Basic of Solat

The Pillars Of Solat

The pillars of prayer, of which there are fourteen, as follows:

(i) Standing during obligatory prayers if one is able to do so

(ii) The opening takbeer (saying “Allaahu akbar”)

(iii) Reciting al-Faatihah

(iv) Rukoo’ (bowing), the least of which means bending so that the hands can touch the knees, but the most complete form means making the back level and the head parallel with it.

(v) Rising from bowing

(vi) Standing up straight

(vii) Sujood (prostration), the most perfect form of which is placing the forehead, nose, palms, knees and toes firmly on the ground, and the least of which is placing a part of each of these on the ground.

(viii) Rising from prostration

(ix) Sitting between the two prostrations. However one sits is good enough, but the Sunnah is to sit muftarishan, which means sitting on the left foot and holding the right foot upright with the toes pointing towards the qiblah.

(x) Being at ease in each of these physical pillars

(xi) The final tashahhud

(xii) Sitting to recite the final tashahhud and the two salaams

(xiii) The two salaams. This means saying twice, “al-salaamu ‘alaykum wa rahmat-Allaah (Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allaah).” In naafil prayers it is sufficient to say one salaam; the same also applies to the funeral prayer.

(xiv) Doing the pillars in the order mentioned here. If a person deliberately prostrates before bowing, for example, the prayer is invalidated; if he does that by mistake, he has to go back and bow, and then prostrate.

The Sunnah words of the prayer, of which there are eleven, as follows:

(i) Saying after the opening takbeer, “Subhaanaka Allaahumma wa bi hamdika, wa tabaaraka ismuka, wa ta’aala jadduka wa laa ilaaha ghayruka (Glory and praise be to You, O Allaah; blessed be Your name, exalted be Your Majesty, and there is no god but You).” This is called du’aa’ al-istiftaah (opening du’aa’)

(ii) Seeking refuge with Allaah

(iii) Saying Bismillaah

(iv) Saying Ameen

(v) Reciting a soorah after al-Faatihah

(vi) Reciting out loud, in the case of the imam

(vii) Saying after the tahmeed (Rabbana wa laka’l-hamd), for one who is not praying behind an imam: “Mil’ al-samawaati wa mil’ al-ard wa mil’ ma shi’ta min shay’in ba’d (Filling the heavens, filling the earth, and filling whatever else You wish).” (The correct view is that it is also Sunnah for one who is praying in congregation)

(viii) Saying the tasbeeh when bowing more than once, such as a second or third time or more

(ix) Saying the tasbeeh in prostration more than once

(x) Saying “Rabb ighfir li (Lord forgive me)” more than once between the two prostrations

(xi) Sending prayers upon the family of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in the last tashahhud and sending blessings upon him and upon them, and saying du’aa’ after that.

Pillars of Islam

What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?

The Five Pillars of Islam are the framework of the Muslim life.  They are the testimony of faith, prayer, giving zakat (support of the needy), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage to Makkah once in a lifetime for those who are able.

1) The Testimony of Faith:

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.”  This saying means “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.”  The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.  This testimony of faith is called the Shahada, a simple formula which should be said with conviction in order to convert to Islam (as explained previously on this page).  The testimony of faith is the most important pillar of Islam.

2) Prayer:

Muslims perform five prayers a day.  Each prayer does not take more than a few minutes to perform.  Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God.  There are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper.

In prayer, a person feels inner happiness, peace, and comfort, and that God is pleased with him or her.  The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: {Bilal, call (the people) to prayer, let us be comforted by it.}  Bilal was one of Muhammad’s (pbuh) companions who was charged to call the people to prayers.

Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.  A Muslim may pray almost anywhere, such as in fields, offices, factories, or universities.

3) Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy):

All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust.

The original meaning of the word zakat is both ‘purification’ and ‘growth.’  Giving zakatmeans ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.’  The percentage which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar year is two and a half percent.  Our possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need, and, like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.

A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity.

4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

Every year in the month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.

Although the fast is beneficial to health, it is regarded principally as a method of spiritual self-purification.  By cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for a short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry, as well as growth in his or her spiritual life.

