Pray as you have seen me praying

The Prophet's Prayer Described by Shaikh Naasir-ud-Deen Al Albaani, answers all or most questions related to prayer. It is a compilation of the hadith (and their explanations) about prayer. It describes the prayer of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallalahu alaihi wa salaam) step by step with evidences, and refutations of weak hadith. It also gives explanations on various innovations in prayer and shows why they are not to be followed.

A key element of Muslim life is the obligatory, ritual prayer. These prayers are performed five times a day, and are a direct link between the worshipper and God. Prayer in Islam, is the worship of Allah the Almighty, Praising and Thanking Him, acknowledging His Sovereignty and committing oneself to obey and remember Him at all times. It is the central part of a way of life, which is based on submission to the Owner of all and the Lord of the world.

Allah (Subhana wa ta'ala) says in the Quran:
“…..And establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt…..” (Quran, 29:45)

The Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wa salaam) said to:
...Pray as you have seen me praying.. (Sahih Bukhari Book 1 Vol 1, Hadith 604)
and with the information found in this book we can do just that.

Some Prayer issues from the book:

Obligation for a Sutra (Barrier)

He (sallallaahu a'laihi wa salaam) used to say: "Do not pray except towards a sutra, and do not let anyone pass in front of you, but if someone continues (to try to pass) then fight him, for he has a companion (ie. a shaytaan) with him" (Ibn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh (1/93/1) with a sound Isnad)

Placing Hands on the chest

"He used to place the right arm on the back of his left palm, wrist and forearm (Abu Dawood, Nasaai & Ibn Khuzaimah (1/54/2) ) "and he commanded his companions to do likewise" (Maalik, Bukhari & Abu Awaanah), and (sometimes) "he would grasp his left arm with his right" (Nasaai and Daaraqutni)

"He used to place them on his chest" (Abu Dawood, Ibn Khuzaimah, Ahmad & Abu Shaikh)

Going down in Sajdah on the hands

"He used to place his hands on the ground before his knees." (Ibn Khuzaimah (1/76/1), Daaraqutni & Haakim)

He used to instruct likewise, saying, 'When one of you performs sajdah, he should not kneel like a camel, but should place his hands before his knees" (Abu Dawood, Tammaam, Nasaai)

This book is pretty descriptive of the Prophet's prayer from start to finish and is recommended for every Muslim's bookshelf. It is available online at OnlineIslamicStore

Back to basics

Reminder on Tawheed


This book gives a clear understanding of what Islamic Monotheism means.
"Tawheed, the oneness of God, is the core of the Islamic faith" It is the basis of the religion of Islam expressed by 'La ilaha illallah' (There is no god but Allah subhana wa ta'ala), there is only one true God and He alone is deserving of worship.

Tawheed was taught by all the Prophets and Messengers to mankind.

There are three categories of Tawheed

Tawheed ar-Ruboobeeyah - Maintaining the Unity of Lordship, affirming that Allah is one, without partners in His sovereignty. "Allah alone caused all things to exist when there was nothing. He sustains and maintains creation without any need from it or for it, and He is the sole Lord of the universe..." "Nothing happens in creation except what He allows to happen.

"Allah created all things and He is the agent on which all things depend." (Holy Quran 39:62)

"And Allah created you and whatever you do." (Holy Quran 37:96)

"And no calamity strikes except by Allah's permission..." (Holy Quran 64:11)

Tawheed al-Asma was-Sifaat - Maintaining the Unity of Allah's Names and Attributes, belief that Allah is uniquely one in His names and attributes without similitude and comparison. "Allah must be referred to according to how He and His Prophet (peace be upon him) have described Him, without explaining away His names and attributes by giving them meanings other than their obvious meanings." It also involves referring to Allah as "He has referred to Himself without giving Him any new names or attributes", "referring to Him without giving Him the attributes of creation" and "requires that man must not be given the attributes of Allah"

"..There is nothing like Him and He is the hearer and seer of all." (Holy Quran 42:11)

"Nor is there to Him any equivalent" (Holy Quran 112:4)

Tawheed Ulooheeyah/ Ibaadah - Maintaining the Unity of Allah's Worship, the belief that All is uniquely one in His worship or divinity without rival. "Firm belief in the first two categories alone is not sufficient.." "the idolators of the Prophet's time confirmed many aspects of the first two forms of Tawheed" and "Many disbelievers knew of Allah's sovereigntity, dominion and power"

"Say: 'Who is it that gives you sustenance from the sky and earth, Who governs sight and hearing, and Who brings forth life from dead(matter) and death from the living; and plans the affairs of man?' They will all say 'Allah'..." (Holy Quran 10:31)

"If you asked them who created them, they would surely say 'Allah'..." (Holy Quran 43:87)

"Most of them do not believe in Allah except while joining partners to Him." (Holy Quran 12:106)

"All forms of worship must be directed only to Allah because He alone deserves worship, and it is He alone who can grant benefit to man as a result of His worship." "There is no need for any form of intercessor or intermediary between man and God." The main purpose of man's creation is to worship Allah.

"I did not create jinn and mankind except for My worship." (Holy Quran 51:56)

"Verily, We have sent to every nation a messenger [saying], 'Worship Allah and avoid false gods'..." (Holy Quran 16:36)

"You alone do we worship, and from You alone do we seek help" (Holy Quran 1:5)