Salat

Bismillah hirrahma nirrahim
In the name of Allah the beneficent, the merciful.

Q: what is meant by Islamic A'amal (Islamic practices) ?

A: of the file things which form the basis of Islam, the first one is Iman. You have read its details earlier under the heading Islamic faith. The rest of the four things, Namaz, Zakat, fasting in Ramadan and Hajj (visiting Allah's house at Makkah) are called Islamic a'amal or the practices of Islam.

Q: what is Namaz ?

A: Namaz is a special type of prayer that has been taught by Allah and by the holy prophet (peace be on him) to Allah's bondsmen.

Q: what conditions are necessary for Namaz ?

A: seven are the prerequisites to Namaz , without them Namaz cannot be performed. These conditions are called Fard and Sharayat of Namaz.

Conditions for Namaz

Q: what are those seven conditions that must be observed before saying Namaz ?

A: (1) Tahir (clean) body .

(2) Tahir dress .

(3) Tahir place .

(4) Covering the Satr (the private parts of one's body) .

(5) The time for saying Namaz .

(6) Facing towards Qibla and

(7) Niyyat, or intention of saying Namaz.

The first condition for Namaz

Q: what is meant by Tahir (clean) body ?

A: that one's body should be clean of all Nijasat (uncleanliness).

Q: how many kinds of Nijasat are there ?

A: Nijasat is of two kinds. One Haqiqi , other Hukmi.

Q: what is Haqiqi Nijasat ?

A: the Nijasat which can be seen is called Haqiqi Nijasat, e.g., urine, stool, blood, wines.

Q: what is Hukmi Nijasat ?

A: when a man is without Wudu , or bath (when , he needs it). He has Hukmi Nijasat.

Q: from what type of Nijasat one should free his body before saying Namaz ?

A: it is necessary to be free from both types of Nijasat for saying Namaz.

Q: how many types of Hukmi Nijasat are there ?

A: two types , one is the lesser type of Hukmi Nijasat which is known as Hadath-e-Asghar. The other is the greater type which is called Hadath-e-Akbar and Janabat.

Q: how to clean oneself from the lesser type of Hukmi Nijasat?

A: by Wudu one can clean himself from the lesser type of Hukmi Nijasat.

Q: how is Namaz observed ?

A: Namaz is observed by standing before Allah facing Qibla, with hands crossed on the belly, in the mosque or at home, reciting holy Quran, praising Allah's greatness, bowing to him in respect and putting the forehead on the ground to show humility to him.

Q. Which direction one turns his face while observing prayer--in the mosque or at home?

A. Allah is omnipresent (present everywhere). Whether man presents himself before Allah in the vicinity of a mosque or within the four walls of his house. You can say your prayers at home or in a mosque, Allah is everywhere. But there is a greater reward in observing the prayers in a mosque.

Q. One has to wash his face, hands, and feet before the Namaz ; what is that called?

A. It is called Wudu, (ablution). Namaz said without Wudu is not acceptable.

Q. To which direction a Muslim should turn his face while offering prayer?

A. Towards Makkah.

Q. Why has it been ordered to turn one's face to Makkah?

A. Since it is in Makkah that the sacred house of Allah is situated. It is called Kaaba. One must turn one's face towards Kaaba while offering Namaz.

Q. What name do we give to the direction of our prayer?

A. It is called Qibla.

Q. How many times the Namaz is offered during the whole day and night?

A. It is compulsory to say Namaz five times during the day and night.

Q. What are the names of those five Namaz?

A. 1. The first that is said before the sunrise is called Fajr.

2. The second offered in the afternoon is called Zuhr.

3. Third said nearly two hours or so before sunset is 'Asr.

4. The fourth, said just after sunset, is Maghrib.

5. The fifth, said one and a half or two hours after sunset, is called 'Isha.

Q. What is Adhan (call for prayer)?

A. When the time of Namaz comes a man stands up just a little before prayer and calls aloud these words:

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar (Twice)

Allah is the greatest of all (Twice).

Ash-hadu-Allah-ilaha-illallah (Twice)

I testify that there is no god but Allah (Twice).

Ash-hadu-anna-Muhammad-ar-Rasool-ullah (Twice)

I declare that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger (Twice).

Hayyi-ya-las-sualah (Twice)

Come for Namaz (Twice).

Hayyi-ya-lal-falah (Twice).

Come to success (Twice).

Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar (Once)

Allah is the greatest of all (Once).

La-ilaha-il-lallah (Once)

There is no god but Allah (Once).

