Morning & Evening Prayers

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers

For Morning & Evening Dua to be recited in the morning أَصْبَـحْـنا وَأَصْبَـحْ المُـلكُ للَّهِ رَبِّ العـالَمـين ، اللّهُـمَّ إِنِّـي أسْـأَلُـكَ خَـيْرَ هـذا الـيَوْم ، فَـتْحَهُ ، وَنَصْـرَهُ ، وَنـورَهُ وَبَـرَكَتَـهُ ، وَهُـداهُ ، وَأَعـوذُ بِـكَ مِـنْ شَـرِّ ما فـيهِ وَشَـرِّ ما بَعْـدَه The morning has come to me and the whole universe belongs to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, O Allah, I ask of you the good of the day, it's success and aid and it's nur (celestial light) and barakaat (blessings) and seek hidayah (guidance) and seek refuge from the evil in it (this day) and from the evil of that which is to come later. (Hisn from Abu Dawood)   Alternatively, recite this dua اللّهُـمَّ بِكَ أَصْـبَحْنا وَبِكَ أَمْسَـينا ، وَبِكَ نَحْـيا وَبِكَ نَمُـوتُ وَإِلَـيْكَ المَصِيْر O Allah we enter the day time and the evening and die with your Qudrat (power) and to You do we return. (Tirmidhi) When the sun rises recite الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَقَالَنَا يَوْمَنَا هَذَا وَلَمْ يُهْلِكْنَا بِذُنُوبِنَا (مُسْلِمْ) All praise be to Allah who has forgiven us today and not destroyed us due to our sin. (Muslim) In the evening recite أَمْسَيْنَا وَأَمْسَى الْمُلْكُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ هَذِهِ اللَّيْلَةَ فَتْحَهَا وَنَصْرَهَا وَنُورَهَا وَبَرَكَتَهَا وَهُدَاهَا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا فِيهَا وَشَرِّ مَا بَعْدَهَا The evening has come to me and the whole universe belongs to Allah who is The Lord of the worlds. O Allah, I ask of you the good of the night, it's success and aid and its nur (celestial light) and barakaat (blessings) and seek hidayat (guidance) and refuge from the evil of this night and the evil that is to come later. (Abu Dawood) Alternatively recite this اللَّهُمَّ بَكَ أَمْسَيْنَا وَبِكَ أَصْبَحْنَا وَبِكَ نَحْيَا وَبِكَ نَمُوتُ وَإِلَيْكَ النُّشُورُ O Allah we enter the night and the day and live and die with Your Qudrat (strength) and to You do we return. (Tirmidhi) After the expiry of Maghrib time, recite this dua اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا إِقْبَالُ لَيْلِكَ وَإِدْبَارُ نَهَارِكَ وَأَصْوَاتُ دُعَاتِكَ فَاغْفِرْ لِي O Allah, this is the time of the coming of the night and the passing of the day and the voices of those calling You to forgive us. (Miskhaat) Other supplications to be recited in the morning & evenings Uthman (R.A.) reported that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has said that (nothing will harm) the servant who recites these words three times every morning and evening. بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي لَا يَضُرُّ مَعَ اسْمِهِ شَيْءٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا فِي السَّمَاءِ وَهُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ We have made (started) the morning (and night) in whose Name nothing in the skies and the earth can harm and He is the All-hearing, the All-knowing. (Tirmidhi) It is narrated by Abu Dawood that if one recites this dua in the morning, no unforeseen calamity will come to him. (Miskhat) Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that if a person recites three ayats of Surah Rum (Para 21) and if he misses his normal recitation of the day, he will still be rewarded for it. This applies to the night as well. فَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ حِينَ تُمْسُونَ وَحِينَ تُصْبِحُونَ * وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَعَشِيًّا وَحِينَ تُظْهِرُونَ * يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَيُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتَ مِنَ الْحَيِّ وَيُحْيِي الْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَكَذَلِكَ تُخْرَجُونَ "So remember Allah in the evening and the morning. To him is the praise in the Heavens and the Earth and in the last hours and when it is noon. He brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living and He revives the earth after it is dead. And even so you shall be brought forth". Abu Huraira (R.A) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that whosoever reads the beginning of Surah Mo'min (para 24) and Ayatul-Qursi in the morning, then he will be protected from calamaties and ploys till the evening and whosoever recites these in the evenings, will be protected from calamities and ploys till the morning. حم * تَنزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ اللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ * غَافِرِ الذَّنبِ وَقَابِلِ التَّوْبِ شَدِيدِ الْعِقَابِ ذِي الطَّوْلِ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ إِلَيْهِ الْمَصِيرُ "Ha. Meem, The sending down of this book is from Allah who is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing, The Forgiver of sins and the Acceptor of repentance, Severe in retribution, Bountiful there is no ilah but He, Unto Him is our return". اللَّهُ لاَ إِلَـهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ لاَ تَأْخُذُهُ سِنَةٌ وَلاَ نَوْمٌ لَّهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ مَن ذَا الَّذِي يَشْفَعُ عِندَهُ إِلاَّ بِإِذْنِهِ يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلاَ يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيْءٍ مِّنْ عِلْمِهِ إِلاَّ بِمَا شَاءَ وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَلاَ يَئُودُهُ حِفْظُهُمَا وَهُوَ الْعَلِيُّ الْعَظِيمُ Allah! There is no ilah (deity worthy of worship) but He The Living, The Eternal One. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtakes Him. To Him belonges whatever is in the Heavens and on the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before and what is behind them. They encompass nothing of His knowledge which He will. His Throne extends over the Heavens and the Earth, and the preservation of both does not weary Him. He is the Exalted The Immense One. (Qur'an 2:255) Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) stated that a person who has recited (the underlying) in the morning, he has pleased (praised, glorified) Allah for His favours of the morning, and if he has done so in the night, he has thanked Allah for His favours of the night. (Abu Dawood, Nisai) اللَّهُمَّ مَا أَصْبَحَ بِي مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ أَوْ بِأَحَدٍ مِنْ خَلْقِكَ فَمِنْكَ وَحْدَكَ لَا شَرِيكَ لَكَ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَلَكَ الشُّكْرُ Translation: "O Allah, whatever favours You have bestowed upon me and all other creations is only from you. You are One, You have no partners. Praise and Shukr (thanks) be to You". If recited in the night, then recite مَا أمَْسيَ in place of مَا أَصْبَحَ بِي Thuban (R.A.) narrated that Prophet Mohammad (SAW) stated that if a Muslim servant recites (the underlying) three times every morning, then it becomes the responsibility of Allah to satisfy him on the Day of Qiyamah. رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبَّاً وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينَاً وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ نَبِيَّاً Translation: I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Islam as my Deen and Muhammad (SAW) as my Nabi. (Tirmidhi) Muagal bin Yasaar (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has stated that a person who recites three times أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ السَّمِيعِ الْعَلِيمِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ in the morning the last three ayats of Suratul Hashr then Allah delegates 70,000 angles to send mercy onto him till the evening and if he dies that day, he will die as a martyr and if he recites these in the evening then Allah delegates 70,000 angels to send mercy onto him till the morning and if he dies that night, he dies as martyr. (Tirmidhi) هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ هُوَ الرَّحْمَنُ الرَّحِيمُ * هُوَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْمَلِكُ الْقُدُّوسُ السَّلامُ الْمُؤْمِنُ الْمُهَيْمِنُ الْعَزِيزُ الْجَبَّارُ الْمُتَكَبِّرُ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ * هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ لَهُ الْأَسْمَاءُ الْحُسْنَى يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ * "He is Allah, there is no ilah but He, He is the knower of the unseen and the witness He is the All-Merciful, the All compassionate. He is Allah, there is no ilah but He. He is the king, the Holy, the Giver of Safety. The Taker-in shelter the All-Mighty, the omnipotent, the All-Sublime. Allah is Pure and Pure of what they associate (with Him). He is Allah, the Creator, the One who is Perfect. To Him belong names Most Excellent. All that is in the heavens and the earth, glorify Him and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise". Ataa bin Abi Rahaa (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has stated that if a person recites Surah Yaseen early in the morning then his need for the day will be fullfilled. (Mishkat) Benefit: The recitation of Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Falaq and Surah Naas three times each in the mornings and evenings, has been encouraged in the Ahadith. (Hisn-ulHasin) Supplications to be recited at night Abdullah bin Masood (R.A.) states that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has said that the person who recites Suratul Waqia (para 27) every night, will never be poverty stricken (hungry) (Baihagi in Shabatul Iman) Uthman (R.A.) states that a person who recites from إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ in Surah Al-Imran till the end of the