SALAAT

The Benefits of Salaat

The Holy Quran says: "Establish Salaat to remember Me (Allah)." (20:14)

Before we explain how Salaat should be read, we will list some of the benefits of Salaat to help you gain a better understanding of this very important form of Ibaadat.

1. Salaat with Jamaat increases Muslim Brotherhood.
2. Salaat makes us remember that Almighty Allah Sees & Hears us.
3. Salaat builds love for Almighty Allah & for His special servants, the Ambiya (Prophets) & Auliya (Saints).
4. Salaat destroys the evil within us.
5. Salaat acts like a light &  leads us away from darkness & trouble.
6. Salaat teaches us discipline.
7. Salaat builds "Taqwa" or "Piety" in us.
8. Just as food maintains our body, Salaat maintain our Soul (Ruh).

Forbidden Times of Salaat

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "Salaat at fixed times has been enjoined on the believers." (4:103) It is forbidden to read any Salaat or to make Sajdah Tilaawat during these 3 times of the day:

Before we explain how Salaat should be read, we will list some of the benefits of Salaat to help you gain a better understanding of this very important form of Ibaadat.

1. When the sun is rising.
2. When the sun is at it's highest point (Zawaal).
3. When the sun is setting.

It is forbidden to read any Nafil Salaat:

1. after the break of dawn,
2. before sunrise,
3. after the Farz of the Fajar Salaat,
4. after Asar Salaat until sunset,
5. during the Khutbah of both the Eids & the Jummah Salaat.

The Conditions of Salaat

Before performing the Salaat there are certain conditions that a person must be aware of. It is Fard to follow these conditions:

1. Tahaarat: to make sure that the body & the clothes are clean.
2. Make sure that the place where Salaat is being read is clean.
3. To cover the body properly:
4. For the male it is necessary to cover the body from the navel till below the knees.
5. For the female it is necessary to cover the body from the head to the feet, except the face.
6. The feet till the ankles & the hands till the wrist must be covered.
7. To face the Qiblah.
8. To make sure that the Salaat is read in the specified times.
9. To make the correct Niyyat for Salaat.
10. To be a Muslim with correct Islamic beliefs.

The Faraa'iz (Farz) of Salaat

There are 7 Faraa'iz of Salaat:

1. Takbeer-e-Tahreemah (the first Allahu Akbar)
2. Qiyaam (standing)
3. Qiraat
4. Ruku
5. Sajdah
6. Qadah Akheerat
7. To indicate the end of Salaat.

The Waajibaat (Wajib) of Salaat

Waajibs are those actions which are compulsory. In Salaat there are certain Waajib actions that, if when left out, can be corrected through Sajdah Sahw. The Waajibaat of Salaat are:

1. To read Surah Fatiha in every Rakaat.
2. To read one short Surah, or to read one long Ayat or to read 3 short Ayat after the Surah Fatiha in the first 2 Rakaat of the Farz Salaat & in all the Rakaat of other Salaat (non-Fard Salaat).
3. To read the Salaat in the correct sequence.
4. To stand erect after Ruku (Qiyaam) before going for Sajdah.
5. To sit in Jalsa position between the two Sujood (Sajdas).
6. To sit in Qadah 'Ula after 2 Rakaat when you are reading a 4 or 3 Rakaat Salaat.
7. To read Attahiyaat in Qadah 'Ula & Qadah Akheerat.
8. To read Salaat without rushing.
9. To read Du'a Qunoot in the Witr Salaat of Isha.
10. The Imaam should read aloud during:
11. The first 2 Rakaat of the Farz of Fajar, Maghrib & Isha Salaat.
12. The two Rakaat of the Jummah & Eid Salaat.
13. The Taraweeh & Witr Salaat during the Month of Ramadaan.
14. The Imaam should read silently in:
15. All the Rakaat of the Zohar & Asar Salaat.
16. The third Rakaat of the Maghrib Salaat.
17. The third & fourth Rakaat of the Isha Salaat.
18. To read 6 extra Takbeers in both the Eid Salaat.
19. To end the Salaat with the words of Salaam.
20. Among the Waajibaats of Sajdah, it is compulsory that at least 3 toes must touch the ground facing the Qiblah.

The Sunnah of Salaat
There are certain actions which are Sunnah in Salaat. If one misses these Sunnahs, then the Sawaab of the Salaat is reduced. What are these Sunnahs?

