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Title:TheMagnifyingGlassonClarifyingManyCommonErrors Source:AlMinthaarFeeKatheerMinAlAkhtaaAshShaaiah

AExcerptDealingwith 40CommmonMistakesinSalaat
SaalihIbnAbdulAzeezIbnMuhammadAalishShaykh (hafithahullah)
AbdulQaadirAbdulKhaaliqTranslator 1998AlHaramainFoundation

MistakesofSalaah
1.Leavingthesalaahaltogether.Thisisindeedkufr(disbelief)andtheevidenceisfound withintheQuraantheauthenticsunnahandtheconsensusoftheummah.Allahtaaala states:Iftheyrepentandestablishthesalaahandgivethezakaah,theyareyou brothersinfaith(deen).[AlQuraan9:11]AndAllahtaaalasays:Whatlandedyouin AsSaqar(Hell)?Theysaid:Wewerenotofthosewhomadesalaah(almusalleen)[ AlQuraan76:4243]andsoon.Asfarasthesunnah:Thehadeethof JaabirthattheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:Betweenamanandshirk (whatprotectshimfromshirk)istheabandonmentofsalaah.[Muslim]Itisnarrated byAbuDawood,AnNisaai,IbnMaajah,andAtTirmidhiontheauthorityofBuraidahIbn AlHusaibfromtheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam)whosaid:Thecovenant betweenusandthem(i.e.theProphetand/orhissuccessorsandthosewho claimtobeMuslims)isthesalaahsowhosoeverabandonsithasdisbelieved.[ Ahmadandothersanditissaheeh]Asfarasconsensus(alijmaa):AbdullahIbn Shaqeeq(radiallahuanhu)stated:TheCompanionsofMuhammad(radiallahuanhum) didnotviewtheabandonmentofanyotherdeedaskufrotherthan(abandoning)salaah. [AtTirmidhiandotherswithanauthenticchain] 2.Delayingthesalaahfromitsappointedtime.Thisisaviolationaccordingtothewordof Allahtaaala:Verilythesalaahhasbeenappointedforthebelieversatspecifictimes (mawqoot).[AlQuraan4:103]AlMawqootindicatesaspecificappointedtimeandthe postponementofsallahbeyondtheobligatorytime(fardh)isamajorsinandAllahisthe oneuponWhomwedepend.OntheauthorityofAnaswhosaid:IheardtheMessenger ofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)saying:Thisisthesalaatofthehypocrite (munaafiq)whenhesitsobservingthesununtilitisbetweenthehornsof Shaitaan,thenhestandstoperformfour(rakah)rememberingAllahlittle.[Muslim] Ifthisisthesalaahofthehypocritethenwhatofthesalaahofsomeonewhopostpones theprayeruntilthecompleteperiodofthesalaathaspassedwithoutanyexcuse? 3.Abandonmentofthecongregationalprayerinthemasjidbyablemeneitherregularlyor onoccasion.Thecommandmenthasbeengiventoperformthesalaahincongregationin themasaajid.Congregational(aljamaaah)salaahisadutyexceptforthosewhohavea validexcuseaccordingtotheshariah.TheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwa sallam)said:Whoeverhearsthecall(aladhaan)andthereafterdoesnotanswerit (i.e.attendthecongregationalsalaah)thereisnosalaahforhimexceptforavalid excuse.[ReportedbyIbnMaajahandotherswithastrongchain(isnaad)andAlHaafith IbnHajarsaidItschainisaccordingtotheconditionsofMuslim].Allahtaaalaalsosays: Andbowdownwiththosewhobowdown.{AlQuraan2:43]InahadeethinAl BukhaariandMuslim(mutafaqunalaih):Iwouldthenleave(aftertbesalaahhas begun)andgotothosemenwhodonotattendthesalaahandburntheirhouses downoverthem.

