When you hear the Athaan (call to Prayer), let that remind you of the horrors of the Summons on the Day of Resurrection. Spare no time in fully preparing yourself to respond. For those who hasten to answer this call are the ones who will receive gentle summoning on the Day of the Great Review. So review your hearts now; if you find it elated and eager to respond, you can expect the Summons to bring you glad tidings on the Day of Judgment. That is why the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) used to address Bilal, may Allah be pleased with him, saying: "Delight us by the Prayer, O Bilal!"
Wudhoo’ (Ablution)
When you perform ritual cleansing (Wudhoo’ or Ghusl), make sure to also tend to the cleanliness of your inner being, which lies at the heart of all these. In cleaning your inner being, use in the place of water repentance and remorse for your excesses, and a resolve not to perpetrate them in the future. Thus you should cleanse your inner being, for that is the place where your Lord will be looking.
Covering private parts
When in Prayer you make sure that certain parts of your body are covered from the eyes of other humans. But you should also mind your internal shameful spots, those unworthy secrets of your soul that are beheld only by Allah Almighty. Beware these faults and realize that nothing will escape the sight of Allah Almighty.
Facing the Qiblah
In this you turn your face away from all other directions and set it toward the Ka'bah. But more important than that is to turn your heart away from everything else other than Allah Almighty, directing it towards Allah Almighty. This is the whole point of the practice!
Standing upright
This means holding oneself erect—in body and in spirit—in the presence of Allah Almighty. Your head which is the highest part of your body should be bowed down as a reminder of the need to keep the heart meek and humble, free of arrogance and pride.
Intention
When forming the intention, resolve to be responsive to Allah Almighty by performing the Prayer in full conformity with His commands, by doing it properly, by avoiding things that invalidate or detract from its wholeness, and by doing all this for the sake of Allah alone, hoping for His reward and fearing His punishment, seeking His grace and favor by His leave.
Takbeer
When making Takbeer (pronouncing the phrase: Allahu Akbar to begin the Prayer acts), your heart must be inundated with the meaning of Takbeer. You should feel in your heart that nothing whatsoever is greater than Allah Almighty.
Reciting the Quran
People fall in three categories when it comes to Quran recitation: (a) those who move their tongues unconsciously (b) those who are conscious of the movement of the tongue, understanding the meaning while listening as if to a person outside themselves; this is the degree of `those on the right', (c) those who start from awareness of the meaning, then use the tongue to give expression to this inner consciousness.
Bowing
Bowing (Rukoo’) indicates a renewed affirmation of the supreme greatness of Allah Almighty. In bowing you confirm your submissiveness and humility, striving to refine your inner feelings through a fresh awareness of your own impotence and insignificance before the might and grandeur of your Lord Almighty. To confirm this, you seek the aid of your tongue, glorifying Allah Almighty and testifying repeatedly to His Supreme Majesty. Then you rise from bowing, hopeful that He will be merciful towards you. To emphasize this hope within you, you say: "Allah hears those who give thanks to Him." Acknowledging the need to express gratitude, you immediately add: "Grateful praise to You our Lord!"
Prostration
Then you go down in prostration. This is the utmost point of submission, for when you prostrate you bring the noblest part of your body—your face—down to meet the most lowly of all things, the dust of the earth. When you place yourself in this position of lowliness, be mindful of the fact that you belong there, from dust you were created and to dust you shall return. At the same time you should renew your inner awareness of Allah's majesty, repeating: "Glory to my Lord Most High!"
Sitting and testifying
When you sit to make the testimony (Tashahhud), sit decorously. Declare that all the Prayers and good deeds you perform are for the sake of Allah Almighty, and everything belongs to Him. Such is the meaning of at-Tahiyyaat. Be inwardly aware of the Prophet, and of his noble person, as you say: "Peace be upon you, O Prophet, as well as Allah's mercy and blessing." Be sure that he will return an even more perfect greeting to you. Then salute yourself and all Allah's righteous servants. Then testify to the Unity of Allah Almighty, and to the mission of Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ).
End of Supplication
Make sure to supplicate at the end of your ritual Prayer and before Tasleem, imploring and entreating with meekness and humility, confidently hoping to be answered. Let your supplication include your parents and the other believers.
Salutation (Tasleem)
Finally, and with the intention of concluding your Prayer, address your Tasleem to the angels and the others present. Feel a sense of gratitude to Allah Almighty for having enabled you to complete this act of worship. Imagine that you are saying farewell to this Prayer of yours, and that you may not live to make another one.
One of the blessings with which the Muslim nation has been endowed is the day of Jumu'ah, or Friday. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), said: “The best day the sun rises over is Friday; on it Allah created Aadam. On it, he was made to enter paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Last Hour will take place on no other day than Friday.”[Ahmad and At-At-Tirmithi].
Imaam Ibn Katheer, may Allah have mercy upon him said, "It was named Jumu'ah because it is derived from the word Al-Jam' in Arabic which means to gather, as Muslims gather on this day every week, and Allah has commanded the believers to gather for His worship, as He says that which means:{"O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for Jumu`ah (Friday prayer), come fast to the remembrance of Allah"}[Quran, 62: 9] meaning be keen to go and attend it."
Here are some other virtues and facts about the Day of Jumu'ah:
It includes the congregational Jumu'ah prayer, which is one of the obligatory acts in Islam and one of the great gatherings of the Muslims. Allah The Almighty will seal the heart of whoever abandons and slights this, according to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), in a Hadeeth (narration) in the book of Imaam Muslim may Allah have mercy upon him.
