Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Advice for lovers

Sheikh Atabek Shukurov

Missing obligations

In the book Kitab Al-Inyah litawajiheen Al-Salikeen by Sidi Ahmed Zarruq (may Allah show him mercy) speaks about radd al-mazalim/redressing wrongs concerning missed obligations. He says that they must be made up and affirms that they are part of repentance.

Any obligatory action that was missed, for whatever reason, has to be made up missed prayers, fasts (Ramadan), zakah and Hajj. There is a difference of opinion about the Hajj whether it is obligatory straight away or can it be delayed. Hanafi's say it can be delayed and done at any time before death and the Shafis say it has to be done straight away. 

Sidi Ahmed said its part of one's repentance to redress the wrongs of missing obligations. Is this an isolated opinion? At the battle of the trench, due to the intensity of the situation, five prayers were missed. As soon as an opportunity came they repeated all the prayers in order. This is what the Hanafi's called Sahib Al-Tartib meaning if five prayers are missed then they are repeated in order. If more than five prayers are missed, they are repeated in any order. This proof was mass transmitted. 

This is according to the other schools as well. The Hanafi's say one days worth of missed prayers are made up a day. The Hanafi's also make up witr because its wajib. The Malikis say five days of prayer have to make up a day. The Shafis say that beyond doing the fard and wajib actions - he does not do anything except make up prayers. 

The Hadith of the Wali explains that the fard actions bring one closer to Allah (the Exalted). 

Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "Bring yourself into account before you are brought into account. Weigh your actions before they are weighed." (Ya Ayya Al-Walad by Imam Ghazali)

Proofs of making obligations up

Making up fasts:

أياما معدودات فمن كان منكم مريضا أو على سفر فعدة من أيام أخر

2:185

"Fixed days. Whoever of you is ill or on a journey makes them (the fasts) in other days." (Quran Al-Baqarah 2:184)

Imam Al-Nasafi and Imam Qurtabi and so on agree that this passage means that whoever misses a fast for a valid reason like illness or travel, make them up later. As we know, that Ramadan is necessary to fast unless one has a valid excuse. Like an illness that increases with fasting or a permanent illness that causes hardship when fasting like diabetes. Alternatively, if a mother fears for the health of her child. Or if travelling before the time of fajr comes in. Other people who should not fast: elderly person, post partum or bleeding woman.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

من نام عن صلاة أو نسيها فليصلها إذا ذكرها فإن ذلك وقتها

"Whoever sleeps and misses prayer or forgets should make it up it when they remember; because that is the time." Muslim. 

This confirms that missed prayers must be made up and the previous proof is for missed fasts. They lead us to the understanding that obligations must be repeated.

Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said,

عَنْ أَبِى هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : «‏ فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا وَ مَا فَاتَكُمْ فَاقْضُوا »

"Whatever you reach (the prayer then) pray (with the Imam) and whatever you miss; make up."

Abu Dawood, Imam Ahmed and Al-Nisa'i. 

This is about reaching the prayer and the congregation is taking place. So you pray whatever you do with the Imam and stand up then complete what you missed of the prayer.

Obligation

The actions of the religion that one is sinful for, is the non-performance of fard or wajib actions. In a non-Muslim country, it is possible that one does not know their obligations. Even though ignorance is everywhere now. As soon as one finds out there is no excuse. So you calculate from the time you realised that missing an action made you sinful. If you found out today that missing prayers was a sin then you start with today, and so forth.

Conditions

For the prayer, fasting and hajj; one must be mature which is between the ages of 12-15 for a male or between 9-15 for a female. The signs are bleeding for the woman or dreaming for the male (wet). Once the maximum age is reached, without any signs, then they are mature by age not sign. 

Hajj: one has to have the means to go once in his lifetime. Zakah:  when you have reached the nisab/the threshold to pay. Zakah has to go to bellies of the poor and not masjids.

There is no replacement for the prayer except the prayer itself (only fard and wajib prayers for Hanafis, Shafis only repeat fard prayers). Fasts can be replaced with same as fidyah/substitute which is two meals for one missed fast. There is no proper amount for the prayer.

