Class03-Getting Ready For Salah
Class 3
‘Getting ready for Salah’
The process of Khushu does not start when we stand for Salat and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ but instead it starts before that.
Do you realize in front of whom you wish to stand for prayer? In front of Allah (swt)… the King of the Worlds… it is with that realization we should prepare for prayers.
Adhaan
Adhan is a gift to us, like the Salah is a gift to us. We have been given a way to call our Ummah for prayer.
- Allahu AkbarAllahhuAkbar
This statement is made 4 times when the call for Adhan is given – it means ‘Allah (swt) is greater’. It means ‘Allah is greater than anything and everything that you are doing put it aside and it’s now time for Salah’. It is a reminder to come to Allah (swt) no matter what anyone is doing.
- Ashhaduan la ilahailla Allah
I bear witness that no one is worthy of worship except Allah (swt). We have submitted ourselves to Allah (swt) and whatever Allah (swt) wants us to do, we do. We are praying for Allah (swt) only and not to impress anyone or to build some reputation.
- Ashahduannamohamamdurrasoolalah
I bear witness that Prophet Mohammad (saw) was a messenger of Allah (swt). These two statements are what we hope to be able to say at our death. This is what we live on and hope we die on – Allah (swt) is the only one worthy of worship and Mohammed (saw) is his messenger.
- Replying to the Adhaan
The Prophet ﷺ said: “When you hear the muezzin, say what he says, then send blessings upon me, for whoever sends blessings upon me, Allah will send blessings upon him tenfold. Then ask Allah to grant me al-waseelah, for it is a station in Paradise which only one of the slaves of Allah will attain, and I hope that I will be the one. Whoever asks for al-waseelah for me, intercession will be permissible for him.” (Narrated by Muslim)
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever says (the below dua) when he hears the call to prayer, will be granted my intercession on the Day of Resurrection”. (Sahih Bukhari)
‘Allahummah Rabba haadhihi’l-da’wat il-taammah wa’l-salaat il-qaa’imah, aati Muhammadan al-waseelata wa’l-fadeelah, wab’athhu maqaaman mahmoodan alladhi wa’adtahu
(O Allah, Lord of this perfect Call and the Prayer to be offered, grant Muhammad the privilege and also the eminence, and resurrect him to the praised position that You have promised)”
Once you heard the Adhaan the only thing on your mind should be to get ready for prayer and try to catch the first row for Salah.
Dua between Adhaan and Iqama
Sufyan Bin ‘Uyaynah: “Honoring the prayer includes coming before the Iqamah is recited.” [Sifat as Safwah 2/235]
Coming before Iqamah and waiting gets us to a whole different level, this is a time when Duas are accepted as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Du’a is not rejected between the adhan and iqamah, so engage in du’a (supplication).” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 212; Abu Dawood, 437; Ahmad, 12174)
So firstly we go and wait to have our duas answered but also this making of Dua helps us connect to Allah in submissiveness before the Prayer starts, which helps us to connect in the prayer as well.
Sisters should also try and get to their prayer mats/places after adhaan and make dua and then pray, InshaAllah there will be multiple benefits and rewards, and InShaAllah you will feel the difference in your prayers as well.
Wudoo
The Importance and Beauty of Wudu is clear fro the numerous ahadeeth about it, we list some below.
Prophet Mohammed ﷺ said when you make Wudu; you are washing away the sins that you have committed. Now when you are doing wudu, think about your sins, all those are being washed away……you realize the importance and beauty of doing Wudu. You hope that Allah (swt) forgives you for the sins that you have committed. Prophet ﷺ heard the steps of Bilal R.A. in Jannah, when he asked him what deeds have you done to earn this? Bilal R.A. says ya Rasulallah there is nothing that I do that I have hope in their rewards except that any time, day or night, I make Wudu and pray what Allah has asked me to pray.
Prophet ﷺ will wait for his Ummah at Haud-e-Kauthar and will recognize us on the day of judgement because of wudoo,
He ﷺ said “…my Ummah will come to me…and their faces will be white and their limbs will be white, because of Wudu…”
Imagine the thirst you would feel on the day of judgment… imagine the meaning of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recognizing you on the day of judgment because of your Wudu and the relief and pleasure of drinking from his hands a water with which you will never feel thirsty again.
So from here on:
- We are mindful of Allah while making Wudoo
- We learn and follow the Sunnah of Wudoo (Forgotten Sunnahs of Wudoo will be covered in a class next week)
- We think of the blessings like the sins falling off and that the Prophet will recognise us by this act that we are doing.
- We will use little water for Wudu….it is Sunnah to use little water. Also, using lesser water means it takes more time to do your wudu and to realize the beauty of it as well.
Walking to the masjid and its rewards
The Prophet ﷺ said: –
- “Shall I not tell you something by means of which Allah erases sins and raises people in status?” The people said: Yes, O Messenger of Allah. He said: “Doing wudoo’ properly at times when it is difficult to do so, taking many steps to the mosque, and waiting for prayer after prayer. That is constant readiness.” Narrated by Muslim, 251.
