Using Sahih Ahadith to find the method of Salat

Please Read the Following Article First:

Taqlid - Is It Permissible?

The primary source of Islamic law is the Holy Quran and the Sahih Ahadith. If a problem arises which is not mentioned in these sources, ijma (consensus) and qiyas (analogy) are to be used. The Quran says in Surah ale-Imran, Chapter 3, Verse no. 32:

Obey Allah and Obey the Messenger so that you may obtain mercy.

In the case of the method of salat, we, therefore, have to analyse how the Prophet (S) offered it. He (S) said in Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book of Adhan (Book 11), Hadith 604:

Narrated By Malik:
We came to the Prophet and stayed with him for twenty days and nights. We were all young and of about the same age. The Prophet was very kind and merciful. When he realized our longing for our families, he asked about our homes and the people there and we told him. Then he asked us to go back to our families and stay with them and teach them (the religion) and to order them to do good things. He also mentioned some other things which I have (remembered or) forgotten. The Prophet then added, "Pray as you have seen me praying and when it is the time for the prayer one of you should pronounce the Adhan and the oldest of you should lead the prayer.

From this again we come to know that we should analyse the method of prayer of the Prophet (S). Here are some ahadith concerning some actions in salat from Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book of Characteristics of Prayer (Book 12).

702
Narrated Salim bin Abdullah
My father said, "Allah's Apostle used to raise both his hands up to the level of his shoulders when opening the prayer; and on saying the Takbir for bowing. And on raising his head from bowing he used to do the same and then say 'Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida, Rabbana walaka-l-hamd.' And he did not do that (i.e. raising his hands) in prostrations."
703
Narrated Abdullah bin Umar
I saw that whenever Allah's Apostle stood for the prayer, he used to raise both his hands up to the shoulders, and used to do the same on saying the Takbir for bowing and on raising his head from it and used to say, "Sami a-l-lahu Liman hamida". But he did not do that (i.e. raising his hands) in prostrations.

707
Narrated Sahl bin Sad
The people were ordered to place the right hand on the left forearm in the prayer. Abu Hazim said, "I knew that the order was from the Prophet."

711
Narrated Abu Huraira
Allah's Apostle used to keep silent between the Takbir and the recitation of Qur'an and that interval of silence used to be a short one. I said to the Prophet "May my parents be sacrificed for you! What do you say in the pause between Takbir and recitation?" The Prophet said, "I say, 'Allahumma, ba'id baini wa baina khatayaya kama ba'adta baina-l-mashriqi wa-l-maghrib. Allahumma, naqqim min khatayaya kama yunaqqa-ththawbu-l-abyadu mina-ddanas. Allahumma, ighsil khatayaya bil-ma'i wa-th-thalji wal-barad (O Allah! Set me apart from my sins (faults) as the East and West are set apart from each other and clean me from sins as a white garment is cleaned of dirt (after thorough washing). O Allah! Wash off my sins with water, snow and hail.)"

713
Narrated Abu Mamar
We asked Khabbab whether Allah's Apostle used to recite (the Qur'an) in the Zuhr and the 'Asr prayers. He replied in the affirmative. We said, "How did you come to know about it?" He said, "By the movement of his beard."

723
Narrated Ubada bin As Samit
Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever does not recite Al-Fatiha in his prayer, his prayer is invalid."

747
Narrated Abu Huraira
The Prophet said, "Say 'Amin' when the Imam says it and if the Amin of any one of you coincides with that of the angels then all his past sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab said, "Allah's Apostle used to say 'Amin.' "

760
Narrated Aisha
The Prophet used to say in his bowing and prostrations, "Subhanaka-Allahumma Rabbana wa-bihamdika Allahumma-ighfirli. (I honor Allah from all what (unsuitable things) is ascribed to Him. O Allah Our Lord! And all the praises are for You. O Allah! Forgive me)."