The Sunnan of Takbeer-e-Tahreema

1. It is Sunnah for the males to lift up their hands to their ears for Takbeer, while the females should lift up their hands to their shoulders.
2. While lifting the hands, the fingers should be kept relaxed with the palms facing towards the Qiblah.
3. The males, after lifting up their hands, should then fold them below their navels with the right hand over the left hand. The females should place their hands on their chest, with the right hand over the left hand.

The Sunnah of Qiyaam

1. The Sunnah of Qiyaam Stand with the feet parallel to each other. There must be about a four finger width gap between the feet.
2. The body must be straight with the head lowered & the eyes should be directed to the spot where Sajdah is to be made.

The Sunnah of Qiraat

1. To read the Thana.
2. To read the Ta'oozu or "A'oozubillah."
3. To read the Tasmiyat or "Bismillah."
4. To read "Bismillah" at the beginning of every Rakaat.
5. To say "Ameen" at the end of Surah Fatiha.
6. To read the Ta'oozu, Tasmiyat & say the Ameen silently.
7. The first Rakaat should be longer than the second Rakaat.

The Sunnah of Sajdah

1. When going into Sajdah make sure that the knees touch the ground first, followed by the hands, the nose & lastly, the forehead.
2. When waking up from Sajdah, the whole method should be reversed.
3. In Sajdah, the fingers should be closed & facing the Qiblah. The forehead should rest between the hands.
4. To say the Takbeer, "Allahu Akbar", when going into Sajdah & when waking up from Sajdah.
5. To read the Tasbeeh of Sajdah three times.
6. When in Sajdah, the males should make sure that their stomach does not rest on their thighs & that the arms does not rest flat on the ground.
7. Females should keep their stomach close to their thighs & their arms should be flat on the ground & close to their bodies.
8. All the toes of the feet must touch the ground.

The Sunnah of Qa'dah

1. Males should sit on the left foot by placing it flat on the ground & the right foot should be up with the toes facing the Qiblah.
2. Females should sit on their left rear, placing both their feet out to the right.
3. Place the palms of both hands above the knees.
4. When reading "Attahiyaat", lift the right Shahaadah finger on reaching the "Laa" of "Ash-hadu al laa ilaaha." Fold the rest of the fingers into a ball & lower the Shahaadah finger on reaching "Illal laahu."
5. To read the Durood-e-Ibrahim & any Masnoon Du'a after this.

The Sunnah of Salaam

1. The face should be first turned to the right & then to the left when making Salaam.
2. When making Salaam in Jamaat, one should have the intention of greeting the Imaam, the Musallies & the Angels. A person who is reading alone should make the intention of greeting the Angels.

The Mustahabaat (Mustahabs) of Salaat

1. Look at the place where you make Sajdah when in the Qiyaam position.
2. During Ruku you should look at the feet.
3. The eyes should focus on the nose during Sajdah.
4. When in the Qa'dah position the eyes should focus at the knees or the thighs.
5. When making Salaam, the eyes should be focused on the shoulders.
6. One should avoid coughing.
7. One should avoid yawning.

The Makroohaats (Makroohs) of Salaat

1. To scratch the body unnecessarily.
2. Playing with one's clothes.
3. To close ones eyes through tiredness.
4. To miss out any Sunnah deliberately.
5. To make the second Rakaat longer than the first.
6. To read the Surah in the incorrect sequence, for example, to read Surah An-Naas in the first Rakaat & then Surah Al-Falaq after.
7. To read Salaat when one is very hungry, or one has to go to toilet or when the food has already been served.

Actions which Break the Salaat

There are certain actions which break the Salaat. They are called "Mufsidaat-e-Salaat." If these actions occur, one will have to re-read the Salaat. What are these actions?

1. To utter any word that is not part of the Salaat.
2. To cry out in pain.
3. If Wudu breaks.
4. When one loses his senses.
5. When a persons chest is intentionally turned away from the Qiblah more than 45 degrees.
6. When one leaves out any Farz.
7. When one reads the Holy Quran incorrectly.
8. When one eats or drinks in Salaat.
9. When one moves about in Salaat in different directions.
10. To step ahead of the Imaam.
11. To laugh or giggle.
12. When the private parts are revealed.
13. When one performs "Fe-le Katheer". Fe-le Katheer are those actions which will lead the observer to believe that one is not in Salaat, for example, tying one's belt, removing one's handkerchief, wiping one's nose & so on.

