Summary of Prayer’s Description


Along with a Simple Description of Ablution


and a Simple Description of the Invalidators of Ablution


By Dr. Ahmad ibn Muhammad Al-Khalīl


A professor of higher studies, the Faculty of Shariah and Islamic Studies,


Qassīm University


(Suitable for being read at mosques)


All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. 


May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. 


To proceed: 


Here is an edition of my book (Summary of Prayer’s Description) translated into English. 


It was accomplished by some respected brothers. May Allah reward them and bless their times, deeds, and lives. 


In the introduction, I added: 


The Simple Description of Ablution


and the Simple Description of the Invalidators of Ablution.


I implore Allah Almighty to make this work beneficial for our fellow Muslims and to accept it, out of His grace and mercy. 


And may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. 


Written by: 


Dr. Ahmad ibn Muhammad Al-Khalīl 


15/3/1441 AH 


Introduction to the Simple Description of Ablution


Introduction


All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds. May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and all his Companions. 


To proceed: 


After I had authored a summary on the description of prayer, some brothers suggested that I write a summary on the description of ablution, an idea that I liked. 


I had earlier talked extensively about the description of ablution, mentioning the scholarly differences of opinion, proofs, and preferences in three books: 


First: Commentary on Zād Al-Mustaqna‘. 


Second: Commentary on Bulūgh Al-Marām. 


Third: Al-Tawdīh Al-Muqni‘ Sharh Al-Rawd Al-Murbi‘. 


These papers are a summary of those researches. 


In this summary, I will mention: 


1- Only the predominant opinion on “The Description of Ablution”. 


2- It will be written in sequential easy-to-understand passages. 


We implore Allah Almighty to accept this work and make it rendered purely for His sake. 


__________ 


- Scholars have unanimously agreed that every Muslim is required to learn how to make ablution. 


- “Ablution” is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. 


- “Ablution” has many merits in Shariah, with the most commonly reported in the Hadīths being the expiation of sins: 


Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “‘Shall I inform you of what Allah erases sins and raises ranks by?’ They said: ‘Yes, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘Performing ablution perfectly despite hardships, taking many steps to mosques, and waiting for the next prayer; that is Ribāt (a type of Jihad), that is Ribāt.’” Narrated by Muslim (251). 


- On making ablution, a Muslim should seek the help of Allah and adopt the following manner: 


1- Having the intention for making ablution, as the Hadīth says: “Indeed, the reward of deeds depends on intentions, and each one will be rewarded according to what he intended.” 


2- Then washing the hands three times, a recommended act. 


3- Then rinsing the mouth and nose (by sniffing water then blowing it out); once is obligatory and three times are recommended. 


4- It is Sunnah to combine rinsing the mouth and nose in one act. 


5- The four Imams agreed that it is recommended to rinse the mouth and let water into the nose with the right hand and then blow the water out with the left one. 


6- Washing the face; once is obligatory and three times are recommended. Allah Almighty says: 


{O you who believe, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces...} [Al-Mā’idah: 6] 


7- As for the limits of the face to be washed lengthwise, they extend from the usual roots of the hairline to the lower part of the jaws and chin. Muslim jurists are in agreement over this. 


8- As for the limits of the face to be washed breadthwise, they are from one ear to the other, which is generally subject to agreement among the four Imams. 


9- If there is light hair on the face that shows the skin underneath it, it should be washed, for it is part of the face; and the hair should also be washed along with it, because it lies in a part that should be washed. This is subject to agreement within the four schools of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). 


10- If there is thick hair on the face, the outward part of this hair which lies within the limits of the face should be washed - this does not apply to the extended part of such hair, if any. 


11- Then washing the hands up to the elbows. Allah Almighty says: {...And your hands to the elbows...} [Al-Mā’idah: 6] Once is obligatory and three times are recommended. 


12- Then wiping over the entire head along with the two ears once, by way of obligation. Allah Almighty says: {...And wipe over your heads...} [Al-Mā’idah: 6] Any manner of wiping will be sufficient as long as it includes what is regarded as obligatory, namely the usual roots of hair from the front part of the head to the nape. 


13- It is not recommended to repeat wiping over the head or ears, according to the majority of scholars. 


14- In wiping over the head, it is Sunnah to move one’s hands from the front part of the head to the nape and then wipe back to the starting position. 


‘Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) started with the front part of his head, moved them (his hands) to his nape, and then returned them back to the place where he started from.” 


15- Then entering the two forefingers inside the ears and wiping over their outside with the thumbs. 


16- Then washing the feet up to the ankles. Allah Almighty says: {...and wash your feet to the ankles...} [Al-Mā’idah: 6] Once is obligatory and three times are recommended. 


