Performance of The Salaat (2/2)

Necessary Duties (Wajibatu-Salaat)

 In addition to the above 14 pillars of the prayer, there are also certain necessary duties which need to be fulfilled in the course of the Salaat. These are as follows:

1. Saying "ALLAHU AKBAR" in the course of the prayer where it is necessary, e.g. upon commencing Ruku etc.

2. Saying "SUBHANA RABBIYAL AZIM" when in Ruku position.

3. Saying "SAMI ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH" while resuming standing position from the Ruku whether the person is an "Imam" (leader) or is praying alone.

4. Saying "RABBANA WALAKAL HAMD" when resuming the standing position from the Ruku after saying the words.

5. Saying "SUBHANA RABBIYAL AALA" when in Sujud (prostration) position.

6. Saying "RABBI IGHFIR LEE" in the sitting pause between the two prostration of every unit of the prayer.

7. Taking a sitting position for the recitation of At-Tashahhud after the first two rakaats (units) of Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers.

8. Reciting the At-Tashahhud (words of witness) after the first two rakaats (units) of Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers.

9. Saying "SAMI ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH". This is required from the Imam (leader), from the congregation and even from a person who is praying alone.

The above gestures/actions constitute the necessary duties of the prayer and if one of them is missed unintentionally, then the person is required to amend the mistake by coming up with the two prostration of forgetfulness at the end of the prayer. However, if any of these duties is left out deliberately, then the whole prayer is nullified and shall require a repetition.

Preferred Acts of the Salaat (Sunna-nu-Salaat)

In addition to the Pillars and Necessary duties already discussed, there are also certain preferred acts to be fulfilled in the course of the prayer. These areas are as follows:

- Reciting of an opening supplication (Du'a-al-Istiftaah) after the "Takbiratil- lhraam".

- Placing the hands over the chest while the person is in a standing position with the right hand placed over the left hand.

- Raising of both hands up to the level of the shoulders or near to the lobes of the ears when saying "Takbiratil-lhraam", - when heading for the Ruku; when resuming standing position from the Ruku and when resuming standing position from the first tashahhud.

- Seeking the protection of Allah from the cursed Satan (only at the start of the first rakaat) by saying: "Audhu billahi minas- shaytani-r-rajim" which means, "I seek Allah's refuge from the cursed Satan."

- Starting the prayer with the silent invocation of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) by saying:

"BISMILLAHI-R-RAHMANI-R-RAHEEM" which means, "In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful."

- Saying "Ameen" upon concluding the recitation of "Al-Fatihah".

- Reciting some chapters or verses of the Holy Qur'an after Al-Fatihah in the first two rakaats (units) of each prayer.

- A preference that the recitation of Al-Fatihah and of any other additional readings from the Holy Qur'an are recited in a loud voice in the first two rakaats of Fajr, Maghrib and Isha prayers.

- A preference that when sitting for the first At-Tashahud and in between the two prostration, the person rests on his left foot flattened on the ground while keeping the right foot erect with the bottom of the toes firmed on the ground.

- A preference to practice At- Tawaruk when sitting for the final At-Tashahud in the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. "At-Tawaruk" is a mode of sitting, wherein the person protrudes out his left foot from underneath his right leg, in such a way that the person does not relax on his left foot.

- Reciting the following supplication, when sitting for At-Tashahhud, in between the supplication for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the final words of peace:

- "Allahumma inii audhu bika min adhabi jahanama, wa min a dhabil qabr wamin fitnatil mahyaa wal-ma-mati, wamin fitnatil masihid-dajjaal" which means: "O Lord I seek your protection from the torment of Jahanam (the hell fire), and from the torment of the grave, and from the trials of living and dying and from the trials of the Masih Addajjaal."

The above points are the preferred acts of the prayer and all Muslims are encouraged to preserve these practices because their observance entities the person great rewards from Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). However, missing any of them does neither invalidate the Salaat nor require the two prostration of forgetfulness.