4.Lackoftranquility(attamaneenah)withinthesalaat.Thisisgenerallydoneoutof ignoranceanditisanopensinbecausetranquilityisapillar(rukn)ofthesalaahwithout whichthesalaahisincorrect.Thehadeethaboutthemanwhoperformedhissalaah badlyisaclearevidenceforthis.Themeaningoftamaneenah(tranquility)isthattheone prayingistranquilintherukoo(bending),standing(itidaal),prostration(sujood),and sittingbetweenthetwoprostrations(juloos),andheshouldgetinpositionwhereevery bonesettlesintoplace,heshouldnothastenbetweenportionsoftheprayeruntilhehas attainedtranquilityinitandgiveseachitsduetime.TheProphet(sallallahualaihiwa sallam)saidtotheonewhowasrushingthroughhissalaahwithoutobservingtheproper tranquility:Gobackandmakesalaahbecauseyouhavenotmadethesalaah.Andin thehadeethofRifaaahonthestoryoftheonewhoprayedbadlyitgoeson:Thenhe makestakbeerandbowsandputshishandsonhiskneesuntileachjointissettled andrelaxed.Thenhesayssamiallahulimanhamida(Allahhearstheonewho praisesHim)thenstandsupstraightuntileachboneisinitsplace. 5.Lackofproperreverenceandhumility(khushoo)inthesalaatandexcessmovement therein.Theplaceofkhushooisintheheartanditisevidentinthetranquilityofthelimbs andhumilitybeforeAllah.AllahhasindeedpraisedHisslavebyHisstatement:Those whooffertheirsalaahwithallsolemnityandfullsubmissiveness.[AlQuraan23:2] Aswell[Hehaspraised]theprophetsbyhisstatement:Verilytheyusedtohastenon todogooddeedsandtheyusedtocalluponUswithhopeandfear,andusedto humblethemselvesbeforeUs.[AlQuraan21:90]Itisincumbent.Thelimbsofthe slaveinprayershouldbestillandhisheartshouldbesolemnuntilhemayberewarded forhissalaah.ItisnarratedontheauthorityofAmmaarIbnYaasir(radiallahuanhu)he said:IheardthemessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)saying:Verilyaman leavesaftercompletinghisprayerandnothinghasbeenwrittenforhimexceptatenthof hissalaah,aninth,aneighth,asixth,afifth,afourth,athird,orhalfofit.[AbuDawood, AnNisaai,andothersanditisanauthentichadeeth]Thereasonfortheshortcomingin itsrewardisthelackofkhushoointheheartoftheonewhopraysorinthelimbs. 6.Intentionallyprecedingtheimaaminthemovementsoftheprayerornotfollowinghis movements.Thisnullifiesthesalaahorrakahforwhoeverbowsbeforehisimaamruins hisownrakahunlesshefollowsitlaterwithanotherbowing.Suchislikewisewiththe restofthearkaan(pillars)ofthesalaah.Itisobligatoryfortheprayingpersontofollowthe imaamcompletelywithoutprecedinghimorlaggingbehindhiminanyrukn(pillar)or more.AbuDawoodandotherstransmitwithanauthenticchainfromAbuHurairahthat theMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:Verilytheimaamistobe completelyfollowed,soifhemakestakbeerthenyoumaketakbeeranddontmake takbeeruntilhedoesso,andifhebowsthenbowanddontbowuntilhedoesso ItsoriginisinthetwosaheehsandAlBukhaarihasanotherlikeitnarratedbyAnas.The onewhoforgetsortheonewhoisignorantisexcused. 7.Standingtocompleteamissedrakahbeforetheimaamhascompletelyfinishedmaking thesecondtasleem(i.eclosingtheprayerbysayingAssalaamualaikumwa rahmatullahitotherightandleft).ItisreportedinSaheehMuslimthattheMessengerof Allah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:Donotprecedemeintherukoo(bowing)notin thesujood(prostration)noringoingoutoftheprayer(alinsiraaf).Thescholarshavesaid thatthemeaningofalinsiraafisattasleemanditisnamedsuchbecausethepraying personmayleaveafterwardsandheleavesonlyafterthesecondtasleem.Theonewho precedestheimaamshouldstayinhisplaceuntiltheimaamhascompletedhissalaah, thenheshouldstandandcompletewhateverhemissed,andAllahknowsbest. 8.Makingtheintentionforprayeraloud.Thisisabidah(innovation),andwehave previouslymentiontheprohibitionagainstbidah.TheProphet(sallallahualaihiwa sallam)nevermadetheintentionforsalaahaloud.IbnAlQayyim,rahimahullah,statedin ZaadAlMaaadorinAlHudaaAnNabawiyy:WhentheProphet(sallallahualaihiwa sallam)wouldstandforsalaahhesaid:AllahuAkbarandsaidnothingelsebeforeitnor didhepronouncehisintentionaloud.Nordidhesay:IwillprayforAllahsalaahsuchand suchwhilefacingtheQiblahfourrakaaatasimaamorfollower.Nordidhesay:Fulfilling itontime,notmakingitup,northetimeoffardhalltenofwhicharebidahforwhichno onehasreportedthathedidwithanauthenticchain,norevenaweakone,normusnad, normursal,norasingleword.Indeednotonenarrationofthesahaabahorthebestofthe followinggeneration(taabieen),northefourimaams.

