Adab-us-SalaatAdab-us-Salaat

The Etiquette of PrayersThe Etiquette of Prayers

O my son! Hasten to comprehend your O my son! Hasten to comprehend your own self, which is blended in "the divine own self, which is blended in "the divine disposition“ (Godly nature). O my son! disposition“ (Godly nature). O my son!

Save yourself from the ruining whirlpool Save yourself from the ruining whirlpool of the formidable waves of self-conceit of the formidable waves of self-conceit and selfishness. Get on board Noah's and selfishness. Get on board Noah's

Ark, which is the light of Allah's Ark, which is the light of Allah's guardianship”guardianship”

Imam Khomeini (RA)Imam Khomeini (RA)

O my son! Prepare yourself, after me, to O my son! Prepare yourself, after me, to face unkindness from those who will face unkindness from those who will

burden you with the worries they had on burden you with the worries they had on my part. If you settle your accounts with my part. If you settle your accounts with

Allah and take refuge in remembering Him, Allah and take refuge in remembering Him, you need not fear any creature, as the you need not fear any creature, as the

reckoning of creatures is transitory, while reckoning of creatures is transitory, while the reckoning before Allah is eternal.the reckoning before Allah is eternal.

Imam Khomeini (RA) Imam Khomeini (RA)

""The first thing about which the servant is The first thing about which the servant is questioned is the salat, if it was accepted questioned is the salat, if it was accepted

his other (worshipping) acts would be his other (worshipping) acts would be accepted, and if it was returned to him, his accepted, and if it was returned to him, his other acts would be returned to him (too)". other acts would be returned to him (too)".

Vol. 1."The Merit of the Salat", ch. 30, Vol. 1."The Merit of the Salat", ch. 30, hadith 5.hadith 5.

It is said that “Two rakats of It is said that “Two rakats of Salaat performed with Salaat performed with

contemplation is better then contemplation is better then staying up entire night in prayers staying up entire night in prayers

with inattentive heart”with inattentive heart”

Messenger of Allah (SA) said that: Messenger of Allah (SA) said that:

"My delight has been placed in the "My delight has been placed in the salat". salat".

Furu' ul Kafi, vol 5, p. 321Furu' ul Kafi, vol 5, p. 321

Imam as Sadiq (AS), it is said: "Whoever performed the Imam as Sadiq (AS), it is said: "Whoever performed the obligatory salats at the beginning of their times and observed obligatory salats at the beginning of their times and observed their restrictions, the angel would raise them, white and pure, their restrictions, the angel would raise them, white and pure, to heaven, and the salat would say (to the performer): "May to heaven, and the salat would say (to the performer): "May

Allah preserve you as you preserved me and entrusted me to a Allah preserve you as you preserved me and entrusted me to a generous angel'. But whoever performed them after their generous angel'. But whoever performed them after their

times, with no excuse, and did not observe their restrictions, times, with no excuse, and did not observe their restrictions, the angel would raise them, black and dark, while the salat the angel would raise them, black and dark, while the salat

shouting at the performer: "You have lost me, may Allah lose shouting at the performer: "You have lost me, may Allah lose you, and may He not care for you as you did not care for me'." you, and may He not care for you as you did not care for me'."

((Wasail ush-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 90. Kitabus-Salat, chs. On Wasail ush-Shi'ah, vol. 3, p. 90. Kitabus-Salat, chs. On

"Times" ch. 3, hadith, 17"Times" ch. 3, hadith, 17))

When a servant bows himself down When a servant bows himself down into prostration and prolongs it, then into prostration and prolongs it, then

Shaytan says, ‘O’, Woe Upon Me! This Shaytan says, ‘O’, Woe Upon Me! This servant has obeyed Allah (SWT), while servant has obeyed Allah (SWT), while

I transgressed, and he has offered I transgressed, and he has offered prostration that I refused’.prostration that I refused’.

