SUTRA

Before a person starts to pray he should place something at a short distance in front of him on the place where he prostrates (does Sajdah). Such an object is called SUTRA and is used when the person is praying alone. A person passing in front of the person in prayer, should pass on the outside of the sutra.

If someone is praying in congregation, then the imam acts as the sutra. The imam, however, must have his own individual sutra in front of him.

QlBLAH

Wherever a person is in the world, he should face towards the Ka’bah when he is going to pray. The Ka’bah is in the sacred mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Facing towards Qiblah (Ka’bah) is a very important condition of performance of prayer. However, if the person is in a place such as a desert, jungle, unknown strange city or a place where he does not know the direction of the Qiblah, he should try his best to find out the direction of Qiblah from others. However, if it is not possible then he should use his judgment and face in a direction which he thinks is that of Qiblah and Allah(swt) will accept his prayer.

It is important to start the prayer facing the direction of Qiblah and it does not matter if his direction changes while he is praying e.g. in a ship, a train or an airplane etc.

NOTE: Nowadays, a compass is available which gives the direction of Qiblah. In strange places and airplanes it is a useful instrument to possess.

INTENTION (Niy’at)

After facing the Qiblah the person should make niyat (intention). The intention is made within his mind, so the person should think about the particular obligatory, optional or nafl prayer he intends to perform. He should not utter the words of niyat aloud, as this is not authentic or approved by the Prophet(saw).

TAKBIR TAHRIMAH

After making niyat the person should start his prayer saying "Allahu akbar" (Allah is the greatest) raising both of his hands to the shoulders, with fingers stretching to the earlobes. He should then fold his hands over his chest right hand over the left hand. This first "Allahu Akbar" is called Takbir Tahrimah because after saying Takbir Tahrimah every common and worldly action, talk or movement is forbidden. Throughout the prayer the eyes of the worshipper should point to the spot where the forehead rests in Sajdah.

WHERE SHOULD THE HANDS BE FOLDED AND PLACED AFTER SAYING TAKBIR TAHRIMAH?

Some people place their hands under the navel, others place them under the chest but there are hadiths which state that Prophet Muhammad(saw) used to place his hands over his chest.

a) Halb Ata’ee(ra) reported: "l saw the Prophet(saw) placing his right hand over his left hand over his chest" (Ahmad, Tirmizi).

b) Wa’il b. Hajr(ra) said: "I prayed with Prophet Muhammad(saw) and he put his right hand over his left hand over his chest."(Ibn Khuzaimah, Abu Dawud, Muslim).

There are some other narration’s which state that some Fuqah used to place their hands under the chest but above the navel.

Placing the hands in either of these-positions is correct but it is better to place them over the chest according to the practice of Prophet Muhammad(saw) as mentioned in the above authentic hadiths.

RECITATION BEFORE FATIHAH

There are several du’as which Prophet Muhammad(saw) used to recite before Fatihah. We will mention one of them. 

" Subhana Kallah humma wabi hamdika watabara kasmuka wata’ala jad-duka wala ilaha ghayruk."

"Glory be to you, O Allah, and all praises are due unto you and blessed is your name and high is your majesty and none it worthy of worship but you."

TA’AHWUZ

Then the person who is praying should say :-

" A’uzu bil-lahi minash Shayt’a nir-rajeem."

"I seek Allah’s protection from satan who is accursed."

This should only be said in the first rakat.

TASMIAH

Then the person who is praying should say :-

"Bismillah hir-rahma nir-raheem. "

"In the name of Allah, the most gracious and the most merciful."

This should be said in every rakat before reciting surah Fatihah.