyone wants a profitable deal in this world. If you raise your hands in prayer and earn so many good deeds for raising your hands, tell me, what else do you need? Will you let this profitable deal slip away? ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ
Reference: (57-Al-Hadid:21)
◈Sajdah:
Then say ” الله أكبر “ and go into prostration, and in prostration keep both your arms away from your sides and both thighs away from the calves, and prostrate on seven limbs: the forehead including the nose, both hands, both knees, and the toes of both feet. And in prostration say سبحان ربي الأعلى three or more times. Besides this, recite any other supplications you wish.
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, No: 730, 734, 895; Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Prayer, No: 304; Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, No: 812, 828; Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 490; Sahih Muslim, Book of Travelers' Prayer, No: 772; Musnad al-Bazzar; Mu'jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani; Majma' al-Zawa'id: 2/315.
◈Prostration and Closeness to Allah:
Prostration brings a person closer to Allah, the Exalted, as it is stated:
﴿وَاسْجُدْ وَاقْتَرِب﴾
"And prostrate before your Lord and worship Him."
Reference: (96-Al-Alaq:19)
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
"Indeed, a servant is closest to his Lord while in prostration. So increase your supplications in prostration."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 482.
◈Prostration and Paradise:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "When the son of Adam recites the verse of prostration, then (the reader and the listener) prostrates, Satan cries and says from a distance, 'Woe to me, destruction and ruin! The son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, and he prostrated, so there is Paradise for him. And I was commanded to prostrate, but I disobeyed, so there is Hellfire for me.'"
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith, No: 81.
◈Prostration and the Erasing of Sins:
Sayyiduna Abu Imamah رضي الله عنه says that I came to the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and said, "Give me a command so that I may remain devoted to it." The Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: "Know that when you prostrate for the sake of Allah, He raises you one rank and erases one sin because of that (prostration)."
Reference: Silsilah Ahadith Sahihah, No: 1488 – Musnad Ahmad: 248/5 - 249.
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that he said, the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: When the son of Adam recites the verse of prostration and performs the prostration, Satan moves away from him and begins to weep, saying, "I regret that the son of Adam was commanded to prostrate, he prostrated and there is Paradise for him. I was commanded to prostrate, I refused, and there is Hellfire for me."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Iman, No: 244.
◈Prostration and Companionship with the Prophet ﷺ in Paradise:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Rabi'ah bin Ka'b رضي الله عنه that I used to spend the night in the presence of the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. I would bring water for his ablution and other necessities (such as a miswak). (One night, happily) he said to me: Ask for something good in religion and worldly life. (Make me pray for you.) I said: I desire your companionship in Paradise. He said: Anything else? I said: That is all! Then he said: "Then help me with abundant prostrations for yourself."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, Chapter on the Virtue of Prostration and Encouragement to It, No: 489.
◈Additional Sunnah Supplications in Prostration:
Prostration is the secret of prayer and its great pillar and the conclusion of the unit; the preceding pillars of prayer are its preliminaries. Thus, it is more similar to the circumambulation (Tawaf) of visitation in Hajj, because it is the purpose of Hajj and the place of entering before Allah Almighty. And whatever comes before it are its preliminaries. Therefore, a servant is closest to his Lord in the state of prostration. And its most excellent state is that in which he is closest to Allah, so supplicating at this place is the closest to acceptance. Hence, it is commanded to supplicate abundantly in the state of prostration.
➊ It is narrated from Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Noble Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to frequently recite this supplication in his bowing and prostration:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي
"O Allah! You are pure, O our Lord! We praise You, O Allah! Forgive me."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, No: 817, 794 – Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 484.
➋ Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Master of the Universe (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) when he went into prostration, he used to recite this supplication:
اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ سَجَدْتُ وَلَكَ أَسْلَمْتُ وَبِكَ آمَنْتُ سَجَدَ وَجْهِي لِلَّذِي خَلَقَهُ وَصَوَّرَهُ فَأَحْسَنَ صُورَتَهُ وَشَقَّ سَمْعَهُ وَبَصَرَهُ تَبَارَكَ اللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ الْخَالِقِينَ
"O Allah! I have prostrated only for You, believed only in You, and become obedient only to You. My face has prostrated to the Being (Most Holy) Who created it and formed its shape. He has opened its hearing and its sight. He is Allah, the Most Blessed, the Best Creator."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer of Travelers, No: 1812.
➌ It is narrated from Sayyidina Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say this supplication in his prostration:
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي كُلَّهُ: دِقَّهُ وَجِلَّهُ، وَأَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُ، وَعَلَانِيَتَهُ وَسِرَّهُ
"O Allah! Forgive all my small and great sins, those before and after, apparent and hidden."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 1084.