Note: If the hat falls to the floor while Salaat is being performed the person can pick it up & wear it without causing a lot of movement.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SALAAT

Salaat is the soul of all our Ibaadaat (prayers). The Pious predecessors have stated that if a person does not perform his Salaat, then no other Ibaadat performed by him or her is accepted & if a person loves Salaat & is punctual in his Salaat then Allah Willing, his or her wrongs will all be forgiven. We should thus try our best to perform our Salaat & also show strictness in our homes so that our families may also perform their Salaat. Hazrat Esa (alaihis salaam) once passed by a river. There he saw a beautiful & elegant looking bird lying in a puddle of mud & dirt. The bird's entire body was covered with filth. He then noticed this bird come out of the mud & then dive into the river until it was clean & beautiful again. Thereafter, the bird once again flew into the dirt & mud & became covered with filth. Once more, the bird left the mud & flew into the river again until it was clean & beautiful again. This astonishing act was repeated five times. Hazrat Esa (alaihis salaam) began to wonder as to the reason for this strange sequence of events. Sayyiduna Jibraeel-e-Amin (alaihis salaam) descended & told him: "This bird is equal to a human from the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). Each time he sins he becomes unclean & when he performs his Salaat, then Almighty Allah purifies him just like the mud & dirt that was cleansed from the bird".

It has been narrated that when a persons Salaat is accepted, then as a reward Almighty Allah creates an Angel that remains in Ruku & Sujood making Tasbeeh until the Day of Qiyamat. The Sawaab of all the Ibaadat of this Angel is recorded in the books of the Salaati.

It has been stated in authentic sources that on the Day of Qiyamat as the people will be passing over Pul-Siraat, which is thinner than a hair & sharper than a sword, there will be a group of people who will say that they are too scared to cross over the bridge. Sayyiduna Jibraeel (alaihis salaam) will ask them how they used to cross the oceans in the world. They they will say that they did so with ships. On hearing their answer, the Musjids that they worshipped in will be brought & they will sit in these Musjids & pass safely over Pul-Siraat.

The Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) once asked the Sahaba if any dirt would remain on the body of a person who bathed five times daily in a stream in front of his home. They said that no dirt would remain. He then said: "This is the example of the five daily Salaat. Any person who reads his five daily Salaat, is purified of his sins & bad doings by Allah".

Hazrat Abu Zar (radi allahu anhu) states that it was winter & the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came out of his Hujra. He went to a tree, held it's branch & shook it. This caused it's leaves to fall off easily. He then said, "O Abu Air & I replied, 'I am present Ya Rasool allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)'". He said: "When a Muslim reads Salaat for Allah, then his sins fall like the leaves of a tree".

Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was questioned concerning which actions were the most loved & closest to Allah. He replied by saying: "To perform Salaat in its appointed time & he who leaves Salaat has no Deen." Salaat is the pillar of Deen, the Me'raj of a Mu'min & a sign of success. An intelligent man is one who goes from a low position to a higher position & an ignorant man is one who proceeds from a high position to a low position. Mustahab is greater than Mubah. Sunnah is greater than Mustahab. Waajib is greater than Sunnah. Fard is greater than Waajib. Greater than all Faraa'idh is Salaat. Even though we make Urs, Fatiha, etc, we should remember that the greatest Ibaadat is Salaat. Without this, all our other Ibaadaat is incomplete. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) has stated: "When your child reaches the age of seven teach him Salaat. When he reaches ten, shun him if he does not read his Salaat". He also said: "Read your Salaat before your Janazah is read".

It has been stated that on the Day of Qiyamat, will come in the form of white camels whose feet will be made from Amber, their necks from Saffron, their heads from musk & their reigns from emeralds. Those who gave Azaan will be in front, the Imams of Musjids will guide them forward from behind & behind the Imaams will be the musallees who sincerely read Salaat in Jamaat behind the Imaam. When the others will see this on the Day of Qiyamah they will enquire whether these people are Angels or Prophets. It will be said to them that they are neither. They will be told that such are the Ummah of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) who were punctual in their Salaat.

