Class 3 – Arkaan, Waajibaat and Sunan of Salah

Class 3

Pillars (Arkaan), Necessary Duties (Waajibaat)

& Sunnahs of Salah

PILLARS OF THE SALAAT (Arkanu-Salaat)

The prayer has obligatory pillars, which must be fulfilled for it to be valid and these are as follows:

1. ” Al-Qiyaam ” – prayer is to be performed in a standing position if a person is physically capable.
2. ” Takbiiratil lhraam” that is saying “ALLAHU AKBAR” at the commencement of the prayer.
3. ” Al-Fatihah ” – that is reciting the opening chapter of the Holy Qur’an in every Rakaat.
4. ” Rukuu ” – this is bowing posture whereby the head and the back are positioned on the same level and both hands are rested on the knees with the fingers spread apart.

• A requirement to raise the head up from the Rukuu position.
• A requirement to stand up from the Rukuu position in such a way that the person feels that all his/her backbones are straightened.

• ” Sujuud ” that is prostrating oneself in such a way that the following seven parts of the body are firmly placed on the ground: the forehead together with the tip of the nose, both the palms, both the knees, the bottom surface of the toes of both feet.

• A requirement to raise the head from the Sujuud position.
• A requirement to sit upright during the pause between the two prostrations.
• A requirement to take a sitting position for the recitation of the ” At-Tashahucl ” (words of witness).
• A requirement to recite the final ” At-Tashahud “.
• A requirement to recite the words of supplication for the Prophet  ﷺ .
• A requirement to conclude the prayer with the words of peace ” Tasleem “, i.e. “Assalamu Aleykum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuh”.

1.  A requirement that in fulfilling the above pillars the person should be in a state of tranquility.

The above are the pillars of the prayer, wherein, if any of them is missed, it is required to repeat the whole Rakaat (Unit) in which the pillar is omitted, but if, the Takbiirat il – lhraam is omitted, it becomes necessary to repeat the whole Salaat.

NECESSARY DUTIES OF SALAAT (Wajibatu-Salaat)

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

1. Saying “ALLAHU AKHAR” in the course of the prayer where it is necessary, e.g. upon commencing Rukuu etc.

• Saying “SUBHANAA RABBIYAL AZIM” when in Rukuu position.

• Saying “SAMI ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH” while resuming standing position from the Rukuu whether the person is an “Imam” (leader) or is praying alone.

• Saying “RABBANA WALAKAL HAMD” when resuming the standing position from the Rukuu after saying the words.

• Saying “SUBHANA RABBIYAL AALA” when in Sujuud (prostration) position.

• Saying “RABBI IGHFIR LEE” in the sitting pause between the two prostration of every unit of the prayer.

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

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

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.

SUNNAHS OF 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:

SUNAN WHILE IN STANDING POSITION: –

1. Recite the opening supplication after the first Takbeer (Takbeer Al-Ihraam):

سُبْـحانَكَ اللّهُـمَّ وَبِحَمْـدِكَ وَتَبارَكَ اسْمُـكَ وَتَعـالى جَـدُّكَ وَلا إِلهَ غَيْرُك .

Subhanakal-lahumma wabihamdika watabarakas-muka wataAAala jadduka wala ilaha ghayruk.

‘How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You.  Blessed be Your name, and lofty is Your position and none has the right to be worshipped except You.’

Alternatively, you may say: –

اللهُ أَكْبَـرُ كَبـيرا ، اللهُ أَكْبَـرُ كَبـيرا ، اللهُ أَكْبَـرُ كَبـيرا ، وَالْحَـمْدُ للهِ كَثـيرا ، وَالْحَـمْدُ للهِ كَثـيرا ، وَالْحَـمْدُ للهِ كَثـيرا ، وَسُبْـحانَ اللهِ بكْـرَةً وَأَصيـلا . ( ثَلاثاً )

أَعـوذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّـيْطانِ مِنْ نَفْخِـهِ وَنَفْـثِهِ وَهَمْـزِه .

Allahu akbaru kabeera, Allahu akbaru kabeera, Allahu akbaru kabeera, walhamdu lillahi katheera, walhamdu lillahi katheera, walhamdu lillahi katheera, wasubhanal-lahi bukratan wa-aseela. (three times)

AAoothu billahi minash-shaytani min nafkhihi wanafthihi wahamzih.

‘Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, Allah is Most Great, much praise is for Allah, much praise is for Allah, much praise is for Allah, and I declare the perfection of Allah in the early morning and in the late afternoon.’(three times)

‘I take refuge with Allah from the devil, from his pride, his poetry and his madness.’

• There are other authentic supplications as well can be found in the Book “Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of a Muslim)”. A Muslim is expected to alternate between the Duas which keeps the Sunnah alive and also keeps helps bring in Khushoo in the prayer as it doesn’t just come out as a habit rather the heart is alive.

2. Then Seek refuge in Allah: أعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم

3. Then recite Bismillah.

4. Say Ameen loudly after reciting AlFaatiah.

5. Recite a Soorah after Surah Fatiha.

6. Raise the hands at the following times:

• When saying Takbeer Al-Ihraam
• When going into Rukoo’.
• When rising from Rukoo’
• When standing up for the third Rak’ah.’

