Method of Salat

Along with Pictures

Compiled by: Sayyid Muhammad Qadi Mar'ashi

Translator: Saleem Bhimji
Publisher: Ansariyan Publications – Qum
Second Reprint 1379 -1422 - 2001
Third Reprint 1382 - 1424 - 2003
Press: Bahman
Quantity: 5000
Number of Pages: 48
Size: 145 x 215 mm
ISBN: 964-438-140-8
ALL RIGHTS RECORDED AND RESERVED FOR THE PUBLISHER

Ansariyan Publications
P.O. Box 187
22 Shohada St., Qum
Islamic Republic of Iran
Tel: 0098 251 7741744 Fax: 7742647
Email: [email protected]
www.ansariyan.net & www.ansariyan.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Word from the Publisher 3
Fundamental Principles of the Religion (Usul-e-Din) 5
Branches of the Religion (Furu-e-Din) 7
The Importance of Salat 9
Five hadith from The Prophet(s) about Salat 10
Concentration during Salat 11
Wudhu 12
conditions for Wudhu 18
Things that Make the Wudhu Void 19
Tayammum 20
Adhan & Iqamah 23
The Method of Reading Our Salat 29
Surah al-Fatiha 31
Surah al-Tawhid 33
Tashahud 40
Salam 42
Tasbihat al-Arbah 44
Things that make the Salat void 45
The Wajibat of the Salat 47
The Place of Salat 48
 (3)

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

A Word from the Publisher:

This booklet was originally printed in Persian by the Organization for

the Establishment of Salatof the Khuzistan Province in the Islamic
Republic of Iran in 1998.

We present the English translation of this small booklet to the dear,

esteemed readers in hopes that the younger generation of Muslims will
be able to benefit from it and learn the correct method of the Salat - the
best way for the Muslim to get closer to his Creator. We ask Allah
(Glorified and High is He) that He place us amongst His true
worshippers and servants, InshaAllah.

Ansariyan Publications
 (5)

( Usu l-e-Din )

Fundamental Principles of the Religion

Fundamental Principles of the Religion are five:

1. Tawhid [Oneness ofAllah]

Tawhid means that God is One. He has no associates or

partners. He was not born from anyone, nor is anyone born
from him, and there is nothing like Him.

2. Adl [Just]

'Adl means that Allah is just and he does not oppress any of
His creations. He will reward and punish everybody
according to his or her actions.

3. Nubuwat [Prophethood]

Allah sent Prophets to mankind for guidance, and among

their great characteristics is that they were Ma'sum -
meaning that they were immune from committing sins and
errors. A Prophet excels all other people for he is sent by
Allah to perfect mankind and teach them the correct code of
life. The first of the Prophets was Adam (Peace be upon
him), and the last of them was Muhammad ibn 'Abdullah
(Peace be upon him and his family). In total, Allah sent
124,000 Prophets to us.

4. Imamat [Leadership]

After the death of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him

and his family), Allah designated and appointed twelve
Imams, one after the other, to lead and guide the community
until the Day of Judgement. Just like the Prophets, the
Imams too are immune from committing sins or errors. The
Imams which are twelve in number and they are the only
rightful successors to the Prophet of Islam. The first of them
was 'Ali (Peace be upon him) and the last of them is Imam
al-Zaman (may Allah hasten his reappearance), who is still
alive.

(6)

5. Qiyamat [Resurrection]

Qiyamat means that when the Day of Judgement comes, all

people will be brought back to life. Those who had
performed good deeds in this world will be rewarded and
will go to Heaven and those who did bad deeds will be
punished for their actions.
 (7)

( Furu'-e-Din )

Branches of the Religion

The Branches of the Religion are ten:

1. Salat [Prayers]

There arc obligatory Salat for a Muslim to perform, one of

which is the five daily prayers. These arc obligatory on those
who have become baligh. For the purpose of fulfillment of
religious obligations, a boy becomes baligh after completing
15 years and a girl on the completion of 9 years (or earlier -
for a detailed explanation, look at the books of Islamic
laws).

