How Moslems Pray

Compiled by Cookie Nassef

How To Pray


Praying is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Muslims pray five times a day.

How do we pray?

The following describe what should be recited in every movement of praying as shown in the diagram.

(I)To start Praying:

say,

Allah is the Greatest (Allah Akbar).

(A) Praise and glory be to you Allah.

Blessed be Your Name, exalted be Your Majesty and Glory.

There is no God but You (Allah)

(B) I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned.

(C) In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, The Compassionate

(D) (Read Surrah 'Al Fateha') =

All Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds;Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of JudgmentYou alone do we worship, and You alone do we turn to for help,Guide us to the straight righteous way,the way of those on whom You have endowed Your Grace,Not the way of those you earn Your wrath, nor of those who go astray

(E) "Glorified is my Lord, the Great".

(F) Allah Listens to who praises Him"

(G) "Our Lord, praise be for you only".

(H) "Glorified is my Lord, the Exalted"

Then Al Tashahod is divided into two parts,

(J), and (K)(J)

"All our oral, physical and monetary ways of worship are only for Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout worshipers of Allah. I testify that there is no God but Allah and I testify that Mohammad is His messenger".

(K) "O God send your mercy on Muhammad and his posterity as you sent Your mercy on Abraham and his posterity.

(L) "O God, send your Blessings on Muhammad and his posterity as you have blessed Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most praised in the Worlds, The Most Glorious".

(M) Peace and mercy of Allah be on you".

HOW TO PRAY TWO RAKA'S

Position 1: This posture is called Qiyam and it is done after having made the intention to pray.

Raising both hands up to the ears (facing the Kiblah, the Ka'ba) "Allah Akbar (Allah is the Greatest" (1) is said and then holding the left hand with the right hand on top.

1. In this position the following prayers are recited:

(A), (B), (C), and Al-Fatiha(D), and any Surrah (even one verse) from the Holy Qur'an.

Position 2: After saying Allah Akbar, this position is made. This position is called 'Ruku' and the prayers as given under (E) are recited three times.

Position 3: While going back to "Qiyam" position the prayer as given under (F) is said.

Then having taken this position prayer (G) is said.

Position 4: This position is called 'Sajda'. Saying Allah Akbar, one prostrates as shown and then prayer (H) is said three times.

Position 5: Saying Allah Akbar and rising from the 'Sajda' position this posture is done.

Position 6: Saying Allah Akbar the Sajda position is resumed and prayer (H) is recited.

This completes one 'Raka'.

Position 7: Saying Allah Akbar this position of 'Qiyam' is done once again to begin the second Rak'a and the following prayers are recited:

'Al Fateha' as given under (D) and any short Surrah or some verses of the Holy Qur'an.Positions 2,3,4,5 and 6-

These are to be done as in the first Rak'a and the same prayers to be recited.

Position 8: In this posture "Al Tashahud" as in (J) (K) is to be recited.

Position 9: Having said the Tashahud, turn your face to the right. This prayer is recited as given under (M).Position 10:Then turn your face to the left prayer (M) is said again.This completes a two-Raka' prayer.

In order to perform a Three Rak'a prayer:

All the postures and the prayers are repeated the same up to position 8.But this time in this posture only prayer (J) will be recited and then the Qiyam position (position 1) will be resumed to begin the third Rak'a. This time only Al Fateha (D) alone will be recited without reciting any other Surrah of the Holy Qur'an. Then all prayers and postures are the same as shown from position 2 to 6 and then 8 to 10.

In order to perform a Four Rak'a prayer:

Positions 1-6 complete the first Rak'a then positions 7, 1 through 6, and 8 complete the second Rak'a. In position 8 only prayer (J) will be recited and the Qiyam position 1 will be resumed. Then positions and prayers from 1-6 all are repeated twice. Then this time in position 8 prayers (J), (K), will be recited. Then positions 9-10 are to end the prayer.

Note: Prayers (A) and (B) are not obligatory, they are optional.


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