So if someone has missed prayers then do not panic rather guessitmate the missed amount and make a plan to make them up. I.e. you have missed 5 years then you make up one day every day. You do one extra prayer with every prayer and in five years, you have made them all up!

The best time to make up fasts is winter or when the days are short. You can have breakfast and miss dinner then eat at four pm! (Please check your local times!) 

If you cannot make up the prayers and fasts because of illness then pay the fidya for the fasts. If you do not have the money to pay for the missed fasts then seek forgiveness and pay when or if you have the money (Tahfat Al-Muluk). Even having the intention to make them up, when you cannot, is good.  

We all owe a debt to Allah (the Exalted) and want to repay it but do not rush your prayer. Just do a bit a day and it is not a problem, do not overburden yourself by trying to pray them all now! Slow and steady is the best policy, just start with doing one missed prayer a day. Just make a plan and take it easy! Then in no time at all you will have completed all the prayers and fasts.

What prayer again?

The prayer

About three years ago, the idea came to me to write something about prayer. At the time, we wrote something but it does not seem adequate now.  Therefore, we are going to try again, in sha Allah.

Prayer is something lost in this time. Some Muslims do not pray and it is such a shame and a waste of life. Imagine the benefits that you attain from forsaking the world for a short space of time are innumerable. The benefits that you will attain from forsaking the world for a short time are immeasurable. How do we take advantage of these blessings? By exposing ourselves to the prayer in these times. Each prayer time has a significance and blessing.

Work

When you pray your provision will become easy; your work will become easy. You will find yourself much calmer and more composed. Even your work colleagues will notice the difference. One of fears that make us consider not praying is the fear of loss of provision. It is the exact opposites in fact you will find ease where there was difficulty.

Without prayer 

Your life has little meaning and your time is lost without benefit. Without the prayer that you have lost. Notice the times of the day in which you have 'natural' breaks; it is as if the prayer is calling you. Benefit from this time and pray.

Your prayer

Is a reminder for others without you realising. You will be praying one day and a Muslim who does not pray will see you and feel ashamed or reflect. Not that we want him to be ashamed with us but we want him to be ashamed before his Lord. One of the more common complaints that we receive from those who do not pray is that they see those who do pray commit sins. Though we cannot condone anyone's sins but the sins of others should not prevent you from good actions. Because so and so prays and you do not, does not allow you to look down on his sins. Similarly, the one who prays should not look down on those who do not pray. If you do then you are not both as bad as each other. So both of you need not to look down on those who pray and sin like those who do not pray and do not sin (other sins). 

Prayer should remove someone's sins and if they are praying and are still sinning. Then they are not praying correctly, there is a sin somewhere. Normally it is an internal disease of following the nafs or because of corruption in belief. Therefore, if someone is praying and sinning they are not praying properly with all its conditions on their wudu maybe be incomplete. Check your fiqh.

Motion

In each motion, there is stillness, in each motion there is meaning, in each meaning there is realisation. Go through all the meanings of the prayer and memorise them. Therefore, you know what you are saying if you can learn Arabic, it will bring life to the phrases and words you say. 

Do not know how

There are many people who do not know how to pray or have simply forgotten because, like everything, if you do not practice it you will lose it. Please see basic prayer guide click here. For a basic guide a simple guide to prayer of Al-Batool is worth getting. It does take time to learn to these things. Try to ask a scholar or friend you trust that is not harsh about any matters that confuse you. Attend congregational prayers where you can put into practice what you know. If you are not praying at all and want to start praying.  Then pick a prayer that you find easy and do that daily. Use that as a starting block which you keeping adding another prayer until you have all five. Do not try doing all five prayers at once because it will overcome you. Start with one prayer and build until you have your fard and wajib prayers in place then later add the Sunnah prayers. Do not be concerned if you have missed years of prayers because that will burden you to a degree that you will not pray. Maintain it for a month or then keep adding.

One of the strange things you will that non-Muslims are more accommodating to your prayer than Muslims.

