Introduction

This is a brief discussion on the components of prayer. I make dua to Allah that He accepts this from us and guides us to the straight path Ameen.

This article will be looking at the components of prayer from the angle of prostration of forgetfulness to complement each other and to broaden this subject further.

Prostration of forgetfulness is done for three reasons;

a)      For adding something in the prayer

b)      For decreasing something in the prayer

c)       For forgetting something in the prayer

We will discuss this further inshallah when explaining each aspect of the prayer and how can one do mistake in them and then how to rectify the mistake.

Components of the prayer:

A pray consists of 4 aspects;

1. Shuroot (pre-requisites)

2. Arkaan (pillars)

3. Waajibat (obligations)

4. Sunnan (recommended acts)

In case of committing a mistake in the prayer, the method of correcting the mistake by doing prostration of forgetfulness will differ according to the place where the mistake took place because each of those four aspects differs in their rulings. We will elaborate on that later on inshAllah.

For our own satisfaction, you should try to memorise these four categories inshAllah because it will help you in performing the prayer correctly by not missing any of the important actions.

Shuroot:

These need to be fulfilled before starting the prayer. They remain with you until you complete the prayer. If any one of these are missing either before or during the prayer then your prayer is invalid. Some of them can be excused due to a valid reason which we will discuss later on inshAllah.

Its ruling:

If you forget to do any one of these during or before the prayer then your prayer has not been accepted and it should be prayed again.

Its contents:

There are 8 actions;

1. Islam

2. Puberty

3. Sanity

4. Entrance of prayer time; thus prayer is not accepted before its time has not entered

5. Purification; this has three aspects

 a) Making ablution

 b) The clothes must be free from any impurity

 c) The place should be free from impurity

6. Covering oneself; the man should cover himself from shoulders to knees    and woman must cover their body completely except for face and hands. Uncovering the feet has some dispute so it’s better to be on the safe side and cover them.

7. Facing the Qiblah

8. Making intention; in the heart before starting the prayer as every act of worship has to have intention. However, the prayer has no specific intention to be recited; it is rather in the heart and not upon the tongue which is an innovation.

Arkaan

These are pillars of prayer. Without them the prayer is incomplete.

Its ruling:

In the event of missing a pillar, the person has to make it up after making tasleem and then complete that rakah again by making two prostrations of forgetfulness in the end. An example;

A person forgets to make two prostrations in the first rakat of fajr prayer. He accidently stands up before making the second sajdah. Obviously he cannot sit down to make it up because now he has moved on to next part of the prayer. Hence, for his prayer to be completed he has to finish his current prayer and then after making tasleem, he should stand up and pray just that single rakat in which he missed making two sujood. After he makes the tasleem, he has to do two extra sujood for the prostration of forgetfulness to complete the prayer.

Its contents:

There are sixteen pillars;

1. Standing position; i.e. before making the takbeer the person should be in a standing position  for the one who can. If he is not in a standing position then his prayer is not counted. An example is when people rush to catch the imam in ruku, they quickly say takbeer without being in a standing position. In such cases, their prayer is not counted because to stand straight is a pillar of prayer

2. Saying takbeera tul ahraam; which is Allahu Akbar

3. Reciting surah Faatiha; this is if you are alone. If you are behind the imam then his recitation is sufficient for you. However, the scholars have disagreed on this point. If you deem reciting is obligatory for the imam and the follower then you should do so and there is no sin on the one who does not follow this opinion.

4. Making ruku; the back should be parallel to the ground and straight like a ruler. The palms should rest upon the knees

5. Having tranquility whilst in Ruku; to the amount of saying Subhana Rabi al'azeem once.

6. Coming up from the ruku; whilst the back is straight

7. Having tranquility whilst standing from ruku; to the amount to say Rabbana walakal Hamd

8. Making two sujud; it should be made on 7 bones. two feets, two hands, two knees and forehead with nose. This means that each of these parts should be confirmly put on the ground.

9. Having tranqulity whilst in sujood; so that you can say Subhana Rabi al A'laa once. The sunnah is to read it thrice but minmum is once.   

10. Sitting between the sujud

11. Having tranqulity between the two sujud; the extent that your back is straight

12. Sitting for the final rakat

13. Saying at-tahiyatu lillahi til the end

التحيات لله، سلام عليك أيها النبيُّ ورحمة الله وبركاته، سلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وأنَّ محمدًا رسول الله

14. Sending Salam upon the Prophet i.e Allahumma sali ala muhammed wa ala aali muhammed till the end.

15. Giving salams; Assalamu aliekum wa rahmatullah

16. Performing them in their correct order; i.e. the order must not be missed.