One should be careful to complete washing the obligatory part of the feet, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Woe to the heels from Hellfire!” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim; reported by ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar] ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “A man performed ablution and left a small part on his foot equal to the space of a nail unwashed. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) saw that and said: ‘Go back and perform ablution properly.’ He performed it again and prayed.” [Narrated by Muslim] 


17- Following the proper order is one of the obligatory acts of ablution. In performing ablution, one should strictly follow the order outlined in the relevant verse, not bringing a limb ahead of another, like washing the feet before the hands, for example. 


18- Muwālāh (succession) is an obligatory act of ablution. It means washing a limb without any delay before the previous limb dries. For example, one should not delay washing his hands until his face dries. 


19- Saying, after the ablution is over: “Ash-hadu ann lā ilāh illallāh wahdah lā sharīk lah wa ash-hadu ann Muhammad ‘abduh wa rasūluh (I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger).” 


‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When one of you performs ablution properly - or perfectly - then says: ‘Ash-hadu ann lā ilāh illallāh wa ann Muhammd ‘abdullāh wa rasūluh (I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger)’, the eight gates of Paradise will be open for him to enter from whichever of them he wills.” In another narration, he said the same, yet with this slight difference: “Whoever performs ablution and says: ‘Ash-hadu ann lā ilāh illallāh wahdah lā sharīk lah wa ash-hadu ann Muhammad ‘abduh wa rasūluh (I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger).’” [Narrated by Muslim] The Muslim Ummah will be recognizable on the Day of Judgment by the traces of ablution, as reported in a Hadīth by Abu Hurayrah. Nu‘aym al-Mujammir reported: “Once I went up the roof of the mosque along with Abu Hurayrah. He performed ablution and said: ‘I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) say: ‘My Ummah will come on the Day of Judgment with bright faces, hands, and feet from the traces of ablution. If any of you can extend his brightness, let him do so.’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] Hudhayfah reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “‘My Hawd (Basin) is bigger than the space between Aylah and Aden. By the One in Whose hand my life is, I will drive people away (from it) just as one who drives away unknown camels from his well.’ They said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, will you recognize us?’ He replied: ‘Yes, you will come to me with radiant faces, hands, and feet from the traces of ablution. This is a sign that none will have other thatn you.’” In the narration of Abu Hurayrah, he said: “Yes, you will have such signs that none of the other nations will have. You will come to me with radiant faces, hands, and feet from the traces of ablution.” [Narrated by Muslim] 


The End 


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Simple Description of the Invalidators of Ablution


The invalidators of ablution are four: 


First: What comes out of the two passages, like urine or feces, be it little or much. Allah Almighty says: 


{...Or (in case) any of you has come up from the privy...} [Al-Mā’idah: 6] 


As for anything that comes out through other than the two passages, like vomiting, bleeding, and nosebleed, it does not invalidate ablution, yet it is recommended to renew the ablution in such cases. 


Second: Loss of consciousness, by fainting or sleeping. 


The ablution-invalidating sleep is the deep one during which one loses consciousness and feeling. 


As evidence for counting sleep as an invalidator of ablution, Safwān ibn ‘Assāl (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to command us, while being on a journey, not to take off our leather socks for up to three days and nights, except in case of Janābah (sexual impurity), and this includes cases such as defecating, urinating, and sleeping (where it will be sufficient to wipe over leather socks).” [Narrated by Al-Nasā’i and Al-Tirmidhi. Its chain of narrators is authentic] Third: When someone, a man or woman, touches his or her private part. ‘Amr ibn Shu‘ayb related from his father that his grandfather reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If any man touches his private part, let him perform ablution; and if any woman touches her private part, let her perform ablution.” [Narrated by Ahmad; classified as Sahīh (Authentic) by Al-Bukhāri] 


As for a man touching a woman, this does not invalidate ablution. However, if he touches a woman with lust and, out of caution, performs ablution, that will be good. 


Fourth: Eating camel meat and camel’s organs like the liver, heart, spleen, tripe, and fat. 


As for the soup made with camel meat, it does not invalidate ablution, except if slices of meat, albeit small, are eaten along with it. 


Drinking milk does not invalidate ablution at all. 


Evidence that eating camel meat invalidates ablution is the Hadīth in which Jābir ibn Samurah reported: “A man asked the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): ‘Should I perform ablution after eating mutton?’ He said: ‘Perform ablution if you wish, or do not perform if you wish.’ He further asked: ‘Should I perform ablution after eating camel meat?’ He said: ‘Yes, perform ablution after eating camel meat.’” [Narrated by Muslim] There are other Hadīths on this issue. Imam Ahmad said: “There are two authentic Hadīths in this regard: one by Al-Barā’ and the other by Jābir ibn Samurah.” 