767
Narrated Aiyub
Abu Qilaba said, "Malik bin Huwairith used to demonstrate to us the prayer of the Prophet at times other than that of the compulsory prayers. So (once) he stood up for prayer and performed a perfect Qiyam (standing and reciting from the Holy Qur'an) and then bowed and performed bowing perfectly; then he raised his head and stood straight for a while." Abu Qilaba added, "Malik bin Huwairith in that demonstration prayed like this Sheikh of ours, Abu Yazid." Abu Yazid used to sit (for a while) on raising his head from the second prostration before getting up.
786
Narrated Malik bin Huwairith Al Laithi
I saw the Prophet praying and in the odd Rakat, he used to sit for a moment before getting up.


773
Narrated Ibn Abbas
The Prophet was ordered (by Allah) to prostrate on seven parts and not to tuck up the clothes or hair (while praying). Those parts are: the forehead (along with the tip of nose), both hands, both knees, and (toes of) both feet.
785
Narrated Anas bin Malik
The Prophet said, "Be straight in the prostrations and none of you should put his forearms on the ground (in the prostration) like a dog."

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.

Descriptions of Rakahs of Salat (Prayers)

Descriptions of the Rakahs of Fajr, ZHuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha Prayers:
Fajr:
Before fard: 2 sunnah (mokadah)
2 fard
Qasr: remains same
Zhuhr:
4 sunnah (mokadah) before fard
4 fard
2 sunnah (mokadah), 2 nafls after fard
Qasr: 2 fard (can be joined with Asr to make 4)
Asr:
4 sunnah (ghair mokadah) before fard
4 fard
Qasr: 2 fard (can be joined with Asr to make 4)
Maghrib:
3 fard
2 sunnah (mokadah) and 2 nafls after fard
Qasr: 3 fard
Isha:
4 sunnah (mokadah) before fard
4 fard
2 sunnah (mokadah), 2 nafls, three witr (wajib), 2 nafls after fard
Qasr: 4 fard and 3 witr after fard

Does Salat Change Things?

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY
change anything?

Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you~ the problem isn't always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out

THOSE WHO DO NOT SAY THEIR PRAYERS OF :

FAJAR: the glow of their face is taken away.

ZOHAR: the blessing of their income is taken away.

ASAR: the strength of their body is taken away.

MAGHRIB: they are not benefited by their children.

ISHA: the peace of their sleep is taken away.

Pray Your Prayers on Time

He remembered his grandmother's warning about praying on time:

'My son, you shouldn't leave prayer to this late time'.

His grandmother's age was 70 but, whenever she heard the Azhan, she got up like an arrow and performed Salat. He however could never win over his ego to get up and pray. Whatever he did, his Salat was always the last to be offered and he prayed it quickly to get it in on time.

Thinking of this, he got up and realized that there were only 15 minutes left before Salat-ul Isha. He quickly made Wudhu and performed Salat-ul Maghrib. While making Tasbih, he again remembered his grandmother and was embarrassed by how he had prayed.

His grandmother prayed with such tranquillity and peace.

He began making Doa and went down to make Sajdah and stayed like that for a while. He had been at work all day and was tired, very tired. He awoke abruptly to the sound of noise and shouting.

He was sweating profusely. He looked around. It was very crowded. Every direction he looked in was filled with people.

Some stood frozen looking around, some were running left and right and some were on their knees with their heads in their hands just waiting.

Pure fear and apprehension filled him as he realized where he was. His heart was about to burst.

It was the Day of Judgment.

When he was alive, he had heard many things about the questioning on the Day of Judgment, but that seemed so long ago. Could this be something his mind made up? No, the wait and the fear were so great that he could not have imagined this.

The interrogation was still going on.

He began moving frantically from people to people to ask if his name had been called. No one could answer him. All of a sudden his name was called and the crowd split into two and made a passageway for him.

Two angels grabbed his arms and led him forward. He walked with unknowing eyes through the crowd. The angels brought him to the center and left him there.

His head was bent down and his whole life was passing in front of his eyes like a movie. He opened his eyes but saw only another world. The people were all helping others. He saw his father running from one lecture to the other, spending his wealth in the way of Islam. His mother invited guests to their house and one table was being set while the other was being cleared.

He pleaded his case, 'I too was always on this path. I helped others. I spread the word of Allah. I performed my Salat. I fasted in the month of Ramadhan.'

'Whatever Allah ordered us to do, I did.'

'Whatever he ordered us not to do, I did not.'

