Islam 101: Common Mistakes Made During Salat

Salat (Salah, Namaz) or Prayer is the most important pillar of Islam which will be questioned on the day of Resurrection. Performing Prayers is obligatory for every adult Muslim. Salah is a ritual prayer having prescribed conditions and one must perform Salaah while fulfilling those conditions. Many times we perform Prayers or Salah as a practice or a part of habit only but tend to forget the basic essence of Namaz and make many mistakes during Prayers. 10 common mistakes and errors in Prayers or Salah are discussed:

1. Delaying the Salah intentionally: While being busy in worldly affairs we often delay the Salah from its preferred time. This is the most common mistake in Prayer made by most of us. We think that Praying is last thing to do and we must attend to other matters first. Many workers delay Zuhr and Asr Prayer till night-time. Quran speaks strictly on guarding our Salat:

“Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e. Asr Prayers)” [2:238]

Here to safeguard the Salat means to perform it at its prescribed time and to be steadfast upon it.

Narrated Ibn Umar (R.A): Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) said: “Whoever misses the Asr prayers (intentionally), then it is as if he lost his family and property.” [Al-Bukhari]

Another Hadith explains the importance of praying on time:

Narrated Abu Al-Malih (R.A): “We were with Buraidah in a battle on a cloudy day and he said, “Offer the Asr prayer early as the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, “Whoever omits the Asr prayer, all his (good) deeds will be lost.” [Al-Bukhari]

2. Reciting Holy Quran fast in the Prayers: we must pause and take breaks while reciting Holy Quran during Salat. We should not recite the Surah’s so fast that that the verse get intermingled. One of the Hadith emphasizes this issue:

  

“The Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to pause after each verse of Surah al-Fatiha.["] [Abu Dawood]

3. Moving before the Imam in congregational prayers: one should not race with the imam (i.e. try to move before the Imam or with the Imam) because the correct ruling is when Imam says Allahu Akbar, then the person who’s following the Imam in Prayers should say Allahu Akbar. Not before Imam or with Imam. Like this Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) states:

“Surely the imam is there to be followed” [Muslim]

Another Hadith states:

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “Does not the one who raises his head before the Imam does fear that Allah would transform his head into a donkey’s head” [Muslim]

4. Performing the Salah hastily: Salat should be performed slowly and calmly. Rukoo or Sujood must be performed unhurriedly. In order to complete the Rukoo one must stay in Rukoo posture long enough to recite “Subhan Rabbi yal Adtheem” at least three times. In the same manner, for the Sujood the person should say “Subhan-na Rabbi yal-ala” three times slowly. This Hadith commands to complete the Rukoo and Sujood in proper manner:

The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: “The worst thief is the one who steals from his own prayer.” People asked: ‘Messenger of Allah! How could one steal from his own prayer?’ He said: “By not completing its rukoo and sujood” [at-Tabarani]

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “He who does not complete his rukoo and sujood, his prayer is void” [Abu Dawood]

5. Gazing right, left or upward during Salat: While performing Salah, one should concentrate on looking to the point where the head is placed during Sujood rather than looking upwards. Because this may lose concentration. In the Hadith recorded by Sahih Muslim the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

“Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them” (i.e. they will lose their eyesight) [Muslim]

6. Performing Sujood improperly: most common mistake observed in Prayers is to perform Sujood by resting only the tip of head on floor.

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and the two feet” [Muslim]

7. Not performing Prayers during illness or while traveling: The Prophet (P.B.U.H) always used to perform Prayers even during His last days before death. He (P.B.U.H) never neglected it even during combats. Prayer is obligatory and must be performed in any condition. If a person cannot perform ablution due to his illness then he may perform tayammum (dry ablution). If he cannot stand in prayer, he may perform Salah while sitting or even laying down. Same is the case while traveling. The person can combine 2 Salah while traveling i.e. Zuhr Prayer and Asr Prayer. or Maghrib Prayer and Isha Prayer.

