Taharah

Personal Prayer ( Du'a ) After Salah

PERSONAL PRAYER (DU`A) AFTER SALAH:
When you have completed your Fard or Sunnah prayers, you may pray to Allah in your own words offering him praise, thanksgiving or asking him for forgiveness for yourself or other Muslims or your own dear and near ones. For this Du`a keep sitting after the obligatory prayers, hold up your hands near each other with the palms up and fingers slightly bent (as shown in figure 32). In this position you may offer anyone of these or other personal prayers:

ALLAHUM-MA ANTAS-SALAM WA-MINKAS-SALAM

O Allah, You are the Author of peace and from You comes peace.

TABARAKTA YA-DHALJALALI WAL-IKRAM

Blessed are you, O Lord of Majesty and Honour.

ALLAHUM-MA-GHFIRLI WALIWALDAYYA WALI USTADHI

O Allah, forgive me and my parents and my teachers,

WALIJAMI'LMU'MININA WAL MUMINATI WAL MUSLIMINA WAL MUSLIMAT

and all the believing men and women and obedient men and women with your mercy.

BIRAHMATIKA YA-ARHAMAR-RAHIMIN

O Most Merciful of (all) those who show mercy.

Salah on Specific Occasions

SALAH ON SPECIFIC OCCASIONS

JUMU'AH (or Friday) Prayer

Beside the daily Salah, the Friday prayer is also obligatory upon Muslim men. For Muslim women it is not obligatory, but is desirable if they are able to do so without upsetting their household work.

The Friday Salah is offered in congregation on Friday at Zuhr time. First the Imam delivers a sermon (Khutabh). Then he leads the congregation in a two raka'at Salah. After this two or more raka'at of Sunnah or Nafilah prayers are offered individually.

TARAWIH (or Ramadan) PRAYER

These prayers are offered during the month of Ramadan after 'Isha Salah. These consist of eight, twelve or twenty raka'at, and are offered two by two with a short rest between every four raka'at. They may be said alone but 4 collective prayers are recommended. These are additional 4 Sunnah prayers.

THE `ID PRAYERS (Salatul-`ldayu)

There are two 'Id or occasions of great festivity for the Muslims. The first is called ldul-Fitr or the festival of fastbreaking. It is celebrated on the first day of the tenth Islamic month (Shawwal) following Ramadan, the month of fasting. It marks great thanks-giving for the Muslims all over the world.

The second 'Id is the `Idul-Adha or the festival of great sacrifice, which is observed on the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, the last Islamic month. The animals are sacrificed to celebrate the great sacrifice of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)

On both these `Ids, Id prayers are offered in congregation any time after sunrise and before noon. There is no Adhan (call for prayer) or Iqamah (second call before congregation). The Id prayer consists of two raka'at (offered just as the two raka'at of Jumu'ah prayer are said) with six to sixteen additional 'Takbirs' (ALLAHU AKBAR). You say three or more Takbirs in the first raka'at after 'Thana' and three or more 'Takbirs' in the second raka'at before you bow down for Ruku'.

A sermon (Khutbah) is delivered by the Imam (leader of the prayer) after the two raka'at Id prayer unlike the Jumuiah prayer when it precedes the prayer.

The presence of all Muslims, women and children included, is strongly recommended.

FUNERAL PRAYERS

It is a prayer to Allah for a deceased Muslim, and is a common obligation on all Muslims of the locality. The funeral Salah is offered in congregation but unlike other formal prayers, it has neither any Ruku' (bowing) nor any Sajdah (prostration). Here it is the complete sequence of he funeral prayer.

Saying Takbir (Allahu Akbar) with the rest of the congregation raise your hands to your ears, then bring them down on, above or below the navel as in formal , prayers with the right hand on the left. Then recite the following praise or Thana silently:

SUBHANAKAL-LA HUM-MA WABIH-AMDIKA

Glory to Allah, and praise be to You

WATABARA-KASMUKA WATA'ALA JADDUKA

and blessed is Your name and Exalted is your Majesty

WAJJAL-LA THANA'OKA WALA ILAHA GHAIRUK

and Glorious is Your praise and there is none worthy of worship besides You.

After Thana again raise hands to your ears saying Allahu Akbar. Now silently recite the Darud:

ALLAHUM-MA SALLE 'ALA MUHAMMADIW

O Allah, exalt Muhammad

WA 'ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN

and the followers of Muhammad

KAMA SALLAITA 'ALA IBRAHIMA

as Thou has exalted Ibrahtim

WA 'ALA ALI IBRAHIMA

and the followers of Ibrahim

IN-NAKA HAMIDUM MAJEED

Thou surely art praised Magnified.