The End 


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

Introduction of the Summary of Prayer’s Description


All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions. 


To proceed: 


I had authored a book on the description of prayer in which I mentioned the jurists’ views and proofs and the relevant discussions. At the end of each topic, I highlighted the views that are stronger and closer to the texts, as it seemed to me. 


A group of respected brothers suggested that I extract from this book the description of prayer and then present it in a separate book in a sequential and simple manner, not including the many scholarly views, but only the preponderant ones that are supported by Hadīths. I found the idea to be good and useful. Hence, I wrote this summary and was careful to make it simple and easy to understand. 


I implore Allah Almighty to accept this work and make it beneficial; indeed, He is the Most Generous. 


Written by: Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Khalīl 


Safar 23, 1440 AH 


* * * 


Importance of paying attention to the prayer’s description


Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “A man entered the mosque while the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) was sitting there. He prayed and came greeting the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) who said to him: ‘And peace be upon you. Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.’ The man returned, prayed, came again, and greeted the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) who said: ‘And peace be upon you. Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.’ In the second or next time, the man said: ‘Teach me, O Messenger of Allah.’ He said: ‘When you intend to offer prayer, perform ablution properly, then stand to face Qiblah (direction of the Ka‘bah) and say: “Allah Akbar” (Allah is the Most Great). Then recite whatever you can of the Qur’an, and then bow until you feel at ease in bowing. Then rise (from bowing) until you stand upright, then prostrate until you feel at ease in prostrating. Then raise your head until you are sitting up straight and you feel at ease in sitting. Do that throughout your prayer.’” [Agreed upon]   


Getting prepared for the prayer


Ablution:


* When a Muslim wants to pray, he is required to perform ablution, by way of obligation, if he is not already in a state of ablution. Allah Almighty says: {O you who believe, when you stand up for prayer wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles. And if you are in the state of ritual impurity, purify yourselves (by taking a bath). But if you are either ill, traveling, have satisfied a want of nature or have had contact with women and find no water then seek clean earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith. Allah does not want to lay any hardship upon you; rather He wants to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.} [Al-Mā’idah: 6] 


* It is recommended to renew the ablution for every prayer, according to the unanimous agreement of the four schools of Fiqh. 


Renewal of ablution means that one is already in a state of ablution, which has not been broken, yet he makes ablution again. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to perform ablution for every prayer. Narrated by Al-Bukhāri  . 


Scholars of Fiqh differed over the condition that makes renewal of ablution recommended. They had three opinions, the more correct of which is that one is recommended to renew his ablution if he has offered one prayer with it. 


Walking for prayer:


* Then he leaves for the mosque if he wants to offer an obligatory prayer, doing so with calmness and tranquility. 


* Then he offers two Rak‘ahs (unit of prayer) as a greeting to the mosque, as indicated in a Hadīth where Abu Qatādah al-Ansāri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When anyone of you enters the mosque, he should not sit down until he prays two Rak‘ahs.” [Agreed upon]   


* Then he sits down and waits for the commencement of the prayer. Meanwhile, he engages in Dhikr (remmebrance of Allah) or recitation of the Qur’an. He is deemed in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The angels keep invoking Allah’s blessing and forgiveness for anyone of you as long as he is at his praying place and his ablution is not broken saying: ‘Allahum ighfir lah, Allahum irhamuh (O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, be merciful to him).’ Each one of you is in prayer as long as he is waiting for the prayer and nothing but the prayer detains him from going to his family.” Narrated by Al-Bukhāri  . 


* If the Muezzin proclaims Iqāmah (second call to prayer) for prayer while the Imam is not seen in the mosque, one should not rise up until he sees the Imam. 


* But if the Imam is there and the Muezzin makes Iqāmah for prayer, there is nothing specified in Shariah as to when people should rise up for prayer. This, however, differs from one person to another. If one is weak, it is better for him to stand up early so that he can catch up with the opening Takbīr (saying: Allah is the Most Great); and if he is strong, there is nothing wrong if he stands up a little late, as he will be able to catch up with the opening Takbīr. 


* The Imam should straighten the rows, making them even, complete, connected, and thus having no gap in between. 


The intention for prayer:


* For the validity of an obligatory prayer, one is required to have the intention for offering the obligatory prayer, which naturally happens, for one has this intention from the moment he leaves his place for prayer. 


Ibn Qudāmah said: “We do not know about any difference among scholars over the obligation of having the intention for prayer, and that this is a prerequisite for the validity of prayer.”   


