Fiqh of Salat with worksheets

Fiqh of Salat
SALAT: The second pillar of Islam.
Salat or the prescribed prayer has been mentioned in the holy Qur’an as an essential
characteristic of a true believer. Prayer, salat helps us get rid of sins; inclines us more and
more towards God and godly things and so gradually purifies us. We as Muslims pray to
Allah five times a day.
Prayer or Salat is normally held in a place dedicated to Divine worship called a mosque but it
may be held anywhere. The only requirement for a place of Prayer is that the place chosen is
clean.
The Holy Prophet PBUH has said:
“The earth has been purified for me and has been declared a mosque”
(Muslim Kit−a bul Mas−a jid, Bukh−a r−i Kit−a bul Tayammum)
Prayer brings man closer to the creator. We should always make sure to set aside a time for
resting and sleeping, a time for studying and sports but most importantly should set aside
time for Allah.
The worshipper tries to imitate God in his most excellent attributes and is constantly
transformed from a lowly and worldly person to a highly noble and sublime servant of God.
Prayer is indeed a sure and well-tried prescription for the purity of the heart and soul. It is
through salat alone that we are able to establish a living communion with Allah.
The Promised Messiah (as) has advised that;
“One should pray to God Almighty during the Prayer in one's own language as praying
in one's own language brings humility and fervour.
(Malf−u z−a t, Vol. 9, p
55)
Islamic Prayer thus plays an important role in the life of a Muslim and in the spiritual and
moral upbringing of the individual therefore before commencing Salat there are essential
conditions which should be observed:
1. Timing.
The Prayers should be performed at their appropriate time and preferably in congregation. It
is very strongly advised and preferred that Prayers should be generally offered at the
beginning of their respective times and should not be delayed until the time is about to run
out. However, if it is impossible for the afternoon Prayer to be offered at its proper time, it is
permissible to combine the Zuhr and ‘Asr Prayers. The Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ Prayers may also
be combined if necessary.
2. Physical cleanliness and purity (depending on the situation a shower or ablution or
Tayammum
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3. The prayer mat should be clean and pure.
4. The worshiper should be adequately covered.
5. Qiblah (one should face Ka’aba). However, if during a journey and when travelling, if
oneself fails to determine the direction of Ka’aba or is unable to face towards the
Ka’aba because of illness, for it for it is beyond ones capacity to do so, then one is
not obliged to face the Qiblah.
6. Declaration of intention (declaration should specify what kind or part of Salat is it to
be).
7. Ablution wadhu, it is necessary to perform before Salat. This is a condition which
must be fulfilled. The word ablution applies to washing some parts of the body
preparatory to the performance of prayer.
When Adhan is being called out, it is important not to speak and instead to listen to the
Adhan and on completion the worshipper should recite the following prayer:
Salat or Prayer, consists of various postures, i.e. Standing called−a
Qiym, Bowing down
called Ruk−u, Prostration called Sajdah and Sitting called Qa‘dah . During each posture
prescribed, phrases are to be recited. As these phrases are in Arabic, every Muslim is
required not only to memorize these verses but also to know their meaning so that the
worshipper knows what he is saying to his Lord during the Prayer.
Holy Prophet SAW has directed that when children reach the age of seven, parents should
urge them to be regular in their Prayers’ and when they reach the age of ten; they must be
admonished if they fail to.
The prescribed Prayer has three parts: Fard, Sunnah, and Naw
−a fil. Fard and Sunnah are
obligatory Prayers while Naw−a fil are voluntary Prayers.
Obligatory Prayers
a) Fard: These are enjoined by Allah. The Fard Prayers should be offered in congregation
with an Imam leading the Prayers, preferably in a mosque
b) Sunnah: These were offered regularly by The Holy Prophet SAW in addition to Prayers
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Forbidden times of Prayer
It is to be remembered that at the time of sunrise, sunset and when the sun is at its zenith, it
is forbidden to offer Prayers. Also, after the ‘Asr Prayer has been performed, no optional
Prayer should be offered between that time and the time of sunset. Likewise, after the Fajr
Prayer has been
Performed, no optional Prayer should be offered between that time and the time of the
rising of sun.
Prayer should not be offered at
In a dirty place, a salty place (beaches), on roads, or on footpaths.
Facing an open door
In a place where a fire is burning or in front of a fire or oil lamp
In front of a picture of an animal or human being
In front of an open book be it the Qur'an
In front of a grave or in a cemetery
In front of a person who is facing you
Whilst waiting for the imam to start the prayer it is important to incline one’s mind to God
almighty and intention to prayer. One can recite Durood-sharif within one’s mind.
When offering prayer in congregation, the rows must be perfectly straight and the
worshippers should stand shoulder to shoulder but in no way in a position to interfere with
each other’s prayer. The holy prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was very
particular about the straightness of rows.
A person should always start the row from the middle, and other worshippers should stand
on the right and left side in-order to complete a row. After one row is complete the 2nd row
should be filled accordingly.
When preparing for congregational prayer it is also essential for a person to not eat
something that would have a lasting smell, as this can convert the attention of other
worshippers and thus lose their attention off payer. It is also good to apply light perfume to
oneself.
On conclusion of prayer one should incline themselves to Tasbih and not start talking to
others besides them. It is also inappropriate to start getting up and leaving straight after the
prayer has concluded.
In conclusion Mosque is a place of worship; therefore, it is important not to make any noise
in it which might disturb worshippers in their supplications, it is also essential to remain quite
so that others whom are still offering prayer do not get disturbed due to the noise and avoid
walking in front or over the worshipper in order to leave the prayer area
Nasirat Secretary for each Majalis should prepare more TASK SHEET for Nasirat and
encourage them to take part in other activities.