The day of Jumu'ah includes an hour during which all supplications are accepted. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), said: "On (the day of) Jumu'ah is an hour during which Allah gives to a Muslim servant standing in prayer whatever he asks for.”[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Giving in charity during this day is more virtuous than any other day. Ka'b, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), said: "Charity given during the day of Jumu'ah is greater (in reward) than any other day."
The believers will see their Lord from Paradise on that day. Anas ibn Maalik,may Allah be pleased with him, said regarding the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {"And We have more (i.e. a glance at the All-Mighty)"}[Quran, 50: 35] "Allah will appear to them on the day of Jumu'ah."
It is an 'Eed, i.e., a recurrent holiday and celebration. Ibn 'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Jumu'ah is a day of celebration, so whoever attends it should perform Ghusl (bathing) beforehand." [Ibn Maajah].
It is a day on which sins are forgiven, as narrated by Salmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, who narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Any man who performs Ghusl on Friday, perfumes himself if he has perfume, wears the best of his clothes, then goes to the mosque and offers as many prayers as he wishes while not harming anybody, then listens quietly while the Imaam speaks until he offers the prayer, will have all his sins between that Friday and the next forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari].
When walking to attend the Friday sermon, a Muslim gets the reward of both praying Qiyaam (i.e., the night prayer) and fasting a full year. Aws ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ), said: “Whoever performs Ghusl on Friday after having sexual intercourse with his wife, then goes early to the mosque and attends from the beginning of the Khutbah and draws near to the Imaam and listens to him attentively, Allah will give him the full reward of fasting all the days of a year and observing night-vigil on each of its nights for every step that he took towards the mosque.”[Ibn Khuzaymah, Ahmad].
Hell is fired-up during every day of the week except Friday, as a mark of honour and respect for the day of Friday.
Dying on Friday, during the day or night, is a sign of a good end, for the one who dies on that day will be protected from the trial of the grave (i.e., Allah The Almighty will enable such a person to be steadfast during it). The Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Any Muslim who dies during the day or night of Friday will be protected by Allah from the trial of the grave.” [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad].
The obligatory five daily prayers were prescribed during the night the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) ascended to the heavens, while the commands for the remaining acts of worship were revealed to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) on earth. This indicates the special status and importance of prayer as an act of worship.
• It is the only pillar of Islam that is repeated five times each day, and is never waived except for the woman during her menstrual period and post-partum bleeding.
• It is the one of the most virtuous deeds, and most beloved to Allah as the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Know that the best of your deeds are your prayers, and only a true believer maintains the state of ablution.” [Ahmad]
• It is the backbone of one’s religion, and the coolness of the eyes of the righteous. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “The most important of all matters is Islam, its spinal cord is prayer and the highest rank is Jihaad for the sake of Allah.” [Ahmad]
• It is an indication of Islam and belief, and preserves a person’s blood from being shed, Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“But if they repent [by rejecting Shirk (polytheism) and accept Islamic Monotheism], perform Salah and give Zakat, then they are your brethren in religion”} [Quran, 9: 11].
• It is a sign of honesty and frees a person from hypocrisy. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Whosoever prays forty days with the congregation, attending the initial (Allahu Akbar) of the prayer, will be free of two things: Hell Fire and hypocrisy.” [Ahmad]
• It is the best issue to be occupied with, the most profitable dealing, and the most likely amongst all acts of worship to cause the person to become humble and submissive. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Prayer is the best thing to be occupied with,, so perform as much of it as you can.” [Ahmad]
• It is a command from Allah The Almighty, Who Says (what means): {“Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawaat (the prayers) especially the middle Salaat (i.e. the best prayer - `Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salaat (prayers)].”} [Quran, 2: 238].
• It elevates a person's ranks and expiates sins, as the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Tell me, if there is an overflowing river in front of the house of one of you in which he baths five times a day, will there remain any dirt on him? They said, ‘No dirt will remain on him’. He then said: “That is the example of the five daily obligatory prayers by which Allah erases sins.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• It rescues from Hell, protects against danger, and enables a person to win Paradise. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “The one who prays before sunrise (Fajr prayer) and before sun set (Asr prayer) will not enter Hell Fire.” [Muslim]
• It is a sign of success and victory, and an indication of being accepted. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“Successful indeed are the believers. Those who offer their Salah (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness.”} [Quran, 23: 1-2] and also {“And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) prayers (at their fixed stated hours). These are indeed the inheritors. Who shall inherit the Firdaws (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever.”} [Quran, 23: 9-11]
• It is the first thing for which the slave will be held accountable. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “The first thing for which the slave will be held accountable for on the day of Resurrection is his prayer; if it is good (by performing it properly and on time), then all his affairs will be good, and if it is ruined (by neglecting it), then all his affairs will be ruined.” [At-Tabaraani]
• It is the provision on the way, relaxation for the soul, light for the heart, purification for the soul and a sign for salvation. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “O Bilaal! Call the Iqaamah in order for our hearts to relax.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood].
• It frustrates Satan and disbelievers. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “When the son of Aadam recites a verse which recommends him to prostrate and he does, Satan starts crying, and says, woe to me, the son of Aadam was commanded and he did, and he will get Paradise as a reward, while I was commanded to prostrate and refused and will enter Hell.” [Muslim]
• It is a form of expressing appreciation and gratitude, as well as being a treasure full of the exaltation of Allah The Almighty and glorification and praise to Him. When the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) was asked about the reason behind his excessive prayer, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Should I not be a thankful slave?” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
• It protects against following desires, evil sins and cures from sicknesses, as Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“Verily, Salah prevents from Al-Fahshaa' (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)”} [Quran, 29: 45]. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Pray the optional night prayer, because it is the way of righteous people before you, it brings you close to your Lord, prevents you from committing sins, expiates your sins and cures you from sicknesses.” [At-Tirmithi]