➍ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that the Prophet of the Last Age (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to recite in the prostrations of Tahajjud prayer:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَبِمُعَافَاتِكَ مِنْ عُقُوبَتِكَ وَبِكَ مِنْكَ لَا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ
"O Allah! Through Your pleasure, I seek refuge from Your anger; through Your forgiveness, I seek refuge from Your punishment; and I seek refuge in Your Most Holy Self so that You do not become angry. I cannot fully praise You (for You deserve all praise and glorification). You are as You have praised Yourself."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 1090.
➎ Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say this in his bowing and prostration:
سُبُّوحٌ قُدُّوسٌ، رَبُّ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَالرُّوحِ
"Most Pure, Most Holy is the Lord of all the angels and the Spirit (Jibril, peace be upon him)."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 847.
➏ سُبحانَ ربِّيَ الأعلى وبحَمدِه
"The Most High Lord is pure, and He is the greatest and most exalted of all."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Chapters of Bowing and Prostration, No: 870 – Sahih Muslim, No: 484.
➐ سُبْحَانَكَ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
"O Allah! You are free from every defect and partnership, and with Your praise and glorification (You are of great majesty and grandeur). You alone are the true God."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 485 – Musnad Abu Awana: 2/169 – Musnad Ahmad: 151/6 – Description of the Prayer of the Prophet (peace be upon him) by Al-Albani, p. 147.
➑ Sayyidina Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to recite this supplication in bowing and prostration:
سُبْحَانَكَ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ
"O Allah! You are pure (free from all partnership and defect) and all praise is due to You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."
Reference: Mu'jam Kabir al-Tabarani: 72/1 - Al-Silsilah al-Sahihah, No: 204.
➒ سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي ، إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
"O Allah! You are pure, our Lord! You alone deserve all kinds of praise. O Allah! Forgive me, indeed You are the Most Accepting of Repentance, the Most Merciful."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad, No: 3745, 3683 - Al-Silsilah al-Sahihah, No: 2084.
➓ The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to recite this supplication three times in bowing and prostration:
سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ
"Allah is pure (free from partnership and every defect), (we) praise Him with His praise (declaring His purity)."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Chapter on the measure of bowing and prostration, No: 885.
Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.⓫ رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي، وَجَهْلِي وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي كُلِّهِ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطَايَايَ، وَعَمْدِي، وَجَهْلِي، وَهَزْلِي وَكُلُّ ذَلِكَ عِنْدِي، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ، وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ، وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ، وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
"My Lord! Forgive my faults, my ignorance, and my exceeding the limits in all matters, and the sins that You know better than I do. O Allah! Forgive me for my faults, in my intentional and unintentional deeds, and in my acts of laughter and joking, and all these are from me. O Allah! Forgive me for the deeds I have done and those I will do, those I have concealed and those I have revealed. You are the First and You are the Last, and You have power over all things."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Supplications, No: 6398, 6399 - Sahih Muslim, Book of Remembrance and Supplication, No: 2719 - Zad al-Ma'ad: 226/1-227
⓬ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ
"O Allah! Forgive my sins, those that I do secretly or openly."
Reference: Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah: 112/12 - Mustadrak Hakim: 221/1.
Hakim declared it authentic and Dhahabi agreed with him.⓭ The Benefactor of Humanity (peace be upon him) says in prostration:
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ فِي سَمْعِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ فِي بَصَرِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ مِنْ تَحْتِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ مِنْ فَوْقِي نُورًا وَعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا وَعَنْ يَسَارِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ أَمَامِي نُورًا وَاجْعَلْ خَلْفِي نُورًا وَأَعْظِمْ لِي نُورًا
"O Allah! Illuminate my heart, my sight, and my hearing (with the light of faith), spread light to my right and left, above and below, in front and behind (all around), and increase my light (of guidance)."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Traveler's Prayer, Chapter on supplication in night prayer and standing, No: 763.
◈Prohibition of hastening before the Imam in Ruku and Sujood:
Muhammad bin Ziyad (may Allah be pleased with him) says that I heard Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) say that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Does none of you fear that when he raises his head before the Imam, Allah may make his head like the head of a donkey or his face like the face of a donkey?
Reference: Sunan Darimi, No: 1355 - Sahih Bukhari, No: 691 - Sahih Muslim, No: 962.
◈Sitting (Jalsa) and its Sunnah supplications:
Then say ” الله أكبر “, raise the head, keep the right foot standing, and sit on the left foot, placing both hands on both thighs and knees.