9.NotrecitingAlFaatihahinthesalaahTherecitationofAlFaatihahisapillar(rukn)and thesalaahofwhoeverdoesnotreciteitisvoid.ThisisaccordingtotheProphets (sallallahualaihiwasallam)saying:WhoevermakesasalaahwhereinAlFaatihahis notrecitedthenitiskhidaaj(miscarried)andherepeateditthreetimes incomplete.[MuslimfromAbuHurairah]Alsoreportedinthetwosaheehsisthehadeeth fromUbaadahIbnSaamit(radiallahuanhu)marfooan(attributabletotheProphet, sallallahualaihiwasallam):Thesalaahisnullforwhoeverhasnotrecitedthe OpeningoftheBook.InanotherwordingfromUbaadah:Coulditbethatyourecite behindyourimaam?Wesaid:Yes.Hesaid:DontdosoexceptwiththeOpeningof theBook(AlFaatihah)forthesalaahisnullofwhoeverdoesnotreciteit.[Ahmed, AbuDawood,AtTirmidhi,IbnHibbaan.Thisisevidenceofitsobligationforthefollower. Recitationofthefollowerisabsoluteorinthealoudprayersasopposedtowhatislong known.WhethertherecitationofAlFaatihahisabsoluteorjustintheprayersrecited aloudisanolddifferenceofopinionamongthescholars.Isitwaajibordropped?The majorityofscholars(aljumhoor)sayitisdroppedhoweverdoingsoismoreclearfrom possibleerrorandmoreprecautionfordeen.Mostofthosewhohavetheopinionofit beingdroppedsaythatitisneverthelessdesirabletoreciteit. 10.RecitationoftheQuraaninrukoo(bowingposition)orduringsujood(prostration).Thisis prohibitedbasedonanarrationfromibnAbbaas(radiallahuanhu)thattheProphet (sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:IhavebeenpreventedfromrecitingtheQuraan whilebowingorinprostration[Muslim]Ali(radiallahuanu)narrateshesaid:The MessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallampreventedmefromrecitingthe Quraanwhilebowingorprostrating.[Muslimandothers] 11.Raisingtheeyestotheskyduringsalaatorlookingtotherightandleftwithoutdue cause.Asfarasraisingtheeyes,itisforbiddenandbearsthethreatofpunishment.Itis narratedbyJabirIbnSamurah(radiallahuanhu)whosaid:TheMessengerofallah (sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:Letthepeoplestopraisingtheireyestotheskyinthe salaahorlettheirsightnotreturntothem.[Muslim] 12.Asfaraslookingaroundunnecessarily,itisadeficiencyinthesalaahoftheworshipper aslongashehasnotturnedhisentirebodyinanotherdirection[i.e.awayfromthe Qiblah].Ifhowevertheentirebodyisturnedthenthesalaahisinvalidated.Itisnarrated byAisha(radiallahuanhaa)whosaid:IaskedtheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihi wasallam)aboutlookingaroundinthesalaah.Hesaid:Itismisappropriationpilfered byShaitaanfromthesalaahoftheworshipper.[AlBukhaari].AtTirmidhialso collectedanauthentichadeeth:Bewarnedofturningorlookingaroundinthesalaah becauseitisdestruction.Andthereareotherahadeethonlookingaroundinthe salaah. 13.Sittingononeshaunches(AlIqaa)duringthesalaahandprostratingwiththeelbows(Al Iftiraash)ontheground.AlIqaaisforbiddenasrelatedbyAbuHurairah(radiallahu anhu)whosaid:Mydearfriendforbademethreethings:Heforbademefrompecking likearooster[justtouchingtheheadinprostrationtrans],sittingonthe hauncheslikeadog,andlookingaroundlikeafox.TransmittedbyAhmedandothers anditsisnaad(chain)hasbygradedhasan(good)byAlMundhiriandAlHaithami. TheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)forbadeamanfromspreadinghis armsonthegroundlikeabeastofprey.SummarizingahadeethcollectedbyMuslim fromAisha(radiallahuanhaa)aswellasbyAtTirmidhi,AhmedandothersfromJaabir (radiallahuanhu)marfooan(attributabletotheProphet):Ifanyofyouprostrates (sajdah)thenkeepstraightandnotspreadhisarmslikethesittingofadog. 14.Wearingathin(seethrough)garmentthatdoesnotsufficientlycovertheauwrah(private area).Thisisaninvalidatorofthesalaahbecausecoveringonesauwrahisacondition forasoundsalaah.Themansaurahisaccordingtowhatismostauthentic fromthe naveltotheknee.Likewisehemustcoverhisshouldersoroneofthem1inaccordance withthestatementofAllah:OchildrenofAadamwearyouadornmentstoevery masjid.[AlAraaf31]Itissufficienttowearasinglegarmenttocovertheauwrah accordingtowhatisnarratedfromUmarIbnSalamah(radiallahuanhu):Hesawthe Messengerofallah(sallallahualaihiwasallamprayinginasinglegarment(thowub)in thehouseofUmmSalamah,hehadcastbothendsoverhimself.[AlBukhaariand Muslim] IbnQudaamah(rahimahullah)stated:Itisobligatorytocoversufficientlytohidethecolor oftheskin,forifitisthinenoughthatthecoloroftheskinmaybeseenfrombehindtothe