5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:

The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.  About two million people go to Makkah each year from every corner of the globe.  Although Makkah is always filled with visitors, the annual Hajj is performed in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar.  Male pilgrims wear special simple clothes which strip away distinctions of class and culture so that all stand equal before God.

The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water.  Then the pilgrims stand together in Arafa and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

The end of the Hajj is marked by a festival, Eid Al-Adha, which is celebrated with prayers.  This, and Eid al-Fitr, a feast-day commemorating the end of Ramadan, are the two annual festivals of the Muslim calendar.

Perfect Wudhu, Perfect Solat

Before performing our fard prayer, we must first clean ourselves with by taking wudhu. A muslims prepares himself for worshipping spiritually and bodily when he makes wudhu.

Video on how to take wudhu



Wudhu is important in term of health because it cleans the organs that are exposed to dirtiness and that are always in contact with things outside like hands, face, mouth, head and feet. The ways through which microbes could penetrate the body are cleaned at least five times a day. Thanks to wudhu; many deseases are prevented; the nervous system and the circulatory system of the body become more regular.

A Muslim who makes wudhu is purified and cleaned from both material and spiritual impurities. His sins are washed away as he washes an organ; it is stated that each organ of wudhu will shine brightly on the Day of Resurection.

Some hadiths that are related to the virtues of making wudhu:

1. The Prophet 9pbuh) stated the following:"When a muslim who makes wudhu rinses his mouth and nose, the sins committed by his mouth and nose are washed away. when he washed away from his face and even between his two eyelids. when he wipes his head, his sins are washed away from his head to his ears. when he washed his feet, the sins committed by his feet are washed away from his feet and even through his nails. thus, that person is purified from his sins and his faults." [Ibn Majah, Taharah, 6; Taharah, 32: Nasai, Taharah, 108]
2. Abu Hurayra (ra) narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said,
   "Listen to me carefully! Shall I informed you about the deeds through which Allah eliminates mistakes and elevated your ranks? To make wudhu fully and properly despite difficulties, to go to the mosque from a distant place and to wait for the next prayer after a prayer." [Nasai, taharah, 107]
3. Umar bin Khattab (ra) narrates: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said,
   If a person makes wudhu nicely without leaving any dry place on his wudhu organs and says, 'Ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh ( I bear witness that there is no God but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.), eight gates of Paradise are opened for him. He can enter Paradise through whichever gate he wishes." [Nasai, Taharah, 109]

STEPS TO TAKE WUDHU

For better images guide, go to: http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-Wudu

1. The first organ that is fard to wash is the face
2. After the face, the arms are washed, from the tip of the fingers to the elbow
3. The third fard of wudhu is to wipe the head
4. The last fard of wudhu is to wash the feet, in between fingers to the ankle



Tayyamum

In Arabic, the word Tayammum literally means an 'aim' or 'purpose.' In Islamic Law, it refers to: 'Aiming for or seeking soil to wipe one's face and hands with the intention of purification and preparing oneself to pray, and so on."

This act of ritual cleansing is proven by the Quran, Sunnah (prophetic tradition) and Ijmaa' (consensus of Muslim scholars). The Quran says (what means):

 "…And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [i.e., had sexual intercourse] and find no water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and your hands [with it]. Indeed, Allah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving." [Quran 4:43]

 From the Sunnah, we have the Hadeeth (prophetic statement) related by Abu Umaamah, may Allah be pleased with him, in which the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

 "All of the earth has been made a pure place of prayer for me and my nation. Whenever a person from my nation wants to pray, he has something with which to purify himself, that is, the earth." [Ahmad]

 Finally, there is a consensus that Tayammum forms a legitimate part of the Sharee'ah (Islamic Law), as it replaces ablution with water or Ghusl (ritual bathing), under specific circumstances.