2. Sawm [Fasting]

Fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan is wajib for a

Muslim. The observance of the fast of the Month of
Ramadan becomes obligatory from the day following the
appearance of the new moon of the month of Ramadan until
the night when the new moon of the following month is
seen.

3. Zakat [Poor Rate]

This is payable at the rate of 2.5%, on the value of one's

capital possessions such as gold and silver coins, wheat,
barely, dates, raisins, camels, cattle, and sheep according to
certain conditions.

4. Khums
Paying 20% of one's yearly savings, after deducting all
legitimate expenses from the earnings of that year. The
Sadat, or the descendants of the Holy Prophet have a right of
half of this amount which must be paid to those amongst
them who are poor and needy. The other half belongs to the
12th Imam and must be paid to his representatives (Maraja'
Taqlid) or those whom they have given permission to collect
on their behalf.

(8)

5. Hajj [Pilgrimage to Mecca]

Going to Mecca to visit the House of Allah for the

pilgrimage, is called the Hajj. The Ha'' becomes obligatory
on one who has the funds to travel to Mecca and return
home, as well as the funds to maintain his family while he is
gone. The Hajj is performed in the last month of the Islamic
calendar, called Dhu al-Hijjah.

6. jihad [Struggle]

Jihad means to fight in the way of Allah. Jihad literally

means to strive and struggle, and this can be in various
ways and different forms. It can also include fighting one's
own soul to prevent it from causing a

person to commit forbidden acts.

7. Amr bil Ma'ruf [Enjoininq what is right]

Guiding and encouraging other people to performing good

deeds and actions.
 8. Nahi anil Munkar [Forbidding what is wrong]

Preventing and stopping people from committing bad

actions.

9. Tawalla [Friendship]

Loving and obeying Allah (SWT), the Prophet, the Imams

and Fatimah az-Zahra (Peace be upon all of them), and
being a friend and kind to those who love and follow them.

10. Tabarra (Enemity]

Staying away from and disassociating with those people

who are the enemies of Allah (SWT), the Prophet, the
Imams and Fatimah az-Zahra (Peace be upon all of them).

(9)

( The Importance of Salat)

The Prophet of Islam (Peace be upon him and his family) has said:

"The Salat is the most important act of worship in the religion. If Allah
(SWT) accepts one's Salat, then all other acts of worship will be
accepted, and if the Salat is not accepted, then all other acts of worship
will not be accepted either."
He (Peace be upon him and his family) has also said:

"One who does not pay importance to the Salat and considers it as
something insignificant, is worthy of punishment in the next world."

(10)
( Five hadith from The Prophet (s) about Salat )

1. The Salat is the Pillar of Eligion.

2. The Salat is a way that the God-Fearing become close to Allah.

3. The most beloved action in the eyes of Allah is performing the Salat
right when the time sets in.

4. The first thing that will be taken account of (on the Day of
Judgement) is the Salat.

5. The Salat is the Key to Paradise.

 (11)

( Concentration during Salat )

During the battle of Siffin, an arrow went into the leg of Amir al-
Mo'minin 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (peace be upon him). The Imam was in
great pain because of this injury, and blood was flowing out of his
wound. However much the Muslims tried, they were not able to
remove the arrow.

The Muslims went to Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (peace be upon him) and
asked him what would be the best way to remove the arrow from his
father's leg? Imam Hasan replicd, "Be patient and wait until my father
stands for Salat, then at that time, pull the arrow out of his leg because
at the time of Saldt, my father is so deeply engrossed in communicating
with his Lord, asking and begging Him for his needs, that he will not
feel the pain."