extentthatthewhitenessorrednessoftheskinispercievedthanesalaahinitisnot allowedinthatcoveringhasnotbeenachieved. 15.Awomannotcoveringherheadwiththekhimaarinsalaahandnotcoveringherfeet.The aurahoftheswomaninthesallahisherentirebodywiththeexceptionofherface.Noris thereanyharmifshecoversherfaceduetothepassingbyofmenorthelike.Itis obligatoryforhertowearakhimaarwhichisaheadcoveringthatalsocoversthebosom. Thisaccordingtohis(slallahualiahiwasallam)statement:Allahdoesnotacceptthe salaahofthemenstruatingfemaleunlesssheiswearingakhimaar.[Collectedby AhmedandthecollectorsofthesixmostauthenticbooksexceptAnNisaaiandithasbe authenticatedbyIbnKhuzaimahandothers.Itisalsoobligatorythatshecoverthetopsof herfeetincompliancewiththehadeethTheentirewomanisauwrahCollectedbyAt Tirmidheewithanauthenticisnaad.Alongthissamemeaningiswhatistransmittedby MalikandabuDawoodandothersfromMuhammadIbnSaidInbQunfudhfromhis motherwhoaskedUmmSalamah(radiallahuanhaa),thewifeoftheProphet(sallallahu alaihiwasallam),aboutwhatgarmentawomanshouldprayin.Sheanswered:She 1TheevidenceforcoveringtheshouldersisfoundinanauthentichadeethinthecollectionofAbu Dawood,howeverwewereunabletodeterminewhytheshaykhexemptsoneshoulder. shouldprayinakhimaarandafull,loosefittingchemisethatconcealsthetopsof herfeet.AlsowiththismeaningisthehadeethofUmmSalamah:Loweritbyanarms length. 16.Walkinginfrontoftheprayingpersonwhethertheybetheimaamorprayingaloneand steppingoverthepeopleduringtheJumuahkhutbah.Itisasinuponthepersonwho passesinfrontofsomeonewhoispraying.Iftheoneprayinghasnosutrahthenitshold beestimatedtobeattheplaceofprostrationsothepasserbyshouldcanpassbeyond thatpoint.AsnarratedinthecollectionsofalBukhariandMuslimbyAbuJuhaimIbn Haarith(radiallahuanhu),whosaid:TheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam) said:Iftheonewhopassesinfrontoftheprayingpersonknewhowseriousasinit wasforhimtodosoitwouldhavebeenbetterforhimtowaitforfortythanwalkin frontofhim.[Fortymayrefertofortydays,monthsoryears,andAllahknowsbest Trans.] TheonewhopushesbetweenthepeopleduringtheJumuahkhutbahharmspeople throughhisbeinglateforthesalaahaccordingtothestatementofAlMustafah(sallallahu alaihiwasallam):Sitforyouhavecausedharmandcomelate.[Ahmedandothers. Cuttingbetweenthepeopleisforbidden.Onewhoentersthemasjidshouldsitwhere thereisspaceunlessheseesagenuinelyopenareawhereheshouldthengotoitand sit. 17.Notsayingthetakbeeratulihraam(openingtakbeer)whenenteringuponthe congregationwhiletheimaamisinrukoo.Thisisamajormistakeinthatthetakbeeratulihraam isapillar(rukn)ofthesalaahthatmustbedonebytheoneprayingwhenstanding forthesalaahandthenafterwardsjointheimaminthebowingposition(rukoo).Tomake thetakbeer(alihraam)andthenanothertakbeerbeforegiongintorukooismore completeandthorough.AbuHurairah(radiallahuanhu)narrated:TheMessengerof Allah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)wouldmaketakbeerwhenhestoodforthesallah andwouldthenmaketakbeeruponbowing. 18.Notfollowingtheimaam(bygettinginthesameposition)whencominglateandthe imaamissittingorinsujood(prostrating).Itismostpreferredandmostsurefortheone whoentersthemasjidthathejointheimaaminwhateverpositionhemaybein,whether hebeinsajdahorotherwise.ItisreportedbyabuDawoodandotherswithasaheeh isnaadthattheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:Ifyoucometothe salaahandwearemakingsujoodthenyoualsomakesujood.Foraworshipperto delaymakingsajdahistohaveineffectpreventedhimselffromanactofworshipwhich Allahloves.AliIbnAbiTalibandMuadhibnJabal(radiallahuanhumaa)bothstated:The MessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:Ifoneofyoucomestothesalaah andtheimaamisinapositionthendowhattheimaamisdoing.Thisiscollectedby AtTirmidhiwithaweakisnaadhoweveritisinagreementwiththepreceedinghadeeth.It isalsostrengthenedbyanarrationcollectedbyAbuDawoodfromMuadh(radiallahu anhu):Ineversawhim(theimaam)inapositionexceptIwasalsouponit.The MessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said:VerilyMuadhhasperformedan actthatisgoodforyoutoo,sodolikewise.