Reference: (Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, No: 730 - Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Prayer, No: 304 - Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Establishing Prayer, No: 1060 - Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, Chapter: The Sunnah of Sitting in Tashahhud, No: 828)
and recite this supplication:➊ رب اغْفِرْ لِي وَارْحَمْنِي وَاجْبُرْنِي وَاهْدِنِي وَارْزُقْنِي
"O Allah! Forgive me, have mercy on me, grant me well-being, provide for me, guide me, and complete my loss."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Book of Prayer, No: 850 - Sunan Tirmidhi, Chapters of Prayer, No: 284 - Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 898 - Mustadrak Hakim 1/262, 271/1.
Hakim has declared it authentic, and Dhahabi has agreed with Hakim.➋ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hudhaifah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to say between the two prostrations:
رب اغْفِرْ لِي، رب اغْفِرْ لِي
"O my Lord! Forgive me, O my Lord! Forgive me."
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Chapters of Bowing and Prostration, No: 874.
Sheikh Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.After this, say ” الله أكبر “ and perform the second prostration, doing everything in it as was done in the first prostration. With this, the first rak'ah is complete.
Then say ” الله أكبر “ and stand up for the second rak'ah.
◈Resting Session:
After the first and third Rak'ah, before rising for the second and fourth Rak'ah, sit down once with satisfaction, and then stand up with the support of your hands.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Adhan, No: 824.
At the beginning of the second Rak'ah, recite Surah Al-Fatiha and some verses from the Quran, then perform Ruku, then raise your head from Ruku and perform two prostrations exactly as you did in the first Rak'ah.
◈Tashahhud:
After raising the head from the second prostration, sit exactly as you sat between the two prostrations, then recite the Tashahhud, and point with the index finger of testimony, keep the finger raised, and keep moving it, and the finger should be slightly moist.
Reference: (Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Masajid, No. 579, 580 - Sunan Abu Dawood, Kitab Istiftah al-Salah, No. 726. Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, No. 739 - Sahih Ibn Hibban: 182/5, 184 - Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, No. 716)
The Tashahhud is:التَّحِيَّاتُ الْمُبَارَكَاتُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ لِلَّهِ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللَّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَعَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ
"All praise, thanks, and pure acts (all verbal and physical acts of worship) are for Allah. O Prophet! Peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings be upon you. 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 the servant and Messenger of Allah."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Adhan, Chapter on the final Tashahhud, No. 831, 835. Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Salah, Chapter on Tashahhud in Prayer, No. 402.
◈ Durood Shareef:
After Tashahhud, recite Durood Pak. The prescribed words of Durood Sharif are:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ، كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
"O Allah! Send mercy upon Muhammad ﷺ and the family of Muhammad ﷺ as You sent mercy upon Ibrahim (AS) and the family of Ibrahim (AS). Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. And send blessings upon Muhammad ﷺ and the family of Muhammad ﷺ as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim (AS) and the family of Ibrahim (AS). Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Prophets, No: 3370.
◈Prayers after Durood:
And after that, "whether it is an obligatory prayer or a voluntary prayer," one may make any supplication for the good of this world and the Hereafter.
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Application, No: 1163.
Sheikh al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, declared it authentic.➊اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ القَبْرِ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ النَّارِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَحْيَا وَالمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ المَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ
"O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, and from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death, and from the trial of the False Messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal)."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Book of Prayer, No: 588.
➋ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي ظُلْمًا كَثِيرًا , وَلَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ , فَاغْفِرْ لِي مَغْفِرَةً مِنْ عِنْدِكَ , وَارْحَمْنِي إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
"O Allah! I have wronged myself, and none can forgive sins except You, so forgive me with Your special forgiveness and have mercy on me. Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Most Merciful."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Adhan, No: 834.
➌ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَمَا أَخَّرْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَرْتُ وَمَا أَعْلَنْتُ، وَمَا أَسْرَفْتُ، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي، أَنْتَ الْمُقَدِّمُ وَأَنْتَ الْمُؤَخِّرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ
"O Allah! Forgive me for what I have done before and what I have done after. What I have done secretly and what I have done openly. What I have done in excess and what You know better than me. You are the One who causes to advance (whomsoever You will in obedience) and You are the One who causes to delay (whomsoever You will due to disobedience). There is no deity worthy of worship except You."
Reference: Sahih Muslim, Prayer of Travelers, No: 1812.
➍اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْبُخْلِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْجُبْنِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ أَنْ أُرَدَّ إِلَى أَرْذَلِ الْعُمُرِ، وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ فِتْنَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَعَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ
"O Allah! I seek refuge in You from miserliness, and I seek refuge in You from cowardice, and I seek refuge in You from being returned to a feeble old age. I seek refuge in You from the trials of the world and the punishment of the grave."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Supplications, No: 6370.