The people acted according to what Imam Hasan (peace be upon him)
told them, and while The Commander of the Faithful 'Ali (peace be
upon him) was praying to his Lord, they managed to pull the arrow out.
After Imam 'Ali finished his Salat, he noticed that blood was coming out
of his leg and asked those around him as to what had happened. The
people replied that while he was praying, they removed the arrow from
his leg!
 (12)

( Wudhu )

It is compulsory to perform Wudhu for all the wajib Salat,

with the exception of Salat al-Mayyit (Salat for the
deceased person). In Wudhu, we wash our face and hands;
and wipe our head and the top of our feet.

( How do we Perform Wudhu? )

1. First, the face must be washed from the top of the
forehead, the place where the hair grows, until the bottom
of the chin. The width of the face that must be washed is the
distance between the tip of the thumb to the tip of the
middle finger. We must wash our face from top to bottom.

(13)
2. After washing our face, then we wash our right arm,
from slightly above the elbow down to our fingertips. This
too must be washed from top to bottom.

(14)
3. After our right arm, we must wash our left arm; again,
from above the elbow down to the fingertips, and from the
top to bottom.

(15)
4. After these washings, are completed, with the water that
is on our right hand, we have to wipe the top of our head
(hum about the distance of one finger). We must not take
any extra water for this.

(16)
5. We then proceed to wipe our right foot with our right
hand, from the tip of our toes, up to the ankle bone with the
water that is remaining in our right hand. Again, we must
not take any extra water.

(17)
6. To finish, we wipe our left foot with our left hand from
the top of our toes, up to the ankle bone with the water that
is remaining on our left hand.
 (18)

( Conditions for Wdhu )

There are fourteen conditions for the Wudhn to be correct:

1. The water we use for Wudhu must be clean. (Wudhu performed with
water that is najis is void.)

2. The water must be pure. (Wudhu performed with water that is mixed
is void.)

3. The water must be lawful to use. (Wudhu performed with water that
is stolen or one does not have the permission to use is void.)

4. The container that the water is in must be permissible to use.

(Wudhu performed with water that is in a stolen container or without
the permission of the owner is void.)

5. The container that the water is in must not be made of gold or silver.

6. The parts of. the body that must be washed and wiped in Wudhu,
must be clean (not have najasat on them).

7. There must be enough time to perform Wudhu and Salat.

8. The Wudhu must be performed with the intention of seeking

nearness to Allah (SWT) and for His pleasure.

9. The Wudhu must be performed in the order that was mentioned

(Tartib).

10. The actions in Wudhu must be performed one after another with no
time gaps between them (Muwalat).
11. The person himself must perform the actions in Wudhu (washing
his hands and face, and wiping his head and feet) and he must not get
help from others.

12. There must be no problem or harm for one by using water.

13. The parts of the body where the water is applied must not contain
anything that would prevent the water from reaching that area.

(19)

( Things that Make the Wudhu Void )

There are seven things which make the Wudhu void, some of them
which are the most important are:

1. Urinating.
2. Defecating.
3. Passing gas.
4. Sleeping, such that you can't see or hear anything.
 (20)

( Tayammum )

If we can not find water, or there is very little time left to

perform Wudhu, or we arc sick and can not use water, then
instead of Wudhu, we must perform Tayammum. This is
done on those things that we are allowed to use for it, such
as dirt or a rock.

In Tayammum, there are four things that are compulsory:

1. Intention (Niyyat).
2. The palms of both the hands must be struck on that
thing which we are allowed to perform Tayammum on.
 (21)

3. The palms of both hands must be rubbed on the forehead,

and in both directions where the hair of the head grows until
the bottom of the eyebrows and the tip of the nose.

(22)
4. The palm of the left hand must be rubbed on the back of
the right hand; and the palm of the right hand must be
rubbed on the back of the left hand.

(23)
( Adhan & Iqamah )

It is recommended for both boys and girls to recite the Adhan

and Iqamah before starting the Salat.