The manner of raising the hands: –

• When raising and lowering the hands, the fingers should be close together, stretched out and with the  palms of the hands facing the Qiblah.

• Raise the hands-either to the side of the Shoulders or to the bottom of the ears.

7. Place the right hand on the left, or grasp the left wrist bone with your right hand.’

8. Place the hands in between the Chest and the navel but not on the Waist.

10. Look towards the place of prostration.

11. Separate your feet to a comfortable distance when standing.

12. The Sunnah is to make the recitation longer in the first rak’ah than in the second.

13. Recite the Qur’aan with Tarteel and Contemplate on what is being said

14. 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.

15. It is Sunnah to sometimes recite a Surah after Surah Fatiha in the last two rakahs of Zuhr, Asr & Isha.

SUNAN OF Ar-RUKOO’

1. Grasp the knees with the hands, while the fingers are apart.
2. Extend the back so that it is flat.
3. The head should be in line with the back without lowering it or raising
4. Keep the upper arms away from the side of the body. 
5. Repeat the Tasbeeh of Bowing more than once (odd no. of times preferably 3).
6. After rising from Rukoo and saying Rabanaa Walakal Hamd recite,

حَمْـداً كَثـيراً طَيِّـباً مُـبارَكاً فيه .

Hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubarakan feeh.

‘Our Lord, for You is all praise, an abundant beautiful blessed praise.’

• There are other authentic supplications as well can be found in the Book “Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of a Muslim)”. A Muslim is expected to alternate between the Duas which keeps the Sunnah alive and also keeps helps bring in Khushoo in the prayer as it doesn’t just come out as a habit rather the heart is alive.

SUNAN OF SUJOOD:

1. Keep the upper arms away from the side of the body. 
2. Keep the stomach away from the thighs.
3. Ensure the thighs are away from the shins.
4. Separate the knees.
5. Keep the feet upright.
6. Ensure the toes face the Qiblah, so that the joints of the toes rest on the floor.
7. Press the feet together for the duration of the prosfration.
8. Place the hands in line with the shoulders or ears.
9. Straighten the hands.
10. Ensure the fingers are close together.’
11. Ensure the fingers are pointing towards the Qiblah.
12. Repeat the Tasbeeh of Prostration more than once (odd no. of times preferably 3) 
13. There are other authentic supplications as well, can be found in the Book “Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of a Muslim)”. A Muslim is expected to alternate between the Duas which keeps the Sunnah alive and also keeps helps bring in Khushoo in the prayer as it doesn’t just come out as a habit rather the heart is alive.

AL-JALSAH

1. Sit with the left foot flat and right foot upright. 
2. In the last Rakat of the Prayer bring the left foot further ahead (below the shin of Right leg) and rest on the Hip.
3. Place the hands on the thighs – the right hand on the right thigh and the left hand on the left thigh – with the fingers Outstretched and close together.’
4. Point with the index finger, during this Tashahud, from the beginning to the end (or move it) and connect the thumb with the middle finger. Focus the sight on the index finger.
5. Supplication said after the last tashahhud and before salam: –

اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أَعـوذُ بِكَ مِـنْ عَذابِ القَـبْر، وَمِـنْ عَذابِ جَهَـنَّم، وَمِـنْ فِتْـنَةِ  المَحْـيا وَالمَمـات، وَمِـنْ شَـرِّ فِتْـنَةِ  المَسيحِ الدَّجّال .

Allahumma innee aAAoothu bika min AAathabil-qabr, wamin AAathabi jahannam, wamin fitnatil-mahya walmamat, wamin shari fitnatil-maseehid-dajjal.

‘O Allah, I take refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, from the torment of the Fire, from the trials and tribulations of life and death and from the evil affliction of Al-Maseeh Ad-Dajjal.’

Or

اللّهُـمَّ أَعِـنِّي عَلـى ذِكْـرِكَ وَشُكْـرِك ، وَحُسْـنِ عِبـادَتِـك .

Allahumma aAAinnee AAala thikrik, washukrik, wahusni AAibadatik.

‘O Allah, help me to remember You, to thank You, and to worship You in the best of manners.’

• 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.
• There are other authentic supplications as well, can be found in the Book “Hisnul Muslim (Fortress of a Muslim)”. A Muslim is expected to alternate between the Duas which keeps the Sunnah alive and also keeps helps bring in Khushoo in the prayer as it doesn’t just come out as a habit rather the heart is alive.

 Some other Sunnahs: –

1. The stronger opinion is to go in Sujood with Hands first and then the knees but going with knees first is also acceptable according to scholars.

• After the Sujood of first and third Rak’ah the Prophet ﷺ used to briefly sit before getting up to standing position. But getting directly up is also supported by some scholars.

• It is Sunnah to make the essential parts of prayer equal in length, so the rukoo’, the standing after rukoo’, the prostration and the sitting between the two prostrations should be make approximately the same in length.

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.