Nahda Online

Study of Fiqh

n The study of fiqh requires focused attention and effort

n Legal rules can be quite detailed because they need to cover a wide variety of possible situations

n In our presentations we will keep the fiqh as brief and concise as possible.

n We will we presenting the rulings in accordance with the Hanafi madhhab.

n We recommend strongly that you learn fiqh, as well as other Islamic sciences, in more detail from places where such learning is possible.

n Islam encourages the attainment of knowledge

n As a Muslim our entire lives should be a learning curve where we continuously attain more knowledge, in order to serve Allah better and gain His pleasure.

TIMES FOR SALAH / PRAYER

Times of Salah – Prayers can ONLY be performed once the Salat time has entered.

1. The beginning of the time for the Dawn (Fajr) [prayer] is thebreak of dawn, and that is the lateral whiteness on the horizon. The end of its time is Sunrise.

2. The beginning of the time for Zuhr is when the sun moves from its highest point. The end of its time according to Abu Hanifah is when the shadow of everything becomes twice its length (in addition to the shadow at midday). The time of Jummah (Friday) is also the same.

3. The beginning of the time for ‘Asr is when the time for zuhr departs, according to both views. The end of its time is as long as the sun has not set.

4. The beginning of the time for Maghrib is when the sun has set. The end of its time is as long as the twilight has not disappeared. [The twilight] is, according to Abu Hanifah, the white-ness on the horizon after the redness.

5. The beginning of the time for ‘Isha’ is when the twilight has disappeared. The end of its time is as long as the dawn has not yet risen (ie. Fajr time starts).

Disliked and Prohibited Times

1. Salah is not permissible at the rising of the sun, nor at its Zenith (highest extreme) point at midday, nor at its setting.

2. If the sun is setting, one should not perform a funeral prayer, nor make the sajdah of recitation, [nor perform any other prayer] except the `Asr of that day if he has not yet done so.

Disliked/Makruh (but not haram) actions:

3. It is disliked to perform voluntary (Nafilah) prayers after Fajr salah until the sun rises, and after `Asr salah until the sun sets. There is no harm in praying missed prayers during these two times, and similarly performing prostrations of recitation, and praying over a funeral.

4. It is disliked to perform any optional prayers after dawn [and before fajr] other than the two Sunnah rak`ah of fajr.

5. It is disliked to prayer after ‘Asr and before Meghrib.

6. It is disliked to perform voluntary (Nafilah) prayers when the Imam has risen to deliver his khutba (sermon) whether for Friday Jummah, Eid prayer, etc

7. One should not perform optional prayer before praying Maghrib.

8. It is disliked to perform prayer when one has an urge to pass stool, urinate, or pass wind.

9. When one is hungry and food is ready, and he fears concentration and devotion in prayer will not be achieved without first satisfying his hunger.

10. When a Fard congregational prayer is about to begin.

ADHAN - Its form

1. Adhan is sunnah for the five prayers and Jumu`ah, but not any others.

2. The method of adhan is that one says; Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, Ashadu an la illaha illah Allah (x2), Ashadu anna Muhammad-un rasool Allah (x2), Hayya ‘ala salaat (x2), Hayya ‘alal falaah (x2), Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar, La illaha illa Allah.

3. In the adhan of fajr, one adds, after Falah, As-salatu khayrun-min an-nawm (x2). (Prayer is better than sleep)

4. Iqamah is like adhan, except that one adds after Falah, Qad qamatis-salah (x2).

Sunnah of Athan

1. One takes time in Adhan, and hastens Iqamah.

2. One faces the Qiblah (direction of Mecca).

3. When one reaches Salah and Falah one turns one’s face right and left.

4. One makes adhan and iqamah for missed prayers.

5. It is appropriate that one make adhan in [a state of] purity, but if one makes adhan without purity, it is valid. It is disliked to make iqamah without wudu’, or to make adhan while in janabah.

6. One does not make adhan for a prayer before its time has entered.

7. When hearing the words “Hayya ‘Ala Salat” & “Hayya ‘Alal Falah” one should say “La howla wala quwata illa billaah” (We are helpless to do good or obstain from evil without Allah’s help)

THE MANNER OF PERFORMING THE SALAH (الصَّلواةَ)

The Pre-Requisites of Salah

Before praying, it is obligatory upon the one who wishes to perform salah to precede [it] with:

1. Cleanliness of Body. Purity from hadath. Either through wudu’ or ghusl. (as discussed last NC)

2. Cleanliness of Garments [Purity] from filth. Includes everything you’re wearing.

3. Cleanliness of Place. That no Najas (filth) exists where feet, hands, & head touch ground.

4. To cover his/her nakedness. The nakedness of a man is that which is between the navel to the knee, and the knee is [part] of the nakedness. The body of a free woman is all nakedness, except for her face and her hands [and her feet in salat].

