salahdin
Junior Member
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
The Conditions, Pillars
and Requirements of
the Prayer
By Imam Muhammad bin
Abdil-Wahhaab [D. 1206H]
THE PILLARS OF THE PRAYER
The pillars of the prayer are fourteen: (1) Standing, if one has the ability to do so; (2)
The opening Takbeer; (3) Reciting Surah Al-Faatihah; (4) Bowing; (5) Rising from
Bowing; (6) Prostrating on all seven limbs;10 (7) Erecting oneself from it; (8) Sitting
between the two prostrations; (9) Remaining tranquil (i.e. not rushing) during all of
these pillars; (10) Maintaining the same sequence; (11) the Final Tashahhud; (12)
Sitting for it; (13) Sending Salaat on the Prophet; and (14) the (final) two Tasleems.
The First Pillar: Standing if one is able to do so. The proof for this is Allaah’s
statement:
“Guard strictly the prayers, especially the middle one. And stand before Allaah
with full submission.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 238]
The Second Pillar: The Opening Takbeer. The proof for this is the hadeeth: “Its
opening11 is the Takbeer (saying Allaahu Akbar) and its closing12 is the Tasleem
(Saying As-Salaam ‘Alaikum).”13 After this occurs the opening supplication, which is
supererogatory, and goes: “Subhaanak Allaahumma wa Bi-Hamdika. Wa
Tabaarakasmaka wa Ta’aala Jadduka. Wa Laa Ilaaha Ghayruka.” [Free from
imperfections are You, O Allaah, and all praise is Yours. Blessed is Your Name and
there is no deity worthy of worship besides You]
The meaning of “Subhaanak Allaahumma” is: I absolve You from all imperfections in
a manner that befits Your majesty. “Wa Bi-Hamdika” i.e. while praising You. “Wa
Tabaarakasmaka” i.e. blessing can be attained by mentioning You. “wa Ta’aala
10 Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wasallam)
said: “I have been
ordered to prostrate on seven limbs: on the forehead – and he pointed to his nose – the (palms of
the) hands, the knees and the toes of the feet.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]
11 Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahreem”, which has been translated as
opening, but which more specifically means that which makes something forbidden. This is since with
the opening Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become forbidden, as one is now in
prayer.
12 Translator’s Note: The word used in the hadeeth is “Tahleel”, which has been translated as closing,
but which more specifically means to make something permissible. This is since with the closing
Takbeer, the common actions of speaking and eating become permitted again, as one is now out of
prayer.
13 Reported by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee, Ahmad and Al-Bazaar
“The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer”
9
Jadduka” i.e. Glorified be Your Greatness. “Wa Laa Ilaaha Ghayruk” i.e. There is
nothing that has the right to be worshipped on the earth or in the heaven except You,
O Allaah.
Then he says: “A’udhoo Billaahi min ash-Shaytaan-ir-Rajeem” (I seek refuge in
Allaah from the rejected devil), i.e. “A’udhoo” means I seek refuge and recourse in
You and rely on You, O Allaah. “Min ash-Shaytaan-ir-Rajeem” means the outcast,
the one who is far removed from Allaah’s mercy. He cannot harm me in my religion or
in my worldly affairs.
The Third Pillar: Then there occurs the recitation of Surah Al-Faatihah, which is a
pillar, in every rak’ah (unit), as occurs in the hadeeth: “There is no prayer for the one
who doesn’t recite the opening (chapter) of the Book.” It is the foundation of the
Qur’aan.
“Bismillaah-ir-Rahmaan-ir-Raheem” (In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful,
Bestower of Mercy) is a request for blessing and assistance.
“Al-Hamdulillaah” (All praise is for Allaah): “Hamd” means praise. The definite
article (Al) before Hamd is for including all the commendable acts He does. As for the
good thing that one has no role in bringing about, such as beauty and so on, then
praising that is called madah and not hamd.
“Rabb-il-‘Aalameen” (Lord of all that is created): Rabb means the One who is
worshipped, the Creator, the Sustainer, the King, the One who administers and brings
up all of the creation through His favors. With regard to ‘Aalameen, everything that is
apart from Allaah then that is considered ‘Aalam. He is the Lord of everyone and
everything.
“Ar-Rahmaan” (The Most Merciful): means He grants a general mercy for all of the
created beings.
