Verbal Sunnahs of Prayer
Sunnah of Qayam
1- Opening Du’aa (supplication):
After saying the first
Takbeer,
اللّهُ أكبر
(Saying: Allahu Akbar, i.e. Allah is The Greatest)
Recite the opening dua:
سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ، وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ، وَتَعَالَى جَدُّكَ، وَلَا إِلَهَ غَيْرُكَ
(O Allah, Glorified be You, a glorification that is associated with Your praise, Blessed be Your Name, Exalted be Your Greatness and there is no God but You). (Abou Dawood ,book of prayer 776,At Tirmidhi 898, Maajah 804).
Alternatively you may say:
اللَّهُمَّ بَاعِدْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ خَطَايَايَ كَمَا بَاعَدْتَ بَيْنَ الْمَشْرِقِ وَالْمَغْرِبِ، اللَّهُمَّ نَقِّنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ، كَمَا يُنَقَّى الثَّوْبُ الْأَ بْيَضُ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْسِلْنِي مِنْ خَطَايَايَ بِالثَّلْجِ وَالْمَاءِ وَالْبَرَدِ
(O Allah, distance me from my sins, just as You have distanced the east from the west. O Allah, purify me from my sins, just as a white dress is purified from filth. O Allah, wash me from my sins with ice, water and hail). (Al-Bukhari 744 and Muslim589).
2-Saying Ta’awwuz:
Seek refuge in Allah before reciting from Quran.
أعوذُ باللهِ منَ الشَّيطانِ الرَّجيم
(I take refuge with Allah from the outcast Devil) before reciting).
(Abou Dawood 770)
3-Saying Tasmiyah:
Then recite Bismillah
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
(In the name of Allah, The most Gracious The Ever-Merciful).
(Muslim 399)
Then Recite Surah Al Fatiha: Which is a Faradh (obligatory), without Surah alFatiha one’s prayer isn't valid.
الحمد لله رب العالمين، الرحمن الرحيم، مالك يوم الدين، إياك نعبد
وإياك نستعين، اهدنا الصراط المستقيم، صراط الذين أنعمت عليهم غير المغضوب عليهم ولأ الضا لين
4- Say Ameen:
Say Ameen after Al-Fatihah. This is the 4th sunnah of Qayam. ( Al Bukhari 782)
5- Reciting a Sura:
Then recite any chapter(Surah) or any Aayahs of Qur’an, after Al-Fatihah in the first two rak’as (Units of prayer) of all five Faradh prayers I.e Fajr , Zuhar, Asr, Maghrib , Isha’ (and also the Jumu’ah /Friday prayer).
(Al Bukhjari 756, Al Muslim 394)
Note: This Sunnah applies on every single person who is praying individually but for a person who is praying behind Imam in congregation, he should recite the Surah in the first two Raka’ahs of the Silent(Sirri) prayers. As for the first two Raka’ahs of Loud(Jahri) prayers, he does not recite the surah but instead listen the Imaam’s recitation.
6-Recite the Quran with Tarteel:
Concentrate on the meaning of the words while recitation and recite the Quran with Tarteel.(Al Muslim 733).
(Tarteel (ترتيل) is the Arabic word of hymnody, it means To recite every letter with Tajweed and to know where to stop and where not to stop.)
In Quran Allah says:
“And recite the Quran (aloud) with Tarteel.” (Al Muzammil, 73: 4)
Sunnah of Ruku
1-Say the Tasbeeh:
Glorify Allah in ruku’(more than once)
"سُبحانَ رَبِّيَ العَظيم"
“Far removed is my lord from any imperfections, The Supreme.”
(Abou Dawud 881)
2-Supplication upon rising:
say
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ
Sami‘ Allâhu liman hamidah.
“Allah hears whoever praises Him”.
Then Supplicate (Tahmeed) upon rising from ruku
رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْد
“Our lord to you be all praised”
When the Prophet (SAWW) said, "Sami`a l-lahu liman hamidah," (Allah heard those who sent praises to Him), he would say, "Rabbana wa laka l-hamd." On bowing and raising his head from it the Prophet (SAWW) used to say Takbir. He also used to say Takbir on rising after the two prostrations. ( 656 Sahih al-Bukhari) (also see Al-Bukhaari 795 and Al Muslim 392)
3-Say the supplication:
When the Messenger of Allah (SAWW) raised his head after bowing, he said:
(اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا لَكَ الْحَمْدُ مِلْءَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَمِلْءَ الأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمِلْءَ مَا شِئْتَ مِنْ شَىْءٍ بَعْدُ أَهْلَ الثَّنَاءِ وَالْمَجْدِ لاَ مَانِعَ لِمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَلاَ مُعْطِيَ لِمَا مَنَعْتَ وَلاَ يَنْفَعُ ذَا الْجَدِّ مِنْكَ الْجَدُّ
“Allah! our Lord, to Thee be the praise as much as what fills the heavens and earth Earth and whatever is between them and as much as
what fills whatever You will afterwards. You are The Source of praise
and glory.”
