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(Class by Sister Eman al Obaid on Tuesday, 11th December 2012)

The Pillars and the Mandatory Acts (Requirements) of the Prayer

and the Adhkaar/Supplications recited after completing the Prayer

We must know what are the Pillars and the Mandatory acts/requirements

of the prayer and also we need to memorize them because if we forget or

leave any of them while performing the prayer, we can repeat it or make it

up in the next rak’ah and also we can compensate it by performing the

Sujud-as-Sahw (the prostrations of forgetfulness) at the end of the prayer.

Arkaan As-Salaat (The Pillars of the Prayer)

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Al-Arkan (means): All the essential parts (rukn) or the pillars of

the prayer.

It is not possible to leave out any of these pillars as they are the

essential parts of the prayer. If one leaves/omits any of these

pillars intentionally or unintentionally, this will invalidate his

prayer, except in a case of disability (For example: In a case of a

person who cannot stand or bow or prostrate to the ground due to some

illness or other valid reasons).

There are fourteen Pillars of the Prayer:

1. Standing during the obligatory prayers, if one is able to do

so.

2. Takbeeratul Ihraam (The Opening Takbeer)-

This means the first Takbeer/the Opening Takbeer at the beginning of the

prayer (i.e. saying ‘Allaahu Akbar’ while standing and raising the hands to

enter the prayer). The word ‘Ihraam’ means that which makes something

haraam/forbidden. So with the ‘Takbeeratul Ihraam’, the common actions

of speaking, eating, drinking, laughing etc. becomes forbidden, as one is

now in his prayer.

If a person who joins a prayer with the Imaam/the Jama’ah (congregation)

had missed the Takbeeratul Ihraam (with the congregation), he should say

the Takbeeratul Ihraam (i.e. ‘Allaahu Akbar’) first and then join the prayer

with the congregation.

3. Recitation of Surat Al-Faatihah-

Reciting Surat Al-Faatihah in every raka’ah (unit) is required when

performing the obligatory as well as the voluntary prayers as it is

mentioned in the hadeeth: “There is no prayer for the one who doesn’t

recite the opening (chapter) of the Book.” (To know the details of reciting Surat

Al-Faatihah in the prayers, please check the Fiqh notes of class 20 on 04.12.2012)

4. Rukoo' (Bowing)

5. Rising from it (i.e. from the Bowing position/Rukoo’)

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6. Doing Sujood/Prostrating on the seven limbs (as prescribed)

7. Rising from the Sujood/Prostration

8. Sitting between the two Sujoods/Prostrations.

9. Sitting for the Final Tashahhud (Tashahhud Al-Akheer).

10. Reciting the Final Tashahhud

11. Sending salaat and blessings upon the Prophet (sallAllahu

’alayhi wa sallam) in the Final Tashahhud

12. The two Salaams (Tasleematayn)-

This means saying the salaam twice – i.e. “Assalamu ‘alaykum wa

rahmatullah” to the right side first and then to the left, at the end of the

prayer (i.e. to exit the prayer).

13. Being at ease/ (observing) tranquility in all of these pillars-

This means one should not rush or hasten during all of these acts/pillars of

the prayer. He should allow his bones to rest in every position. This will

also help him to have Khushoo’ (concentration) while praying.

The proof for this is the hadeeth about the man who prayed badly, narrated by Abu

Hurairah (radhiyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and

blessings of Allaah be upon him) entered the mosque and a man came in and

prayed, then he came and greeted the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of

Allaah be upon him). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be

upon him) returned the greeting and said: “Go back and pray, for you have not

prayed.” The man went back and prayed as he had prayed before, then he came to

the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and greeted him, and the

Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “Wa ‘alayk

as salaam.” Then he said: “Go back and pray, for you have not prayed.” When he

had done that three times, the man said: By the One Who sent you with the truth, I

cannot do more than that. Teach me. He said: “When you go to pray, say takbeer,

then recite whatever you can of the Qur’aan. Then bow until you are at ease in

bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at

ease in prostration, then sit up until you are at ease in sitting. Then do that

throughout the entire prayer.” [Recorded by Bukhaari and Muslim]

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14. Following a sequential/correct order between these pillars.

This means one should perform all these pillars in the correct order. For

example: One cannot do Sujood before Rukoo’.

Waajibaat As-Salaat (The Mandatory Acts/Requirements

of the Prayer)

The mandatory acts/requirements of the prayer are eight and

they are as follows:

1. All the Takbeerat (i.e. saying “Allaahu Akbar”) other than

the Takbeeratul Ihraam (i.e. the Opening Takbeer)

2. Saying “Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem (Glory to my Lord,

the Exalted)” in the Rukoo’ (Bowing)

3. Saying “Sami’Allaahu liman hamidah (Allaah hears those

who praise Him)” (while rising from the Rukoo’) – this applies

to the imam and the one who is praying alone, but not to

those who are praying behind the imam.

4. Saying “Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd (Our Lord, to You be

praise)”, after rising from the Rukoo’/bowing – (this applies

to everyone- Imam, munfarid & those praying behind the imam)

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5. Saying “Subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa (Glory to my Lord, the

Most High)” in the Sujood (Prostration)

6. Saying “Rabbighfir lee (My Lord, forgive me)” in between

the two Sujoods/Prostrations

7. Sitting for the First Tashahhud (At-Tashahhud Al-Awwal)

8. The First Tashahhud (i.e. Reciting the First Tashahhud)

One must not leave any of these Waajibaat/Requirements intentionally

while offering the prayer. If he forgets or omits one of them unintentionally,

there is no need to repeat it but he should compensate it by doing the

Sujood as-Sahw (The prostrations of forgetfulness) at the end of the prayer.