Basics

The types of prayer are divided into four main sections according to the Hanafi school: Fard, Wajib, Sunna either affirmed or non-affirmed and nafl. Each one has slightly differences in terms of strength of its proof. Fard/obligatory cannot be missed, its non-performance is not accepted and sinful, if any of the five daily prayers are missed they have to be made up. 

Wajib/necessary evidence is lesser than the fard it cannot be missed and made up if missed like the witr prayer.

Sunna affirmed: these are constant actions of the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) rarely missed and deliberate non-performance is not accepted without excuse; although there disagreement here with other schools. E.g. 2 Sunnah before Fajr, 4 Sunnah before Zuhr.

Non-affirmed Sunnah: not sinful if left, one raises in rank if he performs it, he rarely done by the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him).

Nafl: extra actions done by companions or successive generations. One cannot be condemned if left; it is praiseworthy to perform. 

The other schools break prayer into fard and Sunnah like the Maliki and Hanbali school; so check your school; if you do not then use this as a guide and study prayer with a local scholar until you know what validates and invalidates prayer. The common causes of invalidation are the clothes; this is a male problem in particular. When we bend over for ruku or bow down on the floor our pants are low rise and our shirts are not long enough. So our backs are exposed to the four winds! This is part of the awrah/nakedness of the prayer and if uncovered for a full pillar breaks the prayer or the length of saying subhanullah three times then the prayer is broken. 

Therefore, on Fridays I find one thing at Jummah. No drugs in the masjid but plenty of crack on display! One day I might bring some plaster and cover those cracks up. Just joking!

It is also not something you bring up with a brother. Bro, your crack was exposed when you were bowing which breaks your prayer. How did you know? Well, the whole row behind you saw it! Thanks, you put me off my lunch and now that horrible image is implanted in my mind. Stop it! Wear long shirts and cover your backs for goodness sake! If you want to be crack commando then do it where I cannot see you! Wear long shirts that are not see through. When you are in the masjid be careful of approaching anyone except a trusted friend about a mistake.

As it might cause more friction and it almost definitely means that the person will not return to the masjid. Do not argue or make the place of the masjid a fitna. Just get on with your prayer and only help if asked.

Missed

If you miss a prayer then make it up as soon as you realise. Of course praying in its time is better but praying outside the time means the obligation is fulfilled. Some people say you cannot pray now but you can but it does not contain the same benefits. The difference between praying on time and outside its time is the difference between eating lunch when it is warm and eating it after an hour or two. It might still be warm but its taste is not the same when it was warm.

Prayer

Pray dear reader and change your world. Your prayer benefits your house and the people around you. So do not want any longer put that nose on the ground and experience the pleasure of prayer and prostration. 

If you are already praying then try to intensify your worship and concentration in prayer. This can be done by memorising different surahs. Most of all realising your incapability as a servant.

Proof of the five prayers in the Quran from Munyah Al-Musali

by Imam Al-Kashghari

These are the proofs of the prayer from the Quran:

Asr Prayer

According to the opinion of Abdullah ibn Ma’sud (may Allah be pleased with him)

“Guard your prayers and the middle prayer.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2.238)

Maghrib, Fajr, Isha and Zuhr

“So glorify Allah when you enter the night and when you enter the morning, unto him be praise in the Heavens and the Earth, at evening and noon.”

(Surah Ar-Rum 30.17-18)

Ibn Abbas says that entering into the night is magrib, entering the morning is fajr, evening is Isha and noon is Zuhr)

Someone who does not pray is not a disbeliever

He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “The difference between worship and disbelief, is leaving the prayer.” (Abu Dawud 361, Ibn Majah 1391 and Ahmed 21737.)

Ibn Abbas says disbelief here means ingratitude or rejecting blessing not actual disbelief.

Sheikh Atabek Shukurov

True Worshipper

The Prayer! The Prayer! As-Salah! As-Salah!

Prayer


We are writing this to improve and remind ourselves of this. We are not singling out anyone but ourselves and we are not accusing anyone but ourselves.


Where are we when we are praying? Off in the distance somewhere? Thinking about lunch or about what I am going to do tomorrow? Where are you? Are you even pondering over what you have recited?