- “The people who will receive the greatest reward for prayer are those who walk the furthest distance to come and pray, then those who walk the next furthest.” Narrated by Muslim, 662.
- “Whoever purifies himself in his house then walks to one of the houses of Allah in order to perform one of the duties enjoined by Allah, for every two steps he takes, one will erase a sin and the other will raise him one degree in status.” Narrated by Muslim, 666.
Also a special mention is made to walking for Fajr & Isha Prayer, the Prophet ﷺ said, “Give glad tiding to those who walk to the mosque in darkness, of perfect light on the Day of Resurrection.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 561; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani) This virtue is assured – in sha Allah – for the one who prays ‘Isha’ and Fajr in congregation, even if the way is lit, because these two prayers take place in the darkness of the night. SubhaanAllah we see so many Muslims (who actually gets up for Fajr) prefer to just offer it at home and go back to sleep, point to note is if we can hear the Adhaan then men are obliged to go to the Masjid.
So next time walk to the Masjid and don’t just put your head into your mobiles till you get to the masjid, think of the sins being forgiven, think of the rewards, if it is between Adhaan & Iqamah, make dua on your way to the Masjid.
Minimize distractions and plan your day around Salah(s)
The planning of your daily activities should revolve around the five daily Salat. Do not plan everything else and then try to fit Prayer into your busy schedule. Plan your time so that you are not leaving something you see as important pending while you are praying, so shaitaan comes to you in prayer and reminds you of that and keeps you engaged with it, similarly, if you need to then use the wash room before prayer. Basically do what you have to so as to avoid you being in a situation where you feel the need to rush through prayers. Nothing is worth it!
Siwaak
The Prophet ﷺ said, “The miswaaq not only cleans the teeth, but also pleases Allah.” (Sahih Bukhari).
As the act of prayer is completely done by the tongue, pronouncing the profession of Allah’s Unity, the affirmation of “Allah is Greater”, praising Allah, and reciting Quran. Therefore, the mouth, from where Divine prayers come out, should be kept clean in prayer. This will, obviously, provide serenity to hearts as well.
Get ready for the occasion – Wear nice clothes!
We realize that Allah (swt) is going to listen to us, is going to look at us, is going to mention us then how do we get ready for the occasion? When you stand before Allah (swt) wear your good clothes, be clean, smell good, brush your teeth and humble yourselves down before you stand before Allah (swt). Make sure to look your best when you stand before Allah (swt).
Imagine this is Your Last Prayer
Pray as if this is your last prayer. Prophet Mohammed (saws) said pray as if you are bidding farewell, as if this is your last prayer in your life. Millions of Muslims have died thinking that they will make it to the next prayer but they couldn’t, so approach this one as this is the last one you are to pray – with this realization you will be in a completely different mind-set.
Bakr al Muzani said: “If you want your prayer to be of benefit to you, say to yourself, ‘I might not have a chance to perform another prayer.’” [Jaami’ Al-‘Uloom Wal-Hikam, p.466]
Mindset is key
It was common that when the time for prayer came, the Prophet ﷺ would turn to Bilal (whose duty was to call out the Athaan) and say, “Relieve us with it, O Bilal”.
In other words, make the call, Bilal, for what will lighten our heavy burdens and will soothe and comfort us. For when the Prophet ﷺ was troubled with a difficult matter or much worry, he would turn to prayer. After all, doesn’t Allah say: “and seek (Allah’s) help with patient perseverance and prayer”? (2:45)
Every people have their own method of seeking comfort, relaxation and escape. Some use music, some use exercises like Yoga, and some unfortunately- alcohol, and SubhaanAllah none of it actually gives them the comfort that we Muslims can get from Salah. We attain the benefits of all of the above and more, from Salah. We resort to the source of all solutions and the source of all peace and relief, Our Beloved, Our Creator.
Use your Prayer to remain focused on your mission in life to bring your entire being to serve only Allah.
Try to think of the salah you are about to perform as the one in which Allah S.W.T. will question you about on the Day of Judgement. This should help us to perform the salah with the devotion, concentration and care we are looking for.
Lastly but very importantly, let us remind ourselves. Again, what brought us to stand in salah right now? The answer has to be, Oh yes, our endless love and deep longing to be with Allah. We are there to try and attain the great virtues and levels we can by offering Salah perfectly.
May Allah make us amongst those who plan their days around Salah, who prepare for Salah like it deserves and whose sins are forgiven before they face Allah in prayer and on Yawm Al Qiyaamaah (Day of Judgement).
In Tomorrow’s class we will InShaAllah study “Standing in Salah”.
TIPS FOR THE TEST
- Do not have to memorize the Ayahs or Hadeeths word for word, get a good understanding of the message in it.
- Memorize the Dua to recite after Adhaan.
- Remember the benefits and rewards of each (Wudoo, Adhaan, Walking, etc)