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Components and Obligations of Prayer
The components of prayer are:
1. Intention (niyyat): This means that a person performs the prayer with the intention of showing humility and servitude before Almighty God. It is not necessary to verbalize the intention, as intention is an action of the heart, not of the tongue.
2. Takbīrat al-Iḥrām: This involves saying "Allāhu Akbar" at the beginning of each prayer. The worshipper must pronounce these words correctly in Arabic. If any additional letter is added, such as saying "Allahu wa Akbar," the prayer becomes invalid.
Issue 79: The worshipper must be fully standing and stable when saying the Takbīrat al-Iḥrām, and as a necessary precaution, should not lean on anything like a stick or wall.
Issue 80: If the worshipper is unable to pray standing, he should pray sitting. If he cannot pray sitting, he should lie on his right side or left side facing the Qibla. If lying on the right side is possible, it should be preferred over the left side. If neither is possible, he should lie on his back with his feet facing the Qibla.
3. Recitation (Qirāʾat): In the first and second units of the prayer, the worshipper should recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥa and, as an obligatory precaution, a complete second sūrah. However, in cases of necessity such as illness, urgency, or time constraints, it is permissible to recite only al-Fātiḥa and omit the second sūrah.
Issue 81: The recitation must be correct in pronunciation and sounds. If a person cannot recite correctly, he must learn. If learning is not possible due to age or other excuses, he may recite incorrectly.
Issue 82: As a measure of obligatory precaution, men should recite al-Fātiḥa and the second sūrah aloud in Fajr, Maghrib, and ʿIshā prayers, and quietly in Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr prayers. Women are not obligated to recite aloud in any prayer, but should recite quietly in Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr as a precaution. Other parts of the prayer can be recited aloud or quietly by both men and women, except for the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿah in the third and fourth units.
Issue 83: If the worshipper mistakenly recites aloud when it should be quiet or vice versa, the prayer is valid if it was due to forgetfulness or ignorance of the rule. If he realizes his mistake during the recitation, he should correct it from that point onward.
Issue 84: In the third and fourth units, the worshipper can say the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿh or recite al-Fātiḥa. It is sufficient to say "Subḥānallah, walḥamdulillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar" once, but it is better to say it three times and seek forgiveness afterward. Al-Fātiḥa or the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿah should be recited quietly as an obligatory precaution in the third and fourth units of prayers. If he decides to recite Sūrah al-Ḥamd, he can recite “Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm” in a loud voice except for when he is praying in a congregational prayer in which case, he should not recite it loudly as an obligatory precaution.
Issue 85: The conditions mentioned for Takbīrat al-Iḥrām, such as standing, stability, and independence, also apply to recitation and the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿh.
4. Rukūʿ (Bowing): The obligations in rukūʿ are:
First: Bowing until the hands can reach the knees, and bowing this much is based on obligatory precaution.
Second: Standing before bowing, transitioning from a standing position to bowing. If one is unable to stand, bowing from a sitting position suffices.
Third: As for the recitation during rukūʿ, it would be sufficient to say "Subḥānallāh" three times or "Subḥāna rabbiyal ʿaẓīmi wa biḥamdih" once. The worshipper should pause long enough to recite the obligatory part of the recital and, as an obligatory precaution, he should remain motionless before lifting his head from rukūʿ.
Fourth: Standing after rukūʿ, during which the worshipper should stand upright and, as an obligatory precaution, ensure his body is calm.
5. Sujūd (Prostration): In each unit, the worshipper must perform two sajdahs (prostrations), with the following conditions:
First: Placing seven parts of the body on the ground: forehead, palms, knees, and the big toes.
Issue 86: It is sufficient to place part of the forehead on anything allowable and considered prostration in common view, even if that thing less than one finger's width. For the hands, as an obligatory precaution, the entire palms should be placed on the ground if possible. For the knees, it suffices to place part of them on the ground. The recommended precaution is to place the tips of the big toes on the ground, although placing the back or the front of the two big toes also suffices.
Second: The place of the forehead in sujūd should not be higher or lower than four closed fingers from the position of the knees and toes.
Third: Sajdah should be performed on earth, and on those things which are not edible nor worn. It is permissible to do sajdah on paper known to be made from wood, cotton, or linen (1). Sajdah on other types of paper is not valid if they are made from materials which are not allowable.
Fourth: The place for the forehead in sujūd must be stable and motionless. Therefore, placing the forehead on thin mud or soft, loose soil where the forehead does not remain stable is not valid.