➎ اللَّهُمَّ بِعِلْمِكَ الْغَيْبَ وَقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَى الْخَلْقِ أَحْيِنِي مَا عَلِمْتَ الْحَيَاةَ خَيْرًا لِي، وَتَوَفَّنِي إِذَا عَلِمْتَ الْوَفَاةَ خَيْرًا لِي، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَشْيَتَكَ فِي الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ كَلِمَةَ الْحَقِّ فِي الرِّضَا وَالْغَضَبِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الْقَصْدَ فِي الْغِنَى وَالْفَقْرِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ نَعِيمًا لَا يَنْفَدُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ قُرَّةَ عَيْنٍ لَا تَنْقَطِعُ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ الرِّضَا بَعْدَ الْقَضَاءِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ بَرْدَ الْعَيْشِ بَعْدَ الْمَوْتِ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ لَذَّةَ النَّظَرِ إِلَى وَجْهِكَ، وَالشَّوْقَ إِلَى لِقَائِكَ فِي غَيْرِ ضَرَّاءَ مُضِرَّةٍ وَلَا فِتْنَةٍ مُضِلَّةٍ، اللَّهُمَّ زَيِّنَّا بِزِينَةِ الْإِيمَانِ، وَاجْعَلْنَا هُدَاةً مُهْتَدِينَ
"O Allah! I ask You by Your knowledge of the unseen and Your power over the creation to grant me life as long as You know life is better for me, and cause me to die when You know death is better for me. O Allah! I ask You for fear of You in private and in public. And I ask You for the ability to speak the truth in both states of being pleased and angry. And I ask You for moderation in both poverty and wealth. And I ask You for a blessing that never ends. And I ask You for a coolness of the eyes that never ceases. And I ask You to be pleased with Your decree. And I ask You for the coolness of life after death. And O Allah! I ask You for the delight of looking at Your (majestic) Face. And I ask You for the longing to meet You without any painful affliction or misleading trial. O Allah! Adorn us with the beauty of faith (which becomes a source of delight in the depths of the heart and in righteous deeds) and make us among those who guide others and those who attain guidance (the Straight Path)."
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Forgetfulness, No: 1306 - Al-Kalim at-Tayyib, by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, No: 104.
Abdul Qadir al-Arna'ut graded it as "good chain of narration."➏اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ يَا اللَّهُ بِأَنَّكَ الْوَاحِدُ الْأَحَدُ الصَّمَدُ الَّذِي لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ أَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذُنُوبِي؛ إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
"O Allah! Indeed, I ask You, O Allah, that You are the One, the Alone, the Self-Sufficient, who has not begotten anyone (You have no father) and You were not begotten (no son), and there is none equal or comparable to You. So forgive my sins (all of them). Indeed, You are the Forgiving, the Most Merciful."
Virtue:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) heard a person reciting this supplication in Tashahhud and said it three times: قد غفر لك
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Forgetfulness, No: 1302-
Sheikh al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has graded it as authentic in Sunan an-Nasa'i.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, No: 985.
➐اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ بِأَنَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدَ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ، الْمَنَّانُ بَدِيعَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ يَا ذَا الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ، يَا حَيُّ يَا قَيُّومُ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ
"O Allah! I ask You with the fact that all praise (and commendation) is for You. There is no deity worthy of worship except You. The Most Beneficent, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. O Lord of Majesty and Honor! O Ever-Living and Sustainer! I ask You for Paradise and seek refuge in You from the Hellfire."
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i, Book of Forgetfulness, No: 1301 - Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 910. Sunan Abi Dawood, No: 792.
Sheikh al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared it authentic.◈Salam:
Then say ”السلام عليكم ورحمة الله“ turning to the right, and then similarly turn the salam to the left.
Reference: Sunan Abu Dawood, Chapters of Ruku and Sajdah, No: 96
Sheikh Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, has declared it authentic. But if it is the three-rak'ah Maghrib prayer, or the four-rak'ah Zuhr, Asr, or Isha prayer, then after Tashahhud say ” الله أكبر“ while standing and raise the hands, and recite only Surah Al-Fatiha, then perform ruku and sujood as you did in the first two rak'ahs, and complete the fourth rak'ah in the same way. However, in this sitting (Tashahhud), pause, that is, keep the right foot standing and slide the left foot out from underneath it to sit on the thigh.
Reference: (Sunan Abu Dawood, No: 730 - Sahih Ibn Hibban: 82/5 184.) Ibn Hibban has declared it authentic.) Then after the third rak'ah of Maghrib and after the fourth rak'ah of Zuhr, Asr, and Isha prayers, recite Tashahhud and then send blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, then make supplication, then turn salam to the right and left, and with this the prayer is completed.