Surah on any night or part of the night, will receive the reward of performing his Salaat for the whole night. (Mishkat) Jabir (R.A.) states that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) never slept before reciting Surah Alif Laam Meem Sajda (21 para) and Surah Tabarakal Lazi. (Mishkat) Abdullah bin Masood (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has stated that the person who recites the last two ayats of Suratul Baqarah till the end, then these two ayats will be sufficient for him, i.e. Allah will protect him from all evil and ploys. (Bukhari, Muslim) When retiring to sleep, make wudhu, dust off the bed three times, lie on the right side, place the right hand under the head or cheeks and recite the following dua three times. (Mishkat and Hsinul Hasin, Bukhari Muslim) اللَّهُمَّ قِنِي عَذَابَكَ يَوْمَ تَجْمَعُ عِبَادَكَ "O Allah, save me from the punishment on the Day when You will gather Your servants". Alternatively recite this dua بِاسْمِكَ رَبِّي وَضَعْتُ جَنْبِي وَبِكَ أَرْفَعُهُ إِنْ أَمْسَكْتَ نَفْسِي فَارْحَمْهَا وَإِنْ أَرْسَلْتَهَا فَاحْفَظْهَا بِمَا تَحْفَظُ بِهِ عِبَادَكَ الصَّالِحِينَ "Oh my Lord, I have taken Your name and placed myself on my side and by Your power will rise up again. If you take my soul whilst I am sleeping (grant me death) then have mercy on my soul and if you leave me (let me live) by your power protect me by that with which you have protected your righteous servants". (Bukhari, Muslim) Or recite this dua اللَّهُمَّ بِاسْمِكَ أَمُوتُ وَأَحْيَا "O Allah, by Your name I live and die". (Bukhari, Muslim) Or recite this dua اللَّهُمَّ أَسْلَمْتُ نَفْسِي إِلَيْكَ وَوَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِي إِلَيْكَ وَفَوَّضْتُ أَمْرِي إِلَيْكَ وَأَلْجَأْتُ ظَهْرِي إِلَيْكَ رَغْبَةً وَرَهْبَةً إِلَيْكَ لَا مَلْجَأَ وَلَا مَنْجَا مِنْكَ إِلَّا إِلَيْكَ آمَنْتُ بِكِتَابِكَ الَّذِي أَنْزَلْتَ وَنَبِيِّكَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلْتَ "I submit my life to you, I turn towards You and leave my work unto you, I lean on you, desire your boons and fear you as there is no other salvation besides you. I believe in the kitab (Book) you have revealed and in the Rasul(Prophet) you have sent. Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) showed (taught a Sahabi) this dua and said: "If after reading it you die in the night, then it is as if you have died on 'Natural Deen' and if you awake in the morning alive then you will have good fortune". (Mishkat) Anas (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that if a person retires to bed on the side and recites Surah Fathiha and Surah Ikhlaas (Qul huwa- Allaho Ahad) he is immune from everything besides death. (Hisnul Hasan from Albazr) Sahabi (R.A.) requested Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) teach him something to recite at the time of retiring to bed. Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said: "Recite Qul Ya Ayuhal Kafiroon, for in it (there is an announcement) to refrain from shirk. (Mishkat from Tirmidhi) In some ahadith it is stated that one should sleep after reciting (i.e. not to talk after reciting it). (Hisnul Hasin from Albazr) Ayesha (R.A.) narrates that when Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) used to go to the room for sleep, he used to recite Suras Ikhlaas, Falaq, Nass and blow onto his hand (palms) in such a manner that the saliva would drop on them and then he would rub them over his body three times starting from the front of the face. (Bukhari, Muslim) Beside this he would recite 33 times سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ 33 times الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ 34 times اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ  (Mishkat) He also used to recite Ayatul Qursi as Allah has stipulated that the reciter will be protected throughout the night by the angels and the Satan will not come near. (Bukhari) Also recite this dua three times أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيَّ الْقَيُّومَ وَأَتُوبِ إِلَيْهِ Its virtues are that all the reciter's sins will be forgiven even if it be equal to the extent of the foam in the ocean. (Tirmidhi) Recite Bismillah while closing doors, covering utensils, and putting off the light (candles etc.) (Mishkat) Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) said that when a person enters his bed (to sleep), an angel and a Shaitaan surround him. The Shaitaan whispers 'your awakening will end in evil' and the angel says' end in good". One sleeps after engaging in dhikr, the angels will protect him throughout the night. In order to gain the protection of the angels, it is wise to engage in Dhikr and then sleep. (Hisnul Hasin)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-At the time of lifting the table cloth