Commencement of prayer


Ihrām Takbīr (Opening Takbīr):


* The Opening Takbīr is one of the pillars of prayer, which should not be abandoned, neither out of forgetfulness nor ignorance or intentionally. Allah Almighty says: {And glorify your Lord.} [Al-Muddaththir: 3] And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said to the man who was not praying properly: “When you rise for prayer, say Takbīr.” 


* Prayer does not validly start except by the phrase “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Most Great). No other phrase can replace it. 


* “Allahu Akbar” means that Allah is Greater and more Magnificent than everything else, and thus He should only be mentioned with praise, exaltation, and glorification. 


* Takbīr is not valid in an obligatory prayer unless one stands straight. 


* It is Sunnah for someone making the opening Takbīr to raise his hands. According to the consensus among the scholars of Fiqh, this is a confirmed act of Sunnah. 


* It is Sunnah to make Takbīr and raise the hands at the same time; in other words, to raise one’s hands while making Takbīr, not before or after. 


* As one raises his hands during the opening Takbīr, he ought to extend his fingers and join them together, which is more conducive to humility than folding or dispersing them. 


* A praying person has the choice to raise his hands during the opening Takbīr either up to his shoulders or up to his ears. However, he should make the former choice more frequent. 


* Like men, women should also raise their hands in prayer. Some scholars, however, hold that they should not raise their hands as high as men do, but below that. 


* The Imam is required to say Takbīr loudly, for people can only follow him properly when they hear his voice clearly making Takbīr. 


Standing and recitation:


Standing:


Standing is one of the pillars of obligatory prayers and a requirement for their validity, according to the texts and consensus. 


* In supererogatory prayers, however, one may pray while sitting, even if he is able to stand up or if he prays behind a standing Imam, like in Tarāwīh prayer (voluntary prayer performed after ‘Ishā’ in Ramadān). 


* If one is not able to stand while offering an obligatory prayer, this pillar ceases to be due, given his inability. Allah Almighty says: {And fear Allah as much as you can...} [Al-Taghābun: 16] And the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “If I command you to do something, do it as much as you can.”   


* There is a text tackling this issue specifically, namely the Prophet’s statement: “Pray standing; if you cannot, then while sitting; if you cannot, then while lying on your side.”   So, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that standing ceases to be due in case of inability. 


* The criterion determining inability here is when standing causes distraction and losing humility due to illness or the like, he may pray while sitting in such a case. 


* In obligatory prayers, one who is able to stand is required to do so unaided. In other words, whoever leans upon a stick, a wall, or the like in such a way that if it is removed he will fall down, his prayer will be invalid. 


The position of the two hands during standing:


* It is Sunnah for a praying person to draw his hands together. Letting them hang down is contrary to the Sunnah. Sahl ibn Sa‘d al-Sā‘idi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “People were commanded to place their right hand upon their left arm during prayer.”   Also, Wā’il ibn Hujr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to place his right hand upon the left one during prayer.”   


* The Sunnah indicates that a praying person may grasp the wrist of his left hand with his right hand; and there is nothing wrong if he occasionally puts his right hand over the left one. 


* A praying person has the choice to put his hands wherever he wishes, above or below the navel, for nothing specific was authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) in this regard. That is why Ibn al-Mundhir said: “Nothing is authentically reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) on this issue, so he is given the choice to do this or that.” In his Jāmi‘, Al-Tirmidhi said: “Some were of the opinion that he should put it above the navel, while others held that he can put it below the navel. There is much leeway in this regard.” 


* Putting the hands below the chest, in the area between the chest and abdomen, may be better in terms of humility. 


* As for putting the hands over the chest, Imam Ahmad disliked it, for this is not reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and it bespeaks affectedness. 


Where to look during prayer:


* A praying person should look at the place of his prostration during standing. Raising the vision above that runs counter to the Sunnah. And if he looks towards the sky, he commits something impermissible. 


* Where to look while sitting between the two prostrations or for Tashahhud sitting: 


- Some jurists maintain that one should look at the place of prostration throughout the prayer. 


- Some others are of the opinion that he should look at his finger during Tashahhud sitting. 


There is probably leeway in this matter, for no authentic Hadīth is reported about it. 


Istiftāh supplication (opening supplication):


* Then the praying person should make the opening supplication, which is Sunnah and recommended. 


