Learning to pray exactly as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed is one of the most important obligations upon every Muslim. This instructional guide walks through the key components of the obligatory prayers, drawing directly from the authentic hadith and the practice of the earliest generations of Muslims.
Following the Prophetic Method
The great imams of Islamic jurisprudence, including Abu Hanifa, Al-Shafi’i, Malik, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal, all agreed on one fundamental principle: when an authentic hadith is established regarding prayer, it takes precedence over any scholarly opinion.
“If the hadith is authentic, then it is my school of thought.” This was the shared principle of all four great imams of Islamic jurisprudence.
Essential Elements of Prayer
The prayer includes several key components that every Muslim should learn and perfect:
- Takbirat al-Ihram: The opening “Allahu Akbar” that begins the prayer, raising the hands and entering a state of sacred focus
- Surah Al-Fatihah: The opening chapter recited in every unit of prayer
- Ruku (bowing): The position of bowing with specific supplications
- The sitting position: Including the tashahhud and sending blessings upon the Prophet Ibrahim and Muhammad (peace be upon them)
- Seeking refuge: From the punishment of Hellfire, the punishment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the trial of the Antichrist
“O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hell, from the punishment of the grave, from the trials of life and death, and from the trial of the Antichrist.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Pray as you have seen me pray.” Learning the correct method of prayer is not optional. It is the foundation of our entire relationship with Allah.