These words are called Adhan. In the Adhan of Fajr, after "Hayyi-ya-lal-falah (Twice)" say:

Assa-latu-khayi-rum-min-an-naum (Twice)

Namaz is better than sleep (Twice).

Q. What is Takbeer (magnification of lord)?

A. When people stand up for Namaz, Sama'e (person just behind the Imam), repeats the wordings of Adhan, this is called Aqamat and Takbeer.

In Takbeer, after "Hayyi-ya-lal-falah (Twice)", say:

Qad-qa-ma-tis-salah (Twice)

The prayer is ready (Twice).

Q. What name is given to the person who recites Adhan or Takbeer?

A. The person who recites Adhan is called "Mauzin" and one who recites Takbeer is mo-kab-bir.

Q. When many people assemble and say namaz together what do we call it? What name do we give to the person who leads the namaz? And what the persons, who offer namaz behind him, are called?

A. Namaz which is offered not individually but along with other persons is called "Namaz Baa-Jama'at" (Namaz in company). The person who leads Jama'at is called Imam. A person who says Namaz just behind the Imam is known as "Sama'e" and behind the Imam (including Sama'e) are called "Muqtadi".

Q. What is the person called who says namaz alone?

A. He is called "Munfarid" (solitary, isolated).

Q. What is the house called that is specially built for Namaz and where the people offer Namaz in Jama'at ?

A. Such a place is called Masjid (mosque).

Q. What should one do in a Mosque ?

A. One should offer Namaz, read the holy Quran or Wazifa (duuas) or sit silently, respectfully. It is strictly prohibited to play, jump, make noise or talk of worldly affairs in a Mosque.

Q. What are the benefits of Namaz ?

A. There are numerous benefits. Here we will tell you some of them :

1. The body and clothes of a Namazi (one who offers Namaz) are always neat and clean.

2. Allah, the Almighty, is pleased with one who says Namaz.

3. Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) is pleased with a Namaz.

4. Allah, the Almighty, favors those who say Namaz.

5. Good men hold a Namaz in high esteem.

6. Namaz saves from many evil deeds.

7. Allah, the Almighty, keeps a Namazi in peace and comfort after his death.

Q. What are the names of the expressions said in namaz?

A. The names of the expressions said in Namaz are:-

1. Takbeer

2. San'a

3. Ta'ooz

4. Tasmi'a

5. Qir'ah of Surah Fatiha.

6. "Ameen" (after finishing Surah Fatiha, say it slowly or in your heart)

7. Qir'ah of any Surah (except Surah Fatiha)

8. Rukoo' (while standing, bend forward, keeping both hands on your knees)

9. Tasmia of Rukoo'

10. Tahmeed of Rukoo' (coming back to previous position, stand straight and leave both hands down-free)

11. Sajda (bending your all body to keep your forehead on the ground, keeping both hands parallel to Qibla and near to your both ears, resting both knees on the ground, keeping both feet half-stand in the back and fingers pointing towards Qibla)

12. Tasbeeh of Sajda

13. Qa'da (sitting on left leg while foot should be resting opposite completely on the ground, right leg should be parallel to the left one just coming out of side from the body with the fingers pointing Qibla, legs should be straight bended in the direction of Qibla, both arms stretched and putting hands on the knees, face little bended downwards pointing towards Qibla)

14. Recitation of Qa'da (slowly in your heart)

15. Tashud (Durood recitation slowly in your heart followed by Duua)

16. Salam (while sitting in the same position, turn the face once to the right and then once to the left)

17. Duua

Namaz is finished.

This was a brief introduction about the Namaz procedure. Due to any single mistake, we are not expressing the Roman-Arabic translation of the Salat/Namaz. It is strongly recommended to you, have a contact with an Alim/Scholar and get the complete information about the Namaz/Salat.

Q. Is there any difference between the namaz of Imam, Munfarid and Muqtadi ?

A. Yes, there is a little difference between the namaz of Imam, Munfarid and Muqtadi, that is, the Imam and Munfarid in the first Rakat recite "San'a", then "Ta'ooz", then "Tasmia", then "Surah Fatiha" and a Surah. In the second Rakat they recite "Tasmia", then "Surah Fatiha" and then another Surah. But the Muqtadi says only San'a in first Rakat, after that he stands silent in both the Rakat. Another difference is that after Rukoo' the Imam and Munfarid say: "Sa-mi', Alla-hu-li-mann, Ha-mi-dah". While Munfarid can say "Tahmeed" along with "Tasmia" too, the Muqtadi says only Tahmeed.