19.Busyingoneselfwithmattersthattakeoneawayfromthesalaah.Thisisevidenceof preferenceofthewordlylifeoverthatoftheHereafter,followingvaindesiresandbeing toobusytoobeyAllah.Thisisindeedruinationandofevilconsequencetowhoeverdoes it.Allahtaaalasays:Oyouwhobelieve,letnotyuorwealthoryourchildrendivert youfromtheremembranceofAllahforwhyosoeverdoesthatwillbeamongthe losers.[AlMunafiqoon9]AndHesaysinpraiseofthebelievers:Menwhoarenot divertedbybusinessortradefromtheremembranceofAllahandperformanceof salaah.[AnNoor37]Preoccupationwithanyactoverthesalaahorthatleadstobeing negligantorlazytowarditsuchasstayinguptoolateandthelike,isnotpermissible.This isbecauseanythingthatleadstowhatisharaamisitselfharaam,andAllahistheOne whoguidestotherightpath. 20.Playingwithonesclothingorwatchorthelike.Thisisanactthatnegateskhushoo.The evidenceforkhushoohasbeenpresentedpreviouslyinpoint5[seeAugustIssueEd.]. TheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)forbaderubbingpebblesduringthe salaahduetoitsnegativeeffectonkhushoowhenhesaid:Ifanyofyouperformsthe prayerlethimnotrubpebblesformercyisturnedtowardshim.[Ahmedandthesix collectionsofhadeethwithanauthenticisnaad]Apersonmightincreaseplayingaround tothepointofexcessivemovementthatisoutsideofthesalaahandtherebynullifyit. 21.Closingtheeyesfornoreason.Thisisaobjectionableact(makrooh)asIbnAlQayyim (rahimahullah)mentioned:ClosingtheeyeswasnotfromtheguidanceoftheRasool (sallallahualaihiwasallam).Healsosaid:Thescholarsoffiqhhavedifferedonits detestability.ImamAhmedandothersdeemeditdetestableandtheysaidthatitwasof thehabitsoftheJews.Howeveragroupofthemruleditallowablewithoutany detestablilityandtheysaidthatitmayindeedbeaclosermeansofachievingkhushoo whichisthespiritofthesalaah,itsheartanditsaim. Mostcorrectisthatifkeepingtheeyesopenhasnodetrimentaleffectuponkhushoo thenitispreferabletodoit.Ifdecorations,adornmentsorthelikearearoundthe worshipperorbetweenhimandtheqiblahtothepointofdistraction,thenthereis absolutelynoobjectiontoclosingtheeyes.Indeedthestatementthattodosois desirable(mustahabb)inthiscaseisclosertothespiritofthelawanditsaimsthanthe statementthatitisobjectionable.AndAllahknowsbest. 22.Eatingordrinkingorlaughinginthesalaahthusnullifyingit.Asfaraseatinganddrinking thereisconsensuswithregardstothefardh.IbnAlMundhirstated:"Thescholars(Ahlul Ilm)areinconsensusagreementthattheoneprayingisforbiddenfromeatingand drinking.Thereisalsoconsensusamongthemthattodosointentionallynecessitates repetitionofthesalaah."IbnAlMundhiralsotransmitsthatthereisconsensusthatthe salaahisnullifiedbylaughing. 23.Raisingthevoiceinrecitationtothepointofdistractingthosearound.Itisrecommended (mustahabb)thatonehearshimself,nottothepointthatitinterruptsanyonewhois recitingtheQuraanormakingsalaah.AlBukhaariandMuslimbothtransmitfrom UmraanIbnHusain(radiallahuanhu)thattheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwa sallam)prayedDhuhrandtherewasamanbehindhimrecitingsabbihismarabbikal alaa,sowhenhe(sallallahualaihiwasallam)finishedhesaid:Whoamongyouwas recitingorwhowasthereciter?Themansaid,"Me."Sohe(sallallahualaihiwasallam) said:Ithoughtthatsomeofyouweredisputingwithmeinit.Thescholarsstate:The meaningofhiswordsisadisapprovaloftheact.IbnTaymiyyah(rahimahullah)stated: WhoeverisrecitingtheQuraanandthepeopleareprayingadditionalprayerthenitisnot correctforhimtorecitealoudthusdisturbingthembecausetheProphet(sallallahualaihi wasallam)leftsomeofhiscompanionswhiletheywereprayingAsSahr(beforedawn) andhesaid:Opeople,eachofyouisseekingsalvationfromhisRabbthereforedonot overpoweroneanotherwithyourrecitation. 24.Crowdinginonthosewhoarepraying.Thisisatypeofforbiddeninflictingofharm.Itis upontheprayingpersontoprayinaplacewherethespaceendsunlessheseesan openingsufficientforhimtopassandthenthereisnoharm.However,tocauseharm, especiallyonYaumAlJumuah(Friday),isgenerallyforbidden.TheProphet(sallallahu alaihiwasallam)saidaboutthosewhocuttheprayerline:Sit,foryouhaveharmedand comelate.