5. To Intend the salah into which one is entering, with an intention not separated from the Forbidding [Takbir] with any action. Intention does not need to be by the tongue.

6. To face the Qiblah, unless one is in fear, for then one prays in whatever direction one can. If the qiblah is obscure to him, and there is no-one in his presence whom he could ask, he exercises his judgement and prays. Then, if he finds out that he was mistaken, by being informed after he had prayed, there is no repetition [due] upon him. If he finds that out while he is [engaged] in the salah, he turns to the qiblah and continues.

7. Knowing the right time for prayer and having conviction that the time has entered.

The Pillars of Salah

The essentials of salah are six:

1. The Forbidding [Takbir Tahrima]. Saying Allahu Akbar.

2. Standing up (Qiyam) in prayer for Fard salat.

3. Recitation (Qira’at) – The minimum recitation of Quran after Al-Fatiha acceptable in salah, according to Abu Hanifah, is a minimum of two words like “Allahu Samad” but completing a full verse (Ayat). Other scholars like Abu Yusuf and Muhammad said: No less than three short verses or one long verse is sufficient.

Recitation is obligatory in the first two rak`ah [of fard], and in every rak’ah of nafl, and in all [rak`ahs] of witr.

4. Ruku`. To bend down so the hands reach the knees in every Ruk’ah

5. Sujud. To prostrate twice every Ruk’ah so the nose and forehead touch the ground. If he prostrated on his turban or the end of a garment it is permissible [but disliked].

6. The Final Sitting, for the measure of the Tashahhud.

7. Salam – these words end the prayer.

The Obligations (Wajib) of Salah

If any are missed accidentally; you must perform Sujdah Sahw (prostration for forgetting). If you don’t, the prayer becomes void & you will have to repeat it.

1. Recitation of al-Fatihah in every rak`ah

2. Adding (after Al-Fatiha) a surah (or three verses, or a long ayat) in the first two rak’ahs of fard, and in every rak’ah of witr.

3. Standing up after ruku` (bending to touch knees).

4. Linking the nose with the forehead for sujud (prostration).

5. Tranquillity in each position (ruku`, standing after it, sujud, sitting between the two sajdah).

6. To observe Jalsa (the middle sitting) between the two sujud (prostrations).

7. Recitation of the Tashahhud in the every sitting.

The Tashahhud is that one says, At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibatu. as-salamu `alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa-rahmatullahi wa-barakatuh. as-salamu `alayna wa-`ala `ibadillahis-salihin. ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wa-ash-hadu anna muhammadan `abduhu wa-rasuluh.

8. Standing up for the third [rak’ah] without [any] delay after the tashahhud.

9. Vocalising the vocal rak`ahs [for the Imam], and subduing (saying silently) the subdued ones [for all].

o If one is Imam, he vocalises the recitation in fajr, and the first two rak`ah of maghrib and `isha’, and subdues (silently) that which is after the first two.

o If one is praying alone, he has the choice: if he wishes, he may recite aloud [like the imam would], making [his voice] audible to himself, or if he wills, he may subdue [his voice in all the recitation].

o The imam subdues [the recitation] in [every rak`ah of ] zuhr and `asr.

10. The qunut (dua recitation) of witr.

11. The Takbirs of the Two Eid prayers.

12. Sequence [in case of inattentiveness]. Making sure all actions are followed in correct order.

13. The words of Salam upon completion.

Everything beyond these are sunnah!

Sunnah Acts of Salah (How to Pray!)

If any of these are missed or ignored, it does not require “Sujdah Sahw” (see below section) nor is the prayer void.

When a person enters Salah, he pronounces Takbir (says Allahu Akbar), and

1. Raises his hands with the takbir until his thumbs are alongside his earlobes. Palms face Qiblah.

2. He rests his right hand on his left, and brings them together under his navel (belly button).

3. Then, he says Subhanakallahumma wa-bi-hamndika wa-tabarakasmuka wa-ta`ala jadduka wa-la ilaha ghayruk.

4. Then, he seeks refuge with Allah from Satan, the outcast, (all in Arabic) and

5. [then he] recites Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim, subduing both of them. (ie. Saying them quietly)

6. Then, he recites the Opening Chapter [Al-Fatiha] of the Quran, and a surah – or three verses of any surah he wishes – along with it. But not in 3^rd or 4^th Ruk’a of a fard prayer.