The prayer is something that is obligatory upon every Muslim five times. This cannot be missed and the only action that replaces a fard prayer is another fard prayer like it. One of the tips to attain khushu (being spiritually aware in the prayer) in prayer which is by being aware that you speaking to Allah (the Exalted) by using his words in the prayer. Also be aware that you being watched in the prayer.




Entering the moment


We come to the prayer in a state of distraction not realising the gravity of what we are doing. When we are praying we are distracted by the distractions of the world, unable to focus. We move slowly and are tired after the first unit but it’s the only prayer we perform in the Masjid in the day, week or even year. There are some of us who are less fortunate than that we do not even think about praying , we are far, far away from prayer. Lost in our passions as we dissolve on a sofa set in front an endless barrage of commercials and television programs. Giving the endless set of message: what you are is no good be like us, what you have is no good buy from us, what we are is all good agree with us. Our docile, brainwashed mind cannot disagree and we keep sleeping. As they justify their terms as they massacre of innocent civilians so they can strip them of their natural resources, we turn over and watch a dull sit-com; trying to laugh but we want to cry.


Lost in a world that money talks and everyone is cheap. Their lives are cheap that’s why they can get away with murder and they make you think about justice, yes we can perform justice.


Or we are lost in the world of addictions trying to go one step higher, every time. Trying to outdo the last time, trying to push the boundaries of our existence with only a step away from flat lining. The drunk go to pubs and night clubs like scavengers seeking some prey that they can devour.


Yet, once you realise that all this is false and all of it is there to misguide what do you do now? You come back to religion of your birth because you are tying to find some meaning to your life. The only thing that has meaning is Allah (the Exalted) and he has given you Islam to save you from yourself.


It’s time to come to the prayer, remember the things you were taught as a child. Or it's time for you to learn how to pray, properly not cultural style.



Set things right


Use the prayer as the means to set your affairs right. Use the prayer as the foundational pillar that grounds you. Slowly change your ways, leave the lies and speak the truth.


Prayer disconnects one from the world and its trappings; it connects you to your creator. Are you able to wake up and use this connection well? All day you used to notice gaps in the day, should you be doing something then? Now, you realise that you should’ve been praying but you never knew!


You are awake now, you have taken the television off and rejected the nightly programming/brainwashing. You have opened the Quran now, taken it out of its cloth, dusted it down and began to read it. That’s the whole point of having the Quran to read it!



Words

The word Salah meant supplication, in its original meaning, but now it means prayer. At the same time prayer means one thing in English, either supplicating or making the physical movements of prayer.


In Arabic there is a difference between supplicating/Du’a and praying Salah, this may need to be explained to non-Muslims. The Arabic word starts with a strong letter Saad and ends with a weak letter Alif Maqsura; that how we should all end our prayer in a state of weakness to our Lord, achieving a state or realisation of our weakness.



Time


Being negligent of the prayer time is one of our greatest sins. When the time comes in get ready and get it done because if you do not you may find obstacles in your way which are preventing you from doing your work but once you pray then these are all out of the way.


Purification


Be avid about finding out about the ablution and all its rulings. Look for teachers who can teach you around your locality first, then beyond. Once you find a teacher make sure you ask all the questions because if you are not bothered about purification then you can forget about your prayer because you do not have one without purification.


There are three obligatory places that need to washed and one needs to be wiped in the Hanafi school. The face, ear to ear and hairline to chin, the arms, from fingers to elbows, the feet to prodding bone, and finally the head needs to be wiped, one quarter. Everything else is Sunna to wash but should not be left out. Only when you do not wash or wipe the obligatory places mentioned is your ablution not valid.


Is your heart and body being purified? It is if you remember Allah (the Exalted) before performing ablution. This is by saying bismillah or other additions to this statement. If you are in privy then say it in your heart and not out aloud as it is not permissible to pronounce the blessed name of Allah (the Exalted) in the privy!


