بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

SALAAT is a special type of prayer that has been taught by Allah and the holy prophet Muhammad ( صلي الله عليه وسلم ).

Eight conditions are to be observed before one performs Salaat. without them Salaat cannot be performed. These eight conditions are called SHARI'AH.

CONDITIONS FOR SALAAT ( Shari’ah)

Eight conditions that must be observed before one performs SALAAT:

1. To make Wudhu

2. To make Ghusl if necessary.

3. TAHAARAH (cleanliness) of body and dress.

4. TAHAARAH (cleanliness) of place.

5. Facing towards the QIBLAH.

6. Covering of SATR (private parts).

7. NIYYAH (intention) for Salaat.

8. The time for saying Salaat.

Note: MALE’s SATR is from the navel to the knees (including knees), and a FEMALE’s SATR is her entire body except her face and hands to the wrist.

TAHAARAH (Cleanliness) means one’s body should be free from all NAJAASAT (filth and impurities).

There are two types of NAJAASAT: One HAQEEQI the other HUKMI.

NAJAASAT HAQEEQI is that NAJAASAT which can be seen (external impurity) e.g. urine, blood, stool and wine.

NAJAASAT HUKMI is that NAJAASAT (impurity and filth) that could not be seen. e.g. (a) HADAS (b) JANAABAH.

HADAS: To be without WUDHU.

JANAABAH: State of a person on whom GHUSL ( Bath) has become COMPULSORY.

• It is necessary that one's body should be free from both types of NAJAASAT before performing SALAAT.

• One should face towards the holy KA'BAH when performing Salaat.

• We are ordered to face KA'BAH because the holy KA'BAH is the house of Allah which is in the city of Mecca. One must always keep his chest towards the holy KA'BAH while performing Salaat.

• The direction of the holy KA'BAH is called the QIBLAH.

• Salaat is compulsory five times daily.

SALAAT CHART

Times of Salaat

VARY ACCORDING TO SEASON

FAJR

Q: Up to what time can a person make the FAJR Salaat?

A: From SUBHA SADIQ (early dawn) up to a little before sunrise.

Zuhr

Q: When does the time of ZUHR begin and when does it end?

A: From after ZAWAAL (past noon) up to the time that the shadow of any object becomes twice the length of the object plus the original shadow that was there at mid-day (Zawaal)

Asr

Q: When does the time for ASR begin and when does it end?

A: It begins when ZUHR time finishes and ends at a little before sunset. To delay the ASR Salaat until the colour of the sun has turned pale (yellow) is MAKROOH.

Maghrib

Q: What is the time For MAGHRIB Salaat?

A: From sunset up to the time the redness fades on the horizon

Esha

Q: When does ESHA time begin?

A: ESHA time begins after the redness on the horizon disappears (about an hour and half after sunset) and lasts up to a little before SUBHA SADIQ. (dawn) it is MUSTAHAB to read ESHA Salaat before one third of the night has passed and it is MAKROOH to delay Esha Salaat after midnight.

Farz ( Compulsory in Salaat)

There are six FARZ in Salaat

1. TAKBEER TAHREEMAH; اَللهُ اكْبَرُ .

2. QIYAAM (standing) position.

3. QIRAAT (recitation of at least three Aayaat or one long Aayat of the Holy QUR'AN).

4. RUKU' (to bow down).

5. Both the SAJDAH (to prostrate).

6. QA'DAH AKHEERAH (to sit so long at the end of the last RAK'AT that one can read the TASHAHHUD.

Waajib ( Necessary in Salaat)

Q: What is meant by the WAAJIBAAT-us-SALAAT?

A: WAAJIBAAT are those items that are necessary to complete the Salaat. If one misses any of them unknowingly, this mistake can be recompensated by performing SAJDAH SAHW (Sajdah done for mistakes made unknowingly).

• If one does not perform SAJDAH SAHW or if one misses a WAAJIB knowingly, it is necessary to perform that Salaat all over again.

There are fourteen WAAJIBAAT in Salaat.

1. Fixing the first two Rak'aat of the FARZ Salaat for QIRAAT.

2. Reading SURATUL-FATIHAH in all the rak'aat of every Salaat except in the third and fourth RAK'AT of FARZ Salaat.

3. To recite a Surah or a lengthy Aayat or three small Aayaat after SURATUL-FATIHAH in the first two RAK'AAT of FARZ Salaat and in all the Rak'aat of Waajib, Sunnah and Nafil Salaat.