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-At the time of lifting the table cloth

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ حَمْدَاً كَثِيرَاً طَيِّبَاً مُبَارَكَاً فِيهِ غَيْرَ مَكْفِيٍّ وَلَا مُوَدَّعٍ وَلَا مُسْتَغْنَىً عَنْهُ رَبَّنَا

"All praise belongs to Allah who is Omnipresent, Pure and full of Blessings. O Lord, we are eating thinking we cannot be without it nor independent of it, nor can we do without it". (Bukhari)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-After Meals

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers -After Meals

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

"All praise belongs to Allah, who fed us and quenched our thirst and made us Muslims". (Ibn Al Sunni)

Alternate dua after meals

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي هُوَ أَشْبَعَنَا وَأَرْوَانَا وَأَنْعَمَ عَلَيْنَا وَأَفْضَلَ

"All praise belongs to Allah who filled our stomachs and quenched our thirst, rewarded us and gave us plentiful".

Note: If the meals are commenced with the above dua, then there will be no accountability of the food eaten on the Day of Qiyamat. (Hisnul Hasin from Haam)

Alternate dua

اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِيهِ وَأَطْعِمْنَا خَيْرَاً مِنْهُ

"O Allah, You grant us blessings in it and grant us better than it". (Tirmidhi)

OR

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنِي هَذَا الطَّعَامَ وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ

"All Praise belongs to Allah who granted this meal, (which I received) without my power or effort".

All previous sins are forgiven if this dua is recited after meals. (Mishkat, Kitabul-li-baas)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-Before meals

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-Before meals

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَعَلَى بَرَكَةِ اللَّهِ

In the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah I begin (eating)". (Mustadrak)

On forgetting to recite Bismillah at the beginning, recite:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ أَوَّلِهِ وَآخِرِهِ

"In the name of Allah in the beginning and end".

By not reciting Bismillah, Satan has an opportunity of partake in the food. (Mishkat)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When buying or selling at the Market

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When buying or selling at the Market

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرُ هَذِهِ السُّوقِ وَخَيْرُ مَا فِيهَا وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهَا وَشَرِّ مَا فِيهَا اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أُصِيبَ فِيهَا يَمِينَاً فَاجِرَةً أَوْ صَفْقَةً خَاسِرَةً

"I entered in the name of Allah, I seek refuge in You (Allah) for the good in the bazaar and for the good of what is in it (the bazaar). O Allah, I seek refuge in you from false oaths and deception in transaction". (Hisnul Hasin)

Additionally:

On returning from the bazaar, recite any ten ayats of the Qur'an (i.e. from anywhere) (Hisnul Hasin from Tabarani)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When leaving the house

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When leaving the house

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

"I depart with Allah's name, relying on Him. It is Allah who saves us from sins with His guidance (the ability to do so)." (Tirmidhi)

It is stated in the hadith that if a person recites the above dua and departs then there is an (unseen) procalamation that his need will be fullfilled and that he will be protected from any harm or injury. On hearing this dua, the Satan goes away from the place and refrains from troubling the reciting person. (Tirmidhi)