The washing of the limbs also signifies the removal of the sins committed by them. The face with the sins of our sight, the mouth with the sins of our words, the hands with the sins of our actions. All this falls from us and the water that we made ablution with is not longer valid for anyone else to use, now that it is polluted with our sins.


Beginning the prayer


The initial magnification or Takbir Tahrimah is the starting place of your prayer. Literally translated Takbir Tahrimah means magnification of prohibition, as once we enter the prayer everything is prohibited for us to do, except the prayer itself. We are putting everything to one side and focusing on Allah (the Exalted).


Also notice the position of the hands as they are up in the air, in a similar way in which people surrender to the police or the way in which one soldier surrenders to another. When we surrender we show that there is nothing in our hands. What we are saying in the prayer is that we have nothing in our hands that has busied us from you O Allah. We have left the world behind and are submitting to the commands of our Lord, we are surrendering, we are submitting to the Lord of all creation.


Looking at our hands for the moment, whatever we use our limbs we use, invariably, our hands. So when we raise them to the level of our ears we are raising them showing Allah (the Exalted) that there is nothing that is keeping us busy from Him.


Thinking


What should you thinking about in the prayer? Remember Allah (the Exalted)! He is watching you and you should remember Him in the prayer! This is the whole point of the prayer! Without it your prayer reduces in reward.


The standing

We stand in a way that displays our humbleness, head down trying to realise the act of prayer is not as simple as movements. What is your heart doing? Is it submitting? In terms of Jurisprudence standing is that position in which you cannot touch your knees. This is the position were the Quran is recited so recite it the best manner with the letters correctly pronounced. Do not be shy in going back to basics and learning the recitation properly.


Bowing

Bowing is when the hands touch the knees, keeping the back straight is Sunna. This is your first display of humbleness that everyone can see. As the bowing the head can be for anything but this is unmistakable. Bowing is a sign of respect if done to a king what about bowing to the One whose power encompasses all created beings.



Prostration


This is when you hands, feet, head, knees are touching the floor. There should be at least one toe facing forward, the Sunna is to have all the toes facing forward. What are you doing in this position? Are you staying for a while or are pecking like chickens do? Staying that position and maybe one day you’ll taste the sweetness of prostration. As there is a sweetness in prostration but may only find it in some places. When on our faces are on the floor we affirm the loftiness of Allah (the Exalted) with the words Subhanullah Al-'Ala/ glory be to Allah, the Most High. At our lowest point facing the floor we affirm Allah's majesty.


Sitting


When you have finished the prayer you greet the angels on both your shoulders and those present on your right and your left. The prayer is the ascension of the believer and as this ascension finishes the soul returns to its place. You greet those who you have left.


Afterwards

How are you after the prayer? Have you changed? Do you feel the difference? Are you the same? If you are the same then take a look at yourself and try to see if there is anything you need to rectify. The first breath after you have finished praying should be a breath of relief and joy. Then supplicate and make it heartfelt. Really mean what you say and if you wish to learn more about supplication then please read what we have written on that subject.

Now that you have finished your prayer are you waiting in anticipation for the next prayer? Are you preparing yourself for it?



The opportunities


Take the opportunities that you have been given before they are taken. If you are a person who does not pray but wants to pray then start with one prayer a day, maintain it then add another and another until you are praying five times a day. Use these building blocks as a basis for growth.


It can be difficult for one to change their patterns of life but if you are consistent then you shall see your whole live change for the better. Prayer is something that will change you for the better if you are doing it well, even if you are making mistakes, don’t worry keep trying!


The prayer is one of the first things that you will be asked about on the Day of Judgement and if that is good then you have succeeded, if that has failed then the rest is looking shaky.


The words that the blessed Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said before he left us was, “The prayer! The prayer!” When someone is dying they mention what is the most dear things to them but here he did not mention something about himself rather he mentioned something that will remind others.


Displaying his altruistic nature the Prophet (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) was always thinking of others, he put others first even in this critical situation. He was in so much pain but despite that he was thinking of others. Reminding us of one of the most important pillars of our practise.


The prayer! The prayer!

