Part 5

1. Washing the entire face once (including rinsing of the mouth and cleaning of nostrils.

2. Washing each arm up to the elbows once.

3. Wiping the whole head once by wiping wet hands from the hairline to the nape of the neck and back.

4. Washing both feet up to the ankles.

5. Ensuring that the above (4) acts are performed in the given sequence.

6. Performing the wudu actions continuously and without unnecessary until completion.

MATTERS THAT INVALIDATE THE wudu

The person will remain in a state of wudu until any of the following matters is committed.

1. Passing of excrement, urine or wind. When someone passes urine and/or excrement, it becomes mandatory upon such person to remove the filthiness of these things before performing wudu. Clean water should be used for this purpose. The person may also resort to the use of certain dry objects, such as stones, dry wood or tissue to remove the filth. This is known as "Istijmaar". While using these dry objects, it is preferable to use them in odd numbers, such as 3 or 5 etc., The person should ensure that no drops of urine of stains of foulness remain on his/her body or clothes.

2. However, in the case of persons afflicted with permanent wetting, or frequent passing of wind and women suffering from prolonged flows of blood, such persons are required to perform wudu only once, immediately before the start of prayer. Their wudu would remain valid, even if the above problems occur, while that person is in the middle of prayer.

3. Eating of camel's meat.

4. Sleeping, during which a person loses consciousness.

5. Loss of consciousness from insanity, fainting, etc.

6. Touching of sexual organs intentionally, directly and when naked or unclothed.

THE EARTH (SOIL) TO BE USED FOR AT-TAYAMMUM

Tayammum is ritual purification with clean earth, soil, sand or stone.

1. The person should first intend by heart to perform alTayammum.

2. Strike the soil with the palms of both hands.

3. Wipe the face using both palms once.

4. Thereafter, the person uses the left palm to wipe the back of the right hand up to the wrist, and then uses the right palm to wipe over the back of left hand up to the wrist.

CIRCUMSTANCES WHEN GHUSL (OBLIGATORY BATH) IS REQUIRED

1. After the discharge of semen, as a result of stimulation whether asleep or awake, (i.e. in wet dream). This state is known as "JUNUB" in Arabic. If no wetness is traced in one's clothing, bathing is not obligatory. But, in case wetness or moistness is found without recalling any dream, ghusl becomes obligatory.

2. After sexual intercourse (or the mere coming together of the sexual organs of the man and woman, even though there may be no actual ejaculation), ghusl is obligatory.

3. A woman has to perform ghusl, after the menstrual period.

4. A woman has to perform ghusl, 40 days after childbirth or after child delivery.

5. When a disbeliever newly embraces Islam, he has to perform ghusl. 6. When a Muslim dies, ghusl is required for him/her.

Both the essential and voluntary acts are now integrated here below to demonstrate how the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to perform the ghusl:

I. Intend by heart to perform ghusl - and say Bismillah.

B. Wash both hands up to the wrists three times.

C. Wash one's sex organs.

D. Perform wudu as usual in the manner already prescribed, except that the washing of feet would be delayed until later, when the rest of the body is bathed.

E. Pour water over the head three times, massaging the hair to allow the water to reach its roots.

F. Pour water liberally over the entire body, starting with the right side and then the left, ensuring that no part of the body is left untouched by water, including armpits, inside the earlobes, inside the navel, between fingers and toes etc.,

1. A woman performs ghusl just as the man does, except that if she has plaited hair, she need not undo it. She only needs to throw three handfuls of water over her head.

2. After completing the ghusl a person may recite the supplication for concluding the ghusl, which should be recited after completing wudu.

3. When water is just nearby, but the person could not fetch it due to fear for his/her life, family and wealth (e.g. danger from beasts or lawless human beings in the vicinity) then, Tayammum can be performed.

4. When there is not enough water and one is forced to save what is available for drinking and/or cooking, then Tayammum is allowed.

The prayer has obligatory pillars which must be fulfilled for its validity, and these are as follows: 1. Al-Qiyaam - prayer is to be performed in a standing position if a person is physically capable. 2. Takbeerat-ul-Ihraam, that is saying "ALLAHU AKBAR", at the commencement of the prayer. 3. Al-Fatihah - The recital of the opening chapter of the Holy Quran in every Raka'a. 4. Rukuu' - this is the bowing posture wherein the head and back are positioned on the same level and both hands are rested on the knees with the fingers spread apart. 5. Raising up from rukuu' position. 6. It is required to stand up from the rukuu' position in such a way that the person feels that all his/her backbones are straightened. 7. Sujuud - Prostrating oneself in such a way that the following seven parts of the body are firmly placed on the ground. i.e. forehead together with the tip of the nose, both palms, both knees, the bottom surface of toes of both feet. 8. Raising the head from the Sujuud position. 9. It is required to sit upright during the pause between the two prostrations. 10. Taking a sitting position for the recitation of "At-Tashahud". 11. Recitation of "At-Tashahud" - words of witness. 12. Reciting the words of supplication for the Prophet (Peace be upon him) 13. Conclude the prayer with the words of peace "Tasleem". i.e. "Assalamu Aleykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu." 14. While fulfilling the above pillars of salaat, the person should be in a state of tranquillity. if any of them is missed, it is required to repeat the whole Raka'ah (Unit) in which the pillar was omitted. But if the Takbeerat-ul-Ihraam - (the first Takbeer that initiates you to the prayer), is omitted, then it becomes necessary to repeat the whole salaat.