25.Notmakingthelinesstraight.Allahhasorderedtheproperperformanceofsalaahsaying "Andestablish(aqeemu)thesalaah".TheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam)has likewisestated:Straightenyourlinesforverilystraighteningofthelinesisapartofcorrect performanceofsalaah(iqaamissalaah).AlBukhaariandMuslimfromAnas.AlsoAl BukhaarinarratesfromAnNumaanIbnBasheer(radiallahuanhu):Straightenyourlines orAllahwillcauseoppositionbetweenyourhearts.Theordertostraightenthelinesand takingcaretodosoismentionedinanumberofhadeeth.(Itshouldalsobementionthat thisincludesnotleavinganygapsinthelinesasisalltoocommonlyneglectedEd.) 26.Raisingthefeetfromthegroundinsujood.Thisisagainstwhatiscommandedasitis confirmedinthetwosaheehsfromIbnAbbaas(radiallahuanhu):TheProphet(sallallahu alaihiwasallam)wasorderedtoprostrateuponsevenlimbsandnottotuckupthehair ortheclothes:theforehead(includingthenose),the(palmsofthe)twohands,theknees andthetwofeet.Sotheoneprayingiscommandedtopraywiththetwofeettouchingthe groundandthecompleteformofthisistohavethetoespointingtowardtheQiblah.Part ofeachfootshouldtouchthegroundandifoneraiseseitherofthemhissajdah (prostration)isincorrectifhecontinuestodosothroughouttheprostration. 27.Puttingtherighthandupontheleftandraisingthemtotheneck.Thisisincontradictionto thesunnahbecausetheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam)usedtoputhisrighthand overhisleftuponhischest.ThisisinahadeethofHasanfromseveralweak transmissionsinthemselvesbutthatinconjunctionstrengthenthemselves.Thesunnahis alsotoplacethehandsonthemiddleofthechestorupontheheartbecausetheheartis inthechestasAllahtaaalastates:Itistheheartswithinthebreaststhatareblind. Raisingthehands(makingtakbeer)whengoingintosujoodorwhenrisingoutofit.Itis anerrortoliftthehandstotheneckandthisopposesthesunnah.WhatisattributedtoAli (radiallahuanhu)intheexplanationoftheverse:SothereforepraytoyourRabband sacrifice(wanharinwhichtheverbisconstruedasreferringtotheneck[annahr]Ed.) isweakanddoesnotconstituteaproof.(Alsoincorrectistheincorrectpracticeofholding oneshandsuponorbelowthenavelasthereisnosubstantiatedprooffromthe authenticatedsunnahforthispracticeEd) 28.Raisingthehandsatthetimeofsujoodorwhenrisingoutofsujood.Thisisinopposition tothewellknownsunnahthathasbeentransmittedbymostofthecompanionswho narratedaboutraisingthehands.Thestudentof(sharee'ah)knowledgeshouldstickwith thewellknownsunnahunlessinprivacythoughhemaybelieveadeedtobemore correctfromthesunnahthatnonethelesscontradictsthepracticeofthegeneralityofthe scholars.Theimaamofthepeopleshoulddowhatisknown,forwhatiscommonlyand wellknowntobethesunnahuponwhichthemajorityofthescholars'practice,issufficient andsatisfactory.