* The Sunnah contains numerous kinds of opening supplications, all of which are permissible. It is preferable for a praying person to diversify and use all of them, while giving precedence to the opening supplication reported from ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) - to be mentioned later - the view held by Imam Ahmad and other Imams. Ibn Taymiyyah said: “Most of the righteous predecessors used to say it as the opening supplication in prayer.” [10] 


Here are some kinds of opening supplications: 


1- Muslim narrated that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) would say those words aloud: “Subhānak allāhum wa bihamdik, tabārak ismuk, wa ta‘āla jadduk, wa lā ilāh ghayruk (Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You; blessed is Your name and high is Your majesty; and there is no deity worthy of worship but You).” Although this supplication is attributed to ‘Umar, yet it takes the ruling of the Marfū‘ Hadīth (Hadīth directly attributed to the Prophet). 2- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to remain silent for a while between Takbīr and recitation. I said: ‘May my father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Messenger of Allah. What do you say while remaining silent between Takbīr and recitation?’ He said: ‘I say: “Allāhumma bā‘id bayni wa bayn khatāyāy kamā bā‘adta bayn al-mashriq wa al-maghrib. Allahumma naqqini min al-khatāya kamā yunaqqa ath-thawb al-abyad min ad-danas. Allahum ighsil khatāyāy bil mā’ wa ath-thalj wa al-barad (O Allah, distance me from my sins as You have distanced the east from the west. O Allah, purify me from sins as the white garment is purified from dirt. O Allah, wash out my sins with water, snow, and hail).’” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] 3- ‘Ali ibn Abi Tālib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “When the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) stood for prayer, he would say: ‘Wajahtu wajhi lilladhi fatara as-samāwāt wa al-ard hanīfan wa mā ana min al-mushrikīn, inna salāti wa nusuki wa mahyāy wa mamāti lillāh rabb al-‘ālamīn, lā sharīk lah wa bidhālik umirtu wa ana min al-muslimīn. Allahumma ant al-malik lā ilāh illa anta, anta rabbi wa ana ‘abduk, zhalamtu nafsi wa i‘taraftu bi dhanbi faghfir li dhunūbi jamī‘an innahu lā yaghfiru adh-dhunūb illa ant, wahdini li ahsan al-akhlāq la yahdi li ahsaniha illa anta, wa isrif ‘anni sayy’aha la yasrifu ‘anni sayy’aha illa ant, labbayk wa sa‘dayk wa al-khayr kulluh fi yadayk wa ash-sharr laysa ilayak, ana bik wa ilayk, tabārakta wa ta‘ālayt, astaghfiruka wa atūbu ilayak (I direct my face sincerely to the One Who originated the heavens and earth and I am not of the polytheists. Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my life, and my death are for Allah, Lord of the worlds, with no partner; by this I have been commanded and I am of the Muslims. O Allah, You are the Sovereign, there is no deity worthy of worship but You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave, I have wronged myself and have admitted my sin, so forgive me all my sins for none forgives sins except You. Guide me to the best of morals, for none can guide to it but You, and keep away from me the worst of morals for none can keep it away from me but You. Here I am, in answer and response to Your call. All good is within Your hands, and evil does not belong to You. I exist by Your will and will return to You. Blessed and Exalted are You; I seek Your forgiveness and repent unto You).’” Narrated by Muslim] * According to consensus, one should make the opening supplication inaudibly. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him) said the supplication aloud to teach it to people. Ibn Qudāmah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “Ahmad said: ‘The Imam should not make the opening supplication audibly. This view is held by the majority of scholars because the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not say it audibly. ‘Umar only said it aloud to teach people.’”   


Isti‘ādhah (seeking refuge with Allah from the devil) before recitation:


* Isti‘ādhah is an act of Sunnah, for Allah Almighty says: {Whenever you recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil.} [Al-Nahl: 98] 


* It is prescribed for a praying person to say Isti‘ādhah in each Rak‘ah, not only in the first one. 


* There are several forms of Isti‘ādhah: 


1- “A‘ūdhu billāh min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil).” 


2- “A‘ūdhu billāh as-samī‘ al-‘alīm min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm (I seek refuge with Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed devil).” 


3- “A‘ūdhu billāh as-samī‘ al-‘alīm min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm, min hamzih wa nafkhih wa nafthih (I seek refuge with Allah, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, from the accursed devil, from his whisperings, arrogance, and poetry).” 


* This said, it is permissible for one to seek refuge with Allah from the devil using any form he wishes. 


It is recommended, however, that he most often uses this form “A‘ūdhu billāh min ash-shaytān ar-rajīm (I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed devil)”, for it literally occurs in the Qur’an. 


* It is prescribed for a praying person to say Isti‘ādhah inaudibly, whether the prayer is audible or inaudible. 