Imam al-Sadiq (a) narrates that it is written in The Imam al-Sadiq (a) narrates that it is written in The TorahTorah::

“O’ Son of Man, if you empty yourself, i.e. “O’ Son of Man, if you empty yourself, i.e. disengage yourself from all other pre-occupations disengage yourself from all other pre-occupations to make yourself available for My worship, I will fill to make yourself available for My worship, I will fill your heart with richness and I will not abandon you your heart with richness and I will not abandon you to what you seek and long for. And it will be upon to what you seek and long for. And it will be upon

me to close the door of poverty upon you and to fill me to close the door of poverty upon you and to fill your heart with awe for me.your heart with awe for me.

(Al-Kulayni (RA), Usul al-Kafi, 2, "Kitab al-'Iman (Al-Kulayni (RA), Usul al-Kafi, 2, "Kitab al-'Iman wa1-Kufr', "Bab al-‘Ibadah", Tradition number 1)wa1-Kufr', "Bab al-‘Ibadah", Tradition number 1)

STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR DEVELOPING CONCENTRATION IN PRAYERCONCENTRATION IN PRAYER

SUBMISSIVENESS SUBMISSIVENESS (khushu)(khushu)

""Successful, indeed, are the believers Successful, indeed, are the believers who are submissive in their salats,who are submissive in their salats," "

Surah al-Mu'minun: 1Surah al-Mu'minun: 1

TRANQUILITY TRANQUILITY By Imam as Sadiq (AS) as is stated in Misbahush- By Imam as Sadiq (AS) as is stated in Misbahush-

shari'ah (the Torch of the Islamic Law). He said: "Let shari'ah (the Torch of the Islamic Law). He said: "Let your heart be your tongue's qiblah, and do not move it your heart be your tongue's qiblah, and do not move it

except by the heart's order” except by the heart's order” The Messenger of Allah (SA) informed Abu Dharr: "Oh The Messenger of Allah (SA) informed Abu Dharr: "Oh

Abu Dharr, two rak'ats of salat in contemplation are Abu Dharr, two rak'ats of salat in contemplation are better than spending the whole night with an better than spending the whole night with an

inattentive (or forgetful) heart." Biharul Anwar, vol. 74, inattentive (or forgetful) heart." Biharul Anwar, vol. 74, p. 82, Book of "Ar-Raudah" ch. on "The Prophet's p. 82, Book of "Ar-Raudah" ch. on "The Prophet's Admonitions", hadith 2, quoted from Makarimul Admonitions", hadith 2, quoted from Makarimul

Akhlaq, p. 465.Akhlaq, p. 465.

THE PRESENCE OF HEART IN PRAYERSTHE PRESENCE OF HEART IN PRAYERSImam al-Sadiq (AS) has said:Imam al-Sadiq (AS) has said:

Dear to me is the believer from among you who attends Dear to me is the believer from among you who attends to God with his heart at the time of Prayer and does not to God with his heart at the time of Prayer and does not

pre-occupy his heart with any mundane matter. If the pre-occupy his heart with any mundane matter. If the worshipper knew to what extent His (Allah’s) Mercy worshipper knew to what extent His (Allah’s) Mercy

surrounded him during Prayer, he would never raise his surrounded him during Prayer, he would never raise his head from the state of prostration. Nothing of your head from the state of prostration. Nothing of your Prayer is yours except that which you did with an Prayer is yours except that which you did with an attentive heart. So, if one performed it completely attentive heart. So, if one performed it completely

erroneously, or neglected its disciplines, it would be erroneously, or neglected its disciplines, it would be folded and thrown back at its owner’s face.folded and thrown back at its owner’s face.

(Wasa’ilush-Shi’ah, Volume 4, Page 687, Chapter 3, (Wasa’ilush-Shi’ah, Volume 4, Page 687, Chapter 3, Tradition 1)Tradition 1)

No sooner a person starts his No sooner a person starts his Prayer, Shaytan whispers in his Prayer, Shaytan whispers in his

heart pulling him from one side to heart pulling him from one side to another, and continuously engaging another, and continuously engaging

him into all sorts of thoughts and him into all sorts of thoughts and memories.memories.

UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU RECITEUNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU RECITE

In the Thawab al- A’mal, al-Saduq quotes with his In the Thawab al- A’mal, al-Saduq quotes with his chain of transmitters from al-Sadiq (AS):chain of transmitters from al-Sadiq (AS):

One who offers two units (rak’ats) of Prayer with One who offers two units (rak’ats) of Prayer with the knowledge of what he says therein, he does the knowledge of what he says therein, he does not finish them without God forgiving him every not finish them without God forgiving him every

sin that there is between him and God.sin that there is between him and God.(Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, IV, 686)(Wasa'il al-Shi'ah, IV, 686)

REMEMBRANCE OF DEATHREMEMBRANCE OF DEATH

The Prophet of Allah (s) has said: The most The Prophet of Allah (s) has said: The most intelligent among you is the one who remembers intelligent among you is the one who remembers

his death most. his death most.

Great Scholars have advised you to keep busy Great Scholars have advised you to keep busy reminding yourself of death as a way to fear Allah reminding yourself of death as a way to fear Allah (SWT) and maintain vigilance in your daily Prayer (SWT) and maintain vigilance in your daily Prayer

and communication with Allah (SWT). The idea is to and communication with Allah (SWT). The idea is to develop piety and fear in you and to convince your develop piety and fear in you and to convince your

soul the importance of Prayer.soul the importance of Prayer.

Frequent remembrance of death decreases one’s Frequent remembrance of death decreases one’s desires. (Imam ‘Ali (AS)desires. (Imam ‘Ali (AS)

It is recommended that a worshipper should think It is recommended that a worshipper should think of death before every Prayer. He should imagine of death before every Prayer. He should imagine

that the moment of death has arrived, and that the that the moment of death has arrived, and that the Prayer is his last one to his Lord and the last few Prayer is his last one to his Lord and the last few moments to ask for forgiveness and win Divine moments to ask for forgiveness and win Divine

Mercy.Mercy.

MODERATION IN EATINGMODERATION IN EATINGal-Ridha (AS) says:al-Ridha (AS) says:

You should know that a human body is like fertile You should know that a human body is like fertile land. If moderation is exercised in the matter of its land. If moderation is exercised in the matter of its

development, i.e. necessary quantity of water is development, i.e. necessary quantity of water is provided to it, which should neither be so excessive provided to it, which should neither be so excessive as to drown it and change into swamp and bog, nor as to drown it and change into swamp and bog, nor so scanty that it should remain thirsty and dry, such so scanty that it should remain thirsty and dry, such

land yields much produce. However, the land will land yields much produce. However, the land will become barren if not properly looked after.become barren if not properly looked after.

ARRESTING THOUGHTSARRESTING THOUGHTS

Because any individual’s mind is filled with Because any individual’s mind is filled with thoughts at all times, he is supposed to arrest thoughts at all times, he is supposed to arrest them, and put a stop on them during Prayer.them, and put a stop on them during Prayer.

In al-Kafi, on the authority of al-Baqir (AS), it is In al-Kafi, on the authority of al-Baqir (AS), it is stated that he has said:stated that he has said:

When doubts in the Prayer become too frequent, do When doubts in the Prayer become too frequent, do not give heed to them, and regard the Prayer to be not give heed to them, and regard the Prayer to be correct. It is hoped that this state would leave you, correct. It is hoped that this state would leave you,

as Shaytan causes it.as Shaytan causes it.(Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, Page 359, Tradition 8)(Mustadrak al-Wasa’il, Page 359, Tradition 8)

CHECKING AND INSPECTIONCHECKING AND INSPECTION

Keep track of the level of your attention and Keep track of the level of your attention and concentration in Prayer. If it is the right level, give concentration in Prayer. If it is the right level, give

thanks; if wrong, ask for forgiveness.thanks; if wrong, ask for forgiveness.