( أَحَقُّ مَا قَالَ الْعَبْدُ وَكُلُّنَا لَكَ عَبْدٌ )
This is the most truthful thing to be said by a bondman and we are all your bondmen.”
(Al Muslim 447)
Sunnahs of Sajdah (Prostration)
1-Say Tasbeeh in sajdah:
Glorify Allah in prostration( repeat it more than once)
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى
Subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa
“Glory is to my Lord, the Most High.”
(Abou Dawud 881)
2-Say supplication between two sajdahs:
l Saying more than once between the two sajdahs (prostrations).
"رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي"
Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee
(O my Lord, forgive me, forgive me)
(Abou Dawud 1/231, Ibn Majah 897)
l Or one may say;
"اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي، وَارْحَمْنِي، وَاهْدِنِي، وَاجْبُرْنِي، وَعَافِنِي، وَارْزُقْنِي، وَارْفَعْنِي".
Allaahum-maghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, wa 'aafinee, warzuqnee, warfa'nee.
“O Allah forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me and elevate me”.
(Abou Dawud, At Tirmadhi 1/90, Ibn Majah 1/148)
3-Lengthen the Supplication between Sajdah:
It is recommended that the worshipper does not limit himself to glorification in sujoud, rather, he should add to it the supplication he wishes. It is preferred to increase the supplication in Sajdah according to following Hadith.
“The closest the servant is to his Lord, is when he is prostrating - so increase the supplication in it.” (Muslim 482)
Sunnahs of Tshahhud
1- Supplication of Tashahhud:
Supplicate after the last tashahud (An invocation that is recited
at the middle or end of the Prayer while sitting)
التحيات لله والصلوات والطيبات، السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة لله
وبركاته، السلام علينا و على عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده و رسوله.
(All compliments, prayers and pure words are due to Allaah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allaah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).(al-Bukhaari, 831; Muslim, 402)
2-Darood wa salam:
Then after tashahud send blessings upon the Prophet (SAWW) and say:
اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد، كما صليت على إبراهيم وعلى آل إبراهيم، وبارك على محمد وعلى آل محمد، كما باركت على إبراهيم
وعلى آل إبراهيم، في العالمين إنك حميد مجيد
(O Allaah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory. O Allaah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed Ibraaheem and the family of Ibraaheem, You are indeed Worthy of Praise, Full of Glory). (al-Bukhaari, 3370; Muslim, 406).
3-Supplication after Darood:
Recite any masnoon dua.
اللهم إني أعوذ بك من عذاب جهنم، و من عذاب القبر، و من فتنة المحيا و الممات، و من فتنة المسيح الدجال، رب اغفر لي و لوالدي رب ارحمهما كما ربياني صغيرا.
(O Allaah, I seek refuge in You from the torment of Hell, and I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the tribulation of the Dajjal, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death, and I seek refuge in You from falling into sin and debt. )
(al-Bukhaari, 833; Muslim, 588)
Then after that one may make more supplications/du’aa’ as one likes, asking for good in this world and in the Hereafter. But it is preferred to do Masnoon duas. For other Masnoon supplications, look in
Hassn Al-Muslim (the Muslim’s fort) Al-Qahtani’s book.
Note: There are two verbal Sunnahs, which you do not have to repeat in prayer except once,
these are:
1- Opening Du’aa.
2- Supplication after the last tashahud.
8-Sunnah Actions performed in the prayer
Qayam
1- Raise the both hands (Rafa’a Yadain) at the following times:
l When saying the first takbeer ( Takbeer Al-Ihraam)
l Before bowing for ruku
l After rising from ruku
l After standing for the third raka’h (in the prayers that have four
Raka’hs.)
( Al bukhari 736, 737, 738. Al Muslim 390)
( Note:When raising and lowering the hands the fingers should be close together, stretched out and with the palms of the hand facing Qiblah. Raise the hands , either to the sides of shoulders or by the bottoms of the ears)( Al Bukhari , 736,737,738,2320,)
2-Place right hand on the left:
While reciting place the right hand over the left or holding the left wrist bone with the right hand. ( Bukhari 740, Muslim 401)
3- Look towards the place of sujood:
During Qiyam look towards the place of prostration.(Al Bayhaqee 9726, 3543, 3545)
4-Make a space between the foot:
It is mustahabb to separate your feet apart to a comfortable distance when standing.
