Prerequisites of Salah

For the Salah to be deemed valid and reward able, the following conditions must be fulfilled:

Ascertaining The Prescribed Time:

The Salah should be punctually observed within the time limit prescribed by Al-Qur’an and practiced by the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Allah says:

"Verily, Salah is enjoined on the believer at stated times." (Qur’an, Surah An-Nisa’, 4:103)

Thus, one may ascertain the time of a Salah either through al-Adhaan of a reputable Muadhdhin, by using a valid prayer timetable, or by any means through which the time may be correctly ascertained.

Tahaarah:

One has to clean oneself and one's garments and place of Salah of minor and major impurities. The body may be purified by: Istinjaa, Wuduu, or Tayammum for minor impurities. For major impurities, Ghusl should be performed, the details of which have been mentioned previously. The Prophet (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said:

"Allah will not accept prayer without cleanliness, nor will he accept charity from the stolen booty (before it is divided)." (Reported by Muslim)

The body should be purified when it comes in contact with what is, Islaamicly speaking, a defiling agent, such as urine, stool, semen, the menses and childbirth blood; all these should be cleaned by washing the soiled spot. The Prophet has been reported as saying:

"Refrain (O people) from urine because the majority of the grave punishment is from it." (Reported by Dar Qutnee)

As for the garment, when it is defiled with the above mentioned agents, it should be washed with water. Whereas, when the place of Salah is defiled it should be purified by pouring water onto the spot. In Hadeeth, once a person came to the Masjid of the Prophet (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and urinated in it; the people wanted to pounce on him, but the Prophet told them:

"Leave him and pour on his urine a bucketful of water." (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Covering One's Privacy:

The worshiper should be covered before performing Salah. Males should cover what is between the navel and the knees; for the females, all the body should be covered, except the face and the hands. Allahu ta'aala says:

"...That they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof..." (Qur’an, Surah An-Nur, 24:31)

Facing Al-Qiblah:

The Ulamaa has agreed that it is mandatory for the worshiper to face, during Salah, Al-Masjidul Haraam, The Sacred Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The masjid embodies Al-Ka'abah which is Al-Qiblah, the direction we face when we pray. The Ulamaa's agreement is in accordance with this verse in Al-Qur’an:

"Turn then thy face in the direction of the sacred Mosque…" (Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:144)

Al-Barraa (radhiyAllahu ‘anhu) has been reported as saying: We (the companions) prayed with the Prophet (SallAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) sixteen or seventeen months toward Baital Muqaddas, Jerusalem, then we were turned toward Al-Ka'abah in Mecca.

Thus, anyone who is in Al-Masjidul Haraam and can sight Al- Ka'abah, should directly face it. But, for anyone who is not in the vicinity of Al-Ka'abah, as is the case with most Muslims all over the world, the requirement is to face the direction of Al-Qiblah.

Ascertaining Al-Qiblah:

There are several ways to ascertain Al-Qiblah. Among them, Al- Mihraab, or Al-Mahaarib, the niches that are built into the masjid, and Al-Qiblah compasses circulated among the Muslims. However, one should be sure that these compasses are reliable and correctly show Al-Qiblah.

Facing Al-Qiblah is fareedah of Salah, the exception being:

An Nafl Salah: For anyone who is riding on a moving object, such as an animal, a vehicle, or an aircraft. One's Qiblah then, is wherever the object faces. When making Salah in this condition, one makes signs with his head for Rukuu'u and Sujuud. His Sujuud should be lower than his Rukuu'u.

Salah of the compelled, the sick and the fearful persons: If any of these persons cannot face Al-Qiblah because of their plight, they may face any direction.