Self-conditioning, contemplation and self-examination Self-conditioning, contemplation and self-examination are essential pre-requisites for a seeker of truth who are essential pre-requisites for a seeker of truth who

is battling with his self. Self-conditioning or is battling with his self. Self-conditioning or stipulation means binding oneself with the resolution stipulation means binding oneself with the resolution

not to do anything against God’s commands.not to do anything against God’s commands.

FASTINGFASTING

O’ Ahmad! How sweet and beautiful are the O’ Ahmad! How sweet and beautiful are the hunger, silence and seclusion? Wisdom, hunger, silence and seclusion? Wisdom,

heart’s tranquility, nearness to Me, continuous heart’s tranquility, nearness to Me, continuous grief, righteous talks, thriftiness, indifference at grief, righteous talks, thriftiness, indifference at

the time of ease, and hardships, are the the time of ease, and hardships, are the characteristics acquired by My servant as a characteristics acquired by My servant as a

result of hunger, silence, and seclusion. result of hunger, silence, and seclusion. (Hadith al-Qudsi)(Hadith al-Qudsi)

WORLD AND ITS PLEASURESWORLD AND ITS PLEASURES

One of the greatest obstacle to attaining the state of One of the greatest obstacle to attaining the state of perfect communion with Allah (SWT) is unwavering perfect communion with Allah (SWT) is unwavering attachment to worldly allurements namely, wealth attachment to worldly allurements namely, wealth and property, power and position. One’s attraction and property, power and position. One’s attraction

to these things causes the worshipper’s attention to to these things causes the worshipper’s attention to these transient things. Therefore, you must cut-off these transient things. Therefore, you must cut-off

these attractions at all cost, and at all times, so that these attractions at all cost, and at all times, so that the heart’s presence and attention towards Allah the heart’s presence and attention towards Allah

(SWT) becomes easier during Prayer(SWT) becomes easier during Prayer

WUDHU AS A WAY TO INCREASE YOUR WUDHU AS A WAY TO INCREASE YOUR ATTENTIONATTENTION

Wudhu (formal/minor ablution) is one of the most Wudhu (formal/minor ablution) is one of the most effective ways to prepare the scene for your daily effective ways to prepare the scene for your daily Prayer. It has powers to re-organize your thoughts Prayer. It has powers to re-organize your thoughts

before Prayer and assist you in offering your Prayer before Prayer and assist you in offering your Prayer with confidence and not to be swerved by Shaytan, with confidence and not to be swerved by Shaytan,

The Accursed.The Accursed.

UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATING UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATING ALLAH (SWT)’S PRESENCEALLAH (SWT)’S PRESENCE

It is always to your benefit if you were to ponder the It is always to your benefit if you were to ponder the Existence of Allah (SWT) and His Power, Signs and Existence of Allah (SWT) and His Power, Signs and

Decisions related to this world and the next. Decisions related to this world and the next. Appreciating His presence is one way of bringing Appreciating His presence is one way of bringing humility into your heart and humbling yourself in humility into your heart and humbling yourself in

Prayer, performed with attention and concentration. Prayer, performed with attention and concentration. It is only He Who looks at you Mercifully during It is only He Who looks at you Mercifully during your Prayer, and you ought to keep this in mind your Prayer, and you ought to keep this in mind

every time you say your Prayer.every time you say your Prayer.

REMINDING YOURSELF OF ALLAHREMINDING YOURSELF OF ALLAH

One of the reasons why Adhan and Iqamah have One of the reasons why Adhan and Iqamah have been much emphasized before Prayer is to been much emphasized before Prayer is to

establish a strong link between the worshipper and establish a strong link between the worshipper and his Creator, before he ventures into this sacred his Creator, before he ventures into this sacred

journey of Prayer and be in direct communication journey of Prayer and be in direct communication

with The Almighty.with The Almighty.

BEING TRUTHFUL WITH GOD BEING TRUTHFUL WITH GOD

One should be truthful with God while One should be truthful with God while reciting the verses of Quran and other reciting the verses of Quran and other utterances during prayers.utterances during prayers. One should One should ponder before uttering each and every ponder before uttering each and every

word as to whatever he is saying is word as to whatever he is saying is coming out from his heart or is just coming out from his heart or is just

verbal action from his tongue.verbal action from his tongue.