Basmalah (saying: in the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful):


*A praying person should, after saying Isti‘ādhah and before reciting Al-Fātihah, say: “Bismillāh ar-rahmān ar-rahīm (in the Name of Allah the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful). It is reported in a Hadīth that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) prayed and said: “Bismillāh ar-rahmān ar-rahīm (In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful)”; then he said: “My prayer resembles that of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) more than the prayer of any of you.”   


* It is not prescribed for the praying person to say Basmalah aloud, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is not reported to have done so, unless there is some benefit, like teaching people and spreading the Sunnah; or if this is intended to attract people’s hearts, then there is nothing wrong with saying it aloud. This view was stated by Imam Ahmad and others. 


* Basmalah is a verse in the Qur’an, which occurs in Surat al-Naml   where Allah Almighty says: {It is from Solomon, and it is: “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful”.} [Al-Naml: 30] 


* Basmalah is not a Qur’anic verse between Surat al-Anfāl and Surat al-Tawbah. Apart from these two locations, Basmalah occurs in the Book of Allah, yet it is not part of the Surahs; rather, it is recited to separate between Surahs and as a source of blessing. 


Reciting Al-Fātihah:


* Reciting Al-Fātihah in each Rak‘ah is one of the pillars of prayer for the Imam and the one praying alone. 


* This is the view held by the majority of the Companions, the Tābi‘is (followers and students of the Companions), and those who came after them. They stated that it is a pillar without which the prayer is invalid. If one fails to recite it deliberately or forgetfully, his prayer becomes invalid, as indicated in a Hadīth reported by ‘Ubādah (may Allah be pleased with him): “Whoever does not recite Al-Fātihah, his prayer is deemed invalid.”   This is also indicated by a Hadīth reported by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): “Whoever offers a prayer and does not recite Al-Fātihah therein, his prayer is deficient.”   


* If a Muslim cannot recite Al-Fātihah correctly, scholars unanimously agreed that he is required to learn it if he can, since anything that is deemed essential for the discharge of an obligation is also obligatory. 


* In case he cannot learn Al-Fātihah because he is too old or for any other reason, 


he should recite as much from the Qur’an as Al-Fātihah, i.e. seven verses. 


If he cannot do so, he should mention Allah Almighty with these five phrases: “Subhānallāh (Glorified is Allah), Al-Hamduillāh (all praise is due to Allah), Lā ilāh illallāh (there is no deity worthy of worship but Allah), Allah Akbar (Allah is the Most Great), and Lā hawla wa lā quwwata illa billāh al-‘aliyy al-‘azhīm (there is no power and no strength save in Allah, the High, the Magnificent).” 


Audible and inaudible recitation:


* The Imam should recite the Qur’an audibly in ‘Ishā’ (night), Maghrib (evening), and Fajr (dawn). Audible recitation in these prayers is obligatory, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite audibly and inaudibly in certain prayers on a persistent basis, a sign of obligation. The Ummah adopted this practice as well. 


* Recitation of the Qur’an and the obligatory Dhikr is valid only by uttering them with the tongue. It is not enough to recite them within one’s thoughts. 


* As for reciting the Qur’an audibly or inaudibly, this is another issue and its ruling differs according to whether the praying person is an Imam, praying alone, or praying behind an Imam. 


* Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “One should move his tongue with the obligatory Dhikr in prayer, like the recitation of the Qur’an and other Dhikr, as long as he is able to.”   


* Recitation of the Qur’an in Zhuhr (noon) and ‘Asr (afternoon) should, in principle, be inaudible. It is recommended, however, that the Imam sometimes recites in them audibly, letting those praying behind him hear part of a verse, a verse, or a little more than a verse. This is probably intended to alert those of them who may be inattentive; or there could be some other purpose. 


* Evidence for this is found in a Hadīth by Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to lead us in prayer and he would recite in the first two Rak‘ahs, in Zhuhr and ‘Asr prayers, Al-Fātihah and two Surahs, and he would occasionally make us hear one verse. He would make the first Rak‘ah long, and in the last two Rak‘ahs, he would recite Al-Fātihah (only).”   


* A person praying behind an Imam should not recite the Qur’an, neither Al-Fātihah nor any other Surah, in audible prayers, if he can hear the Imam; rather, he should listen to the Imam’s recitation in audible prayers, whether obligatory - Fajr, ‘Ishā’, and Maghrib - or supererogatory, like Tarāwīh. This is the view held by the majority of scholars. This is because “audible recitation of the Imam is intended to be heard by those praying behind him,” Ibn Taymiyyah said.   If one recites Qur’an himself, he will be distracted from listening to the Imam’s recitation. 


Ta’mīn (saying amen) after reciting Al-Fātihah:


* Scholars agreed that it is prescribed for the one praying alone or behind an Imam to say “Āmīn (amen)”, with the former saying it after his recitation of Al-Fātihah and the latter after the Imam’s recitation. 