Fifth: The place for the forehead in prostration must be pure and allowed for use (mubāḥ), as mentioned in Issue 71.
Sixth: It is obligatory to recite a dhikr during sujūd. It is sufficient to say "Subḥānallāh" three times or "Subḥāna rabbiya al-aʿla wa biḥamdih" once. The worshipper must pause briefly while reciting the obligatory dhikr, similar to what was mentioned regarding rukūʿ.
Seventh: Sitting between the two sajdahs is obligatory, and sitting after the second sajdah is obligatory as a precaution.
6. Tashahhud: It is obligatory in the second unit of all prayers, as well as in the third unit of Maghrib prayer and the fourth unit of Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, and ʿIshā prayers. It is sufficient to say, "Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh, waḥdahu la sharīka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh, Allāhumma ṣallī ʿala Muḥammad wa ʿala Ᾱl-i Muḥammad."
Issue 87: The dhikr for Tashahhud must be recited correctly, and if possible, it must be performed while sitting with the body calm and stable.
7. Salām: Saying salām at the end of each prayer is obligatory. The worshipper must say it correctly while sitting and being stable and motionless. It is sufficient to say, "As-salāmu ʿalaykum," but it is better and recommended to say, "As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuhan-nabiyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, as-salāmu 'alayna wa ʿala ʿibādillahiṣ-ṣāliḥīn, as-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh."
8. Sequence and Continuity: The worshipper must perform the obligatory parts of the prayer in the order mentioned and maintain continuity between the parts without a long gap, such that it is still considered a prayer. Lengthening rukūʿ and sujūd, reciting additional recommended dhikr, or reciting long sūrahs do not affect the continuity.
9. Qunūt: It is recommended to perform qunūt once in all daily prayers, which is done before rukūʿ in the second unit. There is no specific dhikr for qunūt, and one can pray in English language, such as making ṣalawāt (sending blessings upon the Prophet and his family, peace be upon them). It is better to include praise of Almighty God, ṣalawāt on the Prophet Muḥammad and his family, and prayers for oneself and all believers.
1. Intention (niyyat): This means that a person performs the prayer with the intention of showing humility and servitude before Almighty God. It is not necessary to verbalize the intention, as intention is an action of the heart, not of the tongue.
2. Takbīrat al-Iḥrām: This involves saying "Allāhu Akbar" at the beginning of each prayer. The worshipper must pronounce these words correctly in Arabic. If any additional letter is added, such as saying "Allahu wa Akbar," the prayer becomes invalid.
Issue 79: The worshipper must be fully standing and stable when saying the Takbīrat al-Iḥrām, and as a necessary precaution, should not lean on anything like a stick or wall.
Issue 80: If the worshipper is unable to pray standing, he should pray sitting. If he cannot pray sitting, he should lie on his right side or left side facing the Qibla. If lying on the right side is possible, it should be preferred over the left side. If neither is possible, he should lie on his back with his feet facing the Qibla.
3. Recitation (Qirāʾat): In the first and second units of the prayer, the worshipper should recite Sūrah al-Fātiḥa and, as an obligatory precaution, a complete second sūrah. However, in cases of necessity such as illness, urgency, or time constraints, it is permissible to recite only al-Fātiḥa and omit the second sūrah.
Issue 81: The recitation must be correct in pronunciation and sounds. If a person cannot recite correctly, he must learn. If learning is not possible due to age or other excuses, he may recite incorrectly.
Issue 82: As a measure of obligatory precaution, men should recite al-Fātiḥa and the second sūrah aloud in Fajr, Maghrib, and ʿIshā prayers, and quietly in Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr prayers. Women are not obligated to recite aloud in any prayer, but should recite quietly in Ẓuhr and ʿAṣr as a precaution. Other parts of the prayer can be recited aloud or quietly by both men and women, except for the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿah in the third and fourth units.
Issue 83: If the worshipper mistakenly recites aloud when it should be quiet or vice versa, the prayer is valid if it was due to forgetfulness or ignorance of the rule. If he realizes his mistake during the recitation, he should correct it from that point onward.
Issue 84: In the third and fourth units, the worshipper can say the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿh or recite al-Fātiḥa. It is sufficient to say "Subḥānallah, walḥamdulillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar" once, but it is better to say it three times and seek forgiveness afterward. Al-Fātiḥa or the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿah should be recited quietly as an obligatory precaution in the third and fourth units of prayers. If he decides to recite Sūrah al-Ḥamd, he can recite “Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm” in a loud voice except for when he is praying in a congregational prayer in which case, he should not recite it loudly as an obligatory precaution.