8. Crossing in front of a person who is performing Salah: The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “Were the one who crosses in front of a praying person to know the consequences of doing so, he would have waited for forty years better than to cross in front of him” [Bukhari]

9. Going to Mosque for performing Salah with rapid walk: when the time of Prayer has approached and some person has fear that he might miss his Salah; for the fear of that most of us try to walk quickly or run for the fear of missing some part of the prayer. This is not allowed according to Hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: “When prayer has already started, do not walk quickly to join in. Proceed calmly and reposefully; then join in whichever part you catch up, and complete whichever part you missed” [Bukhari and Muslim]

10. Eating food of bad smell before performing Prayers: consuming foods that have bad smell like the garlic or onion etc. should not be taken before the Salah because the bad smell may irritate the angels and the praying people.

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “He who eats from the smelly plant [garlic or onion], let him come not near our mosque; the angels are bothered by that which bothers men” [Muslim] 

May Allah guide us to perform our Salah perfectly and help us to guard our Salat so when on the Day of Judgment we are questioned about our prayers, we may succeed. Ameen.

- Culled

Islam 101: Common Mistakes Made During Salat

Salat (Salah, Namaz) or Prayer is the most important pillar of Islam which will be questioned on the day of Resurrection. Performing Prayers is obligatory for every adult Muslim. Salah is a ritual prayer having prescribed conditions and one must perform Salaah while fulfilling those conditions. Many times we perform Prayers or Salah as a practice or a part of habit only but tend to forget the basic essence of Namaz and make many mistakes during Prayers. 10 common mistakes and errors in Prayers or Salah are discussed:

1. Delaying the Salah intentionally: While being busy in worldly affairs we often delay the Salah from its preferred time. This is the most common mistake in Prayer made by most of us. We think that Praying is last thing to do and we must attend to other matters first. Many workers delay Zuhr and Asr Prayer till night-time. Quran speaks strictly on guarding our Salat:

“Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers) especially the middle Salat (i.e. Asr Prayers)” [2:238]

Here to safeguard the Salat means to perform it at its prescribed time and to be steadfast upon it.

Narrated Ibn Umar (R.A): Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) said: “Whoever misses the Asr prayers (intentionally), then it is as if he lost his family and property.” [Al-Bukhari]

Another Hadith explains the importance of praying on time:

Narrated Abu Al-Malih (R.A): “We were with Buraidah in a battle on a cloudy day and he said, “Offer the Asr prayer early as the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, “Whoever omits the Asr prayer, all his (good) deeds will be lost.” [Al-Bukhari]

2. Reciting Holy Quran fast in the Prayers: we must pause and take breaks while reciting Holy Quran during Salat. We should not recite the Surah’s so fast that that the verse get intermingled. One of the Hadith emphasizes this issue:

  

“The Prophet (P.B.U.H) used to pause after each verse of Surah al-Fatiha.["] [Abu Dawood]

3. Moving before the Imam in congregational prayers: one should not race with the imam (i.e. try to move before the Imam or with the Imam) because the correct ruling is when Imam says Allahu Akbar, then the person who’s following the Imam in Prayers should say Allahu Akbar. Not before Imam or with Imam. Like this Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) states:

“Surely the imam is there to be followed” [Muslim]

Another Hadith states:

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “Does not the one who raises his head before the Imam does fear that Allah would transform his head into a donkey’s head” [Muslim]

4. Performing the Salah hastily: Salat should be performed slowly and calmly. Rukoo or Sujood must be performed unhurriedly. In order to complete the Rukoo one must stay in Rukoo posture long enough to recite “Subhan Rabbi yal Adtheem” at least three times. In the same manner, for the Sujood the person should say “Subhan-na Rabbi yal-ala” three times slowly. This Hadith commands to complete the Rukoo and Sujood in proper manner:

The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: “The worst thief is the one who steals from his own prayer.” People asked: ‘Messenger of Allah! How could one steal from his own prayer?’ He said: “By not completing its rukoo and sujood” [at-Tabarani]

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “He who does not complete his rukoo and sujood, his prayer is void” [Abu Dawood]

5. Gazing right, left or upward during Salat: While performing Salah, one should concentrate on looking to the point where the head is placed during Sujood rather than looking upwards. Because this may lose concentration. In the Hadith recorded by Sahih Muslim the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said:

“Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them” (i.e. they will lose their eyesight) [Muslim]

6. Performing Sujood improperly: most common mistake observed in Prayers is to perform Sujood by resting only the tip of head on floor.