Also look towards the sky and recite:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ أَنْ أَضِلَّ أَوْ أُضَّلَّ أَوْ أَظْلِمَ أَوْ أُظْلَمَ أَوْ أَجْهَلَ أَوْ يُجْهَلَ عَلَىَّ

"O Allah, I seek refuge in You from misleading or being misled or oppressing or being oppressed or from being ignorant or bearing the result of ignorance". (Mishkat)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When entering ones home

When entering ones home

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ خَيْرَ الْمَوْلِجِ وَخَيْرَ الْمَخْرَجِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَلِجْنَا وَعَلَى اللَّهِ رَبِّنَا  تَوَكَّلْنَا

"O Allah, I seek a good entry and a good exit. We take Allah's name to enter and to exit and rely on Him who is our Lord.

After this dua greet the members of the household. (Mishkat)

Jaabir (R.A.) narrates that Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) stated that when a man enters his home and makes Dhikr (remembers Allah) and also makes Dhikr at meal times, then Satan says to his colleagues that the night cannot be spent there nor can they partake of the peoples food and if no Dhikr was made on entering the house, then Satan says to his colleagues that they have an opportunity to spend the night there and if no Dhikr was made at meal times, then Satan tells his colleagues that they will be able to stay there and also get food. (Mishkat, Chapter on food)

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-On hearing the Athan

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-On hearing the Athan

upon hearing the Athan, recite:

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدَهُ وَرَسُولَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدَهُ وَرَسُولَهُ رَضِيتُ بِاللَّهِ رَبَّاً وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولَاً وَبِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينَاً

"I testify that there is no one worthy of worship besides Allah. He is all by Himself and has no partner and I testify that Muhammad (S.A.W.) is His servant and Rasul. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, Muhammad (S.A.W.) as my Rasul and Islam as my Deen. It is stated in the hadith that the sins of a person are forgiven if the above dua is recited on hearing the athaan. (Muslim

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When entering the Masjid

Prophet (SAW)'s Prayers-When entering the Masjid

When entering the Masjid recite Durood and Salaam first and thereafter recite:

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي وَافْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

"O Lord, forgive my sins and open the doors of mercy for me". (Mishkat)

Alternatively recite

اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لِي أَبْوَابَ رَحْمَتِكَ

"O Allah, open the doors of mercy". (Mishkat)

Salat

Salat

Salāt ("Muslim prayer", Arabic: صلاة‎ ṣalāh or gen: ṣalāt; pl. صلوات ṣalawāt) is one of the Five Pillars of the faith of Islam and an obligatory religious duty for every Muslim. It is a physical, mental and spiritual act of worship that is observed five times every day at prescribed times. In this ritual, the worshiper starts standing, bows, prostrates, and concludes while sitting on the ground. During each posture, the worshiper recites or reads certain verses, phrases and prayers. The word salat is commonly translated to prayer but this definition might be confusing. Muslims use the words "Dua" or "Supplication" when referring to the common definition of prayers which is "reverent petitions made to God."

Salat is preceded by ritual ablution. Salat consists of the repetition of a unit called a rakʿah (pl. rakaʿāt) consisting of prescribed actions and words. The number of obligatory (fard) rakaʿāt varies from two to four according to the time of day or other circumstances (such as Friday congregational worship, which has two rakats). Prayer is obligatory for all Muslims except those who are prepubescent, menstruating, or are experiencing bleeding in the 40 days after childbirth.^[1]

Terminology[edit]

Salat (ṣalāh) is an Arabic word whose basic meaning is "bowing, homage, worship, prayer." In its English usage, the reference of the word is almost always confined to the Muslim formal, obligatory worship described in this article.

Translating salat as "prayer" is not usually considered precise enough, as "prayer" can indicate several different ways of relating to God; personal prayer or supplication is called duʿāʾ (Arabic: دُعَاء, literally "invocation") in Islamic usage.

Muslims themselves use several terms to refer to salat depending on their language or culture. In many parts of the world, including many non-Arab countries such as Indonesia, the Arabic term salat is used. The other major term is the Persian word namāz (نماز), used by speakers of the Indo-Iranian languages (e.g., Kurdish, Urdu, Hindi), as well as Turkish, Russian, Chinese, Bosnian and Albanian. In North Caucasian languages, the term is lamaz (ламаз) in Chechen, chak (чак) in Lak and kak in Avar (как).