Issue 85: The conditions mentioned for Takbīrat al-Iḥrām, such as standing, stability, and independence, also apply to recitation and the Tasbīḥāt Arbaʿh.
4. Rukūʿ (Bowing): The obligations in rukūʿ are:
First: Bowing until the hands can reach the knees, and bowing this much is based on obligatory precaution.
Second: Standing before bowing, transitioning from a standing position to bowing. If one is unable to stand, bowing from a sitting position suffices.
Third: As for the recitation during rukūʿ, it would be sufficient to say "Subḥānallāh" three times or "Subḥāna rabbiyal ʿaẓīmi wa biḥamdih" once. The worshipper should pause long enough to recite the obligatory part of the recital and, as an obligatory precaution, he should remain motionless before lifting his head from rukūʿ.
Fourth: Standing after rukūʿ, during which the worshipper should stand upright and, as an obligatory precaution, ensure his body is calm.
5. Sujūd (Prostration): In each unit, the worshipper must perform two sajdahs (prostrations), with the following conditions:
First: Placing seven parts of the body on the ground: forehead, palms, knees, and the big toes.
Issue 86: It is sufficient to place part of the forehead on anything allowable and considered prostration in common view, even if that thing less than one finger's width. For the hands, as an obligatory precaution, the entire palms should be placed on the ground if possible. For the knees, it suffices to place part of them on the ground. The recommended precaution is to place the tips of the big toes on the ground, although placing the back or the front of the two big toes also suffices.
Second: The place of the forehead in sujūd should not be higher or lower than four closed fingers from the position of the knees and toes.
Third: Sajdah should be performed on earth, and on those things which are not edible nor worn. It is permissible to do sajdah on paper known to be made from wood, cotton, or linen (1). Sajdah on other types of paper is not valid if they are made from materials which are not allowable.
Fourth: The place for the forehead in sujūd must be stable and motionless. Therefore, placing the forehead on thin mud or soft, loose soil where the forehead does not remain stable is not valid.
Fifth: The place for the forehead in prostration must be pure and allowed for use (mubāḥ), as mentioned in Issue 71.
Sixth: It is obligatory to recite a dhikr during sujūd. It is sufficient to say "Subḥānallāh" three times or "Subḥāna rabbiya al-aʿla wa biḥamdih" once. The worshipper must pause briefly while reciting the obligatory dhikr, similar to what was mentioned regarding rukūʿ.
Seventh: Sitting between the two sajdahs is obligatory, and sitting after the second sajdah is obligatory as a precaution.
6. Tashahhud: It is obligatory in the second unit of all prayers, as well as in the third unit of Maghrib prayer and the fourth unit of Ẓuhr, ʿAṣr, and ʿIshā prayers. It is sufficient to say, "Ashhadu an lā ilāha illallāh, waḥdahu la sharīka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muḥammadan ʿabduhu wa rasūluh, Allāhumma ṣallī ʿala Muḥammad wa ʿala Ᾱl-i Muḥammad."
Issue 87: The dhikr for Tashahhud must be recited correctly, and if possible, it must be performed while sitting with the body calm and stable.
7. Salām: Saying salām at the end of each prayer is obligatory. The worshipper must say it correctly while sitting and being stable and motionless. It is sufficient to say, "As-salāmu ʿalaykum," but it is better and recommended to say, "As-salāmu ʿalayka ayyuhan-nabiyu wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh, as-salāmu 'alayna wa ʿala ʿibādillahiṣ-ṣāliḥīn, as-salāmu ʿalaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh."
8. Sequence and Continuity: The worshipper must perform the obligatory parts of the prayer in the order mentioned and maintain continuity between the parts without a long gap, such that it is still considered a prayer. Lengthening rukūʿ and sujūd, reciting additional recommended dhikr, or reciting long sūrahs do not affect the continuity.
9. Qunūt: It is recommended to perform qunūt once in all daily prayers, which is done before rukūʿ in the second unit. There is no specific dhikr for qunūt, and one can pray in English language, such as making ṣalawāt (sending blessings upon the Prophet and his family, peace be upon them). It is better to include praise of Almighty God, ṣalawāt on the Prophet Muḥammad and his family, and prayers for oneself and all believers.
(1) Linen is paper made from the fibers of the flax plant.