* It is also prescribed for the Imam to say “Āmīn (amen)” after his recitation of Al-Fātihah. 


* Both the Imam and those praying behind should say “Āmīn (amen)” aloud; and it is prescribed that those led in prayer say it at the same time with the Imam. So, when the Imam recites {...or of those who are astray} [Al-Fātihah: 7], he and those praying behind him should say together: “Āmīn (amen)”. 


This is supported by a Hadīth in which Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When the Imam says: ‘Āmīn (amen)’, you too should say ‘Āmīn (amen)’, for whoever says it at the same time the angels say ‘Āmīn (amen)’ will have his previous sins forgiven.”   


* Imam Al-Bukhāri (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: “Chapter on Those Led in Prayer Saying Amen Aloud” Then, he narrated the Prophet’s statement: “When the Imam says : {Not of those who have incurred [Your] anger or of those who are astray} [Al-Fātihah: 7], say: Āmīn (amen).” * Ibn Taymiyyah said: “These are all texts indicating that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to say Ta’mīn loudly and he ordered those praying behind the Imam to say it along with him. Apparently, they should say “Āmīn (amen)” like him, for saying it is more emphatic in their case, since they were commanded to do that. So, if the Imam says it aloud, then this is more appropriate in the case of those praying behind. An explicit statement had been given about this. Hence, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) derived from this command that they should say it aloud, and they unanimously agreed over that. Is-hāq ibn Rāhwayh reported ‘Atā’ as saying: “Two hundred Companions were still alive during my lifetime. When the Imam said {or of those who are astray}, I would hear them say ‘Āmīn (amen)’ so loudly.” ‘Ikrimah said: “I lived to see people making commotion in the mosque as they said ‘Āmīn (amen)’.” Is-hāq said: “The Prophet’s Companions would say ‘Āmīn (amen)’ so loudly that it would rock the mosque.”   


The recitation after Al-Fātihah:


* It is prescribed for one to recite another Surah after Al-Fātihah in the first two Rak‘ahs only. 


* This is evidenced by the fact that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is widely reported to have done so, namely reciting another Surah after Al-Fātihah in the first and second Rak‘ahs only. Abu Qatādah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to lead us in prayer, and he would recite in the first two Rak‘ahs, in Zhuhr and ‘Asr prayers, Al-Fātihah and two Surahs, and he would occasionally make us hear one verse. He would make the first Rak‘ah long, and in the last two Rak‘ahs, he would recite Al-Fātihah (only).”   


* Ibn Qudāmah said: “We do not know about any difference among scholars that it is prescribed for one to recite a Surah after Al-Fātihah in the first two Rak‘ahs of every prayer, and that this Surah should be recited audibly in audible prayers and inaudibly in inaudible prayers.”   


* As for reciting a Surah after Al-Fātihah in the third and fourth Rak‘ahs of a four-Rak‘ah prayer, and in the third Rak‘ah of Maghrib, this is basically not prescribed in Shariah. However, there is nothing wrong if one occasionally recites something after Al-Fātihah, without making this his common practice. 


* The Imam is recommended to recite Surat al-Sajdah and Surat al-Insān in the Fajr prayer on Friday, on a regular basis. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to recite in the Fajr prayer on Friday Surat al-Sajdah and Surat al-Insān.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “He would do so constantly.” [Narrated by Al-Tabarāni] 


* The wisdom behind reciting these two Surahs lies in their mention of the creation of Adam, which took place on Friday, and the events of the Day of Judgment, which will also occur on Friday. This has nothing to do with the verse of prostration in the Surah; it only happened to be there. 


* Ibn al-Qayyim said: “It is not recommended to intentionally recite a verse of prostration from this Surah or any other during the Fajr prayer on Friday. The purpose is to recite these two Surahs - Al-Sajdah and Al-Insān - as they mention the start of Adam’s creation and the Day of Resurrection. Adam was created on Friday, and the Hour will take place on Friday. Hence it is recommended to recite these two Surahs on Friday as a reminder to the Ummah of what happened and what will happen on that day. The verse of prostration only happened to be there in this Surah. So, one who has not recited Surat al-Sajdah is not recommended to intentionally recite a verse of prostration from any other Surah.”   


Long Recitation:


* The Sunnah for a praying person is to recite a whole Surah, as reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). 


* Or he may recite part of a Surah from its beginning. This is not disliked, by consensus. 


The Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) recited Surat al-Mu’minūn till the verses mentioning Mūsa (Moses) and Harūn (Aaron), where he started to cough and bowed down. 