Dear Muslim brothers & sisters! Perform your Salaat, for Salaat will assist us in this world, in our graves & on the Day of Qiyamat.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PERFORMING SALAAT WITH CONGREGATION (JAMAAT)
Salaat is obligatory upon every mature Muslim male & female. Whether a Muslim is black, white, rich or poor, literate or illiterate, Salaat is Farz upon him or her five times a day. Salaat is not Maaf at any time. Salaat is a pillar of religion, recognition of faith & the key to Jannat. Salaat is the Sunnah of the Ambiya, coolness of the eyes of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & the Me'raj of the Believers.

Salaat is the greatest of all Ibaadah & the most important obligation. It washes away sins & builds good deeds. It saves one from Hell & guides one towards Paradise. By reading Salaat, one gains the Pleasure of Almighty Allah & the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), love of Angels, safety from calamities, good health, healthy life, Barakah in sustenance & blessings in all aspects of life. The grave of the Salaati will be enlightened with Noor. On the Day of Reckoning, he shall rise close to the Prophets, Saints, Martyrs & Pious Ones.

If a child is seven years of age, he should be taught to read Salaat & when he or she reaches the age of ten years, they should be warned & shunned if they do not comply. Laziness in Salaat is a sign of hypocrisy. To leave out Salaat completely is a sign of Kufr & to refute or make a mockery of it is Kufr. A non-Salaati is disliked by Almighty Allah & His Rasool (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). There is great torment for him in the grave. His grave will be cramped & reckoning will be harsh. He will rise with Qaroon, Firawn, Hamaan & Ubayy ibn Khalf. No other good deed of his will be accepted.

Salaat should be read sincerely with congregation in the masjid. To leave out the Jamaat without reason is a major sin. To read Salaat in Jamaat is 27 times more excellent than reading alone. In Jummah & in Eidain, the Jamaat is a pre-condition without which there is no Salaat. In Taraweeh, congregational prayers is Sunnat-e-Kifaayah. To read Witr Salaat with Jamaat in Ramadaan is Mustahab (desirable). Congregation for Nafil & Sunnah is Makrooh. For women to be present in any congregational prayer is disallowed.

For Jamaah, the Imam has to be present. The Imam should be a Sunni - Sahihul Aqeedah. He should know the laws pertaining to Salaat &  he should recite the Quran correctly. Salaat behind open sinners, clean shaven persons, those who do not keep a Shar'i beard, etc. is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi & Waajib to repeat. In other words, Salaat read behind such persons should be repeated.

Salaat read behind hypocrites, misled persons, Dushman (Enemy)-e-Rasool, non-Mazhabites, insulters of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in any way, be it by saying that he is mixed in the sand (Ma'azallah), he does not possess sufficient knowledge (Ma'azallah), he is an ordinary human being like us (Ma'azallah), he is unaware of the happenings in this world (Ma'azallah), he is not the Final Messenger (Ma'azallah), etc. - all these statements lead a person out of Islam & Salaat behind such persons is totally forbidden since there is no Salaat behind such a persons. Salaat is not just any worldly transaction, but it is for Allah. Thus, one should not read Salaat behind just anyone, but should be satisfied with the Imam's character & Aqeedah.

After Salaat, it is of great blessing to make Du'a. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that Dua is the crux & soul of Ibaadah. To lift up your hands after Azaan & Salaat to make Dua for the Believers is loved by Almighty Allah, a Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), a practice of the Sahaba & a means of mercy & reward. To shake hands & make Salaam to one another after Salaat is also permitted.

Remember: Only stand for Salaat after hearing "Hayya alas-Salaat" & "Hayya alal-Falah" in the Iqaamat. To stand before this is Makrooh & to follow the proper practice of sitting is Mustahab (desirable) & a sign of the Ahle Sunnat.

THE PROHIBITION OF WEARING FOLDED CLOTHES IN SALAAT
Those people who fold their hems of their pants over their ankles believe that by doing this they are making their Salaat proper, but by doing this they are making their Salaat Makrooh Tahrimee (undesirable).

According to the Shari'at to read (perform) Salaat with folded clothes is Makrooh. The following Ahadees are very explicit on this matter.

"I was ordered to prostrate on seven parts & not to fold clothes & not to coil hair." (Sihah Sittah) "I was ordered not to fold clothes & not to coil hair." (Bukhari & Muslim) "To fold (gather or lift) clothes for Salaar is Makrooh." (Quoted in most Kitaabs)

"To fold clothes in Salaat or to lift clothes with both hands from front or back at the time of sajdah with a small action is Makrooh or to enter (Salaat) with folded clothes is Makrooh." (Ghoonyha- quoted in Fatawa Razvia)

To read Salaat with folded clothes is Makrooh Tahrimee (necessary to repeat the Salaat) & to read Salaat with pants hanging over the ankle & below the ankle is Makrooh Tanzeehi (not necessary to repeat the Salaat).

