A methodology to the beginners in rearing (Salah) (1)

1- Obligatory duties:

First, you have to fix the obligatory Salah by being keen to observe congregational Salah in masjid as it is obligatory on men unless there is an excuse for not doing so. I do not like here to mention the disagreement about this issue, but if you like, you may refer to the booklet entitled "Congregational Salah" of Sheikh `Abdullah As-Sabt and the booklet entitled "the obligation of offering Salah in congregation" of Sheikh Ibn Baz. As for women, offering Salah in homes is better for them.

Be keen to attend Takbirat-ul-Ihram (saying: "Allahu Akbar [Allah is the Greatest]" upon starting Prayer). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said in the narration of At-Tirmidhy and Al Albany graded it as authentic: "As for him who prayed for forty days purely for Allah's Sake beginning with "At-Takbiratul Oula" (the very first Takbir) he will get deliverance from two things: deliverance from the fire and deliverance from hypocrisy."

So, a Muslim should try to apply this Hadith and whenever you miss Takbirat-ul-Ihram start again.

* Be keen to perform ablution in your home as was reported in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who purifies (performs ablution) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for performing an obligatory Salah, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Paradise)."

* Be keen to reach the masjid early, for it is important in reforming the heart. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said as reported in Sahih Muslim: "He who performs the ablution perfectly (i.e., according to Sunnah), his sins will depart from his body, even from under his nails." Imam Muslim also reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever of you performs ablution carefully and then affirms: `Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluhu [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad ((peace be upon him) is His slave and Messenger],' the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him."

Going early to the masjid and waiting for Salah have great benefits, and I mentioned some of them in my book "`Awn Ar-Rahman Fi Wasa'il Istghlal Ramadan" in the tenth method, so refer to it for more information.

Pay attention, if you go to Salah without having any intention but to offer Salah, you shall get a great reward.

It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When one of you performs ablution perfectly then goes out to Masjid with the intention of Salah, his left-leg removes a sin and the other records down a good deed until he enters the Masjid."

* Ward off things that distract you, empty your heart, fell the sweetness of faith, and consider Salah the joy of your eye.

* Adhkar of Salah are important, so ponder over them, search about their meanings, understand what you are saying, and recall in your heart the meanings of your supplications.

* Ponder over the Ayahs that you recite, for it is more encouraging to the attentiveness of the heart, and make your recitation from the Surahs you memorize, and do not offer Salah with certain Surahs for each Salah.

* O Muslims, be keen to the matter of submission, and I advise you to obtain submission to read the booklet entitled "33 reasons for obtaining submission in Salah" written by Sheikh Al Munajjid and the booklet entitled "Al Khushu` Fi As-Salah Wa Hudur Al Qalb Fiha Wa `Ilaj Al Waswasah" written by Sheikh `Abdullah ibn `Abdur-Rahman Al Jibrin.

* Be keen to go frequently to Masjids for that has a great reward. It was reported in Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who goes to the mosque in the morning or in the evening, Allah prepares for him a place in Paradise whenever he goes to the mosque in the morning and returns from it in the evening."

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever performs ablution then goes to perform obligatory Salah to perform it with the imam, his sins shall be forgiven." [The Hadith is authentic, reported by Ibn Khuzaymah]. Imam Muslim reported on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who purifies (performs ablution) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for performing an obligatory Salah, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Paradise)." It was reported in Sahih Sunan At-Tirmidhy on the authority of Baridah Al Aslamy that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Convey glad tidings to those who walk to the mosque in the darkness. For they will be given full light on the Day of Resurrection." Abu Dawud reported on the authority of Abu Umamah (peace be upon him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone goes out from his house after performing ablution for performing the prescribed Salah in congregation (in the mosque), his reward will be like that of one who goes for Hajj."

2- Voluntary acts of worship:

Allah (Glory be to Him) said in the divine Hadith which was reported by Al Bukhari: "And the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him; and My slave keeps on coming closer to Me through performing Nawafil (praying or doing extra deeds besides what is obligatory) till I love him, so I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, and his sense of sight with which he sees, and his hand with which he grips, and his leg with which he walks; and if he asks Me, I will give him, and if he asks My protection (Refuge), I will protect him; (i.e. give him My Refuge)."

* Recall this Hadith with that understanding about voluntary acts of worship to gain the love of Allah and obtain what you asked for, and to protect you from things which you hate.

* Voluntary acts of worship are the mates of obligatory acts of worship. So, whoever neglects them is about to neglect obligatory duties, and whoever preserves them protects obligatory duties, so protect your obligatory acts of worship with voluntary ones.

* Voluntary acts of worship complete the missed obligatory duties as was reported by At-Tabarany that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever sends incomplete peace and blessings to me, part of his Tasbih (glorifying Allah) shall be added to them until they become complete."

So, complete the missed parts with many voluntary acts of worship and Allah shall complete the obligatory duties for you.

* Do not neglect the stressed Sunnah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "He who prays in a day and night twelve Rak`ahs, a house is built for him in paradise: four Rakahs before Zhuhr, two Rak`ahs after it, two Rak`ahs after Maghrib, two Rak`ahs after `Isha' and two Rak`ahs before Fajr on the morrow." [Reported by At-Tirmidhy and Ibn Majah, and Al Albany graded it as authentic].

* Supererogatory Salah: Do them as much as you can. Allah (Glory be to Him) said: "Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!" [Surat Al `Alaq: 19]. Whenever you prostrate to Allah frequently, your nearness to Allah increases. Imam Muslim reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "You should prostrate to Allah a great deal, for you will not perform one prostration to Allah, but Allah will raise you one degree in status thereby, and erase one sin for you." He also said: "No one prostrates to Allah but Allah will record one Hasanah (good deed) for him, and will erase thereby one bad deed and raise him in status one degree. So, prostrate a great deal." As was reported in Sahih Al Jami` As-Saghir and its addition.