1. Acceptance of Islamic Faith - disbelievers are not required to perform Salaat until they believe in Allah (SWT) and bear witness that there is no God but Allah and bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His Messenger.

2. An-Niyyah - In Arabic, it means intention by heart to perform the particular prayer.

3. Cleanliness - This includes cleanliness of the body, the worn cloth and the place where the prayer is performed.

4. Purification - this refers to the performance of wudu (or Ghusl as the case maybe) prior to undertaking the prayer.

5. Clothes and concealing of the 'Awrah - For man, it is essential that he be covered at least from navel to the knees all around, while in the case of a woman, her body should be totally covered except for the face and hands up to the wrists. But if there are men around, she should cover her body totally including the face and wrists.

6. Facing the "Qiblah" - A person who prays, must face towards the direction of the sacred mosque in Makkah. If a person is in a strange place, and is not in a position to find out the right direction of Qiblah, he/she can make the best guess of the Qiblah and perform the prayer.

7. Timing - prayers are to be observed at the prescribed times.

NECESSARY DUTIES OF SALAAT (WAAJIBAATU-SALAAT) AND HOW TO RECITE "TASHAHHUD"

In addition to the proceeding 14 pillars of prayer, there are also certain necessary duties, which need to be fulfilled in the course of the salaat. They are as follows:

1. All Takbeers except Takbeerat ul-Ihram. 2. Saying " SUBHANAA RABBIYAL ATHEEM", (once) in Rukuu position. 3. Saying "SAMI ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDAH"(once) while resuming standing position from the Rukuu, whether the person is an "Imam" - leading the prayer or is praying alone. 4. Saying "RABBANA WALAKAL HAMD" (once) after resuming the standing position from the Rukuu. This is required from the Imam, from the congregation and also when the person is praying alone. 5. Saying "SUBHANA RABBIYAL A'LAA" (once) when in Sujuud (Prostration) position. 6. Saying "RABB IGHFIR LEE" in the sitting lull between the two prostrations of every unit of the prayer. 7. Taking a sitting position on the recitation of the first Tashahhud at the end of first two rakaats (units) of Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers. 8. Reciting the Al-Tashahhud (words of witness) after the end of first two rakaats of Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers.

The above 8 acts constitute the necessary duties of the prayer and if one of them is missed unintentionally, then the person is required to correct the mistake by performing two prostrations of forgetfulness at the end of the prayer. However, if any of these duties is left out deliberately, then the whole prayer is nullified and shall require a repetition.

"Al-tahiyatu lillahi wasalawaatu watayyibaatu, Assalaamu alayka ayyuha-n-nabiyyu wa rah-matullahi wa barakaatuhu. Assalaamu alayna wa 'alaa ibadi-l-laahi-s-saalihiyn. Ash-hadu al-laa-ilaaha ill-allahu wa ashahadu anna Muhammadan abdoho wa rasooluhu. Allahumma salli ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad, kama sallayta ala Ibrahima wa aali Ibrahim. Innaka Hameedon Majid. Wa baarik ala Muhammad wa ala aali Muhammad kama baarakta ala Ibrahima was ala aali Ibrahima. Innaka Hameedon Majid."

THIS MEANS: "Greetings, prayers and the good things of life belong to Allah. Peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be on you, O Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger. O Allah, bless Muhammad and his family as You blessed Ibrahim and his family. You are the Most Praised, the Most Glorious."

PREFERRED ACTS OF salah (SUNNA NUS-salah)

1. Saying the opening supplication (Dua al Istiftah) - "Subhaanaka Allahumma Wabe Hamdika Watabarak Ismaka Wata'ala jadduka Wala Ilaha Ghairuka" The meaning is: Praise and Glory be to Allah, Blessed be your name, Exalted be your Majesty and Glory. There is no God but you. 2. Put one's right hand over his left hand and put them both over his chest while standing. 3. Raise one's hands up to the level of shoulders or near the lobes of his ears in the following cases: i. Declaring: Takbeer al Ihram" ii. Bows in Rukuu. iii. Raising from the position of Rukuu. iv. Standing up after reciting the first Tashahud.

4. Saying more than one time "Subhana Rabbi al Atheem" in the Rukuu. 5. Stating "Ameen" upon concluding the recitation of "AlFatihah". 6. Remarking "Aoothu billahi Mi-nas-Shaytani-r-rajeem. Bismillahi-rRahmani-rRaheem." 7. Proclaiming more than one time "Rabbi ighfir li", while taking a pause between the two prostrations. (Sujuud) 8. Keeping one's head and back level while bowing for Rukuu. 9. Should neither bring his hands close to his sides, nor stick his abdomen to his thighs, in the prostration position. 10. Elbows should be raised from the ground, while in prostration. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said "and stretch not your hands on the ground as dogs." 11. Laying one's left foot flat on the ground and sitting upon it keeping his right foot erect while, b. Pausing between two prostrations; iii. in the last Tashahhud if the prayer consists of Two rakaa e.g. Dawn prayer 12. ATTAWARRUK - It is position of sitting, wherein the person protrudes out his left foot from underneath his right leg, in such way that the person rests the left buttock on the floor. It is preferred to practise this, when sitting for the final Tashahud in the Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib and Isha prayers.