Short Ways To Prayer

THE FVE PILLARS OF ISLAM. 1. Bare witness (Kalimatu-Shahadah)

Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu. “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger.”

2. pray the five daily prayers (Salāt), 3. fast the month of Ramadan (Sawm), 4. give poor due (Zakat) 5. perform the pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj). Allah Almighty has ordered us to perform Fard of the five daily prayers and Muhammad (s) recommended for us to perform the Sunnah prayers. SOME CONDITIONS FOR THE PRAYERS 1. To have clean body, clothes, and place where prayer is to be established. 2. Perform wudu’ (ablution), and/or if needed, perform ghusul (ritual bath) 3. appropriately dressed, 4. perform prayer (salāt) on time. 5. face towards Qiblah (Ka’aba). 6. make intention for specific prayer. WUDU’ (Ablution): Before performing the prayer, we must make intention wudu’: I am intending to take wudu’ to purify myself and prepare for the prayer, seeking Allah’s nearness. 1. Wash both of your hands up to your wrists. Make sure that the water goes between your fingers (3 times), 2. Take water into your mouth three times,

using your right hand. Rinse your mouth well each time before spitting out the water (3 times), 3. Take water slightly up into your nostrils by sniffing, once again three times, using your right hand (3 times), 4. Bring your two hands together and use a handful of water to wash your face three times from your forehead to the bottom of your chin, and then along the sides up to your ears (3 times), 5. Wash your right and left arms, each up to your elbow (3 times), 7. Wet your right hand, and wipe at least one fourth of your head with it (1 time), 8. Wipe the nape and the sides of your neck with the back of your wet hands, 9. Wet your hands and wipe the inside of your ears with the tips of the little finger, and wipe the back of your ears from bottom to top with your thumbs (1 time) and 10. Wash both feet, starting with the right one, including the ankles, with the help of your left hand. Make sure that the water goes between your toes. (three times).

Your wudu’ will be annulled if: bowel movement or urinate, if we bleed any amount of blood or puss. If we fall asleep, vomit or pass gas. IQAMAH (recited before Fard prayer – only for men) Allāhu Akbar - 4 times Ashadu an lā ilāha ill-Allāh – 2 times

Ashadu anna Muhammadan Rasūlullāh – 2 times Hayya a’las-Salāh - 2 times Hayya a’lal Falāh - 2 times Qad qamati-s-salāh - 2 times Allāhu Akbar - 2 times Lā ilāha ill-Allāh - 1 times God is Greatest, God is Greatest, I assert that there is no god but Allah, I assert that Muhammad is the Messenger of God, Come to the prayer, Come to salvation, Stand for prayer God is Greatest, God is Greatest, There is no god but Allah NIYYAH (intention to pray) Nawaytu an usalliya lillâhi ta'âla salâta_________ adâan mustaqbil al-qiblati, Allâhu Akbar. “I intend to pray ___________ in the name of Allah, turning to the Qiblah, God is Greates.

In the blank space we have to add a specific salât. For an example: if we want to pray FAJR, we have to add “sunnati-l-fajri” or “fardi-lfajri”. For DHUHR we will add “sunnati-dhuhrii, fardi-dhuhri or sunsunnati-dhuhri. For ASR we’ll add sunnati-l-‛asri or fardil-‛asri. For MAGHRIB we’ll add fardi-l-maghribi or sunnati-l-maghribi, and for ’ISHA we’ll add sunnati-l-`išāi, fardi-l-‘išāi, sun-sunnati-l-‘išāi or salāte-l-witri. There are 6 parts of the prayer: 1. Beginning Takbir, 2. Standing, 3. Reciting of the Qur’an, 4. Bowing (ruku’), 5. Prostrating (sajdah), 6. Final sitting at the end of prayer. Standing, reciting, bowing, prostrating and sitting makes one Raka’at. HERE’S HOW TO EASILY PERFORM THE PRAYER: 1. Takbir (Allahu Akbar) After making the intention for specific prayer, men raise their hands with their palms facing the Qiblah (forward) tumbs touching the earlobes. Women raise their hands in the same motion positioning them at their shoulder level. Both then say the beginning takbir (Allahu Akbar). 2. and 3. Standing in the prayer (Qiyam) and reciting the Qur’an We stand calmly and humbly (reciting the Qur’an) looking at the spot where our forehead will touch on sajdah. Our feet are 10 inches apart and our right hand is over the left; men hold their hands at their belly button and women hold their hands on their chest.