Reference taken from:
“Salat” By Attaul Majeeb Rashid Sahib, Imam Musjid Fazal
“Welcome to Ahmadiyya- The true Islam”: website: AlIslam.org
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Task Sheet 1:
Fill in the blanks
Fard Prayers:
Sunnah Prayers:
Fajr has _______ rakaats.
Zuhr has _______rakaats.
Asr has ________rakaats.
Maghrib has ________rakaats.
Ishaa' has __________rakaats.
Fajr has _______ rakaats.
Zuhr has _______rakaats.
Asr has ________rakaats.
Maghrib has ________rakaats.
Ishaa' has __________rakaats
2, 4, 4, 3, 4,
Prayer should not be offered at:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
4. __________________________________________________
5. __________________________________________________
6. __________________________________________________
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Task Sheet 2:
Colour and write down the movements of Salat:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:
H:
Qiyam, Thana, Ruku, Sajdah, Qa‘da
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Task Sheet 3:
True or False: Circle either “T” for True or “F” for False.
1. The word for ‘prayers’ in Arabic is Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Ishaa.
TF
2. Salat nourishes our bodies just as food nourishes our souls.
TF
Multiple Choices: Circle the letter of the best answer.
1. In what state should we be when we perform our salat?
a) We should be relaxed.
b) We should be humble.
c) We should be proud.
2. If we perform our salat in the way it should be performed, what will it do to
our hearts?
a) Our exhausted and restless hearts will find peace and comfort.
b) Our soft and tender hearts will become hard and stiff.
c) Our hearts will go on beating forever and ever until the Day of Judgment.
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Task sheet 4:
Short Answer Questions: Answer the following questions.
1:
Write down two reasons why salat is important in Islam?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2:
How is “Tayammum” performed?
3:
Towards which direction do Muslims face during Salat?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
4:
What are the “Forbidden times of Prayer”?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
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Task sheet 5:
Write down the meaning of each Ayat twice
A. Bismilla hir Rahmanir Rahim
B. In the name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful.
1.
_________________________________________________________________
______________
2.________________________________________________________________
________________
B. Al hamdu lil lahi Rabbil Alamin.
Praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds.
1.________________________________________________________________
________________
2.________________________________________________________________
_____________
C. Ar Rahmanir Rahim
The Gracious, The Merciful.
1.________________________________________________________________
_____________
2.________________________________________________________________
__________
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Task sheet 6 :
Using white tissue paper make a scarf which a girl would use to cover herself
also draw a Prayer Mat.
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DID YOU KNOW!
Fajr Prayer:
From True Dawn up to Sunrise.
Zuhr and Asr Prayer:
From Midday Noon up to Sunset.
Maghrib and Ishaa Prayer:
From the time the sun sets (the redness in the sky disappears) up to Midnight.
GOLDEN RULES OF PRAYER
Timing.
Although Allah has given us so much time in which to pray BUT we should try to
pray as soon as the time sets in for that prayer, because we cannot wait to
thank Allah in the way He likes us to, for all the wonderful things He has given
us.
Physical cleanliness and purity (depending on the situation a shower or
ablution or Tayammum).
The prayer mat should be clean and pure.
Girls must wear their scarf and be covered before they say their prayer.
Always make sure your scarf is rightly placed and does not slip off your head.
Qiblah (one should face Ka’aba). If during a journey and when travelling,
if you don’t know the correct direction of Ka’aba or are unable to face, then you
are not obliged to face the Qiblah.
Before you start to say your prayer, you must know which prayer you are
about to say.
Ablution wadhu, you must
perform wadhu before prayer, this is a
condition which must be fulfilled. Girls, who attend classes or any other event in
the mosque, must ensure they perform wadhu before their prayer.
Whilst waiting for the prayer to begin, it is important to that you should
have mind to God almighty and intention to prayer. You should recite Duroodsharif within your mind.
When offering prayer in congregation, the rows must be perfectly
straight and you should stand shoulder to shoulder but in no way in a position to
interfere with each other’s prayer.
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The holy prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was very
particular about the straightness of rows.
A person should always start the row from the middle, and other
worshippers should stand on the right and left side in-order to complete a row.
After one row is complete the 2nd row should be filled accordingly.
When preparing for congregational prayer it is also important for a
person to not eat something that would have a lasting smell, as this can convert
the attention of other worshippers and may lose their attention off payer. It is
also good to apply light perfume to oneself.
Once you have said your prayer, you should say Tasbih and not start
talking to others besides you or should not start getting up and leaving straight
after the prayer has concluded.
Girls who are prohibited (excluded) from prayer must sit quietly inside
the mosque at the back so they don’t disturb other worshipers.
Mosque is dedicated to Divine worship and we must always respect
mosques and things in the mosque, whether it is the prayer mat, chairs, or
books.
No running, playing or talking is allowed whilst the prayer time or when
you see someone saying their prayer. Always be polite to each other.
No eating, drinking and chewing gums are allowed in the mosque
Everyone must place their shoes in the shoe stand so the others do not
trip over the shoes.
Mosques should be respected and one must spend their time Thanking
Allah the almighty for all that he has provided for us.
During a journey and when travelling, if you fail to determine the
direction of Ka’aba or are unable to face towards the Ka’aba, then you may say
your prayer the way you are travelling
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.Task sheet:
How many Golden rules can you remember?
Create A3 poster of Golden rules, be creative, draw, paint or even sew.
Can you think of more golden rules? Discuss with Nasirat Secretar
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