Ruku
The Sunnah of Ruku’(Bowing)
1- Grasping the knees:
Grasp the knees by both hands and while the fingers are apart. (Abou Dawud 863)
2- Stretching the back:
Extend the back so that it is flat. (Al Bukhari 828)
3- Level the head and back in a line:
Make the head in the same level of the back i.e. avoid lowering or raising it. (Abou Dawud 730)
4- Separate arms from waist:
Keep the upper arms away from the sides of the body.( At Timadhi 260)
Sujood
The Prophetic Actions (Sunnahs) of Prostration (Sujood) are;
1- Separate arms and waist:
To keep the upper arms away from the sides of the body .(Al Bukhari 828)
2- Separate the abdomen from thighs:
Keep the stomach away from thighs.
3- Separate thighs from legs:
Ensure the thighs are away from the shins.
4- Separate knees in prostration:
Keep the gape between the knees and thighs.
(No specific evidence was found for above three points, however from the description of the prophet(SAWW)’s sajdah, he was not cramped up, but rather he was spread out .About thighs there is a hadith in Abu Dawood (735) that “When he prostrated, he kept his thighs apart.”)
5- Make the feet standing erect:
Keep the feet upright in Sajdah.( An Nasaaee 1099 and 1129)
6- Put the internal part of his hand on ground:
Ensure thee toes face the Qiblah, so that the joints of the toes rest on the floor.(Al Bukhari 828)
7- Join the Feet togather:
The feet should be joined together while prostrating. (Ibn Khuzaymah 641)
8- Place the hands beside the ears:
Place the hands in line with shoulders or ears. (Ibn Khuzaymah 641)
9- Straighten the hands:
The hands should be placed open on the floor.( Ibn Abi Shaybaah, vol 1, ch36, H5)
10-Ensure the fingers are closed:
The fingers should be joined together(Ibn Khuzaymah 642, Al Bayhaqee 419)
11- Point the fingers towards Qiblah:
The fingers should be directed towards Qibla. (Abou dawood 732)
Jalsa
Jalsa: Sitting between the two prostrations and after is called “Jalsa”. ( The duas/ supplications of jalsa are mentioned in verbal sunnahs of prayer.)
It has two types:
1. Jalsa Al-Iqaa’: Holding the both feet erect and sitting on the heels. (This is only permitted for the sitting between the two prostration and not for the Tashahhud.)( Al Bukhari 6320, Al Muslim 2714)
2. Jalsa Al-Iftirash: Sitting with the the right foot erect and spreading out the left foot flat on the floor with the toes facing in the direction of Qiblah .(Al Bukhari 828)
It is Sunnah to lengthen the Jalsa as “Prophet(SAWW used to lengthen this sitting, until a person would say, perhaps he has forgotten( to continue).”(Al Bukhari 821)
l One will sit in the position of Jalsa Al Iftirash In the first Tashahhud (Sitting after second and forth rakaa’hs), bending the left foot and sit on it and erect the right foot flat with toes facing towards Qiblah.
l But after finishing the second prostration of First and third Rakaa’hs one will Sit briefly to rest ( which is called Jalsa al-Istiraahah) then stand up to start the second and forth Rakaah.
There are no supplications in Jalsa Istiraahah and the Sunnah is to sit briefly. (Al Bukhari 824)
The Final Tshahhud
The final tashahhud follows the exact same format as the middle tashahhud, except that it has extra parts at the end to finish the prayer.
"When the Prophet (SAWW) sat at the end of two rak'ah, he sat on the sole of his left foot and raised the right, and after the fourth he placed his left hip on the ground and spread out both his feet to one side." [Abū Dāwood: 730]
The final sitting has three forms:
i. Keep the right foot upright, making the left foot under the right shin, and to sit on ground.( Al Bukhari 828)
ii. Sit in the same position as above except that the right foot is not placed upright but follows the direction of the left one. (Muslim 579)
iii. Erecting the right foot, place the left leg between the shin and
thigh of the right leg. ( Abou Dawud 731)
l Place the hands on thighs “The right hand on the right thigh, and the left hand on the left thigh, the hands should be outstretched and the fingers should be joined.
l Connect the middle finger to the thumb to form a circle and Move the index finger “up and down’ from the beginning to the end of the Tashahhud. Focus the sight on the index finger.
l Turn the face right and left upon finishing the prayer by Tasleem.
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