4. To read SURATUL-FATIHAH before any other Surah or Aayat.

5. To maintain order between QIRAAT, RUKU', SAJDAH and RAK'AAT.

6. QAUMA (standing up erect after RUKU').

7. JALSAH (sitting between the two SAJDAHS).

8. TA'DEEL-UL-ARKAAN, i.e., performing RUKU', SAJDAH, etc., with contentment and in a good way.

9. QA'DAH OOLA or sitting to the extent of saying TASHAHHUD after two rak'aat in Salaat of three or four rak'aat.

10. To read TASHAHHUD in the two QA’DAHS.

11. To recite QIRAAT aloud in Fajr, Maghrib, Esha, Friday, Eid, and Taraawih prayers in Ramazaan by the Imaam. The Imaam should recite Zuhr and Asr Salaat silently.

12. To end the Salaat by saying salaam.

13. To say TAKBEER (Allahu-Akbar) for QUNOOT in Witr Salaat and also recite DUA-AL-QUNOOT.

14. To say additional TAKBEERS in both Eid Salaat.

SUNNAHs in Salaat

(Acts Sunnah in Salaat)

Q: What is meant by SUNNAHS in Salaat?

A: Things which have been proved to have been done in Salaat by the holy prophet ( r) but not so much stress has been laid upon them as is laid on things FARZ and WAAJIB are called SUNNAH. If any of these things are missed unknowingly, it does not invalidate Salaat and there is no SAJDAH SAHW Waajib. If these are missed knowingly, Salaat does not invalidate and no SAJDAH SAHW becomes necessary but it brings condemnation to the doer.

There are 21 SUNNAHs in Salaat

1. To raise hands up to the ears before saying TAKBEER TAHREEMAH.

2. While raising hands for TAKBEER, keep the fingers of the both hands raised and facing towards QIBLAH.

3. Not to bend the head when saying TAKBEER.

4. Saying TAKBEER TAHREEMAH and other TAKBEERS ALOUD by the imam according to the need, then going from one RUKU' to the other.

5. To fold the right hand around the left hand below the navel.

6. Saying THANA.

7. To recite TA'AWWUZ.

8. To recite the complete BISMILLAH.

9. To recite only SURATUL-FATIHAH in the third and fourth RAK'AT of FARZ Salaat.

10. To say AAMEEN.

11. To recite THANA, TA'AWWUZ and AAMEEN silently.

12. To recite as much QIRAAT as is SUNNAH for every Salaat.

13. To say TASBEEH at least three times each in RUKU' and SAJDAH.

14. To keep the back and head in the same level While holding knees with the fingers of both the hands in RUKU'.

15. Saying by imam, “sami Allahu liman hamidah” in QUAMA followed by “Rabbana lakal hamd” by the MUQTADI. The MUNFARID should say TASMI' and TAHMEED both.

16. While going into SAJDAH, first place knees, then hands, then the forehead on the ground.

17. In QA'DAH or JALSAH, lying left foot on the ground horizontally and sitting upon it and putting the right foot vertically so that it’s toes are towards QIBLAH and putting both hands on thighs.

18. To raise the right hand’s first finger as one says “ashhadu allaa ilaa-ha” in TASHAHHUD.

19. To recite DUROOD in QA'DAH AKHEERAH after TASHAHHUD.

20. To read DUA after DUROOD.

21. To turn the face for salaam towards the RIGHT first and then to the LEFT.

Mustahabbaat-us-Salaat

(Preferable in Salaat)

There are 5 mustahabs

1. To pull the palms out of the sleeves while saying TAKBEER TAHREEMAH.

2. Saying TASBEEH more than three times in RUKU' and SAJDAH by MUNFARID.

3. To keep the eyes towards the place of SAJDAH in QIYAAM, at the back of feet in RUKU', towards the lap in QA'DAH and JALSAH, and at shoulders while turning face for salaam.

4. To try best not to cough.

5. To try and keep the mouth shut when yawning, but if it is opened, to cover it by the upper portion of the right hand in QIYAAM and by the left hand in all other postures.