Standing in the prayer we call Qiyam. Whoever for whatever reason cannot stand can perform the prayer sitting on the chair. * In the first reka’at we always recite: Subhanaka “Subhānaka Allāhumma wa bi hamdika, wa tabāra kasmuka, wa ta’ālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruka. “Glorified are You, O Allah! Praise is to You. Blessed is Your Name. Utmost High is Your Grandeur, (Your Glory is very High5), and there is no God but You.” Isti’adha and Basmala A`ūdhu billāhi mina-sh-shaytāni-r-rajīm Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim I seek refuge in Allah from the Satan, the accursed. In the name of Allah, In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful Surah Al-Fatiha Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Rahīm. Al-hamdu-lillahi Rabbil ‘alamin Ar-Rahmnanir-Rahim. Maliki Yawmid-Din. Iyyaka na’abudu wa iyyaka nasta’in. Ihdinas-Siratal Mustaqim. Siratalladhina an ’amta ‘alayhim. Ghayril maghdubi ‘alayhim walad-dâllin. (Amin!) In the name of Allah, In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful All praise and gratitude are for God, the Lord of the worlds, The All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate, The Master of the Day of Judgment, You alone do we worship, and from You alone do we seek help, Guide us to the straight path, The path of those whom You have favored, not the path of those who have incurred (Your) wrath (punishment and condemnation), nor those who are astray. (Amin!)

Surah of your choice: (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Kawthar, Al-Falaq, etc) For an example: Surah Al-Ikhlas Bismillāhir-Rahmānir-Rahīm. Qul huwa-llahu ahad. Allahus-Samad. Lam yalid wa lam yulad. Wa lam yakullahu kufuwan ahad. In the name of Allah, In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful Say: “He – (He is) God, (Who is) the Unique One of Absolute Oneness. God – (God is He Who is) the Eternally-Besought-of-All (Himself is in no need of anything). He begets not, nor is He begotten. And comparable to Him there is none.” * While standing on the second raka’at (unit) in all the prayers, we recite basmala, al-Fatiha and one surah. * While standing on the third and fourth raka’at, we only recite basmala and al-Fatiha. * While standing on the third raka’at of sunnah in ‘Asr and ‘Isha, we recite: Subhanaka, Isti’adha, Basmala, al-Fatiha and surah, that is, same as in the beginning of each prayer. * While standing on the third and fourth raka’at of sunnah in Dhuhr, we recite: Basmala, al-Fatiha and one surah, which is the same as the second raka’at. * While standing on the third raka’at of salât-al-witr, we recite: Basmala, al-Fatiha, surah, and then we raise both hands as in the beginning of prayer reciting the Takbir and we also recite the Kunut Du’a. Those who haven’t learned Kunut du’a can recite: “Allahumma rabbana atina fi-d-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhireti hasanatan wakina azaba-n-nar.” 4. Ruku’: bowing in the prayer.

Bowing down in such a manner that the head and the hips are on an equal level, act that is done from the standing position upon the completion of the recitation of the Qur’an. While performing ruku’, we recite: “Subhana rabbiya-l-‘azim”, three times. Coming back to the standing position, we recite: “Sami’ Allahu liman hamidah”, then we pause for a moment and say: “Rabbana laka-l-hamd”. After this recitation we say takbir and perform the sajdah (prostration). 5. Sajdah: prostration to God First we fall on the groud with our knees, then our palms, and then between our palms we lower our forehead and nose. While on sajdah we recite: “Subhana rabbiyal-a’ala” three times. Reciting the Takbir we come from the sajdah into a sitting position and then, doing same prostration, we perform the second sajdah. Having completed sajdah, we get up and begin the second raka’at.

6. Tashahhud: sitting during the prayer Afte every second raka’at and at the end of the prayer we sit on our knees and recite “at-Tahiyyat”, the supplication of Tashahhud.