He began to cry and think about how much he loved Allah. He knew that whatever he had done in life would be less than what Allah deserved and his only protector was Allah He was sweating like never before and was shaking all over. His eyes were fixed on the scale, waiting for the final decision. At last, the decision was made.

The two angels with sheets of paper in their hands, turned to the crowd.

His legs felt like they were going to collapse. He closed his eyes as they began
To read the names of those people who were to enter Jahannam.

His name was read first.

He fell on his knees and yelled that this couldn't be, 'How could I go to Jahannam? I served others all my life, I spread the word of Allah to others.'
His eyes had become blurry and he was shaking with sweat.

The two angels took him by the arms.

As his feet dragged, they went through the crowd and advanced toward the blazing flames of Jahannam. He was yelling and wondered if there was any person who was going to help him. He was yelling of all the good deeds he had done, how he had helped his father, his fasts, prayers, the Noble Qur'an that he read, he was asking if none of them would help him.

The Jahannam angels continued to drag him.

They had gotten closer to the Hellfire.

He looked back and these were his last pleas. Had not Rasulullah [SAW] said, 'How clean would a person be who bathes in a river five times a day, so too does the Salah performed five times cleanse someone of their sins?'

He began yelling, 'My prayers? My prayers? My prayers?'

The two angels did not stop, and they came to the edge of the abyss of Jahannam.

The flames of the fire were burning his face.

He looked back one last time, but his eyes were dry of hope and he had nothing left in him. One of the angels pushed him in.

He found himself in the air and falling towards the flames.

He had just fallen five or six feet when a hand grabbed him by the arm and pulled him back.

He lifted his head and saw an old man with a long white beard.

He wiped some dust off himself and asked him, 'Who are you?'

The old man replied, 'I am your prayers.'

'Why are you so late?! I was almost in the Fire! You rescued me at the last minute before I fell in.'

The old man smiled and shook his head, 'You always performed me at the last minute, did you forget?'

At that instant, he blinked and lifted his head from Sajdah. He was in a sweat. He listened to the voices coming from outside.

He heard the Adhan for Salat-ul Isha.

He got up quickly and went to perform Wudhu.

Maybe, you can help someone open their eyes.

And who knows?

Maybe, this is a good deed that can help you during The Day of Judgment. (INSHA-ALLAH)

Better way of offering prayers

Narrated by Abu Hurairah
Our Prophet MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said,
"Martyrs are those who die because of drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive by a falling building.
Then he said,
'If the people knew the reward for the Dhuhur prayer
in its early time, they would race for it. If they
knew the reward for 'Isha' and the ' Fajr' prayers in
congregation, they would join them even if they had to
crawl.
If they knew the reward for the first row, they would
draw lots for i t'.
(Sahih AL-Bukkhari vol. 1: no.688)



The Prophet MUHAMMAD (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam )
said: 'pass on knowledge from me, even if it is only
one verse'.

Salat

Assalam-o-Alikum!
I collected some ahadith and quranic verses about salat.



1074. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH): "Which act is the best?'' He (PBUH) said, "As-Salat at their fixed times.'' I asked, "What next?'' He (PBUH) said, "Being dutiful to parents.'' I asked, "What next?'' He (PBUH) said, "Striving (Jihad) in the way of Allah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1075. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Islam is based on five (pillars): testifying that there is no true god except Allah and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; performing of Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat); the payment of Zakat; performing Hajj (pilgrimage) to the House [of Allah (Ka`bah)]; and Saum (fasting) during the month of Ramadan.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1076. Ibn `Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "I have been commanded to fight against the people till they testify La ilaha illAllah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger, and to establish As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and to pay Zakat; and if they do this, then their blood and property are secured except by the rights of Islam, and their accountability is left to Allah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1077. Mu`adh (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) sent me as a governor to Yemen and (at the time of departure) he instructed me thus: "You will go to people of the Scripture (i.e., the Jews and the Christians). First of all invite them to testify that La ilaha ill Allah (There is no true god except Allah) and that Muhammad (PBUH) is His slave and Messenger; and if they accept this, then tell them that Allah has enjoined upon them five Salat (prayers) during the day and night; and if they accept it, then tell them that Allah has made the payment of Zakat obligatory upon them. It should be collected from their rich and distributed among their poor; and if they agree to it, don't take (as a share of Zakat) the best of their properties. Beware of the supplications of the oppressed, for there is no barrier between it and Allah.''
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

1078. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Between a man and disbelief and paganism is the abandonment of Salat (prayer).''
[Muslim].

