MODE OF OFFERING PRAYER
Q 1:What is the correct mode of offering prayer?
A.Having performed Wudu and put on a pure and clean dress, one should stand upright at a clean place orientating himself towards the Prayer Dircetion (Qiblah) with his feet about four toes apart. He should express intention – by heart as well as by tongue - for whichever prayer he has to offer. He should raise his hands upto the ear-lobes in such a way that the palms face the Qiblah and the fingers remain in their normal condition (neither separated nor close together) and then bring them down saying "Allah-o-Akbar" and put them below his navel. The right hand should be placed on the wrist of the left hand with the thumb and the little finger encircling the wrist and the remaining three fingers resting on it. Now recite "Sanaa" (Subhaanak-Allahomma wa Bi-Hamdeka wa Tabaarakasmuka wa Ta'aalaa Jadduka Walaaa Ilaaha Ghairuk) followed by "Ta'awuz" (A'oozu Billaahi Minash Shaietaa-nir Rajeem) and "Tasmiyah"(Bism-Allah irRahmaan irRaheem). Then recite "Surah Faateha" (say Ameen at the end of it in a low voice) followed by any Surah or three small verses. After this he should go into "Rukoo" saying "Allah-o-Akbar" i.e. bow down placing hands on the knees with the fingers well-spread thereon and grasp the knees. The back and the head should be straight in level and the eyes pinned on to the toes. In this posture say "Subhaana Rabbi-yal Azeem" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great) at least three times and stand erect reciting "Tasmeey"(Sami 'Allaahu Liman Hamedah) and also say "Tahmeed" (Allaa-humma Rabbanaa wa Lakal-Hamd or Rabbanaa Lakal Hamd) and then go into "Sajdah" i.e. prostrate in such a manner that first the knees should be placed on the ground then the hands and thereafter the nose and the forehead be placed firmly between both the hands. The arms should be off the sides, the belly away from the thighs and the thighs apart from the calves. All the toes of both the feet should be set firmly on the ground facing the Qiblah. Palms should rest on the ground with the fingers pointing towards the Qiblah. In this position say "Subhaana Rabbi-yal 'Alaa" (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three or five times. Then he should rise reciting "Takbeer" and sit in "Jalsah" i.e. first raise his head, then the hands and then sit upright with his left foot under him and the right foot in a vertical position, resting on the insides of the toes facing Qibla. He should put his palms on the thighs near the knees with fingers facing the Qibla. Now he should perform second "Sajdah" reciting "Takbeer" in the same way as the first one. After having observed the second Sajdah he should rise, putting his weight on the front portion of the feet and placing hands on the knees, and stand erect. Do not place hand(s) on the ground for support except for any disability. Now, he is in second Rak'ah. He should recite Tasmiyah, Surah Faateha followed by any other Surah and then perform Rukoo and Sujood like that of the first Rak ah and observe "Qa'adah" i.e. sit spreading the left foot under him and the right foot in vertical position on the pattern of "Jalsah" and recite "Tashah'hud" and when he reaches the word "Laa" raise the index finger of the right hand. To do this, join the middle finger with the thumb to make a circle with the little and ring fingers bent towards the palm; then lower the index finger whilst uttering "Illal Laahu" and then let all the fingers rest straight like that of the left hand, followed by Durood Shareef and Du'aa. And then say "Salaam" i.e. "As-Salaamu 'Alaiekum wa Rahmatul Laah"(peace be on you and Allah's mercy) turning the face first towards the right side and then towards the left. Now two Rak'ahs' prayer is over.
Q 1:How to offer three or four Rak'ahs prayer?
A.If one has to offer more than two Rak'ahs then he should stand up from Qa'adah after having recited Tashah'hud (Attahyaat) and offer the remaining Rak'ah(s) which he has to say. He should recite only Surah Faateha in the remaining Rak'ah(s) of Fard prayer, but in case of Sunnat, Nafil and Waajib, Surah Fateha has to be followed by any other Surah or minimum three verses.
Q 2:What is the difference between the prayer of Imaam and Muqtadi?
A.What mode of offering prayer described here is meant for the Imaam as well as male individual, but in Jamaa'at, Muqtadi does not have to recite Surah Faateha and any other Surah or verses and even not to recite Ta'awuz and Tasmiyah. He has only to recite Sanaa and then to be quiet. While rising from Rukoo he should say "Allaa-humma Rabbanaa wa Lakal-Hamd or Rabbanaa Lakal Hamd".
Q 3:What about he who performs Sujood without firmly placing the insides of his toes on the ground?
A.Placing the inside of at least one toe of each foot firmly on the ground while performing Sajdah is Fard (obligatory) and placing the insides of three toes of each foot is Waajib (essential). Prayer is invalid if one only touches his toes with the ground or keeps them off the ground. Unfortunately, most of us are not aware of such essentials of prayer.
Q 4:Which Du'aa is recited after the Fard prayer?
A.
After Fard prayer the following Du'aa should be recited:
"Allaa-humma Antas-Salaamu wa-Minkas-Salaamu wa Ilaieka Yarji'us-Salaam. Tabaarakta Rabbanaa wa Ta'aa-laieta Yaa Zal-Jalaale wal-Ikraam"
(O' Allah! You are the Giver of Peace and peace is from You and peace turns towards You. O' our Sovereign Lord! You are the Most Auspicious, and the Supreme – O the possessor of all Majesty and Honour!)