“Ar-Raheem” (The Bestower of Mercy): means He gives a specified mercy for just the
believers. The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:
“And He is ever an All-Bestower of mercy to the believers.” [Surah Al-Ahzaab: 43]
“The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer”
10
“Maaliki-Yawm-id-Deen” (Master of the Day of Judgement): refers to the Day of
Reward, Recompense and Accountability, the Day when everyone will be
compensated for his deeds – if they are good, then there will be good (for him) and if
they were evil, then there will be evil (for him). The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:
“And what will make you know what the Day of Recompense is? Again, what will
make you know what the Day of Recompense is? (It will be) The Day when no
person shall have power (to do anything) for another, and the decision that Day
will be wholly with Allaah.” [Surah Al-Infitaar: 17-19]
There is also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “The shrewd
person is the one who subjects himself and works for what comes after death.
And the feeble person is the one who allows his soul to follow its vain desires,
while aspiring for Allaah to grant his ambitions.” 14
“Iyyaaka Na’budu” (You alone do we worship): meaning we don’t worship anyone
except You. This is a covenant between the servant and his Lord that he will not
worship anyone besides Him.
“Wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een” (And in You alone do we seek assistance): This is a
covenant between the servant and his Lord that he will not seek the assistance of
anyone besides Allaah.
“Ihdinaas-Siraat-al-Mustaqeem” (Guide us to the Straight Path) means direct us,
show us the way and keep us firm on as-Siraat (the Path), meaning Islaam. It is also
believed that it refers to the Messenger and likewise that it refers the Qur’aan. All of
these meanings are true. What is meant by Mustaqeem (Straight) is that which has no
deviations in it.
“Siraat-aladheena An’amta ‘alayhim” (The Path of those You bestowed Your Favor
on): meaning the way of those who have received your Bounty. The proof for this is
Allaah’s saying:
14 Reported by Ahmad, At-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah and Al-Haakim
“The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer”
11
“And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger, then they will be in the
company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Favor, such as the
prophets, the first to believe (in the prophets), the martyrs and the righteous.
And how excellent these companions are!” [Surah An-Nisaa: 69]
“Ghayr-il-Maghdoobi ‘alayhim” (Not those who earned Your Anger): They are the
Jews since they have knowledge but do not act on it. We ask Allaah to protect you
from their way.
“Wa laad-Daalleen” {Nor of those who went astray): This refers to the Christians, who
worship Allaah based on ignorance and misguidance. We ask Allaah to protect you
from their way. The proof for those who went astray is Allaah’s saying:
“Say: Shall we inform you of the greatest losers with respect to their deeds?
Those whose efforts have been wasted in this life, while they thought they were
acquiring good by their deeds.” [Surah Al-Kahf: 103-105]
And there is also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “You will
indeed follow the ways of those who came before you, in exactly the same
manner, to the point that if they were to enter the hole of a lizard, you would also
enter it.” They said: “O Messenger of Allaah, do you mean the Jews and the
Christians?” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Who else?” Al-Bukhaaree and
Muslim reported it.
And the second hadeeth is: “The Jews split up into seventy-one sects and the
Christians split up into seventy-two sects. And this ummah (of Muslims) will
split up into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Hellfire except for
one.” They said: “Who are they O Messenger of Allaah?” He (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi
“The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer”
12
wa sallam) said: “Those who are upon the same way that I and my Companions
are upon.”
The Fourth Pillar: Bowing
The Fifth Pillar: Rising from the bowing position
The Sixth Pillar: Prostrating on one’s seven limbs.
The Seventh Pillar: Erecting oneself from that
The Eighth Pillar: Sitting between the two prostrations. The proof for these (last five)
pillars is Allaah’s statement:
“O you who believe! Bow and prostrate (in prayer).” [Surah Al-Hajj: 77]
And also the hadeeth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam): “I was ordered to
prostrate on seven body limbs.” 15
The Ninth Pillar: Being in a state of tranquility during all of the acts.
The Tenth Pillar: Following a sequential order between these pillars. The proof for
these (i.e. last two pillars) is the hadeeth about the man who prayed badly, narrated by
Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “One day we were sitting with the
Prophet when a man entered and prayed. [Then he rose from prayer] and greeted the
Prophet with Salaam. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) told him: ‘Go
back and pray for you have not prayed.’ This occurred three times, and finally the
man said: ‘I swear by the One who sent you as a prophet in truth, I cannot do better
than this, so teach me (the correct way to pray).’ So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam) said: ‘When you get up to pray, say the Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar). Then
recite what is easy for you from the Qur’aan. Then bow until you feel tranquility
bowing. Then rise until you feel tranquil standing. Then prostrate until you feel
tranquility whilst prostrating. Then rise from it until you feel tranquility sitting.