In the qa’da al-akhirah (last sitting), a male turns his left foot in and sits on it while propping up the right foot with the toes pointing to the direction of Qiblah. However, a female, sits on her hipbones while placing both of the feet out on the right side. Prayers which have 3 or 4 raka’ats will have 2 sittings. On the first sitting we only recite “at-Tahiyyat” and on the last sitting we recite “at-Tahiyyat”, “Salawats” and “Du’a” and at the end we finish with “Salam”. At-Tahiyyat At-tahiyyatu-lillahi-was’salawatu-wat-tayyibatu, As-salamu ‘alayka ayyu hannabiyyu wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu. As-Salamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ‘ibadillahis-salihin, Ash’hadu an la ilaha ill’Allah, Wa ash’hadu anna Muhammaden ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu. All worship belongs to Allah. Greeting is to thee, O Prophet and the mercy and blessings of Allah. Peace be upon us and on the righteous slaves of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. Salawat Allahumma salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama sallayta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahima innaka hamidun majid. Allahuma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala ali Muhammad, kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala ali Ibrahima inake hamidun majid. “O my Allah! Send mercy to the Prophet Muhammad and to the members of the family of Muhammad, as You have granted mercy to Ibrahim, and to the members of the family Ibrahim. Surely You are AllPraiseworthy, AllGlorious.” “O my Allah! Send blessings upon Muhammad and the members of the family of Muhammad as You have blessed Abraham and the members of the family of Ibrahim. Surely You are All-Praiseworthy, AllGlorious.” SELECTION OF SHORT SURAHS: Surah Al-Kawthar

Bismillahi-r-Rahmani-r-Rahim. Inna a’atayna kal-Kawthar. Fasalli li Rabbika wanhar. Inna shani’aka huwal-abtar. In the name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. We have surely granted you (unceasing) abundant good. So pray to your Lord, and sactifice (for Him in thankfulness). Surely it is the one who offends you who is cut off (from unceasinggood, including posterity). Surah Al-Falaq Bismillâhir-Rahmânir-Rahîm. Qu a’udhu bi Rabbil-falaq. Min sharri ma khalaq. Wa min sharri ghasiqin idha waqab. Wa min sharrin-naffa-thati fil-‘uqad.Wa min sharri hasidin idha hasad. In the name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. Say: “I seek refuge in the Lord of the daybreak, From the evil of what He has created; And from the evil of the darkness (of night) when it overspreads; And from the evil of the witches who blow on knots (to cast a spell); And from the evil of the envious one when he envies.” Surah An-Nas Bismillâhir-Rahmânir-Rahîm. Qul a’udhu bi Rabbin-nas, Malikin-nas, Ilahin-nas, min sharril waswasil-khan-nas, alladhi yuwaswisu fi sudurin-nas, min al-jinnati wannas. In the name of God, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. Say: “I seek refuge in the Lord of the humankind, The Sovereign of humankind, The Deity of humankind, From the evil of the sneaking whisperer (the Satan), Who whispers into the hearts of humankind, Among jinns and among men.” SALAT AL-JUM’UAH (Friday Prayer)

The assembly prayer (Salat al-Jumu’ah) is obligatory (Fard) that is to be performed in congregation on Friday in place of the noon prayer (dhuhr). Salat al-Jumu’ah has 16 raka’ats: 4 raka’at sunnah (sunnatil-jumu’ati), 2 raka’at fard (fardil-jumu’ati), 4 raka’at sun-sunnah (sun-sunnatil jumu’ati), 4 raka’at akhiri dhuhri,1 2 raka’at sunnatil-waqti – a total of 16 raka’ats. 1. The sunnah prayer of four raka’at s prayed just like the four raka’ats of sunnah in Dhuhr prayer. Intention is as follows: Nawaytu an usalliyya lillahi ta’ala salata sunnati-l-Jumu’ati ada an mustaqbil al-qiblati, Allahu Akbar. 2. After the first four sunnah raka’at, the Muadhdhin calls the second Adhan and Imam goes up on the mimbar (podium) from which he delivers a sermon. 1

Akhir-i Dhuri is prayed in case Salat al-Jumu’ah is not accepted (in absence of the Khalifa)

3. As Imam completes the khutbah (sermon), Muadhdhin recited the iqamah and attendees stands up for the congregational prayer (fard). Intention is as follows: Nawaytu an usalliyya lillahi ta’ala salata fardi-l-Jumu’ati ada an mustaqbil al-qiblati, iktadaytu bi hadha-l-imami, Allahu Akbar. 4. After the congregational prayer (fard), everyone individually prays the rest 10 raka’ats. Intention for each prayer is as follows: Sun-Sunnati-l Jumu’ati: Nawaytu an usalliyya lillahi ta’ala salata sun-sunnati-l-Jumu’ati ada an mustaqbil al-qiblati, Allahu Akbar. Akhiri-Dhuhri: Nawaytu an usalliyya lillahi ta’ala salata akhiridhuhri ada an mustaqbil al-qiblati, Allahu Akbar. Sunnati-l Waqti: Nawaytu an usalliyya lillahi ta’ala salata sunnati-lwaqti ada an mustaqbil al-qiblati, Allahu Akbar.