Question 149) - Explain the method of Salaah from beginning to end.

A: When intending to start Sarah, recite Takbir to begin without vowel elongation, whilst standing and raise the hands until the ears. After Takbir place the right hand over the left below the navel. Then recite Thana,

"Pure is You O Allah with Your praises. Bless is Your Name and high is Your station. There is no illah but You."

Then recite Ta'awwuz and then Tasmiyah. These three are silent. A follower does not recite the last two because there is no Qira-ah for him. Thereafter al-Fatihah is recited. Then Ameen is said softly even when it is a loud Salah. Thereafter a Surah or any three Aayat are read. After Qira-ah read Takbir and go into Ruku' without raising the hands. Then grip the knees with the hands. The fingers should be spread out and the calves straight. The back must be stretched out straight in line with the buttocks. The head should neither be raised nor dropped. In Ruku' he will say at least thrice,

,,, "Pure is my Rabb Most Magnificent." He will then raise his head from Ruku', saying, ~~AIIaah has heard he who has praised Him." He will then say immediately, ..,, "Praise be to You my Rabb,"

If he is praying alone. In congregation the Imam will suffice with the first sentence and the follower with the second. He will stand up straight. He will then say Takbir, ?rabbanaa lakal hamd?, and go into Sujud by first lowering his knees then his arms then his hands. He will stretch his fingers to the Qiblah making Sujud with his nose and forehead, his armpits open. His stomach must be away from his thighs. His toes should face the Qiblah.
Recite at least thrice, ?Subhaana Rabbiyal a?alaa? "Pure is my Rabb Most High." Then raise the head reciting Takbir; sit up straight, coming to a standstill, hands on the thighs. Recite Takbir and go into Sajdah, reciting the same at least thrice. Then say Takbir to stand again without leaning on the hands or sitting in between. First the head should be raised, then the hands, then the knees and stand for the second Rak ah. There will be no Thana or Ta'awwuz this time. When the second Sajdah of the second Rak'ah is completed place the left foot flat under the buttocks and raise the right foot, toes facing the Qiblah. Place the right hand on the right thigh and the left on the left. Fingers are spread out on them. Recite the tashshahud of Ibn Masood RA:

?Greetings, salutations and purity be to Allaah. Salam to you O Nabi and Allaah's mercy and blessings. Salam be on us and Allaah's pious slaves. I testify that there is no illah but Allaah and I testify that Muhamme~ is His slave and Rasul Messenger."

He will indicate with his right index finger at the time of the Shahadah, making a circle with the thumb and middle finger and closing the small and next finger. If he intended two Rak'at, Salaah 'Alan Nabi SAW is recited after Tashshahud. Du'a from Quran and Hadith is then recited, but not what resembles the words of people. Salaam is then made to the right saying, As-salamu ~alaykum wa rahmatullah. The same is done on the left. He should turn so much that someone looking behind at his shoulders will see his Cheeks. He will intend that he is greeting the Imam, the guardian angels and the fellow Musallis as we have mentioned before.

If he intended four Rak'at at the time of Tahrimah he will stand up from Tashshahud for the third Rak'ah. He will not raise his hands, nor recite Ta'awwuza and Thana. After the two Sajdah he will stand for the fourth Rak'ah. The third and the fourth is completed with standing, Qira-ah, Ruku' and Sujud as we discussed with the first two. He will sit after the second Sajdah of the fourth Rak'ah just as he sat for the first two Rak'at. He will recite the Tashshahud and Salat 'alan Nabi offer du'a and make Salam to the right and left as discussed.

If he intended three Rak'at at the time of Tahrimah, he will sit after the second Sajdah of the third Rak'ah. He will recite the Tashshahud and Salat 'alan Nabi SAW, offer Dua and make Salam.

~ al-Quduri ~

Question 147) - What are the Sunan of Salaah?

A: They are as follows:

1. Lifting the hands at the time of Tahrimah in line with the ears if a man, and with the shoulders for a woman. Men will then place their right hands on their left below the navel.

2. Thana after Tahrimah.

3. Ta 'awwuz [A'uzu billah minash Shaytanir Rajim].

4. Tasmiyah

5. To say, "Amin" after al-Fatihah.

6. Tasbih.

7. Tahmid.

8. Takbir of Ruku', Sujud, Qiyam (standing) and when rising from Ruku'.

9. Tasbih of Ruku' and Sujud.

10. Holding the knees with the hands during Ruku' with the fingers spread out.

11. During the two sittings and between the two Sajdah to sit on the left foot flat under the buttocks with the right foot raised at the side.

12. To point the finger at Tashshahud.

13. Placing the hands on the thighs during the sittings.

14. Qira-ah after the first Rak'at in the Farad. In non-Faraid Qira-ah is necessary in each Rak'ah. The Imam's Takbir, "Sami'Allaahu liman hamidah," and Salam.

15. Salat 'alan Nabi ~ in the final Tashshahud.

16. Du'a after that which resemble those of the Quran and Hadith.

17. To turn right and left during the two Madam.

18. For the Imaam to intend greeting the men, guardian angels and pious Jinn when making both Salam.

19. The follower should intend greeting the Imam when turning in the direction the Imam is. If he in directly in fine, he should intend both times.

20. The follower should intend greeting the other followers, guardian angels and pious Jinn in both directions.

21. One praying alone should intend the angels only.

~ al-Quduri ~