7. When the imam says wa-lad-dallin, he says Amin, and the followers also say it, [all of them] subduing it (silently).

8. Then, he pronounces takbir, and bows to ruku’. (Note: you only raise hands when you say Takbir Tahreem when you start the salat, not other takbis during salat)

9. [In ruku`] he rests his hands on his knees, spreads his fingers, extends his back and neither raises his head nor droops it.

10. He says in ruku`, Subhana rabbiyal-`Azim (x3), and that is its minimum [of perfection].

11. Then, he raises his head from ruku` saying Sami`Allahu li-man Hamidah. The followers [and imam] say Rabbana lakal-Hamd.

12. Then, when he has straightened up [to the] standing [position], he pronounces takbir, and performs sajdah, resting his knees on the ground, then his hands, putting his face between his palms, and prostrating on his nose and forehead. He reveals his upper arms, separates his belly from his thighs, and turns his toes towards the qiblah (has them facing forward).

13. He says in his sujud, Subhana rabbiyal-a`la (x3), and that is its minimum [of perfection]. Then, he raises his head, pronouncing Takbir, and then when he is calm in sitting, he pronounces takbir and performs sajdah. Then, when he is calm in sujud, he pronounces takbir.

14. [He] straightens up [to the] standing [position] on the fronts of his feet. He does not sit, nor lean on the ground with his hands. He does in the second rak`ah similar to what he did in the first rak`ah, except that he does not recite the Opening Invocation, nor the Seeking of Refuge from Shaytaan.

15. He does not raise his hands except at the first takbir.

16. When he raises his head from the second sajdah in the second rak`ah, he spreads out his left leg and sits on it, and lays down the right [leg] and directs its toes toward the qiblah. He places his hands on his thighs and stretches out his fingers and pronounces the tashahhud. He raises the right index finger while saying “Laa Illaha” in the Tashahhud.

17. He recites the Opening [Chapter] of the Book, in particular, in the last two rak`ah [of fard]. When he sits at the end of the salah, he sits as he sat in the first sitting and, recites the tashahhud.

18. He invokes blessings on the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).

19. He recites whatever invocations he wills, such as resemble the words of the Qur’an and the dua transmitted in Hadith. He should not recite invocations which resemble the speech of mankind [amongst themselves].

20. Then, he makes salam to his right, saying, As-salamu `alaykum wa-rahmatullah, and to his left similarly.

Some Actions Disliked in Salah

1. It is disliked for the one praying to fidget with his clothes or with his body, or crack knuckles.

2. He should not hang his garment over himself [without wearing it properly].

3. He should not plait his hair or tie it up (for males).

4. He should gather his clothes.

5. He should not glance about or look around. He should look where his head will rest in sajdah, between his feet during Ruku’, and shoulders when making salams.

6. He should not sit like a dog up on his hind feet.

7. He should not return the greeting of salam with his tongue [for that invalidates the prayer], and not [even] with his hand.

8. He should not sit cross-legged except if he has an excuse.

9. Should not keep his eyes closed unless with a view to achieving concentration.

Disruptors and Nullifiers of the Salah – (things that make it VOID and must repeat)

1. He should not eat or drink [nor do any other significant, extraneous actions].

2. To recite the Quran from the Book instead of memory.

3. If hadath (impurity) overtakes him, he turns away from the salat, and if he was imam, he appoints a replacement. He then makes wudu’ and resumes his salah, but [for him] to re-start it is superior.

4. If he slept and had an erotic dream, or became insane, or lost consciousness, or laughed out loud, he re-starts the wudu’ and salah.

5. If he spoke in his salah, intentionally or by mistake, his salah is nullified.

6. Exposure of the nakedness, or presence of filth greater than the excusable amount, for the duration of three tasbih, nullifies the salah.