A RELAXED AND ALERT STATE OF MINDA RELAXED AND ALERT STATE OF MINDAn alert state of mind is one of the many vital An alert state of mind is one of the many vital

ingredients of Prayer. If you are tired and ingredients of Prayer. If you are tired and exhausted, you will not be able to offer prayers exhausted, you will not be able to offer prayers

properly with full attention. properly with full attention.

As Imam ‘Ali (AS) has advised us:As Imam ‘Ali (AS) has advised us:Do not offer Prayer in the state of drowsiness. Do not offer Prayer in the state of drowsiness.

While offering Prayer, do not think about yourself While offering Prayer, do not think about yourself because you are standing in front of Allah (SWT). because you are standing in front of Allah (SWT).

Indeed, only that portion of the Prayer will be Indeed, only that portion of the Prayer will be accepted that he has paid full attention towards accepted that he has paid full attention towards

Allah (SWT).Allah (SWT).

PROPER PRONUNCIATIONPROPER PRONUNCIATION

Arabic language is considered one of the sweetest Arabic language is considered one of the sweetest of all the languages. So, reciting Prayer with proper of all the languages. So, reciting Prayer with proper

Makhaarij (proper pronunciation) and Tajweed Makhaarij (proper pronunciation) and Tajweed (following the rules of the Arabic Language) and (following the rules of the Arabic Language) and learning the rules of reciting The Qur’an, would learning the rules of reciting The Qur’an, would make your efforts in maintaining attention a lot make your efforts in maintaining attention a lot

easier.easier.

CONFIDENCECONFIDENCETo have firm intention and belief that whatsoever To have firm intention and belief that whatsoever the case, you will never be mislead in Prayer, you the case, you will never be mislead in Prayer, you

need to be confident and accept with full heart that need to be confident and accept with full heart that Shaytan’s forces are weaker than what you have Shaytan’s forces are weaker than what you have

been endowed with by your loving Lord, The Most been endowed with by your loving Lord, The Most High. Allah (SWT) states in The Qur’an:High. Allah (SWT) states in The Qur’an:

Indeed! The cunning of Shaytan is feeble.Indeed! The cunning of Shaytan is feeble.(Qur’an - Chapter 20, Verse 125)(Qur’an - Chapter 20, Verse 125)

ALTERNATING RECITATIONSALTERNATING RECITATIONS

One needs to alternate recitations by reciting One needs to alternate recitations by reciting different chapters of The Qur’an, different different chapters of The Qur’an, different

supplications and different forms of glorification in supplications and different forms of glorification in your Prayer. This is vital because your brain will not your Prayer. This is vital because your brain will not

become accustomed and habituated to what is become accustomed and habituated to what is being recited daily and switch off attention to being recited daily and switch off attention to

something else.something else.

CONTINUED CLEANLINESSCONTINUED CLEANLINESS

An important and attractive aspect of Islamic An important and attractive aspect of Islamic teaching is related to cleanliness. It means to be teaching is related to cleanliness. It means to be ritually pure at all times by performing ablution ritually pure at all times by performing ablution (wudhu) and ghusl (major ablution) whenever (wudhu) and ghusl (major ablution) whenever

necessary. The major ablution (ghusl) on Friday, necessary. The major ablution (ghusl) on Friday, for example, has been much stressed and cleans for example, has been much stressed and cleans

your soul from many sins.your soul from many sins.

SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND ACCEPTING SEEKING FORGIVENESS AND ACCEPTING LIMITATONSLIMITATONS

After every Prayer you should seek forgiveness, as After every Prayer you should seek forgiveness, as this will indirectly increase your attention and this will indirectly increase your attention and

concentration during Prayer and bring you nearer to concentration during Prayer and bring you nearer to Him. While reciting this invocation, you should Him. While reciting this invocation, you should

sincerely repent to Allah (SWT) that the Prayer you sincerely repent to Allah (SWT) that the Prayer you just finished was not up to the required standards and just finished was not up to the required standards and

pray to be forgiven for it by The Merciful Lord.pray to be forgiven for it by The Merciful Lord.