Makruhaat-us-Salaat

Acts disliked in Salaat

Doing of a MAKROOH act in Salaat causes the full blessing of Salaat to be lost although the Salaat will not have to be repeated.

Some MAKROOH acts in Salaat are:-

1. Saying SALAAT bare-headed, due to laziness or carelessness, and to expose the arms above the elbows.

2. Playing with clothes or with the body.

3. Saying Salaat in clothes in which people do not ordinarily like to go out.

4. To prevent the soiling of clothes by cleaning with hands.

5. Saying Salaat when one has the urge to urinate or pass stools.

6. To crack one’s fingers or put fingers into the fingers of the other hand.

7. Turning the face away from QIBLAH and looking around.

8. It is MAKROOH for men to rest both the arms and wrists on the ground in SAJDAH.

9. Saying Salaat when another person facing him sits ahead.

10. Yawning intentionally and not preventing it if one can do so.

11. Closing the eyes, but if it is done to concentrate in the Salaat, it is allowed.

12. Standing alone behind a row when there is still a vacant place in the front row.

13. Saying Salaat in clothes with pictures of living objects.

14. Saying Salaat at a place where there is a picture of a living (animate) object above or on the right or left side of the SALAATI or on the place where he Makes SAJDAH.

15. To count AAYAAT, SURAHS or TASBEEHS on fingers in Salaat.

16. Saying Salaat with sheet or clothes wrapped on the body in such a way that it makes difficult to free the hands quickly.

17. To yawn and stretch arms to remove laziness.

18. Doing something against SUNNAH in Salaat.

Mufsidaat-us-SALAAT

(Breakers of SALAAT)

MUFSIDAAT-US-SALAAT are factors which nullify the prayers (Salaat) and make it necessary to be repeated.

The following are some of the MUFSIDAAT.

1. To TALK in Salaat, knowingly, or unknowingly, a few words or many will nullify the Salaat.

2. To greet a person by ASSALAMU-ALAIKUM or by any other method while saying Salaat.

3. To reply to greetings or saying YARHAMUKALLAH to one who sneezes. Saying AAMEEN to a DUA not connected with his own Salaat.

4. To say "Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilaihi Raaji'oon" on some sad news or "Alhamdu-Lilhaah" or "Subhaan-Allah" on hearing some good or strange news.

5. To make noise or say O! Or AAH! Due to pain etc.

6. Reminding and prompting a person other then his own Imaam in his QIRAAT.

7. To recite QUR'AN by looking at the text.

8. To do such an act which gives the impression to on-lockers that he is doing something else, rather than saying Salaat. This is called. AMAL-UL-KATHEER.

9. Eating or drinking knowingly or unknowingly.

10. To turn the chest away from the QIBLAH without an excuse.

11. Doing SAJDAH at a NAJIS place.

12. Delay in covering the hidden portions, when uncovered, to the extent of doing one RUKU' in Salaat.

13. Utterances in pain or trouble.

14. An adult’s laughing ALOUD.

15. To step ahead of Imaam during the Salaat.

16. Making some GREAT ERROR in the QIRAAT of Holy QUR'AN.

It is PERMISSIBLE to BREAK one’s Salaat in the FOLLOWING CASES:

1. When there is an urge to pass urine or stool.

2. When a snake, scorpion or some other harmful creature or animal makes it’s appearance.

3. When one fears that a train on which he is to travel would depart and thus cause great inconvenience.

4. When one fears that a thief would get away with his shoes or any other property.

It is WAAJIB to break one’s Salaat in order to answer a parent or a grandparent Who has called out in distress. Nevertheless it is not necessary when someone is around to assist.

It is FARZ to break one’s Salaat when it is feared that blind person would fall into a pit or a well if he is not stopped. It is FARZ to break one’s Salaat when some person has caught on fire and requires assistance.

Salaat with JAMAA'AT and imamat

JAMAA'AT is the performing of Salaat by many persons together in which the IMAAM (leader) conducts the Salaat and those following him are called MUQTADI.

To perform The five daily Salaat with JAMAA'AT is WAAJIB and to neglect the JAMAA'AT is very sinful.

Performing Salaat has many benefits e.g.,

1. The THAWAAB (blessing) of performing Salaat with JAMAA'AT in the mosque is twenty seven times greater than performing Salaat alone.