Differences between the Pillars and the Mandatory

Acts/Requirements of the Prayer

Both the Arkaan (Pillars) and the Waajibaat (Mandatory

acts/Requirements) of the prayer cannot be left out/omitted

intentionally. If a person who is offering the prayer

leaves/omits any of the Pillars or the Mandatory Acts

(Requirements) intentionally, this will invalidate his prayer.

If he leaves any of the Waajibaat (Mandatory acts/

Requirements) out of forgetfulness, he should compensate it

by doing the Sujood as-Sahw at the end of the prayer.

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If he leaves any of the Arkaan (Pillars) out of forgetfulness,

then he should return and do it (i.e. to make up the missed

rukn (pillar) in the next rak’ah/unit) and then do the Sujood

as-Sahw at the end of the prayer.

For example:

All the other actions other than the Arkaan (Pillars) and the Waajibaat (Mandatory

Acts) are considered the Sunnah acts of the Prayer.

[Reference: http://alhudasisters.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/salah-workbook-c-061720121.pdf]

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Adhkaar (Supplications) recited after the (Obligatory) Prayers

It is recommended that one should not hasten (to get up) when

he finishes the prayer, but remain seated in his place and

remember Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala with the following

words of Remembrance (Adhkaar/ Supplications):

1)

We are asking Allah to forgive our sins and our shortcomings in our prayers

and other righteous acts or deeds. We should never feel proud of ourselves

for having performed the prayers or having done any good deeds. When we

do a righteous act or deed, we must be grateful to Allah for giving us the

ability to do it and we must feel in our heart that He Subhanahu wa Ta’ala

deserves better deeds from us. We should always praise and thank Allah for

the countless favors and blessings He has bestowed upon us by His mercy.

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2)

After every obligatory prayer, when we are reciting these words of

Testimony, we are renewing our faith. We are affirming that Allah is the

One Who is perfect and no one is perfect or worthy of worship except Him.

And we are praising Allah, Who is the Owner of the Dominion and Who is

able to do everything. It is Allah Who gave us the ability to pray. Everything

is in Allah’s hands. We praise Allah as all His actions are praise worthy.

When we recite that none can withhold what Allah gives and none can give

what Allah has withheld, we are pleased and contented with everything we

have in our lives. We also affirm that the mighty person who has the power

or authority cannot benefit his might/power against Allah Subhanahu wa

Ta’ala.

3)

It is preferable to count on one’s fingers when reciting the Tasbeeh as the

hadeeth says: “Count on your fingers, for they will be asked, and will be

made to speak.”

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4)

In this supplication we are seeking help in Allah to do 3 things: To remember Allah To give thanks to Allah To worship Allah in the best manner

5) Recite Aayatul Kursi, Surat Al-Ikhlas, Surat Al-Falaq and

Surat An-Naas.

Aayatul Kursi

If a person recites Aayat-ul-Kursi after each obligatory prayer and he dies,

he will be entering Paradise. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala is giving us so

many chances to enter the Paradise, SubhanAllah!!!

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Surat Al-Ikhlaas

Surat Al-Falaq

Surat An-Naas

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[Reference: http://alhudasisters.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/adhkaar-card-c-06302012.pdf ]

These Surahs/chapters are recited after every obligatory prayer and also

recited 3 times in the morning and evening supplications.

After the obligatory prayers, when one remains seated in his place in a state

of wudhu’ and recites these Adhkaar/Supplications (i.e. asking for

forgiveness and remembering Allah after the prayer), it is like as if he is still

in his prayer and the Malaaikah (Angels) will be making du’aa for him. So it

is recommended that one should not hasten to get up or leave the place as

soon as he completes his (obligatory) prayers, but remain seated in his

place and recite the prescribed supplications after each prayer. After

performing the obligatory prayers, he should not even hasten to pray the

Nawaafil/Sunnah (Voluntary) prayers before reciting these supplications.

This really needs Sabr (patience).

When we perform our five daily prayers and recite all of these prescribed

supplications after each prayer, it prevents us from committing sins and

helps us to reform ourselves, SubhanAllah!

Performing the Nawaafil/Sunnah (Voluntary) prayers will make up the

shortcomings in our Obligatory Prayers- Hadeeth >>>

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “The first deed for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is good then he will have prospered and succeeded, but if it is bad then he will be doomed and have lost. If anything is lacking from his obligatory prayers, the Lord will say, ‘Look and see whether My slave did any voluntary prayers, and make up the shortfall in his obligatory prayers from that.’ Then all his deeds will be dealt with likewise.” [Recorded by an-Nasaa’i, 465; at-Tirmidhi, 413. Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 2573].

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Let us ponder and reflect upon this beautiful Aayah (Verse) from the Qur’an

which was mentioned by our teacher during the class >>>

Allah says in Surat An-Nahl, 16:97 -

Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do.

This is a promise from Allah to those Children of Adam, male or female,

who do righteous deeds - deeds in accordance with the Book of Allah and

the Sunnah of His Prophet, with a heart that believes in Allah and His

Messenger, while believing that these deeds are commanded and enjoined

by Allah. Allah promises that He will give them a good life in this world and

that He will reward them according to the best of their deeds in the

Hereafter.

The good life includes feeling tranquility in all aspects of life. It includes

good & lawful provision, contentment, happiness, working to obey Allah

and finding joy in that.

[Reference: http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/PDF/016%20Nahl.pdf ]

May Allah forgive our sins and shortcomings and help us to strengthen our faith and to

perfect our Prayers. May He Subhanahu wa Ta’ala help us to do the best (righteous)

deeds that are accepted, and may He give us a good life in this world and grant us the

best in the Hereafter (Aameen Ya Rabb)

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