SENSELESS CONVERSATIONSSENSELESS CONVERSATIONS

Let it be known that, there is no worship Let it be known that, there is no worship superior than silence…superior than silence…

Prophet (S)Prophet (S)It has been recorded that,It has been recorded that,

Silence is part of wisdom. It is a sign of every Silence is part of wisdom. It is a sign of every virtue. It is the way of the devotees of Allah (SWT), virtue. It is the way of the devotees of Allah (SWT), because Allah (SWT) likes it. It is the style of The because Allah (SWT) likes it. It is the style of The

Prophets (AS), and the habit of the chosen people. Prophets (AS), and the habit of the chosen people. (al-Sadiq (AS)(al-Sadiq (AS)

THE VALUE OF PRAYERTHE VALUE OF PRAYER

Prayer is what angels love,Prayer is what angels love,Prayer is the practice of The Prophets (AS),Prayer is the practice of The Prophets (AS),

Prayer is the light of understanding,Prayer is the light of understanding,Prayer is what makes faith strong,Prayer is what makes faith strong,

Prayer is what makes actions accepted,Prayer is what makes actions accepted,Prayer increases sustenance,Prayer increases sustenance,

Prayer keeps you away from illness,Prayer keeps you away from illness,

Prayers teaches punctuality - “Prayers teaches punctuality - “surely prayers surely prayers is time ordinance for believeris time ordinance for believer “ “

Prayers prevents falsehoodPrayers prevents falsehoodPrayers teaches patient during grief and Prayers teaches patient during grief and

difficult timesdifficult timesPrayers prevents discrimination and Unites Prayers prevents discrimination and Unites

peoplepeoplePrayers is key to paradise as well as best deedPrayers is key to paradise as well as best deed

Prayers is medicine against PridePrayers is medicine against PridePrayers promote ModestyPrayers promote Modesty

Prayers is a process of self-purification & Prayers is a process of self-purification & Enforces Taharat (cleanliness)Enforces Taharat (cleanliness)

Prayers keep one away from indecencies and Prayers keep one away from indecencies and prohibitions prohibitions

Prayers instill hope and removes sinsPrayers instill hope and removes sins

Prayer is what Shaytan hates,Prayer is what Shaytan hates,Prayer is a weapon to confront your enemies,Prayer is a weapon to confront your enemies,

Prayer is what will assist you with The Angel of Prayer is what will assist you with The Angel of Death (AS),Death (AS),

Prayer is the light in your grave,Prayer is the light in your grave,Prayer is an answer to Munkar and Nakeer (AS)Prayer is an answer to Munkar and Nakeer (AS)

O Allah! We are weak, unable and O Allah! We are weak, unable and lagging behind the caravan of the lagging behind the caravan of the

devotees on the road to you. O Allah! devotees on the road to you. O Allah! You Yourself help us. O Allah! Treat us You Yourself help us. O Allah! Treat us with Your grace and do not treat us with with Your grace and do not treat us with

Your justice. Your justice. Imam Khomeini (RA)Imam Khomeini (RA)

Quran: Quran: Verily my Salaat, my efforts, my life, Verily my Salaat, my efforts, my life, my death and are only for God, the my death and are only for God, the

Lord of Worlds. Lord of Worlds.

(Surah An'am Ayah 162)(Surah An'am Ayah 162)

May God bless us with May God bless us with toufiqtoufiq to offer to offer SalaatSalaat in such a manner that His in such a manner that His

friends (Awliya Allah) have instructed friends (Awliya Allah) have instructed us to pray and derive same spiritual us to pray and derive same spiritual pleasures and practical benefits in pleasures and practical benefits in the life of this world and hereafter the life of this world and hereafter that God has kept for his sincere that God has kept for his sincere

servants. Amenservants. Amen

May Allah bless you all for your May Allah bless you all for your attentionattention