Imam Ghazali states in the Etiquette of the religion/Adab fi Al-Din gave the following advice about the Etiquette of prayer

"Refrain from excessive movement, display submissiveness, manifest humiliation, presence of heart, repel whisperings, refrain from outward or inward movement, limbs at ease, bow ones head, place his ring hand over his left, contemplate when reciting, increase in awe, bowing with acquiescence, prostrate with humility, magnify with greatness, testify by witnessing, greet with fear, move with dread and seek contentment."

Prayer is one of our most important barometers of our religiosity and neglect of it means neglect of everything. So build upon this and move forward in your life. Seek excellence/Ihsan.

A very simple guide to the Islamic Prayer/Salah/Namaaz

After ablution/Wudu, stand on Massalla/prayer mat or clean mat. In the direction of Mecca/Qibla. Make intention to perform a particular Salat/namaaz.

Say: ‘Allah u Akbar’ (God is the greatest)
And raise hands to the level of the ears and then down onto waist, below the navel. Clasping right hand over left.

Now say: Subhana kalla humma wa bihamdika wa tabarkasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuk
(Glory be to thee Allah! And the praise is thine, blessed is thy name, and exhalted is thy majesty, there is none worthy of worship besides thee.)

A'aoodtu billahi minash shayta nirrajeem
(I seek refuge from the accursed Satan)

Bismillah ir rehman nirrahim
(In the name of God the most gracious, most merciful.

Now say Sura fahita:
Alhamdulillahi rabbil aa'lammen ar rahman nir rahim maaliki yumiddeen iyyaka na budu wa iyya ka nastaeen, ih dinas siraatal mustaqeem. Siraat talladeena an amta alaihim Gharil maghdhooba alaihim wa lad dhaalleen (all praise to Allah. The Lord of all worlds, most gracious, most merciful, master of the day of judgement: thee alone we worship, thee alone we ask for help, show us the straight way, the way of those on whom thou hast bestowed thy grace, those whose portion is not wrath and who do not astray.)

And other sura you know (If you do not know any other Sura, Sura Fatiha suffices) or Surah iklaas

Qul huwal la hu ahad, allahus samad, lam yalid wa lam yulad, wa lam yakullahoo kufuwan ahad.
(He is Allah, the one and only, the eternal, absolute: he begetteth not, nor is he begotten, and there is none like unto him.

Then say ‘Allah u akbar’ (God is the greatest) Now bow at waist, hands close or on the knees and look at the floor and repeat 3 times,
‘subhaana rabbiyal atheem.’
(Glory unto the Lord, most high)

Then as you are straightening yourself up, with hands by either side and say:
‘samiallahu liman hamidah’
(Allah has heard who has praised him)

When you are fully standing say ‘Rabbanna la kal hamd’.
(O' our Lord, praise be to thee)

Say ‘Allah u akbar’ and prostrate on the floor. Forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees, both feet should be touching the ground. Fingers straight, in Qibla direction.
Then say ‘Allah u akbar’ and sit back on left foot while right is under the thigh.

Then say ‘Allah u akbar’ and prostrate again. While in that position repeat 3 times ‘subhana rabbiyal a’la’
(Glory be to my lord, most high)

Now stand up and Surah Fatiha again:
Alhamdu lil lahi rabbil aa'lammen ar rahmannir rahim maaliki yumiddeen iyyaka na budu wa iyya ka nastaeen, ih dinas siraatal mustaqeem. Siraatalladeena an amta alaihim Gharil maghdhooba alaihim wa lad dhaalleen,

And then Surah iklaas
Qul huwal la hu ahad, allahus samad, lam yalid wa lam yulad, wa lam yakullahoo kufuwan ahad.
(He is Allah, the one and only, the eternal, absolute: he begetteth not, nor is he begotten, and there is none like unto him.
Or any other Surah you know.

Say ‘Allah u akbar’ Now bow at waist, hands near knees and look at the floor and repeat 3 times,
‘subhaana rabbiyal azzem.’

Then as you are straightening yourself up, with hands by either side and say:
‘samiallahu liman hamidah’

When you are standing straight, say ‘rabbanna la kal hamd’.)