ALLAHUM-MA Bi4RIK 'ALA MUHAMMADIW

O Allah. bless Muhammad

WA ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN

and the followers of Muhammad

KAMA BARAKTA 'ALA IBRAHIMA

as Thou has blessed Ibrahrim

WA 'ALA ALI IBRAHIMA

and the followers of Ibrahim

IN-NAKA HAMIDUM-MAJEED

Surely Thou art the praised and Magnified.

(a) Now in case the deceased Muslim is an adult, recite this Dua:

ALLAHUM-MAGHFIRLI-HAYYINA WAMAYYITINA

O Allah pardon our living and our dead

WASHAHIDINA WAGHA'IBINA

the present and the absent.

WASAGHIRINA WAKABIRINA

our young and the old,

WADHAKARINA WAUNTHANA

and the males and females.

ALLAHUM-MA MAN-AHYAYTAHU MIN-NA FA-AHYIHI 'ALAL ISLAM

O Allah, be to whom You accord life among us cause him to live in the observance of Islam.

WAMAN TAWAF-FAITAHU MIN-NA FATAWAF-FAHU 'ALAL-IMAN

and be to whom You give death, cause him to die in the state of Iman (faith).

(b) If the deceased is an adult woman substitute the last two lines with the following:

ALLAHUM-MA MAN AHYAITAHA MIN-NA FA AHYIHA 'ALAL ISLAM
O Allah, she to whom You accord life among us, cause her to live in the observation of Islam,

WAMANTAWAF-FAITAHA MIN-NA FATAWAF-FA HA 'ALAL IMAN
and she to whom you give death, cause her to die in the state of Aman (faith).

ALLAHUM-MA J'ALHU LANA FARATAW

O Allah, Make him our fore-runner,

WAJ`JALHULANA ARJAW-WADHUKHRAW

and make him for us a reward and a treasuer,

WAJ`ALHULANA SHAFI`AW MUSHF-FAA

andmake him for us a pleader, and accept his pleading.

(d) If the deceased is a minor and a girl, then recite this Du`a

ALLAHUM-MA-J`ALHALANA FARTAW

O Allah, make her our fore-runner,

WAJ`JALHALANA AJRAW WADHUKHRAW

and make for us reward and a treasure

WAJ`JALHALANA SHAFI'ATAW WA-MUSHAF-FA'AH

and make her for us a pleader, and except her pleading.

After this the Imam gain says aloud "Allahu Akbar". The congregation repeats these words silently. Then the Imama and the Muslims turn their faces first to the right and then to the left side saying As-salamu-Alaikum Wa-Rahmatullah on either side

Sunnah and Nafilah or Additional Prayer

SUNNAH AND NAFILAH OR ADDITIONAL PRAYER

As you can see in the chart below, each Salah is composed of (a) Fard, the prescribed prayers, (b) Sunnah and (c) Nafilah or additional prayers. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said these additional prayers before or after the prescribed (Fard) prayers. These are therefore recommended. The sequence of these additional prayers in each Salah is given below:

Name of Salah	Number of Sunnah before Fard	Number of Fard	Number of Sunnah after Fard	Number of Nafilah
Fajr	2	2	-	-
Zuhr	4	4	2	2
`Asr	4	4	-	-
Maghrib	-	3	2	2
`Isha	4	4	2	2+3+2

SALAT-UL-WITR

The three raka'at prayers said after the Fard and Sunnah of the 'Isha is called Salat-ul-Witr. It is strongly recommended in the practice of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and is Wajib (necessary) according to one section of Muslims. Others regard it a mere Sunnah Salah.

The first two raka'at of this Salat-ul-Witr are said like the first two raka'at of the Maghrib prayers. In the third raka'at after Al-Fatihah, recite some additional Surah or verses of the Qursan.

Then, saying ALLAHU AKBAR raise your hands above your shoulders, fold your hands, and recite the following or any other similar Du'a silently. This is called Dua-al-Qunut or the prayer of submission: ALLAHUM-MA IN-NA NASTA'INUKA

O Allah, we seek Thy help,

WANASTAGHFIRUKA

and ask Thy forgiveness,

WANU'MINU BIKA WANATAWAK-KALU 'ALAIKA

and believe in Thee and trust in Thee,

WANUTHNI 'ALAIKAL-KHAIRA WA NASHKURUKA

and we praise Thee in the best manner and we thank Thee,

WALANAKFURUKA WANAKHLA'U WANATRUKU

and we are not unqrateful and we cast off and forsake him

MAY-YAF JURUK ALLAHUM-MA IY-YAKA N'ABUDU

also disobeys Thee. O Allah, Thee alone do we worship,

WALAKA NUSAI -LI WA-NASJUDU WA-ILAIKA NAS'A

and to Thee we pray, and beforo Thee do we prostrate, to Thee do we turn to

WANAHFIDU WANARJU RAHMATAKA WANAKHSHA ADHABAKA

in haste, and hope for Thy mercy, and we fear Thy punishment.