Then do this in all of your prayers.’”
15 Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim
“The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer”
13
The Eleventh and Twelfth Pillar: The final Tashahhud is an obligatory pillar, as is
stated in the hadeeth reported by Ibn Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu), who said: “Before
the tashahhud was made obligatory on us, we would say: ‘As-Salaamu ‘alaaAllaahi
min ‘Ibaadihi. As-Salaamu ‘alaa Jibreel wa Mikaa’eel.’ [Peace be on Allaah from
His servants. Peace be on Jibreel and Mikaa’eel]. So the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi
wa sallam) said: ‘Do not say: Peace (Salaam) be on Allaah, for indeed Allaah, He
is As-Salaam. Instead say: At-Tahiyyaatu Lillaahi was-Salawaatu wat-Tayyibaat.
As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh. As-
Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘Ibaadillaahis-Saaliheen. Ash-hadu an Laa Ilaaha
IllaaAllaah wa Ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluh.’16” 17
The meaning of “At-Tahiyyaat” is that all of the glorifications are for Allaah, who
possesses and deserves that, such as the acts of inclining, bowing, prostrating,
remaining and continuing (in the acts of prayer). Everything for which the Lord of
creation is glorified due to, then that belongs to Allaah. So whoever directs any part of
that (glorification) to other than Allaah, he is a polytheist, disbeliever.
“As-Salawaat” means all of the supplications. It is also held that it refers to the five
daily prayers.
“wat-Tayyibaat”: Allaah is Tayyib (good), He does not accept any of the sayings or
actions except for those that are tayyib (good).
“As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh” means
that you are supplicating for the Prophet to have safety, mercy and blessing. The one
who is supplicated for is not being supplicated to along with Allaah. 18
“As-Salaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘Ibaadillaahis-Saaliheen” means you are sending
Salaam (peace) upon yourself and to every righteous servant in the heaven and the
earth.
16 Translator’s Note: This means “All acts of praise, supplications, and good are for Allaah. Peace
be on you O Prophet, and also the mercy and blessings of Allaah. Peace be on us, and on the
righteous slaves of Allaah. I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except Allaah
and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.”
17 Reported by Al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh
18 Translator’s Note: According to the hadeeth of Ibn Mas’ood (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) reported in Al-
Bukhaaree and Muslim, the Companions would say: “As-Salaamu ‘alaan-Nabee” [Peace be on the
Prophet] instead of “As-Salaamu ‘alayka ayyuhaan-Nabee” [Peace be on you O Prophet] after the
Prophet died, mentioning him (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) in the third person. Refer to “The Prophet’s
Prayer Described” by Imam Al-Albaanee for a discussion on this.
“The Conditions, Pillars and Requirements of the Prayer”
14
“Salaam” is for the supplication. “Saaliheen” is for those who are being supplicated
for, and they are not being supplicated to along with Allaah.
“Ash-hadu an Laa Ilaaha IllaaAllaah wahdahu laa Shareeka Lahu”: You testify with
a certain testimony that no one in the heaven and the earth has the right to be
worshipped except Allaah. And your testimony that Muhammad is the Messenger of
Allaah means that he is a slave (worshipper of Allaah) who is not to be worshipped,
and a messenger who is not to be rejected. Rather, he is to be obeyed and followed.
Allaah honored him with granting him the station of servitude (i.e. that he worships
Allaah). The proof for this is Allaah’s statement:
\
“Blessed be the One who sent the Criterion to His slave so that He may be a
warner for the creation.” [Surah Al-Furqaan: 1]
The Thirteenth and Fourteenth Pillar: “Allaahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa
‘alaa Aali Muhammadin kamaa Salayta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa Aali
Ibraaheema Innaka Hameedun Majeed.” The meaning of Salaat from Allaah is His
praising of His servant in the greatest of gatherings, as has been reported by Al-
Bukhaaree in his Saheeh from Abul-‘Aaliyah who said: “The Salaat of Allaah means
His praise for His servant in the highest of gatherings (i.e. angels).” It is also held that
Salaat means mercy. But the first definition is more correct. As for the Salaat when it
comes from the angels, then it means: Asking for forgiveness. And from the humans, it
means supplication. Asking for blessing of Muhammad