Q. How to offer a namaz of 3 or 4 rak'ats ?

A. It is strongly recommended to you, have a contact with an Alim/Scholar and get the complete information.

Q. Can we way three Rakat of Sunnat or Nafil Namaz?

A. No! Sunnat and Nafil Namaz, are said in two or four Rakat, never in three!

Q. What is the right way of doing ruku'?

A. While standing on both feet, bend forward your abdomen, keeping both hands on your knees.

Q. What is the right way of doing sajda ?

A. Sajda is done by bending your all body to keep your forehead on the ground, keeping both hands parallel to Qibla and near to your both ears, resting both knees on the ground, keeping both feet half-stand in the back and fingers pointing towards Qibla. The arms should be kept away from the ribs.

Q. What is counted on the gingers after saying the prayers ?

A. Tasbeeh; i.e. "Sub-haan, Allah" ---> 33 times, "Al-ham-du-lil-lah" ---> 33 times and "Allahu Akbar" ---> 34 times. There is a great reward for it.

Requiaites of Good Salat suggested by Soofia/Auliya:

The Soofia writes: "There are twelve thousand virtues in Salat, which can be achieved through twelve points. If a person is to acquire full benefit from Salat, then, he must take care of these points. Sincerity is of course essential at every step. These points are as follows:-

1. Knowledge: An action performed without knowledge is far inferior to the one done with full knowledge about it. We should therefore know:

(a) Which of the Islamic practices are Fard and which are Sunnat.

(b) What is Fard and what is Sunnat in Wudu and Salat.

(c) How does Satan cause obstruction in the proper observance of Salat.

2. Wudu: We must try to:

(a) Clean our heart of jealously and malice, just as we wash the other parts of our body.

(b) Keep ourselves clean of sins.

(c) Be neither wasteful nor abstemious in the use of water.

3. Dress: It should be:

(a) Got through honest living.

(b) Clean.

(c) According to the Sunnat, e.g. The ankles should not be covered.

(d) Simple and should not display vanity and pride.

4. Time: We should be:

(a) Able to tell correct time at any moment.

(b) Always watchful about Azaan/Adhan.

(c) Particular about the time of Salat, least we should be tool late for it.

5. Qibla: There are three things to be ensured in facing Qibla:

(a) We must face Qibla physically.

(b) Have the heart in union with Allah, for he is the Qibla of the heart.

(c) Be as attentive as a slave is before his master.

6. Intention: For this we need to be particular about three things:

(a) We must be definite as to what Salat we are offering.

(b) Remain constantly conscious of our presence before Allah, Who sees us.

(c) Have perfect faith that Allah know all that is in our hearts.

7. Takbeer-e-Tahrimah: The essentials of "Takbeer-e-Tahrimah" are:

(a) To pronounce the words correctly.

(b) To raise both hands right up to the ears. This signifies that we have severed our connection with all except Allah.

(c) To feel the greatness of Allah in our heart when we say Allah-u-Akbar.

8. Qiyaam: While in Qiyaam we should:

(a) Keep our gaze at the place of Sajda.

(b) Feel in our heart that we are standing before Allah.

(c) Not think of anything else.

9. Qir'ah: The essentials of Qir'ah are:

(a) To recite the Quran with Tajweed.

(b) To ponder on the meanings of what we recite.

(c) To bind ourselves to what we recite.

10. Rukoo': The essentials of Rukoo' are:

(a) To keep the back quite straight i.e. The whole body above the legs should be in one straight line.

(b) To hold the knees firmly with fingers spread apart.

(c) To recite tasbeeh with humility and devotion.

11. Sajda: The essentials of Sajda are:

(a) To place the hands flat and close to the ears.

(b) To keep elbows raised above the ground.

(c) To recite tasbeeh with devotion.

12. Qa'da: The essentials of Qa'da are:

(a) To sit up on the left foot, keeping the right one erect.

(b) To recite tasbeeh with devotion, keeping the meaning in mind, for it contains greetings for the Prophet (sallallaho alaihe wasallam) and prayer for the Muslim brethren.

(c) To consider the concluding Salam a definite greeting to the angels as well as the people on the right and on the left.

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As been said already, sincerity is the essence of all these points, which requires us:

1. To offer Salat with the sole purpose of pleasing Allah.

2. To understand that it is only through the grace and favour of Allah that we are able to offer Salat.

3. To hope for the reward promised by Allah.

Please remember us in your prayers.........