The Pillars of The Prayer (1/2)

The pillars of the prayer are fourteen:

 (1) Standing, if one has the ability to do so;

 (2) The opening Takbeer;

 (3) Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah;

 (4) Bowing;

 (5) Rising from Bowing;

 (6) Prostrating on all seven limbs; {Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “I have been ordered to prostrate on seven limbs: on the forehead – and he pointed to his nose – the (palms of the) hands, the knees and the toes of the feet.” [Reported by Al Bukhari and Muslim]}

 (7) Erecting oneself from it;

 (8) Sitting between the two prostrations;

 (9) Remaining tranquil (i.e. not rushing) during all of these pillars;

 (10) Maintaining the same sequence;

 (11) The Final Tashahhud;

 (12) Sitting for it;

 (13) Sending Salaat on the Prophet; and

 (14) The (final) two Tasleems.

The First Pillar: Standing if one is able to do so. The proof for this is Allah’s statement:

 “Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle one. And stand before Allah with full submission.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 238]

The Second Pillar: The Opening Takbeer. The proof for this is the hadeeth: “Its opening {Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahreem”, which has been translated as opening, but which more specifically means that which makes something forbidden.

This is since with the opening Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become forbidden, as one is now in prayer.} is the Takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) and its closing {Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahleel”, which has been translated as closing, but which more specifically means to make something permissible. This is since with the closing Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become permitted again, as one is now out of prayer.} is the Tasleem (Saying As-Salaam ‘Alaikum).” [Reported by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee, Ahmad and Al-Bazaar]

After this occurs the opening supplication, which is supererogatory, and goes: “Subhaanak Allahumma wa Bi-Hamdika. Wa Tabaarakasmaka wa Ta’aala Jadduka. Wa Laa Ilaaha Ghayruka.” (Free from imperfections are You, O Allah, and all praise is Yours. Blessed is Your Name and there is no deity worthy of worship besides You.)

The meaning of “Subhaanak Allahumma” is: I absolve You from all imperfections in a manner that befits Your majesty. “Wa Bi-Hamdika” i.e. while praising You. “Wa Tabaarakasmaka” i.e. blessing can be attained by mentioning You. “wa Ta’aala Jadduka” i.e. Glorified be Your Greatness. “Wa Laa Ilaaha Ghayruk” i.e. There is nothing that has the right to be worshipped on the earth or in the heaven except You, O Allah.

Then he says: “A’udhoo Billaahi min ash-Shaytaan-ir-Rajeem” (I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected devil), i.e. “A’udhoo” means I seek refuge and recourse in You and rely on You, O Allah. “Min ash-Shaytaan-ir-Rajeem” means the outcast, the one who is far removed from Allah’s mercy. He cannot harm me in my religion or in my worldly affairs.             

The Third Pillar: Then there occurs the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah, which is a pillar, in every rak’ah (unit), as occurs in the hadeeth: “There is no prayer for the one who doesn’t recite the opening (chapter) of the Book.” It is the foundation of the Qur’an.

 “Bismillaah-ir-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem” (In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, Bestower of Mercy) is a request for blessing and assistance.

 “Al-Hamdulillaah” (All praise is for Allah): “Hamd” means praise. The definite article (Al) before Hamd is for including all the commendable acts He does. As for the good thing that one has no role in bringing about, such as beauty and so on, then praising that is called madah and not hamd.

 “Rabb-il-‘Aalameen” (Lord of all that is created): Rabb means the One who is worshipped, the Creator, the Sustainer, the King, the One who administers and brings up all of the creation through His favors. With regard to ‘Aalameen, everything that is apart from Allah then that is considered ‘Aalam. He is the Lord of everyone and everything. “Ar-Rahmaan” (The Most Merciful): means He grants a general mercy for all of the created beings.

 “Ar-Raheem” (The Bestower of Mercy): means He gives a specified mercy for just the believers. The proof for this is Allah’s statement:

 “And He is ever an All-Bestower of mercy to the believers.” [Surah Al Ahzaab: 43]

 “Maaliki-Yawm-id-Deen” (Master of the Day of Judgement): refers to the Day of Reward, Recompense and Accountability, the Day when everyone will be compensated for his deeds – if they are good, then there will be good (for him) and if they were evil, then there will be evil (for him). The proof for this is Allah’s statement:

 “And what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? Again, what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? (It will be) The Day when no person shall have power (to do anything) for another, and the decision that Day will be wholly with Allah.”  [Surah Al-Infitaar: 17-19]