Concentrating on and in Salat

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Concentrating on and in Salat

One of the most important pillars is salat which is obligatory on every Muslim as the Prophet (S) says in Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book of Salat (Book 2), Hadith 7:

Narrated By Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said:
Islam is based on (the following) five (principles):

1. To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allah's Apostle.
2. To offer the prayers dutifully and perfectly.
3. To pay Zakat. (i.e. obligatory charity)
4. To perform Hajj. (i.e. Pilgrimage to Mecca)
5. To observe fast during the month of Ramadan.

A similar message is given in Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book of Salat (Book 2), Hadith 24 and Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book of Salat (Book 2), Hadith 47 and in many other places.

However, most of the Muslims who offer salat offer it in a very disrespectful manner. They go to a mosque or stay in their homes and start saying their prayers. Many don't even know what they are reciting and infact they are thinking of everything other than what they should be.

The easiest way to ensure that you focus on your salat is to know the meaning of what you usually recite and while reciting it, make sure you ponder over it.

The translation of what most people usually recite is as follows.

Allah u Akbar
Allah is the greatest

Subhanaka Allah humma wa bihamdika, wa tabaraka ismuka, wa ta'ala jadduka, wa la ilaha ghairuk.
Praise and glory be to you O Allah. Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory. There is no God but You

Audu bi Allah i mina ashaitan i errajeem
I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned

Bismillah i rrahman i erraheem
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Al humdo lil-lahi rab-bil al ala-meen. Arrahman i rraheem.
Maliki yaum i eddeen. Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta een. Ihdinas sirata almustaqeem.
Siratal lazhina anamta alaihim, ghairil maghdubi alaihim, wa la adhdhaal leen.
Praise be to Allah, The Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee do we worship,
and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, Those whose (portion) is not wrath, And who go not astray

For the translation of other Surahs, click here.

Subhana rabbiya al azeem
Glorified is my Lord, the Great

Samiallah u liman hamidah
Allah listens to those who praise (Him)

Rabbana wa lakal hamd
All praise is to our Lord

Subhana rubbiyal a'ala
Glory to Allah, the Exalted.

Attahiyat u lil Allah i wa assalawat u wa attaiyibat.
Assalam u a'laika aiyoha annabiyyu wa rahmat u Allah i wa barakatuh.
Assalam u a'laina wa a'la ebadi e llahi essaliheen.
Ashehadu alla ilaha illa Allah u wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasooluh.
All our oral, physical and monetary ways of worship are only for Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O Prophet.
May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no God but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

Assalam u a'laikum wa rahmatu Allah.
Peace and mercy of Allah be on you.

In case of any mistake in translating, please inform me along with the suggested translation.