LESSON NO 9
BISMIL-LA-HIR-RAHMA-NIR-RAHIM
(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.)
NAHMADUL-LAHAL-ALIY-YAL-ADHIM, WA NUSAL-LI
ALA-RASULIHIL-KARIM.
(We praise Allah, the Sublime, the Majestic, and pray for Allah's blessings on His noble Messenger).
Q. How should we sit between the two Sijdahs as well as during the recitation of TASHAH-HUD?
Ans. Keep your right foot with all its toes pointing towards QIBLAH. Place the instep of the left foot on the ground and sit on it. While sitting, keep both your palms on your knees.
Q. Is there any difference between the SALATS of an Imam (head of the prayer) on the one hand and those of a Muqtadi (follower) and an individual (Munfarid) on the other?
Ans. Yes, there is some difference between the ways the SALAT is performed by an Imam, a follower and an individual. One difference is that the Imam and the individuals recite THANA, TA’AW-WUZ, TASMIYAH, the holy AL-FATIHA and some other SURAH in the fist Rak’ah and BISMIL-LAH, the holy AL-FATIHA and any other SURAH in the second one. But the MUQTADI (follower) recites the THANA only, and stands quiet behind the Imam. The other difference is that the Imam and the individual say:
SAMI’AL-LAHU LI-MAN HAMIDAH.
The individual may also say TAHMID after TASMI’ but the follower should only say:
RAB-BANA LA-KAL-HAMD.
Q. How to perform SALAT if there are three or four RAK’AHS in it?
Ans Perform the first two RAK’AHS in the manner stated above. But no DURUD should be recited in sitting after AT-TAHIY-YAT and TASHAD-HUD. Instead, stand up erect as before, saying TAKBIR. If the Salat is Wajib (compulsory), Masnun (Prophet’s Precept) or Nafl, perform the remaining two RAK’AHS like the first two. If, however, it is a FARD (commanded) SALAT, do not recite any SURAH after the holy AL-FATIHA in the third and fourth RAK’AHS. The rest of the process tallies with that of the previous ones.
Q. Is a Masnun or Nafl SALAT offered in three RAK’AHS or four?
Ans. A Masnun or Nafl Salat is never of three RAK’AHS. It is either of two RAK’AHS or four.
Q. What is the right way to perform RUKU’?
Ans. The RUKU’ should be performed in such a way that the waist and head are level with each other. In other words, one should neither raise the head above the waist nor lower it below the same. Keep the two arms clear of the ribs. Grasp the knees firmly with your hands.
Q. What is the right way to perform SIJDAH?
Ans. The SIJDAH should be performed in this way:
Place the palms and fingers together on the ground. Keep the wrists and elbows raised a little above the ground. Keep the belly clear of the thighs and the arms clear of the ribs.
Q. What is counted on fingers and said after Salat?
Ans. We say:
SUBHANAL-LAH (Allah is Sanctified) thirty-three (33) times,
ALHAMDU LIL-LAH (all the praises are for Allah) thirty-three (33) times, and
AL-LAHU AKBAR (Allah is the Greatest) thirty-four (34) times. It will attract immense reward from Allah.