1079. Buraidah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "That which differentiates us from the disbelievers and hypocrites is our performance of Salat. He who abandons it, becomes a disbeliever.''
[At-Tirmidhi].

1080. Shaqiq bin `Abdullah reported: The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not consider the abandonment of any action as disbelief except neglecting Salat.
[At-Tirmidhi].

1081. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "The first of man's deeds for which he will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection will be Salat. If it is found to be perfect, he will be safe and successful; but if it is incomplete, he will be unfortunate and a loser. If any shortcoming is found in the obligatory Salat, the Glorious and Exalted Rubb will command to see whether His slave has offered any voluntary Salat so that the obligatory Salat may be made up by it. Then the rest of his actions will be treated in the same manner.''
[At-Tirmidhi].


(http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/hadeeth/riyad/08/chap193.htm)


Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) is reported to have said, "A person neglecting his Salaah (even though he makes it up later) shall remain in Jahannam for a period of one huqb. A Huqb is equal to eighty years of three hundred and sixty days each, and a day in Akhirah shall equal one thousand years of this world."

Abu Zarr (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam) came out of his house. It was autumn and the leaves were falling from the trees. He caught hold of a branch of a tree and its leaves began to drop in large number. At this he remarked, "O Abu Zarr! When a Muslim offers his Salaah to please Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) his sins fall away from him just as these leaves are falling off this tree."

Abu Hurairah (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) asked his Sahabah, "Do you believe that dirt can remain on a person bathing five times a day in a stream running in front of his door?" "No," replied the Sahabah, "no dirt can remain on his body." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) remarked: "So, exactly similar is the effect of salaah offered five times a day. With the Grace of Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) it washes away all the sins."

Jabir (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "The likeness of five times daily salaah is of a deep stream running in front of the door of a person who bathes therein five times a day."

Abu Saeed Khudree (Radiallaho Anho) narrates that he heard Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam) saying: "Each of the five Salaah covers up the sins committed since the salaah preceding it. To explain, let us take the case of a person working in a factory. His job is such that his body gets covered with dust. But there are five streams of running water in between the factory and his house and, on his return from the job, he takes a bath in each stream. The effect of five times daily salaah is quite similar. Any sins of omission and commission between two Salaah are forgiven on account of asking for Allah (Subhanahu wa Taala) forgiveness and repentance in each salaah."

(http://www.myiwc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3945)


"Guard strictly (the five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e., the best prayer - `Asr).''
(The Holy Quran 2:238)

"But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat) and give Zakat, then leave their way free.''
(The Holy Quran 9:5)



Now that you have read these ahadith please follow them. You should be able to understand what I am trying to show.

Many of us just ignore the fact that salat is a compulsory component of Islam and think that we will offer enough salats when we get old to recompense for our missed ones but do you ever think that we might not be able to live that long. We think that missing one salah does not matter but it usually leads to all the five salahs getting missed. Have you ever wondered about the punishment that you will get for missing salahs. I will tell you a simple way to find ot about this punishment. Get a lighter or a match and burn it. Then put one of your finger in it. You will see how much it hurts. The fire of Hell will be hotter than this and will cause more pain.

Those who stayed away (from Tabuk expedition) rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allâh; they hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allâh, and they said: "March not forth in the heat." Say: "The Fire of Hell is more intense in heat", if only they could understand!
(The Holy Quran 9:81)

So I request you all not to miss any of your salahs. I am sure that many of you will have a problem with the Fajr prayer as many of us sleep through it. Just make an intention of waking up and pray to Allah that you wake up in time and inshallah you will wake up.

Please do not take this lightly. I am not doing this just for fun nor for fame but to help others and it is a everyone's duty to help others. Inshallah, Allah will provide us with Kauthar (abundance).

Those who are already observing salahs, I encourage them to keep it up and good luck for the ones who follow my messages.

I could not find the references for the ahadith so I ahve just mentioned the websites from where I got them.