7. If one who had performed tayammum saw water [while] in his salah, his salah is nullified. Similarly:

8. If he had wiped on his khuffs and the time-limit for his wiping expired (24hrs), or

9. If he took off his khuffs with a gentle motion, or

10. If he had been illiterate and then learned a surah [while in prayer], or

11. If he had been naked, and then found a garment [while in prayer], or

12. If he had been gesturing, and then became capable or [performing] ruku` and sujud. or

13. He remembered that there is a salah [due] upon him before this salah, or

14. If a literate imam experienced hadath and substituted an illiterate [man], or

15. If the sun rose in salat al-fajr, or the time of `asr entered in salat al-jumu`ah, or

16. If he had wiped on a splint, and it fell off due to healing, or

17. If he had been an excused person, and then his excuse ceased. (No Rukhsa)

18. If he ignored or missed a FARD part of the prayer (as mentioned before)

19. To deliberately miss the Wajib parts of the prayer (see above also)

20. To make a mistake in the quran which changes its meaning, like saying “Aaaallahu Akbar” which means “Is Allah Great?”.

The Things Which Necessitate or Permit Breaking the Prayer. It is obligatory to break the salah

1. To save life

2. To prevent injury to others. It is permissible to break it: upon the threat of theft or harm of his own or someone else’s property.

THE CORRECTIVE PROSTRATION (Sajdah Sahw)

1. The ‘Sajdah Sahw’ is wajib, for excess (doing something extra which you’re not supposed to) or omission in prayer.

2. The way to perform Sajdah Sahw is: After completing the Tashahhud in the FINAL sitting position, one turns his face only to the right and says “Assalamu ‘Alaikom warahmatul Allah”, and then saying Takbir, performs TWO sajdah’s one after the other. The repeat the Tashahhud, and Salams on the prophet (Ibrahimiah) and then make the two salsm normally.

3. Sajdah Sahw is required if:

o Ommitting a Wajib part of prayer like reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, or a surah after Fatihah, etc

o Undue delay in the performance of a Wajib (or pillar) article. Ie. Waiting long before reading a surah after fatihah, or taking long before going to make ruku’.

o Repeating or overdoing something. Ie. Doing ruku’ twice.

o Reciting the Quran loudly when it should be quietly (& vice versa).

4. The mistake of the Imam makes the sujud obligatory on the follower, but if the Imam does not make the sajdah, the follower does not make the sajdah either. If the follower commits an act of inattentiveness, the Sajdah Sahw is not due on the Imam nor on the follower.

5. Someone who accidentally omitted the first sitting, and then remembered while he was [still] closer to the sitting position, should sit down and recite the tashahhud. But, if he was closer to the standing position, he should not go back, but should prostrate for inattentiveness [at the end].

6. Someone who accidentally missed the last sitting and thus stood up for a fifth [rak`ah] should return to the sitting as long as he has not performed sajdah [for the fifth]. He cancels the fifth [rak`ah] and should perform the Sajdah Sahw.
If he completed the fifth [rak`ah] with a prostration, his fard is invalidated, and his salah turns into nafl, and he must add a sixth rak`ah to it.

7. If he sat in the fourth [rak`ah] for the measure of the tashahhud, and then stood up without performing salam, thinking it to the first sitting, he goes back to sitting as long as he has not prostrated for the fifth [rak`ah], and [then] he performs salam as per normal.

If he completed the fifth with a sajdah, he adds another rak`ah to it, and his salah has been performed. The two [extra] rak`ah are nafl for him. He should perform the Prostrations of Inattentiveness.

8. Someone who is overcome by doubt in his salah, such that he does not know whether he prayed three or four [rak`ah], then:

o If this is the first time it has happened to him, he re-starts the salah.

o If doubts assail him often, he builds upon his strong inclination if he has an inclination. If he does not have an idea, he builds upon certainty.

NUMBER OF PRAYER UNITS (Ruk’aat)

• The Fajr (Morning) Prayer – 2 Ruk’ahs (Units) of Sunnah followed by 2 Ruk’ahs of Fard.

• The Zuhr (Midday) Prayer – 4 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah followed by 4 Ruk’ahs of Fard, then 2 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah.

• The Jummah (Friday) Prayer – It consists of 4 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah followed by 2 Ruk’ahs of Fard, then 4 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah.

• The ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayer – 4 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah followed by 4 Ruk’ahs of Fard.

• The Maghrib (Evening) Prayer – It consists of 3 Ruk’ahs of Fard then followed by 2 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah.

• The ‘Ishaa (Night) Prayer – 4 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah (voluntary) followed by 4 Ruk’ahs of Fard, then 2 Ruk’ahs of Sunnah.

The Witr consists of 3 Ruk’ahs prayed together like the meghrib, except a surah recitation is required in the third Ruk’a after the Fatihah (aling with Qunut Dua).