The prayer is the pillar of Islam and the most direct connection between a servant and their Creator. This first lesson in the series on the Prophet’s prayer establishes the foundational principles that every Muslim must understand before they can pray correctly.
The Principle of Following Authentic Evidence
All four great schools of Islamic thought, founded by Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Al-Shafi’i, Imam Malik, and Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, share one essential principle that every Muslim should know and apply.
“If the hadith is authentic, then it is my school of thought. This was the shared statement of all four imams, showing that following the Prophet’s actual practice takes priority over any later scholarly interpretation.”
Beginning the Prayer
The prayer starts with Takbirat al-Ihram, the opening declaration of “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). This is not merely a phrase but a profound act of entering into a sacred state of worship:
- The hands are raised as the takbir is pronounced
- The eyes should remain focused on the place of prostration
- The worshipper should not look around or become distracted
- Particular supplications are made before beginning the recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed his companions to pray exactly as they saw him pray. This series breaks down every element of the prophetic prayer so that Muslims can fulfill this command with confidence and correctness. There is no act of worship more important than the five daily prayers, and performing them properly is the key to spiritual success in this life and the next.