Purpose and importance[edit]

Bosniaks praying in an open field, ca. 1906

The chief purpose of salat is to act as a person's communication with and remembrance of God. By reciting "The Opening", the firstsura (chapter) of the Quran, as required in daily worship, the worshiper can stand before God, thank and praise him, and ask for guidance along the "Straight Path".

Under the Hanbali School of thought, a person who doesn't pray five times a day is an unbeliever. The other three Sunni schools of thought say that the person who doesn't pray five times a day is an unholy sinner. Those who prescribe to the Hanbali view cite ahadith from Sahih Muslim that states that prayer is a dividing line between a believer and a non-believer.

In addition, daily worship reminds Muslims to give thanks for God's blessings and that submission to God takes precedence over all other concerns, thereby revolving their life around God and submitting to his will. Worship also serves as a formal method of dhikr or remembering Allah.^[2]

Muslims believed all prophets of ALLAH offered daily prayers and they are humble submission to Oneness of ALLAH. Muslims also believed that the main duty of the prophets of ALLAH is to teach mankind to humble submit themselves to Oneness of ALLAH The God.^[3]

In the Quran, it is written that: "For, Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord;"^[4]

"To those whose hearts, when God is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and spend (in charity) out of what we have bestowed upon them."^[5]

Salat is also cited as a means of restraining a believer from social wrongs and moral deviancy.^[6]

According to a hadith in the collection Sahih Bukhari, Muhammad considered salat "the best deed".^[7]

The importance of the Salah was further demonstrated by Muhammad who on his deathbed and in the pangs of death would announce: الصَّلاةَ ، الصَّلاةَ وَمَا مَلَكَت أَيْمَانُكُم. "The Salah, I remind you of the Salah; and to look after the women."^[8] His Companions described the scene saying, "The majority of the Messenger of Allah's advice – when death came to him – was 'The Salah; and to look after the women.' to the extent that his chest would be repeating these words, and his tongue ceased to express them."^[9]

Conditions[edit]

Yemeni prayer during North Yemen Civil War.

At the bottom of the central nave of the prayer hall there is a niche (the mihrab) indicating the qibla. This compulsory act of worship is obligatory for those who meet these conditions:^[10]

• are Muslim
• are of sound mind
• have reached the age of puberty (beginning at age seven is recommended).^[11]

Elements that make salat valid:^[10]

• Confidence of the time of worship.^[12]
• Facing the qibla, with the chest facing the direction of the Kaaba. The ill and the old are allowed leniency with posture.
• Covering the awrah^[13]
• Clean clothes, body, place of prostration.
• Ritual purity (wudu, tayammum, ghusl)
• Praying in front of a sutrah^[14] is recommended.

The place of worship should be clean. In a few cases where blood is leaving the body, salat is forbidden until a later time. Women are not allowed to pray during their menses and for a period after childbirth.^[15][16][17]

Preparation[edit]

Cleanliness and dress[edit]

Islam advises that salat be performed in a ritually clean environment.^[18] When worshipping, the clothes that are worn and the place of prayer must be clean. Both men and women are required to cover their bodies (awrah) in reasonably loose-fitting garments. The well-known adage or hadith by al-Nawawi that "purity is half the faith"^[19] illustrates how Islam has incorporated and modified existing rules of purity in its religious system.

Ritual ablution[edit]

Women at Istiqlal Mosque, Jakartawashing as

Main articles: Wudu, Tayammum and Ghusl

Before conducting salat, a Muslim has to perform a ritual ablution. The minor ablution is performed using water (wudu), or sand (tayammum) when water is unavailable or not advisable to use for reasons such as illness. Wudu is performed by Muslims according to the instructions of God given in the Quran:

"O you who believe! when you rise up to prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you are under an obligation to perform a total ablution, then wash (yourselves) and if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you come from the privy, or you have touched the women, and you cannot find water, betake yourselves to pure earth and wipe your faces and your hands therewith, Allah does not desire to put on you any difficulty, but He wishes to purify you and that He may complete His favor on you, so that you may be grateful."