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and the two feet” [Muslim]

7. Not performing Prayers during illness or while traveling: The Prophet (P.B.U.H) always used to perform Prayers even during His last days before death. He (P.B.U.H) never neglected it even during combats. Prayer is obligatory and must be performed in any condition. If a person cannot perform ablution due to his illness then he may perform tayammum (dry ablution). If he cannot stand in prayer, he may perform Salah while sitting or even laying down. Same is the case while traveling. The person can combine 2 Salah while traveling i.e. Zuhr Prayer and Asr Prayer. or Maghrib Prayer and Isha Prayer.

8. Crossing in front of a person who is performing Salah: The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “Were the one who crosses in front of a praying person to know the consequences of doing so, he would have waited for forty years better than to cross in front of him” [Bukhari]

9. Going to Mosque for performing Salah with rapid walk: when the time of Prayer has approached and some person has fear that he might miss his Salah; for the fear of that most of us try to walk quickly or run for the fear of missing some part of the prayer. This is not allowed according to Hadith:

The Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) said: “When prayer has already started, do not walk quickly to join in. Proceed calmly and reposefully; then join in whichever part you catch up, and complete whichever part you missed” [Bukhari and Muslim]

10. Eating food of bad smell before performing Prayers: consuming foods that have bad smell like the garlic or onion etc. should not be taken before the Salah because the bad smell may irritate the angels and the praying people.

The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said: “He who eats from the smelly plant [garlic or onion], let him come not near our mosque; the angels are bothered by that which bothers men” [Muslim] 

May Allah guide us to perform our Salah perfectly and help us to guard our Salat so when on the Day of Judgment we are questioned about our prayers, we may succeed. Ameen.

- Culled

Islam 312: The Comprehensive Guide To Performing Salat (FOR MEN)

 

1. After you have performed your wudhu (ablution), you will then be pure enough to perform Salah. If you don't cleanse yourself, then your prayer will not be valid. It will just be a waste of time. Apart from cleansing your body, you must also ensure you are wearing clothes free of impurity (I.e., impurities from the body (sexual organs), alcohol, blood etc.). Also, there is a way you must dress while praying. For men, you must wear clothing that covers your body from your stomach down to and including your knees. It is also best that your shoulders are covered by whatever top you wear,

When all of the above are in place, you should stand upright and face the direction of the Ka'abah. This position is called the Qiyam, and the direction is called the Qiblah. You should ask around (from Muslims around if there are any, or you can find a mosque close-by and look at which direction it is pointed at. This will give you a general idea), also, there is this app for iOS that I use. The name is "Islamic Compass", you can search for it on the app store. And for those who don't use iOS, just google: "Islamic Compass for (insert your phone name and model here). 

2. Ensure there is a space of three fingers spread wide apart between your legs (I.e., your legs should not be too wide apart).

3. Like I said in my other blog posts, you should then make niyyah. This is the intention to pray. Some people say that you should whisper it, but I don't think that is necessary, all you have to do is make the intention in your heart. It's still the same.

4. After you make your intention, raise your hands up to your ears (the tips of your thumbs should be near the bottom of your earlobe). After you raise your hand, say the Takbiratul Ihram: "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest).

About the standing position while praying, you can stand whichever way you are comfortable. You can either place your right hand on your left hand and encircle your left hand with the thumb and little finger of your right hand (while the three fingers in the middle lay on your left hand), or you could just drop your hands by your side (whichever works for you, so long as you are not shy because of it). Whichever hand position you choose, you must look downward at the place where your forehead will touch the ground while you're prostrating (sujood). 