2. Muslims meet five times a day and this creates love and unity.

3. The prayers of the sinful become more acceptable by the joining and praying with other pious persons etc.

• It is not WAAJIB upon women, children sick persons those nursing the sick, very old persons, and the blind to attend the JAMAA'AT.

Reasons when a person is EXCUSED from attending the JAMAA'AT In a Mosque

1. Heavy rains

2. Dirty and muddy roads

3. Very cold weather.

4. Stormy sight.

5. When a person is a MUSAAFIR and the time for departure of train, plane or ship is near.

6. When one is in need to visit the toilet.

7. When one is very hungry and food is being served.

A JAMAA'AT consists of at least two persons one Imaam and the other MUQTADI. The MUQTADI should stand at the right of the Imaam in Such a manner that the toes of the MUQTADI should be parallel to the ankle of the Imaam. If there are two or more MUQTADEES the Imaam should stand ahead in front and the MUQTADEES behind.

The MANNER in which people should STAND in JAMAA'AT

The MUQTADEES should stand close to each other and in a STRAIGHT ROW. No space should be left in between. Children should stand in the back row. It is MAKROOH to include children in the men's row. If there are women then they should stand behind the children's row and girls should stand behind the women.

If the imam’s Salaat becomes FASID (void) then the MUQTADEES Salaat will also become FASID. (void) it will be necessary for the MUQTADEES to repeat the Salaat.

Who DESERVES to be an IMAAM

• That person who knows the MASAA'IL (rules) of Salaat well provided he is not a FASIQ (an open sinner).

• Then a person who can recite the holy QUR'AN well.

• Then a person who is pious.

• Then the oldest person.

• Then the good mannered and kind. But if there is a fixed Imaam in a mosque, then he will still deserve the honour to be the Imaam.

It is MAKROOH to make a FASIQ (an open sinner) an ignorant person or one who indulges in BID'AT or one who is not very careful in observing the rules of SHARI'AH, an Imaam.

Person whose IMAAMAT is NOT Accepted

Salaat of any person will no be accepted if the Imaam is

1. Mad.

2. Drunk.

3. KAAFIR (disbeliever).

4. MUSHRIK.

5. If the Imaam is not BALIGH (reached the age of puberty) then the grown up persons Salaat will not be accepted.

6. If the Imaam is a woman, men’s Salaat will not be accepted.

Masbooq

• A person Who has missed one or more RAK’AAT and then joins the Imaam is called MASBOOQ.

• A person who has joined the JAMAA'AT after the Imaam has made the RUKU', this will be counted as a complete RAK'AT but once the Imaam has completed the RUKU' and then the MUQTADI joined the JAMAA'AT in this case the MUQTADI has missed one RAK'AT.

• A person who has missed any RAK'AT and then joined the JAMAA'AT, he should continue to say the Salaat with the Imaam till the end, when the Imaam turns to say the second SALAAM, the MASBOOQ should stand up and complete the missed number of RAK'AT.

• If the MASBOOQ has missed only one RAK'AT, he should stand up, read the THANA, TA'AWWUZ, TASMIAH, SURATUL-FATIHAH and another SURAH and there after complete the Salaat.

• If the MASBOOQ has missed two RAK'AAT in FAJR, ZUHR, ASR or ESHA, he should complete both the RAK'AAT by reciting SURATUL-FATIHAH and another SURAH in both the RAK'AAT.

• If three RAK'AAT were missed in ZUHR, ASR or ESHA, the MASBOOQ should stand up and read SURATUL-FATIHAH and a SURAH in The first RAK'AT, thereafter make RUKU' and SAJDAH but before standing for the second RAK'AT make QA'DAH (sit down) read TASHAHHUD and then stand up for the second RAK'AT.

• In the second RAK'AT recite SURATUL-FATIHAH and add another SURAH, complete the second RAK'AT and without sitting for TASHAHHUD standup for the third RAK'AT. In the third RAK'AT read only SURATUL-FATIHAH and complete the Salaat.

• If a person has missed all the RAK'AAT of any Salaat, then he must repeat the whole Salaat after the Imaam has Said the salaam except that he should not raise his hands to say ALLAHU-AKBAR (TAKBEER) in the first RAK'AT.