— Qur'an, sura 5 (Al-Ma'ida), ayat 6^[18]

More specifically, wudu is performed by Muslims by washing the hands, mouth, nose, arms, face, hair (often washing the hair is merely drawing the already wet hands from the fringe to the nape of the neck), ears, and feet three times each in that order. (It is not obligatory to wash the hair three times, once is sufficient, and men must also wash their beard and mustache when washing the face).

Call to prayer[edit]

A muezzin calling the adhan.

Main articles: Adhan, Muezzin and Iqamah

"Adhan" is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by the one is known as the muezzin for the five obligatory prayers, traditionally from a tower called a minaret. A second call immediately before praying, known as the Iqama, is for the assembled Muslims in the prayer area to line up for the beginning of the prayers.

Intention[edit]

Main article: Niyyah

The person should be conscious and aware of the particular salat that is being offered, whether it is obligatory, if it is a missed (qadha) worship, performed individually or among the congregation, a shortened traveller's worship etc. The explicit verbalization of this intention is not required. The person should think his worship to be the Last Worship so that he may perform the best he can.

How to conduct salat[edit]

Main article: Rakat

Each salat is made up of repeating units or cycles called rakats. The number of rakats for the five daily worship can be found below.

People who find it physically difficult can perform Salat in a way suitable for them.^{[note 1]} A basic rakat is made up of these parts.

Standing[edit]

Men standing in prayer in Indonesia.

A Muslim raises his hands to reciteTakbeeratul-Ihram in prayer

Main article: Standing in salat

• If this is the first rakat, the prayer is commenced by the saying of the takbir, which is اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ(transliteration "allāhu 'akbar", meaning God is Great). The hands are raised level with shoulders or level with top of the ears, with fingers apart and not spaced out or together. This is done before, with or after the takbir.^[20] Both arms are placed over the chest, with the right arm over the left.^[21]
• If this is the first rakat, a supplication praising God is said such as سُبْحَاْنَكَ اَلْلّٰھُمَّ وَ بِحَمدِکَ وَ تَبَارَکَ اسْمُکَ وَ تَعَاْلٰی جَدُّکَ وَ لَا اِلٰہَ غَیْرُكَ Subhaanak-Allaahumma, wa bihamdik, wa tabaarakasmuk, wa ta'aalaa jadduk, wa laa ilaaha ghayruk.^[22]
• The recitation of the Quran begins by asking refuge with God from the accursed devil by reciting أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّـيْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْمِ which is transliterated into Latin script as a^cūdhu bi-llāhi min ash-shayṭāni r-rajīm^[23] and followed by "سْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ b-ism illāhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm (In the name of God, the entirely merciful, the especially merciful).^[24]
• Surah Al-Fatiha is recited as follows:

 ﴿١﴾الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ﴿٢﴾ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ ﴿٣﴾ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ﴿٤﴾ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ﴿٥﴾ اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ ﴿٦﴾ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ

(1) Alhamdu lillahi rabbi al-^cālamīna (2) Ar-rahmani ar-rahīmi (3) Māliki yawmi ad-dīni (4) Iyyāka na^cbudu waiyyāka nasta^cīnu (5) Ihdinā aṣ-ṣirāta al-mustaqīma (6) Ṣirāta al-ladhīna an^camta ^calayhim ghayri al-maghdūbi ^calayhim walā aḍ-ḍāllīna ^[24]

• For the first or second rakat only, the recitation of Al-Fatiha is followed with a recitation from any other section from the Quran of choice.^[25]
• The takbir is said again and the hands are raised as previously described and the next position, bowing or ruku', begins.^[26]

Bowing[edit]

Bowing in prayer.