5. You then recite:

                                  سبحانك اللهم و بحمدك،  وتبارك اسمك، و تعالى جدك، ولا إله غيرك 

 

("Subhanaka allahumma wa bi hamdika wa tabara kasmuka wa ta'ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghairuka."

This means: “O Allah, how perfect You are and praise be to You. Blessed is Your name, and exalted is Your majesty. There is no god but You.” [Only recite this supplication, Subhanaka, at the beginning of the first Rak'ah])

 

Then recite:  "A'udhu billahi minash shaitanir rajim." silently (“I seek shelter in Allah from the rejected Satan.”). This is known as the Ta'awwudh.

After the Ta'awwudh recite:  "Bismillah Ir-rahman Ir-rahim." (“In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful). This is known as the Tasmiyah.

 

6. After the Tasmiyah, you recite Surah Al-Fatiha from the Qur'an. It is the first chapter in the Qur'an.

Surah Al-Fatiha:

"Al hamdu lil lahi rabbil 'alamin. Arrahmanir rahim. Maliki yawmiddin. Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'in. Ihdinas siratal mustaqim. Siratal ladhina an'amta'alaihim, ghairil maghdubi'alaihim wa lad dhallin. (Amin)"

"All praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, the most Gracious, the most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, from You alone we seek help. Guide us along the straight path - the path of those whom You favored, not of those who earned Your anger or went astray.”

 

You have to recite Surah Al-Fatiha in every cycle of the prayer (Raka'a) if you are praying alone. The imam usually recites loudly if you are praying in congregation, so you should not recite it with him. It is forbidden, even if you can't hear what he is saying.

 

7. After Surah Al-Fatiha, you recite any other chapter from the Qur'an. We'll take Surah An-Nas:

You Start With:  "Bismillah Ir-rahman Ir-rahim"

Surah An-Nas: "Qul a'uzu birabbin naas, malikin naas, ilaahin naas, min sharril was waasil khan naas, al ladhi yuwas wisu fee sudoorin naas, minnal jinnati wan naas"

"Say: I seek refuge with the Lord and Cherisher of Mankind, The King (or Ruler) of Mankind, The Allah (or Judge) of Mankind, From the mischief of the Whisperer (of evil), who withdraws (after his whisper), (the same) who whispers to mankind, among Jinns and among Men."

8. After reciting the chapter (or three verses, or verse equal to three verses) from the Qur'an, say "Allahu akbar", then bow (Rukoo').

While you're bowing, you should ensure your body is parallel to the ground, and your hands should push your knee back so it is at a ninety-degree angle. You shiuld keep your eyes on the point of sujood and your head should be in line with your back. When you are in the bowing position, say: "subhana Rabbiyal Azeem" (How Perfect is my Lord, the Supreme) three times.

9. Stand up from the bowing position whilst saying:  "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears those who praise Him)' and then "Allahumma Rabbana Walakal Hamdu" (Our Lord, praise be to You).

10. After this, prostrate on the floor (sujood) whilst saying: "Allahu Akbar". You must touch the ground with your hands first before your knees do. Then you ensure your forehead and the tip of your nose touch the ground, and then You say: "subhana Rabbiyal A'la" (How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest) three times. 

While in the bowing position, look down at your nose. Your hands must be away from your body (by your side and facing the Qiblah) and they must also touch the ground, and they should be by your ears (see step four). You should also sure that your toes are bent and they are facing the Qiblah.

11. After bowing, sit up whilst saying: "Allahu Akbar". Your knees should be bent under you and your hands should rest on your thighs. You should spread your left foot on its nape and sit upon it, but your right leg should be upright with the toes bent. Then you say: "Rabbighfir li" ("O my Lord! Forgive me." Then say "Allahu Akbar" and prostrate again. Recite "Subhana Rabbiyal A'al" three times again then stand up (raise your knees before your hands).