(Thewisdomhereisthatforastudenttoinsistuponpublicpracticeof thatwhichisnotregardedbythescholarsgenerallyasthesunnahmayleadtoharmand confusionwhichwouldamounttoforsakingafardh,i.e.thepreventionofharm,forthe sakeofaestablishingasunnahandonewhichisnottotallyagreeduponatthatand wouldthusfallintoerror.Thescholarsdonotgenerallyuniteuponanypracticewithout evidence,althoughthequalifiedstudentmaydisagreeagivenrulingorconclusionbased uponhisunderstandingofthetextsandaftersincereandthoroughstudyandreachinga stateofbeingpersonallysatisfiedwithitsoutcome.Ed.) 28.Hastinessofsomeimaamsinthesalaahandlackoftranquilitywithinit,thusnotallowing timeforthefollowerstobetranquilintheirsalaahortimetoreciteAlFaatihah,especially inthelastrakah.Theimamisresponsibleformakingthequalityofthesalaahgood becauseheisbeingfollowed.ItisthereforehisdutytotakecareoffollowingtheSunnah, andtranquilityisapillar(rukn)thattheimamismoreobligedtotakecareofduetohis beingfollowed.Likewise,therecitationofAlFaatihahisaruknthatthefollowersinthe salaahmustbegivenenoughtimetofulfill.Wehavealreadypresentedtheevidencefor theobligationofmaintainingtranquility(tamaneenah)andrecitingAlFaatihah. 29.Nottakingcaretomakesujooduponthesevenlimbs(i.e.theforeheadalongwiththe nose,thepalmsofbothhands,bothknees,andthetoesofbothfeet).AbbaasIbnAbul Muttalib(radiallahuanhu)reportedthatheheardtheMessengerofAllah(sallallahu alaihiwasallam)saying:Iftheslaveprostrates,thensevenbodypartsshouldprostrate withhim:His face,hands,twoknees,andhistwofeet.RelatedbyMuslim,alsoattributed toAlMajdinAlMuntaqaa,AlMuzzeeandrelatedbyothers. IbnAbbaas(radiallahuanhumaa)narrated:TheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam) said:Ihavebeenorderedtoprostrateuponsevenbones(i.e.bodyparts):Uponthe

foreheadandhepointedtohisnosebothhands,bothkneesandbothfeet. Therearesomepeoplewhodonotprostrateuponboththeforeheadandthenoseorwho raisetheirfeetorwhodonottouchthepalmsoftheirhandsontheground,allofwhichis inoppositiontowhatiscommanded. 30.Notcaringtolearntherulesofsalaah.ThisisotherthanwhatanyMuslimshoulddo.No doubtsalaahisthegreatestoftheIslamicpillarsrequiringbodilyaction.Allahcommands itsperformanceAqimisSalaah(Performthesalaah)inmorethanseventyayaat.Itis notpossibletoperformitwithouthavingknowledgeofitsfundamentalsorknowinghow theProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam)didthesalaah.Thereisnoroomforignoranceof therulesofsalaah,knowingitsprerequisitesoritsessentialparts,obligations,therules forfollowingormakingupforerrorsandthelike.Itisfardhtoknowthesemattersandthe absenceofknowledgeofthesemattersisacauseofaMuslimbeingunawareofwhat nullifiesorspoilshissalaah,andAllahistheGuideandProviderofSuccess. 3134.CarelessnessinrecitingAlFaatihahandwithproperpronunciationsuchassaying alAalimeeninsteadofalAalameen,ahdinaainsteadofihdinaa,anamtu insteadofanamta, andsoon.Alloftheseandsimilarerrorsarethetypeoflinguisticerrorsthatmustbeavoided andnoonewholeadsthesalaatshouldcommitthem.Somemaycontainimpossible meaningssuchaswhenonepronouncesthet(taa)inanamtaasda(daad)andthus thesalaatwouldbespoiled. 35.Crackingtheknucklesinsalaah.Thisisfromthedetestedactionsinthesalaahandis thusforbidden.Asfarascrackingtheknucklesingeneral,IbnAbiShaibahnarratesina statementwithgoodisnaad,fromShubahMawlaaibnAbbaasasstating:IprayednexttoIbn AbbaasandIcrackedmyknucklessowhenIfinishedmysalaahhesaid,Mayyouloseyour mother!Youcrackyourknuckleswhileyouareinsalaah?Forbiddanceofcrackingthe knucklesistransmittedinamarfoohadeethfromAliinthecollectionofIbnMaajah,however, itisweak(daeef)andnotsufficientinanofitself(ghairumunjabir). 