Main article: Ruku'

• The palms are placed on the knees. Ideally, fingers are spaced out and the back is erected at an angle at which poured water may not fall from it.^[27]
• Some of many types of remembrances of God are recited for this situation such as سبحان ربى العظيم (transliteration subḥāna rabbī al-^caẓīm, meaning "Glory to my Lord, the Most Magnificent") three times or more.^[28]

Second standing[edit]

• I'tidal is the standing again after ruku'. The back is straightened and the hands are raised as in takbir as mentioned before but saying سمع الله لمن حمده (transliteration sami^ca allāhu li-man ḥamidah, meaning "Allah listens and responds to the one who praises him.")^[29]
• Some of many praises to God are said for this situation such as ربنا لك الحمد (transliteration rabbanā wa-laka al-ḥamd, meaning "O our Lord! And all praise is for You.")^[30]
• The takbir is said and the hands can be raised as mentioned before as the next position, prostration, begins with hands reaching the ground before knees.^[31]

Prostration

Muslims in prostration in Syria.

Main article: Sujud

• As much of the ground must be felt by the nose as the forehead. The elbows are raised and the palms are on level with either the shoulders or the ears, with fingers together.^[32]
• Some of many types of remembrances of God are recited for this situation such as سبحان ربى الأعلى وبحمده (transliteration subḥāna rabbī al-'a^clā wa-bi-ḥamdih meaning "Glory to my Lord, the Most High Most Praiseworthy") three times or more. ^[33]
• The takbir is said again and the hands can be raised as mentioned before while the next position, kneeling, begins. ^[34]

Sitting[edit]

Main article: Sitting in salat

Men sit and pray in Kosovo

• While sitting, either the left foot is placed along the ground with the right foot upright or both feet are kept upright.
• Some of many types of remembrances are recited for this situation such as rabb 'ighfir lī, rabb 'ighfir lī (meaning "O my Lord, forgive me! O my Lord, forgive me!") ^[35]
• The takbir is said again and the hands can be raised as mentioned before as the second prostration begins.^[34]

Second prostration[edit]

• Second prostrations are done exactly as the first time.^[35]
• The head is raised and the takbir is said again and the hands can be raised as mentioned before. For every second and last rakat only you would go to the sitting position again. Otherwise, the standing position begins again for the start of a new rakat.

Second sitting[edit]

See also: Tashahhud and Taslim

• If this is the second raka'ah, sitting is done as before. If this is not part of the second raka'ah, then the left thigh is leans against the ground and both feet are protruding from the right side with the right foot either upright or along the ground. The left palm leans on the left knee.
• The right index finger is pointed towards the qibla.^[36]
• The Tashahhud is recited: التَّحِيَّاتُ لله وَ الصَّلَوَاتُ وَ الطَّيِّبَاتُ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبيُّ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لا إلهَ إلا اللهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ ورَسُولُهُ

At-tahiyyatu lillahi wa 's-salawatu wa 't-tayyibatu. As-salamu `alayka ayyuha'n-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh. As-salamu `alayna wa `ala `ibadillahi's-saliheen. Ashadu an la ilaha illa Allah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluh.

(All the salutations, prayers and good things are for Allah. Peace be on you O Prophet, and the blessings of Allah, and His grace and blessings. Peace on us and on all the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that none but Allah is worthy of worship and bear witness that Muhammad is the Servant and Messenger of Allah.)

• Greetings on Muhammad are recited:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ، وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ

Allahumma salli `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin kama sallaita `ala Ibrahima wa `ala ali Ibrahima Innaka hameedun Majid Allahumma barik `ala Muhammadin wa `ala ali Muhammadin kama barakta `ala Ibrahima wa `ala ali Ibrahima Innaka hamidun Majeed.

(O Allah, send grace and honour on Muhammad and on the family and true followers of Muhammad, just as you sent Grace and Honour on Ibrahim and on the family and true followers of Ibrahim. Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great. O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family and true followers of Muhammad, just as you blessed Ibrahim and the family and true followers of Ibrahim. Surely, you are praiseworthy, the Great.)

• If this is not the last raka'ah, a new raka'ah begins by standing up again with the takbir and the hands can be raised as mentioned before.^[35]
• If this is the last raka'ah, the greetings of taslim are said to the right such as السلام عليكم ورحمة الله (transliteration "As-Salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaah," meaning "May Allaah grant you peace and security, and may His Mercy be upon you") and then similarly to the left.^[37]

Performing theTaslim
	Reciting the salam facing the right direction	Reciting the salam facing the left direction