( Adhan )

Allahu Akbar
Read 4 Times
(Allah is greater than anything else)

Ashhaadu an la Ilaha Illal-lah

Read 2 Times
(I bear witness that there is no god except Allah )

Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulul-lah

Read 2 Times
(I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)

(24)
Ashhadu anna Aliyan Amir al-Mo'mineena Waliul-lah
Read 2 Times
(I bear witness that 'Ali, The Commander of the Faithful is
the Friend of Allah)

Hayya Alas-Salaah
Read 2 Times
(Hurry towards the Salat! )

Hayya Alal-falaah
Read 2 Times
(Hurry towards prosperity!)

Hayya 'ala Khayril-'amal

Read 2 Times
(Hurry towards the best of deeds!)

(25)

Allahu Akbar
Read 2 Times
(Allah is greater than anything else)

La ilaha illal-lah
Read 2 Times
There is no god except Allah.

(26)

( Iqamah )

Allahu Akbar
Read 2 Times
(Allah is greater than anything else)

Ashhadu an la Ilaha Illal-lah

Read 2 Times
(I bear witness that there is no god except Allah)
Ashhadu anna Muhammadan Rasulul-lah
Read 2 Times
(I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah)

Ashhadu anna Aliyan Amir al-Mo'mineena Wali-ullah

Read 2 Times
(I bear witness that 'Ali, The Commander of the Faithful is
the Friend of Allah)

(27)

Hayya 'alas-Salaah
Read 2 Times
(Hurry towards the Salat!)

Hayya 'alal-Falaah
Read 2 Times
(Hurry towards prosperity!)

Hayya 'alal Khayril-'amal

Read 2 Times
(Hurry towards the best of deeds!)

Qad qaamatis-Salaah
Read 2 Times
(The Salat is being established!)

(28)

Allahu Akbar
Read 2 Times
(Allah is greater than anything else)

La ilaha illal-lab
Read 2 Times
(There is no god except Allah)

(29)
( The Method of Reading Our Salat )

When we are praying, we must pay attention and realize

who we are standing in front of, who we are speaking to,
and that we are in the presence of Allah (SWT). Our Salat,
therefore, must be performed correctly and in its entirety,
and especially those eleven things which are Wajib in the
Salat, must be completely and properly performed. The ,
things which make our Salat void, such as eating, drinking,
laughing, speaking along with the other things must be
avoided.

Since we are now acquainted with the etiquette of reading

our Salat, we will now give a summary of how to pray, step
by step.

1. First of all, we must face the Qiblah, and after having

made our intention of which Salat we are about to perform,
whether it be Fajr, Zuhr, or... we specify that we are
praying this Wajib Salat with the intention of seeking
nearness to Allah (SWT) and in compliance to His order.

2. Then, we recite the Takbiratul Ihram in the following

way, by raising both the hands until they are parallel to our
ears and then we say:

Allahu Akbar
(Allah is greater than anything else)

(30)
Allahu Akbar
Allah is greater than anything else)

3. We then lower our hands and rest them on our thighs and
start by reciting Surah al-Fatiha, followed by another Surah
of the Holy Qur'an.

(31)

( Surah al-Fatiha )
Bismillah hir Rahmaanir Raheem
1. In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most
Merciful.

Al-hamdu-li-Llahi Rabbil-aalemeen
2. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Ar-Rahmaanir Raheem
3. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

Maaliki Yawmid Deen

4. Master of the Day of Judgement.

Iyyaaka na'budu wa Iyyaaka nasta'een

5. You alone (Allah) do we serve and You alone (Allah)
do we ask for help.

Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem

6. Keep us on the right path.
 (32)

Siratal-ladhina an'amta 'alayhim, Ghayril maghdhuubi

'alayhim wa-ladh dhaaleen
7. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed
favours. Not (the path) of those upon whom Your wrath is
brought down on, nor of those who go astray.