36.Intertwiningthefingers(attashbeek)duringandbeforethesalaah.Thisisalsoamongthe detestablematters.KaabIbnUjrah(radiallahuanhu)narrates:IheardtheMessengerof Allah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)saying:Ifoneofyoumakeswudhoothengoesto themasjidforsalaah,lethimnotclasphishandstogetherforindeedheisinthe salaah.Ahmed,AbuDawood,AtTirmidhi.Withsomedifferenceregardingitschain,Ad Daarimi,AlHaakimandotherstransmitfromAbuHurairahinamarfoohadeeth:Ifoneof youmakeswudhooinhishousethencomestothemasjid,heisinsalaahuntilhe returns.Thereforedonotdonotdolikethisandheclaspedhisfingerstogether. Thereareothermutuallysupportinghadeethsonthismatteroftashbeek. 37.Puttingforwardsomeonetoleadthesalaahasimaamwhenitisnothisplacetodoso andthereareothersmoredeservingpresent.Thiscontradictstheintendedpurposeofhaving animaam(alimaamah),whichistobeanexampletofollow(aliqditaa).Itisnecessarythat theimaamhaveunderstandingofthedeenandisabletocorrectlyrecitetheQuraan accordingtothesatatementoftheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam):Theimaamofa peopleshouldbetheonewhobestrecitestheQuraan)TransmittedbyMuslimfromAbu MasoodAlAnsaari(radiallahuanhu).Thescholarshaveruledthatoneshouldnotbeput forwardasimaamwhoserecitationisnotgood,orwhoopenlydisplayssinfulness,orwhohas anundignifiedappearance,orwhoisaninnovator,orwhoiscorruptorlikethem.Ifhowever, suchpeopleareputforward,thesalaahofthefollowersiscorrect. 38.ImproperrecitationoftheQuraan.ThisisanopendeficiencyandtherightoftheQuraan isthatitbereadcorrectlywithoutaberrationandthattheMuslimstrivestoimproveandexcel initsrecitation.Allahta'alaastates:RecitetheQuraanwithtarteel[correctmeasuredtone] andWhenweteachyoutheQuraan,followitsrecitation.Meaning,recitationasisproper accordingtotheArabiclanguage,withclarityandfreefromdistortion.Onthissamelineisthe superiorityoftheonewhopurifieshisintentionasisnarratedbyKaisha(radiallahuanhaa) whosaid:TheMessengerofAllah(sallallahualaihiwasallam)said,Theonewhois proficientwiththeQuraanwillbewiththescribes(angels)honorableandobedient.Whilethe onewhorecitestheQuraanhaltinglyandfindsdifficulty(whilestrivingtoreciteitproperly) getsadoublereward.[matafaqunalaih]

39.SomemenprayingbehindwomenintheHaram(TheGrandMasjid)ofMakkah.Doingso thereorelsewhereisadetestableactioninthesalaah.Itisfromthesunnahthattherowsof thewomenarebehindthoseofthemen.Thesalaahofamanbehindawomenmaybea causeofhimlosingallkhushooandadisturbanceinthesalaatthroughhislooking(atthe woman)orotherwise.Amanshouldthereforeneverlineupforsalaahbehindawoman.This isnotdetestableifduetonecessitysuchasnotmissingtheEidsalaah,orSalaatulJumuah, orthecongregationalsalaahandothersimilarsituations(i.e.thatmakeitimpossibletojoin thefrontrowswiththemenTrans.).Agroupofscholarshavestated:TheHaramof Makkahisanexception.ShaykhAbdulAzizIbnBaz(mayAllahpreservehim)isofthis opinion. 40.Womencomingtothemasjidbeautifiedormadeupandperfumed.Thisisoneofthe openandwitnessedevilsthatbecomeapparentduringRamadhanandoutsideit.Thewoman iscomingouttoworshipherMaster,nottoshowoffthebeautyofherclothing!Perhapsmen mayseeherandshewouldthenbesinfulandshewouldsufferalossofrewardforherdeed. TheProphet(sallallahualaihiwasallam)stated:Letnotanywomanwhoisscented attendtheIshaawithus.[Muslim]ImamAhmedtransmitsalongwithAbuDawoodwithan authenticchainfromAbuHurairah(radiallahuanhu)thattheProphet(sallallahualaihiwa sallam)said:DonotforbidthebondwomenofAllahfromthehousesofAllah,andlet themgoouttafilaat.Themeaningofthewordtafilaatis:Notbeautifiedwithadornments orperfumed.

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