IN-NA 'ADHABAKA BIL KUF-FARI MULHIQ

Thy punishment surely overtakes the unbelievers.

After this saying ALLAHU AKBAR bow down in Ruku' and then complete the rest of the prayers like the Maghrib prayers.

The table below gives details of raka'at in each Salah:

Name of Salah	Period	Number of Fard Raka`at	1st two Raka'at, aloud or silent	Before Fard	After Fard
Name of Salah	Period	Number of Fard Raka`at	1st two Raka'at, aloud or silent	Sunnah or Nafilah
Fajr	Between Dawn until Sunrise	2	Aloud	2	None
Zuhr	Between just past noon and mid-afternoon	4	Silent	4	2+2
`Asr	Between mid afternoon until before sunset	4	Silent	4	None
Maghrib	Between just after sunset until dark	3	Aloud	None	2+2
`Isha	Between dark and shortly before dawn	4	Aloud	4	2+2+3+2

Reading of Salah - 4

ASH-HADU AL-LA ILAHA IL-LAL-LAHU I bear witness to the fact that there is no deity but Allah.
WA-ASH-HADU AN-NA MUHAMMADAN `ABDUHU WARASULUH I bear witness taht Muhammad is His slave and messenger.
In a three raka`at (i.e. Maghrib) or four raka`at (like Zuhr, `Asr and `Isha) Salah you stand up for the remaining raka`at after Tashahhud. On the other had if it is a two raka`at (Fajr) Salah, keep sitting and after this recite Darud (blessing for the Prophet) in these words:
AL-LAHUM-MA SAL-LI`ALA MUHAMMAD-IN WA `ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad AL-LAHUM-MA SALAITA `ALA IBRAHIMA WA`ALA ALI IBRAHIMA As Though did exalt Ibrahim and his followers. IN-NAKA HAMIDUM MAJEED Thou art the praised, the Glorious. AL-LAHUM-MA BARIK MUHAMMAD-IN O Allah, exalt Muhammad

WA 'ALA ALI MUHAMMADIN

and his followers

KAMABARAKTA 'ALA IBRAHIMA WA 'ALA ALI IBRAHIMA

as Thou has blest Ibrahim and his followers.

IN-NAKA HAMIDUM-MAJEED

Thou art the Praised, the Glorious.

Then say silently:

RAB-BIJ-'ALNI MUQIMAS-SALATI WAMIN DHUR-RIY-YATI

O Lord! Make me and my children steadfast in Prayer;

RAB-BANA WATAQAB-BAL DU'A' RAB-BIGH FIRLI

Lord! Accept the prayer. Our Lord! forgive me.

WA LIWALIDAY-YA WALIL-MU'MININA YAUMA YAQUM-UL HISAB

and my parents and believers on the Day of Judgement.

Now turn your face to the right (as in figure 30) saying;

AS-SALAMU 'ALAIKUM WA-RAHMATUL-LAH

Peace be on you and Allah's blessings.

Then turn your face to the left (as in figure 31) and repeat the above words (aloud).

This completes your two raka'at Salah. The four raka'at of Zuhr, 'Asr and 'Isha are said in an identical manner with the only difference that in the first two Raka'at of Zuhr and 'Asr, Al-Fatihah is said silently while in 'Isha prayer it is recited aloud.

If you are performing a three raka'at (like Maghrib) or four raka'at (like Zuhr, 'Asr and 'Isha) Salah stand up after Tashahhud saying ALLAHU AKBAR and recite Al-Fatihah. You must remember that Al-Fatihah is always recited silently in the third and fourth raka'at of every Salah. When you are offering Fard Salah do not recite any additional passage from the Holy Qur'an after Al-Fatihah in the last two raka'at. After the second Sajdah in the fourth raka'at say the Tashahhud, Darud and end with "AS-SALAMU 'ALAIKUM WA-RAHMATUL-LAH" to each side (first right, then left as shown in the above pictures). This marks the end of Salah.

Reading of Salah - 3

NOTE: Your nose & forehead in with carpet

Sit upright with knees still on the ground after a moments rest perform the second Sajdah saying:
ALLAHU AKBAR Allah is the Greatest

In the second Sajdah as before recite the following words thrice:

SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL A'ALA

Glory to my Lord the most high.