And he recited Surat al-A‘rāf in Maghrib  . It is well known that he recited part of it in the first Rak‘ah and the other part in the second Rak‘ah. Thus, he recited part of a Surah in one Rak‘ah. 


Jubayr ibn Mut‘im (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I heard the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) reciting Surat al-Tūr in the Maghrib prayer.”   [Agreed upon] 


* It is also permissible to recite some verses of a Surah from the latter part of it; but it is disliked to do so persistently, for this would be persistence in something that is not prescribed by the Sunnah. Ibn Qudāmah said: “What is reported from the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is reciting a Surah or part of a Surah from its beginning.” 


* The Sunnah is to recite from the short Mufassal (short Surahs of the Qur’an which have many breaks between them) in Maghrib, and the long Mufassal in Fajr. In the other prayers, i.e. Zhuhr, ‘Asr, and ‘Ishā’, one ought to recite from the medium Mufassal. 


This is indicated in a Hadīth in which Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “I have not prayed behind someone whose prayer resembles the Prophet’s more than so-and-so. He used to recite from the long Mufassal Surahs in Fajr prayer, from the short Mufassal Surahs in Maghrib prayer, and from the medium Mufassal Surahs in ‘Ishā’ prayer.”   


This is also supported by the Hadīth relating that the Commander of the Believers, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattāb (may Allah be pleased with him), sent a letter to Abu Mūsa (may Allah be pleased with him), in which he said: “Recite from the medium Mufassal Surahs in Zhuhr prayer.”   


* If the Imam intends to recite a long Surah, he is not required, in our opinion, to inform those who will pray behind him in advance, as some people do nowadays. In fact, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not do that. All the Hadīths reporting the Prophet’s recitation in prayer do not mention that he used to inform people of this matter, though some of those praying behind him would sometimes undergo some emergency during prayer. Nonetheless, he did not use to inform them. 


* On the other hand, we should teach people the Shariah rulings and the Sunnah. For example, if an emergency happens to someone during prayer, he may leave the congregation and pray alone for having an excuse and there is nothing wrong with that. This is similar to what happened to the one praying behind Mu‘ādh (may Allah be pleased with him). When he knew that he would recite Al-Baqarah, he went off. So, we should spread the Sunnah. 


* It seems to me that being careful to recite Surat al-Tūr and Surat al-A‘rāf in particular and the belief that reciting them is a special act of piety is not prescribed in Shariah. Apparently, the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) did not intend to recite Surat al-A‘rāf in particular during Maghrib prayer; rather, he meant to recite a long Surah. In other words, it does not appear from the relevant Hadīths that reciting these two Surahs in particular - Al-A‘rāf and Al-Tūr - is something intended like the recitation of certain Surahs in the Fajr prayer on Friday, the Friday prayer, and the Eid prayer. 


* It is prescribed for the Imam to prolong the first Rak‘ah to enable those coming to catch up with this Rak‘ah. Abu Qatādah reported: “He would prolong the first Rak‘ah.” This is supported by several Hadīths including: 


- When the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) heard a child crying, he would make the prayer brief.   


- It is reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would pray Zhuhr at the time of intense heat, ‘Asr when the sun was white and clear, and Maghrib when the sun set; and with ‘Ishā’, it varied, if he saw that the people had gathered, he would pray early, and if he saw that they had not come yet, he would delay it.   


These texts indicate that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) would generally take into consideration the circumstances of the people praying behind him. 


* It is Sunnah for a praying person to keep silent for a little while between recitation and bowing. It is authentically reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to keep silent for a little while before bowing  . The Sunnah does not specify how long this pause should be. Ibn al-Qayyim held the view that it should be as long as a reciter can take his breath back.   


We know from this that what some Imams do, namely saying Takbīr for bowing right after the end of recitation, is contrary to the Sunnah. Hence, Imam Ahmad disliked that a praying person says Takbīr immediately after the recitation.   


Takbīr for moving from one position to another:


* Takbīr for moving from one position to another is obligatory, for the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) made Takbīr, commanded people to follow it and did it himself persistently, and said: “Pray as you have seen me pray.”   One of the Hadīths in which he ordered people to make Takbīr reads: “When he makes Takbīr, you make Takbīr.”   So, he gave a command for making Takbīr. 


* Although Takbīr for moving from one position to another is obligatory, it ceases to be due in case of forgetfulness, in which case one should offer prostration to make up for it. 


* It is preferable that one begins Takbīr as he starts moving from one position to another, and that he ends it when he reaches the next position. It is permissible, nonetheless, to start Takbīr before the beginning of bowing and finish it after completely bowing, given the difficulty of complying with this accurately. 


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