  

 

A Blessing from Allah

 This form of ablution is viewed as a blessing from Allah to the Muslims. Jaabir, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

 "I have been given five things that were not given to anyone before me: I have been made victorious due to fear of a distance of one month's journey; the earth has been made a place of prayer for me and a source of purification - wherever and whenever any member of my nation wants to pray, he may pray; and the war booty has been made lawful to me, and this was not lawful to anyone before me. I have been given permission to intercede. Prophets before me used to be sent to their own people only, but I have been sent to all of mankind." [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

  

     

When to Make Tayammum

  

 One is permitted to make Tayammum in any of the following cases:

1. If one cannot find water or the amount one finds is insufficient for ablution
2. If one is injured or ill
3. If water is cold enough to physically harm the user
4. If water is nearby, but one cannot fetch it due to fear
5. If one is saving his water for later use
6. If one can get water, but fears that the prayer will be over by the time he gets it

Know More: Talk on Solat for travelling

The basic principle is that the traveller who is actually travelling is the one who is granted a concession allowing him to shorten the four-rak’ah prayers.
Allah subhanahu wata`ala says:

“And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten As-Salah (the prayer)”

 [Al-Nisa’, 4:101]

And Ya’la ibn Umayyah (radiallahu’anhu) said: I said to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiallahu`anhu):

 “ ‘And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten As-Salah (the prayer) if you fear that the disbelievers may put you in trial (attack you),’” ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab said: I wondered the same thing as you, and I asked the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam ) about it, and he said: “It is a charity that Allah has bestowed upon you, so accept His charity.”

 [Narrated by Muslim]
 If a traveller unspecific, stays in a place awaiting something to be fulfilled or resolved, he still may shorten his prayer, for he is considered a traveller.

Jama': Combining fard

Jama’ is combining Zuhr with Asr salat (Jama’ Taqdim) and Maghrib with Isya’ salat (Jama’ Ta’khir). It is not applicable to Fajr. A Musafir is allowed to Jama’ his or her salat regardless of whether he or she is on the move or during a stopover, and combine it with Qasar.

Rules for Jama’ Taqdim:

1. Performed within Zuhr (or Maghrib) time frame.
2. Must perform the earlier salat first (Zuhr or Maghrib).
3. Niyyat for Jama’ must be done during Takbiratul Ihram for the earlier salat.
4. The two jama’ salat must be performed one after the other.
5. Must remain a musafir throughout prayer.

EXAMPLE OF NIYYAT FOR JAMA’ TAQDIM:

‘I intend to pray fard Zuhr two raka’at Qasar and Jama’ with fard Asr for Allah Ta’ala.’

After completing the first salat, perform immediately the second salat with the niyyat (example):

‘I intend to pray fard Asr two raka’at Qasar for Allah Ta’ala.’

Rules for Jama’ Ta’khir:

1. Performed within Asr (or Isya’) time frame.
2. Niyyat within the heart during Zuhr (or Maghrib) time frame that the salat will be performed during Asr (or Isya’) time frame.
3. Must perform the earlier salat first (Zuhr or Maghrib).
   1. Niyyat for Jama’ Takhir during Takbiratul Ihram for the earlier salat.
   2. Must remain in musafir mode throughout prayer.

EXAMPLE OF NIYYAT FOR JAMA’ TA’KHIR:

‘I intend to pray fard Zuhr two raka’at Qasar and Jama’ with fard Asr for Allah Ta’ala.’

After completing the first salat, perform the second salat with the niyyat (example):

‘I intend to pray fard Asr two raka’at Qasar for Allah Ta’ala.’

Qasar: Shortening fard

Qasar is shortening fard (compulsory) salat of four raka’at, namely Zuhr, Asr and Isya’, into two raka’at. It is not applicable to Maghrib and Fajr. A Musafir is allowed to Qasar his or her salat regardless of whether or not he or she encounters any difficulty while travelling.

RULES FOR QASAR PRAYER:

1. Involves only fard salat of four raka’at (namely Zuhr, Asr and Isya’).
2. Fard Maghrib has to be done in full
3. Journey must be at least two marhalah or 89km.
4. Niyyat (intention) for travel must be a virtuous one.
5. Certain of one’s destination.
6. Salat not led by a local resident (Tamam).
7. Niyyat for Qasar must be done during Takbiratul Ihram.
8. Remain a musafir throughout salat.

EXAMPLE OF NIYYAT FOR QASAR:

'I intend to pray fard Zuhr two raka'at Qasar for Allah Ta'ala.'