(33)

( Surah al-Tawhid)

Bismil laahir Rahmaanir Raheem

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

Qul Huwal-laahu Ahad

1. Say: He, Allah, is One.

Allahus Samad
2. Allah is He on Whom all depend.
Lam yalid wa lam yoolad
3. He begets not, nor is He begotten.

Wa lam yakun lahoo Kufuwan ahad

4. And none is like Him.

(34)

4. After reciting Sarah al-Hamd and the second Sarah, we

go into the position known as Ruku, in which we bend at
the waist and place our hands on our knee caps and then say
the following line once (our body must be completely
motionless):

Subhaana Rabbiyal Azheemi wa bi-hamdih

(Glory and Praise be to my Lord, the Magnificent)

We can also say the following line three times, instead of

the above line:

Subhaanal-laahe
(Praise be to Al1ah)
 (35)

5. After Ruku', we stand up straight, and while standing,

we recite:

Sami' Allahu liman hamidah. Allahu Akbar

(Allah hears the one who praises Him. Allah is greater
than anything else.)

6. Then, we go into Sajdah, and while in Sajdah, we say the

following line once:

Subhaana Rabbiyal A'laa wa bihamdih

(Glory and Praise be to my Lord, the Highest)

We can also say the following line three times, instead of

the above line:

Subhaanal-laahe
(Praise be to Allah)

(36)

While in the position of Sajdah, seven parts of our body

must be touching the ground; and these include:
1. Forehead 2. Palms of both the hands 3. Both knees 4.
Tips of the big toes

7. Once we have completed the first Sajdah, we lift our

head off of the ground, and while sitting, we say:

Astaghfirul-laaha Rabbi ma Atoobu Ilayhi. Allahu Akbar.

(I ask forgiveness from Allah, my Lord and to Him I turn in
repentance. Allah is the greatest.)

(37)

8. We then go back into Sajdah. While in Sajdah,

we say the following line once:

Subhaana Rahbiyal A'laa wa bihamdih

(Glory and Praise be to my Lord, the Highest)

We can also say the following line three times

instead of the above line:

Subhaanal-laahe
(Praise be to Allah)

Up until this point, we have finished one complete

 Rak'at of the Salat.

(38)

9. We then stand up, and as we are getting up, we should

recite the following:

Bihawlil-laahi wa quwwatihi aqoomu wa aq'u'du

(By the permission and power of Allah I stand and sit)

10. The second Rak'at is performed just the same way as the
first Rak'at, however after the second Surah, it is better that
we perform Qunut (as is shown in the above photograph).
In Qunut, it is sufficient if we recite any Dua , even if we
just recite Salawat on the Prophet and his family once, or
even if we simply say the following one time:
 (39)

It is better however, that we recite the following Dud':

Rabbanaa Aatina Fid-dunyaa hasanatan wa Fil-akhirate

hasanatan wa Qinnaa Adhaab an-Naar
(O' Our Lord! Give us good in this world and in the
hereafter and save us from the punishment of the hell fire.)

Allahumma,Salli Alaa Muhammadin wa 'Aale Muhammad

(Q' Allah! Send your blessings upon Muhammad and the
family of Muhammad)

(40)

( Tashhud )
11. After the Qunut, we go into Ruku' and Sajdah, and after
the second Sajdah, we sit, and while our body is stationary,
we recite the Tashahud:

Alhamdu'lillah
(All praise is due to Allah.)

(41)

Ashhadu an Laa Ilaaha illal-laah, Wahdahu laa sharika

lah.
(I bear witness that there is no god except for Allah, the
One who has no partners.)
Wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'Abduhu wa Rasooluh.
(And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and
Messenger.

Allahumma salli 'Alaa Muhammadin wa Aale Afuhammad.

(O' Allah, send your blessings on Muhammad and the
family of Muhammad.)

