The external etiquettes of prayer refer to the aspects that must be observed outwardly while performing the prayer. Stay with Saed News to learn more about this topic.
What Are the External Obligations of Prayer?
“Adab” (etiquette) is the plural of “adab” and refers to appropriate behaviors and speech. The conditions and etiquettes of prayer can generally be divided into two main categories:
Traits and qualities the worshipper should possess before beginning prayer.
The etiquettes and conditions that a true worshipper must observe during the prayer itself.
Moderation in recitation, piety and avoidance of sin, charity and almsgiving, and obedience to the Prophet and his family are among the etiquettes of prayer.
Taking ablution (wudu) and having a clean body is fundamental. The worshipper's clothing must also be clean.
If someone knowingly prays with a ritually impure body or clothing, their prayer is invalid.
If they were unaware of the impurity and discover it after the prayer, the prayer is valid.
However, if they had known of the impurity and had forgotten, then prayed in that state, the prayer is invalid.
The prayer location must meet several conditions:
It must be permissible (not usurped),
Stable (not moving),
Ritually pure (not najis),
The position of the forehead should not be more than four fingers higher or lower than the knees.
A male worshipper must cover his private parts.
A female must cover her entire body except the round face, hands, and feet up to the ankles.
Prayers must be directed toward the Kaaba.
If a person is far from it, facing in its general direction suffices.
All recommended (nafl) prayers are performed in two-unit segments except the final unit of the night prayer (Witr).
There are 11 obligatory acts in prayer:
Niyyah (intention)
Qiyam (standing)
Takbirat al-Ihram (opening declaration)
Ruku (bowing)
Sujood (prostration)
Recitation of Surah al-Hamd and another surah
Dhikr (remembrance) like the ruku or sujood supplications
Tashahhud (testimony)
Salam (salutation)
Tartib (order)
Muwalat (continuity)
The first five are called the pillars (arkaan) of prayer. If any of them are added to or omitted intentionally or unintentionally, the prayer is invalid.
For the non-pillar elements, only intentional omission or addition invalidates the prayer.
Stand calmly facing the qiblah and make the intention for the prayer.
Saying "Allahu Akbar" while raising both hands to the ears (known as raf' al-yadayn).
In the first two units of obligatory daily prayers: Surah al-Hamd and, as a precaution, a complete second surah.
In the third and fourth units: Either only Surah al-Hamd or the tasbihat al-arba'ah once (preferably three times):
“Subḥānallāh, wal-ḥamdu lillāh, wa lā ilāha illallāh, wallāhu akbar.”
(Glory be to God, all praise belongs to God, there is no god but Allah, and God is the Greatest.)
After the recitation, go into ruku and recite the appropriate dhikr.
After ruku, stand, then go into sujood and recite the prescribed supplication.
In the final unit of prayer, after the two prostrations, recite the tashahhud while seated.
In two-unit prayers (e.g., Fajr), say the salam after tashahhud to conclude the prayer.
In three-unit (e.g., Maghrib) or four-unit prayers (e.g., Dhuhr):
After tashahhud in the second unit, rise and recite the tasbihat in place of the surahs, complete the ruku and sujood, and then follow the same procedure as above for the remaining units until the final tashahhud and salam.
In addition to the outward form of prayer, it has an inward truth, which comes with its own spiritual etiquette.
Neglecting outward obligations like ritual purity, valid wudu, and proper pronunciation leads to the invalidation or imperfection of the outward form.
Similarly, neglecting inward or spiritual etiquettes can invalidate or diminish the spiritual value of the prayer.
Thus, observing both the external and internal etiquettes of prayer is essential, as only such prayer is accepted by God.
Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:
“One who performs his obligatory prayer at the beginning of its time and observes its limits, an angel takes it to the heavens white and pure, and the prayer says to the worshipper: May God protect you just as you protected me...
But one who delays his prayer without excuse and neglects its limits, the angel raises it dark and gloomy, and the prayer says to the worshipper: You ruined me, may God ruin you just as you ruined me.”
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