• If a person has missed two RAK'AAT in MAGHRIB Salaat, after completing the first RAK'AT, make QA'DAH read TASHAHHUD and stand up for the second RAK'AT. After reciting SURATUL-FATIHAH and another SURAH, complete the Salaat.

• Note: For a person who joins the JAMAA'AT when the Imaam is in RUKU', it is FARZ to stand and recite TAKBEER TAHREEMAH and there after to stand at least for the duration long enough in which SUBHAN-ALLAH could be recited once and then go into RUKU'.

• Reciting TAKBEER and going into RUKU' without pause is not permissible. The Salaat performed in such a way will not be valid an should be REPEATED.

• One should not join the JAMAA'AT as soon as the Imaam recites the first salaam to complete the Salaat.

• Note: A person should not run in the mosque to join the JAMAA'AT if he is afraid of missing any RAK'AT. It is not proper to run in the mosque.

The QAZAa Salaat

• Any Salaat performed in its time is called ADAA.

• FARZ and WAAJIB Salaat performed after its time has expired will be called QAZAA.

E.g., If ASR Salaat is performed at MAGHRIB time, it will be QAZAA.

• To delay any FARZ, WAAJIB or SUNNAH MUAKKIDAH Salaat intentionally and cause them to become QAZAA is very sin full.

• It is compulsory upon every Muslim to perform the missed number of FARZ and WAAJIB Salaat since the time one has become BALIGH (reached the age of puberty).

• If a person has missed less than six SALAATS and no other Salaat besides these are QAZAA, then before beginning the performance of the sixth Salaat in its time, QAZAA of the missed number of Salaat will have to be performed in order. E.g. if a person has missed the FAJR, ZUHR and ASR Salaat and no other Salaat besides these are QAZAA and the time of MAGHRIB has begun, in this case first the FAJR, ZUHR and ASR must be performed in order and there after the MAGHRIB Salaat must be performed.

• If there is fear that by performing the QAZAA (missed) Salaat, the time for the ADAA Salaat will expire, then the ADAA Salaat must be performed first.

• For a person who has missed more then FIVE Salaat, it is not necessary upon him to perform the QAZAA Salaat in ORDER.

• He may perform the ADAA Salaat first and then the QAZAA Salaat.

• When making the NIYYAH for QAZAA, it is necessary to make NIYYAH for the particular Salaat missed.

• If one has missed a number of Salaat, then one should make NIYYAH (intention) thus:

• I am performing such and such days FAJR or ZUHR.

• If a person has missed more then one FAJR or ZUHR, it will not be sufficient to say:

• “I am performing QAZAA for FAJR or ZUHR”

• But one should say that:

• "I am performing such and such days FAJR or ZUHR Salaat".

• If one has missed, so many FARZ Salaat that one does not remember the exact number of days when the Salaat was missed, then the NIYYAH should be made as follows:

• “O Allah! I am performing the first FAJR or the first ZUHR FARZ from those which I have missed”.

• Continue doing this until satisfied that all the missed number of Salaat are performed.

The MUSAAFIR's ( Traveler's) Salaat

• In SHARI'AH a person who intends to travel a Distance of ( 48 miles) 77 km. Or more is called a MUSAAFIR.

• A person who travels 77 km. Or more and intends to remain at the destination for 15 days or more will only be a MUSAAFIR until one has reached the destination after leaving one’s town.

• A MUSAAFIR should make QASR of the ZUHR, ASR and ESHA (FARZ only), i.e., one must perform two RAK'AAT FARZ only instead of four RAK'AAT.

• There is no QASR in the FAJR and MAGHRIB Farz, WITR, SUNNAH or NAFIL Salaat.

• A MUSAAFIR who performs his Salaat behind a MUQEEM Imaam, (who Is not a MUSAAFIR) should perform the full four RAK'AAT in the ZUHR, ASR and ESHA Farz.

• If the Imaam is a MUSAAFIR and the MUQTADI a MUQEEM, the MUSAAFIR Imaam should complete his Salaat after two RAK'AAT and there after he must ask the MUQEEM MUQTADEES to complete their Salaat by saying “Complete your Salaat, I am a MUSAAFIR”. The MUQEEM MUQTADEES should then stand up and complete the remaining two RAK'AAT without reciting SURATUL-FATIHAH or any other SURAHS.