This completes one Rak'ah or cycle of Salah.  All the other cycles you'll perform (depending on the prayer) will be performed in the exact same way, except that you will not recite Subhanaka at the beginning. 

12. In the second cycle (after the two sujood's of the second cycle), you won't stand up, instead, you'll sit up again and form a fist with your right hand with your index finger sticking out. Your left hand should remain on your left thigh. Then you recite tashahud:

 

"At-Tahiyyatu lillahi                              “Greetings, prayers and

was- Salawatu wat-Tayyibatu.              goodness belong to Allah.

As-Salamu ' alaika                                                Peace be on you,

ayyuhannabiyyu                                                               O Prophet

wa rahmatullahi                                          and the mercy of Allah

wa barakatuhu.                                                    and His blessings.

Assalamu 'alaina wa’ala                              Peace be on us and on

ibadil-Lahis -Salihin                      the righteous servants of Allah

ash hadu al-La ilaha                                           I bear witness that

il-Lal lahu                                                there is no god but Allah,

wa ash hadu anna                                           and bear witness that

Muhammadan abduhu                          Muhammad is His servant

wa rasuluhu."                                                        and Messenger.”

 

Depending on the salat you are performing, you will either say "Allahu Akbar" and stand up and go over the cycles again (Dhuhr (four cycles), Asr (four cycles), Maghrib (three cycles) and Isha (four cycles), or as for the Fajr prayer (two cycles) you will remain seated after the tashahud and recite Assalatul-Ibrahimiyah.

(NOTE: This might be too cumbersome for you initially, so, I suggest you memorise the tashahud alone initially, then when you have memorised it well enough, you can proceed to memorise the Assalatul-Ibrahimiyah).

(Assalatul-Ibrahimiyah:

"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin            “O Allah, let Your mercy come upon Muhammad

Wa 'ala ali Muhammadin                                 and the family of Muhammad

Kama sallaita 'ala Ibrahima                             as You let it come upon Ibrahim

wa 'ala ali Ibrahima                                           and the family of Ibrahim

wa barik 'ala Muhammadin                             O Allah, bless Muhammad

wa 'ala ali Muhammadin                                  and the family of Muhammad

Kama barakta ' ala Ibrahima                          as You blessed Ibrahim

Wa ' ala ali Ibrahima                                         and the family of Ibrahim.

Fil a'lamina Innaka                                           Truly You are

hamidun Majid."                                               Praiseworthy and Glorious.”

 

After this say silently: "Allahumma inni a'udhu bika min adhabi jahanam wamin adhabil qabri wamin sharri fitnatil mahya wal mamat wamin sharri fitnatil masihid dajjaal. Rabbi-ghfir li waliwalidayya, rabbi-rhamhuma kama rabbayani saghira."

 

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.

This means: “O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the torment of the Hellfire, from the torment of the grave, from the trials and afflictions of life and death, and from the deception of the False-Christ. O my Lord! Grant me and my parents forgiveness, and bestow Your mercy upon them, just as they brought zme up when I was small.”)

After the tashahud (and the Assalatul Ibrahimyah), turn your face to the right, saying: "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" (peace and the mercy of Allah be on you) and then turn your face to the left and repeat the same words. This completes the two-raka'ah Salah.

 

*In the four raka'ah Salah's, the imam won't recite Surah Al-Fatiha (if you're praying in congregation), so you'll have to recite it yourself silently. Silently enough for you to hear, but not loud enough for the person beside you to hear.

* After reading this, the best thing to do (and the easiest way to learn) is to go to a mosque (like I did) while they are praying, then stand in the distance and watch them. Or just go to the internet and download a video of someone praying (I'd really love to do a video for you, but I can't do that now). Anyways, all you have to do is continue to learn. Keep learning! But don't just learn alone, also put it into practice and gain experience on the various fields!

* ( and ) stand for things that are not entirely necessary when you're first starting off, but you should incorporate them as time goes by.