(42)

( Salam )
At the end of the Salat, after the recitation of the Tashahud,
we recite the Salam in the following manner:

As-salaamu 'alayka ayyuhan Nabiyyu wa Rahmatul-laahi

wa barakaatuh
(May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you
O' Prophet.)
 (43)

As-salaamu 'alayna wa 'alaa 'Ibaadil-laahis Saaliheen

(Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of
Allah.)

As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatul-laahi wa barakaatuh

(May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you
all.)

After the Salat has finished, it is better to recite the Takbir

three times and each time, we should raise our hands so
that they are parallel to our ears:

Allahu Akbar
(Allah is Greater than anything else)

(44)

( Tasbihat al-Arba'h )

If we are praying a three or four Rak'at Salat, then after reciting the
Tashahud in the second Rak'at, we immediately stand up and recite the
Tasbihat al-Arba'h three times:
Subhaanal-laahi wal-hamdu lil-laahi wa laa illaha illal-laahu wal-
laahu Akbar
(Glory be to Allah and praise be to Allah and there is no god except
Allah and Allah is Greater than anything else)
We then go into Ruku' followed by Sajdah, and after performing the
two Sajdahs, we recite the Tashahhud and Salam. If we are reading a
four Rak'at Salat, then we read one more Rak'at just as the third Rak'at
and finish off the Salat with the Tashhahud and Salam.
 (45)

( Things that make the Salat void )

Twelve things make the Salat void:

1. If during the Salat, one of the conditions that is necessary

for the Salat to be correct goes away, then the Salat is void.
For example, one realizes that he is praying in a usurped
place, a place that is stolen, or does not have the permission
of the owner.

2. One's Wudhu becomes void.

3. Placing one's hand on top of the other hand, just like most
of the Muslims who are not Shi'a do.

4. Saying "Amin" after reciting Surah al-Fatiha.

5. Intentionally or unintentionally turning away from the

Qiblah, or turning to the right or left.

6. Speaking intentionally during the Salat.

7. Intentionally or unintentionally laughing out loud, during

the Salat.

8. Intentionally crying over matters of the world.

9. Breaking the form of the Salat, for example clapping,

jumping up in the air, or anything else.

10. Eating and drinking.

11. Having a doubt in a two Rak'at Salat whether one has

prayed two or three Rak'at, or in the first two Rak'at of a
four Rak'at Salat.
 (46)

12. Adding or subtracting any of the Pillars of the Salat,

whether it be intentionally or unintentionally. Adding or
subtracting those things that are not a Pillar of the Salat, if
done intentionally (then it makes the Salat void; but if done
unintentionally, then it is not a problem).

(47)

( The Wajibat of the Salat )

There are eleven things that are Wajib in Salat:

7) Dhikr
1) Intention (Niyyat)
8)
2) Takbiratul Ihram (Saying
Tashahud
Allahu Akbar)
9) Salam
3) Qiyam (Standing)
10) Order
4) Ruku'
(Tart!)
5) Suju'd
11)
6) Recitation
Continuity
 (Muwalat)

( The Pillars of the Salat )

The Pillars (Arkan) of the Salat are five:

1. Intention (Niyyat)
2. Saying of the Takbiratul Ihram (Allahu Akbar to begin
the Salat).
3. Standing motionless at the time of saying the Takbir,
and the standing before going into the state of Ruku'.
4. Ruku'.
5. Two Sajdahs.

(48)

( The Place of Salat )

The place where we want to recite our Salat, must fulfill the following
conditions:

1. The place must be Mubah, meaning that it is not stolen property.

2. The place must not have any movement; for example, we can not
pray our Salat in a car or on a train while it is moving, except in the
case of necessity (such as if the entire time of the Salat we are on a
moving object).

3. The place must not have a small roof such that we can not stand up
properly, or that we can not do our Ruku or Sujud the way it is
supposed to be performed.

4. If the place where we want to pray is Najis, it must not be so moist

that the najasat gets transferred to our body or clothing.

5. The place where we put our forehead must not be higher or lower
than four closed fingers, in relation to where our knees are.