This completes one raka'at of Salah. The second raka'at is. said in the same way except that after the second Sajdah you sit back, with the left foot bent towards the right, which should be placed vertical to the mat with the toes touching the mat. The palms should be lifted from the mat and placed on the knees.

In this position (Q'adahas shown in figures 26 and 27 silently say these words (Tashahhud):

AT-TAHI-YATU LIL-LAHI WAS-SALAWATU WAT-TAY-YIBATU

All prayers and worship through words, action and sanctity are for Allah only.

AS-SALAMU `ALAIKA AY-YUHAN-NABIY-YU

Peace be on you, O Prophet

WARAHMATUL-LAHI WABARAKATUH

and Mercy of Allah and His blessings.

AS-SALAMU `ALAINA WA`ALA `IBADIL-LAHIS-SALIHIN

Peace be on us and on those who are righteous servants of Allah.

Reading of Salah - 2


Now bow down saying: ALLAHU AKBAR Allah is the greatest.
Place your hands on your knees and in this inclined position (Ruku` as shown in figure 19) recite these words thrice:
SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL ATHIM Glory to my Lord the great.	Postrure for ladies in Ruku` is slighty different to that of a man
SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL ATHIM Glory to my Lord the great.
SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL ATHIM Glory to my Lord the great.

Then come to the standing position (figure 21 & 22) saying:
SAMI `ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH Allah has heard all who praise Him.
RAB-BANA LAKAL HAMD Our Lord: Praise be to Thee
Now saying "Allahu Akbar" prostrate on the ground with your forehead, the knees the nose and palms of both hands touching the ground. In this position ajdah - as in figure 23, 24 & 25) repeat these words three times at least:
SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL A`ALA Glory to my Lord the most high
SUBHANA RAB-BI-YAL A`ALA Glory to my Lord the most

Reading of Salah - 1

SUBHANA-KALLAH-HUMMA WA BI-HAMDAKA

Allah, Glorified, prais

WATABARAKAS-MUKA WATA`ALA JADDUKA

and blessed is They Name and exalted Thy Majesty

WA-LA ILAHA GHAIRUK

and there is no deity worthy of worship except Thee.

A`U-THU-BIL-LA-HI MINASHAITANIR RAJEEM

I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected Satan

BISMILAHIR RAHMANIR RAHIM

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

After this recite the opening Surah, Al-Fatihaha:

ALHAMDU LIL-LAHI RAB-BIL `ALAMIN

Praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.

AR-RAHMAN-NIR RAHIM

the Beneficent, ther Merciful

MALIKI YAW-MID-DIN

Master of the Day of Judgement

IYYA-KA N`ABUDU WA-IYYAKA NASTA`IN

Thee alone we worship and to Thee alone we turn for help.

IHDI-NAD-SIRA TAL MUSTAQIM

Guide us in the straight path.

SIRA TAL-LATHINA AN-`AMTA `ALIAHIM

the path of those whom You favoured

GHAIRIL MAGHDUBI `ALAINHIM

and who did not deserve Thy anger

WALAD-HALLIN (AMEEN)

or went astray.

Now recite the following or any other passage from the Holy Qur`an:

BISMILA-HIR RAHMA-NIR RAHIM

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, ther Merciful

QUL HU-WAL-LAHO AHAD

Say: Allah is one and the only God

ALLA-HUS-SA-MAD

Allah, upon whom all depend

LAM YALID WALAM YULAD

He begots not, nor is He begotten,

WALAM YAKUL-LAHU KUFU-WAN AHAD

and there is nothing which can be compared to Him.

The Contents of Salah

The Contents of Salah. Salah in Islam is a unique institution. It brings man closer to Allah by harmonising his mental attitude with physical posture. In Salah, a Muslim submits himself completely to his Creator.

When you are sure that you have fulfilled all the necessary conditions for Salah, you ready to offer Salah. A detailed account of how to say Salah is given below:

Say to yourself that you intend to offer this Salah (Fajr, Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib or 'Isha) Fard or Sunnah. Then raise your hands to your ears (as in figure 15)

ALLAHU AKBAR

Allah is the greatest.

NOTE: The hand is in line with ear lobe


NOTE: Ladies lift their hands up to their shoulders only as shown above.
Now placing your right hand on the left, just below, above or on the navel (as shown in figure 18 - and ladies placing their hands on their chest as shown in figure 17b) recite the following:

Iqamah

Iqamah.After Adhan when the Muslims are assembled at the place of worship, a second call (Iqamah) is recited by one of the group. This signals the start of the congregational Salah. It is similar to Adhan except that it is recited faster but in a lower tone and these sentences are recited after HAYYA 'ALAL FALAH:

QAD QAMATIS SALAH

The prayer has begun

QAD QAMATIS SALAH

The prayer has begun.