It is not necessary to repeat the Salaat as A'la Hazrat, Imam-e-Ahle Sunnat (radi Allahu anhu) has stated in "Fatawa Razvia," Vol.3: "To leave the pants hanging below the ankle with pride is Haraam & to perform Salaat with this intention is Makrooh Tahrimee, otherwise it is Makrooh Tanzeehi."

THE EASY WAY TO PERFORM SALAAT THAT ONE HAS MISSED OF THE PAST AGE
It is compulsory upon each & every adult Muslim male & female to perform Salaat. If a person started performing Salaat after a few years of his or her adult age, the balance of the Salaat due is compulsory upon him or her. For example: If Abdullah has become an adult at the age of 14, but at the age of 20 he started reading his Salaat, the balance of 6 years of Salaat is due on him. If the person does not remember the date of his adulthood, that person should consider 12 years as being their adult age. According to Islamic Fiqah, boys become adults at the age of 14 years.

If the female does not know when her adult age is, she can consider 9 years as being her adult age. Over & above she can further reduce her days by considering her monthly course period. Salaat is not compulsory in this time. In this way she can perform the balance of the Salaat that she had missed.

Each & every person should perform the balance of the Salaat immediately. Nobody knows when death will come or sickness & other work necessary in life. Salaat should be performed in time. Instead of performing Sunnat-e-Ghair- Muakkidah & Nawaafil Salaat, it is essential to perform the Salaat that are due. Instead of performing Nawaafil Salaat on important nights, it is better to perform the Salaat that are due. One must have hope on Almighty Allah that we will benefit from both the farz & Nawaafil Salaat together.

There are 20 Rakaahs of Farz Salaat in a day: Fajr (2), Zohar (4), Asr (4), Maghrib (3), Isha (4) & Witr (3). These Salaat can be performed any time accept during Zawaal, sunrise & sunset (During these period Salaat is Haraam). You should perform all balance of Salaat quickly without laziness. Nawaafil will not be accepted by Almighty Allah if the balance of the Salaat that have to be performed are still due.

When you stand to perform your due Salaat, you must say that you are performing the due Salaat for say, Fajr, for the sake of Allah, facing the Kaaba, Allahu Akbar. The same way for the other Farz & Witr Salaat. If a perform has a lot of balance Salaat to be performed, then A'la Hazrat (radi Allahu anhu) has shown an easy way:

In the Farz Salaat, while performing the 3rd & 4th Rakaat, instead of reading the Alhamdu Shareef, say Subhanallah 3 times & go for Ruku. This rule is only for the 3rd & 4th Rakaat of Farz Salaat. Witr must be performed fully.

While in Ruku & Sajdah, say only one time Subhana-Rabbi-al Azeem & Subhana-Rabbi-al A'la, saying these words properly.

While performing the Farz & Witr Salaat, after the At-tahiyat, say only Durood.

During Witr Salaat, instead of reading the Dua-e-Qunoot, say 3 times Rabbigh Firlee. (Fatawa Razvia, Vol.3, pages 621-2 & Al- Malfoozat Shareef, Vol.1, page 60-1)

WHY DOES TARAWEEH HAVE TWENTY RAKAAT?
From the Ahadees, there is proof that Salaat-ul-Taraweeh consists of 20 Rakaat of which 8 Rakaat make up Salaat-ul-Layl & not Salaatul Taraweeh. A specific point shown to us by the Ulama is that the entire Quran consists of 540 Rukus. Hazrat Usman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) used to perform 20 Rakaatof Taraweeh every night in Ramadaan & with one Ruku recited for each Rakaah, the entire Quran used to be completed by the 27th night of Ramadaan. Wherever Hazrat Usman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) had stopped to make Ruku in Salaat, that stopping point was marked in the Quran with a Ruku sign. This is proof that the Khulafa-e-Rashideen performed 20 Rakaat of Taraweeh & that we have to follow the example of the Khulafa-e-Rashideen (ridwanullahi ta'ala alaihim ajma'in).