Say ‘Allah u akbar’ and bow on the floor. Forehead, nose, palms of both hands, knees, both feet should be touching the ground. Fingers straight, in Qibla direction.

While in that position repeat 3 times ‘subhana rabbiyal a’la’.

Then say ‘Allah u akbar’ and bow again. While in that position repeat 3 times ‘subhana rabbiyal a’la’

Then sit again as before and say
‘at atahiy yatulil laahi wa salawaatu wattay yiabatu assalamu alaika ay yuhan nabiyyu warah matullahi wabarakatuh assalaamu alaina wa 'ala 'ibadil lahis sa aliheen ash hudhu an laa ila ha illal lahuwa ashadu anna Muhammad abdu wa rasooluh’

(All good deeds and acts of worship are for the pleasure of Allah : o’Holy prophet, may Allah’s blessing and salutations be on your sacred soul, and on all the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is his servant and prophet.)

Now you have completed two units of a prayer and if that is the correct amount then recite the final sitting (directly below).

If you are praying a four unit/rakah prayer then repeat the steps from the first Sura Fatiha, in order to complete two more units, and then say what the final sitting requires which is directly below.
If you are praying three units then start from Sura Fatiha and finish with the statement as below.

And the third and fourth units of the fard prayer need no extra recitation after sura Fatiha.


(this is said in the final sitting of prayer)
allhumma sali ala Muhammad in waala ale muhammadin kama sallaita ala Ibrahima wa ala ale Ibrahima innaka hamidum majid. Allahuma barik ala muhammadin wa ala ale Muhammadin kama barakta ala ibrahima wa ala ale ibrahima innaka hamidum majid.
(O’Allah bestow blessing on Muhammad and his descendants just as thou didst bestow upon Ibrahim and his descendants, for thou art the praiseworthy and exhalted. O’Allah Exalt Muhammad and his descendants , for thou art the praiseworthy and exalted.)

Then turn face to right, looking down on the shoulder and say:
‘assalamu alikum, wa rahmutullah’ and then repeat when turning to the left.

Your prayer is now complete and now supplicate for oneself and the Muslims.


The Witr prayer (after Isha) the 3 witr are said like other 3 salaat prayers except in the last rakat, after the last surah that has been read, say ‘Allah u akbar’
And read: ‘Allahumma inna nasta eenuka wa nastighfiruka wa numinu bika wa natawakkalu alaika wa nusni alaikal khaira wa nashkuruka wa la nakfuruka wa nakfula’u wa natruku manyyaftjurka allahumma iyyaka na buduwa laka nusalliwa nasjudu wa ilaka nas’aa wa nahfidu wa narjoo rahmataka. Wa nakhsha athabaka inna athbaka bilkuffari mulhiq.

(O Allah, we beseech thy help and ask for thy pardon: we believe and depend on thee, we thank thee and are not ungrateful, we forsake one disobedient to thee O’Allah thee alone we worship and thee alone we turn to for help. We pray for thy mercy, and fear thy chastisement; verily, thy chastisement overtakes the unbelievers.)

Then say ‘Allah u akbar’ and carry on as per normal prayer.


Prayer Units

These are the Fard/obligatory prayer maintain these and build from here:
Fajr 2 units
zhur 4 units
Asr 4 units
Maghrib 3 units
Isha 4 units and 3 witr are wajib/necessary.



Here is a complete prayer rakat guide, check local mosque for correct prayer times.
Names of Prayer/Salah/Namaaz
Sunna before, Obligatory, Sunna after Optional Witr Nafil after Witr
Fajr (before sunrise) 2 2
Zhur (just after midday) 4 4 2 2
Asr (Late afternoon) 4 (optional) 4
Maghrib (after sunset) 3 2 2
Isha (night prayer) 4 (optional) 4 2 2 3 2

Jummah 4 2 4



If you are struggling then please seek assistance or simply attend a prayer and see what they do. Please note that there are differences and this is the basic prayer. more can be added later when you are ready, by adding all the sunnah parts of the prayer.

Fiqh of prayer please click here

 Forty hadith on prayer click here

Fiqh Primer click here