horrors of the Summons on the Day of Resurrection. Spare no time in
fully preparing yourself torespond. For those who hasten to answer
this call are the ones who will receive gentle summoning on the Day of
the Great Review. So review your hearts now; if you find it elated and
eager to respond, you can expect the Summons to bring you glad tidings
on the Day of Judgment. That is why the Prophet used to address Bilal
saying: "Delight us by the Prayer, O Bilal!"
Wudhoo' (Ablution)
When you perform ritual cleansing (Wudhoo' or Ghusl), make sure to
also tend to the cleanliness of your inner being, which lies at the
heart of all these. In cleaning your inner being, use in the place of
water repentance and remorse for your excesses, and a resolve not to
perpetrate them in the future. Thus you should cleanse your inner
being, for that is the place where your Lord will be looking.
Covering private parts
When in Prayer you make sure that certain parts of your body are
covered from the eyes of other humans. But you should also mind your
internal shameful spots, those unworthy secrets of your soul that are
beheld only by Allaah Almighty. Beware these faults and realize that
nothing will escape the sight of Allaah Almighty.
Facing the Qiblah
In this you turn your face away from all other directions and set it
toward the Ka'bah. But more important than that is to turn your heart
away from everything else other than Allaah Almighty, directing it
towards Allaah Almighty. This is the whole point of the practice!
Standing upright
This means holding oneself erect—in body and in spirit—in the presence
of Allaah Almighty. Your head which is the highest part of your body
should be bowed down as a reminder of the need to keep the heart meek
and humble, free of arrogance and pride.
Intention
When forming the intention, resolve to be responsive to AllaahAlmighty
by performing the Prayer in full conformity with His commands, by
doing it properly, by avoiding things that invalidateor detract from
its wholeness, and by doing all this for the sake of Allaah alone,
hoping for His reward and fearing His punishment, seeking His grace
and favor by His leave.
Takbeer
When making Takbeer (pronouncing the phrase: AllaahuAkbar to begin the
Prayer acts), your heart must be inundated with the meaning of
Takbeer. You should feel in your heart thatnothing whatsoever is
greater than Allaah Almighty.
Reciting the Quran
People fall in three categories when it comes to Quran recitation: (a)
those who move their tongues unconsciously (b) those who are conscious
of the movement of the tongue, understanding the meaning while
listening as if to a person outside themselves; this is the degree of
`those on the right', (c) those who start from awareness of the
meaning, then use the tongue to give expression to this inner
consciousness.
Bowing
Bowing (Rukoo') indicates a renewed affirmation of the supreme
greatness of Allaah Almighty. In bowing you confirm your
submissiveness and humility, striving to refine your inner feelings
through a fresh awareness of your own impotence and insignificance
before the might and grandeur ofyour Lord Almighty. To confirm this,
you seek the aid of your tongue, glorifying Allaah Almighty and
testifying repeatedly to His Supreme Majesty. Then you rise from
bowing, hopeful that He will be merciful towards you. To emphasize
this hope within you, you say: "Allaah hears those who give thanks to
Him." Acknowledging the need to express gratitude, you immediately
add: "Grateful praiseto You our Lord!"
Prostration
Then you go down in prostration.This is the utmost point of
submission, for when you prostrate you bring the noblest part of your
body—your face—down to meet the most lowly of all things, the dust of
theearth. When you place yourself in this position of lowliness, be
mindful of the fact that you belong there, from dust you werecreated
and to dust you shall return. At the same time you should renew your
inner awareness of Allaah's majesty, repeating: "Glory to my Lord
MostHigh!"
Sitting and testifying
When you sit to make the testimony (Tashahhud), sit decorously.
Declare that all the Prayers and good deeds you perform are for the
sake of AllaahAlmighty, and everything belongsto Him. Such is the
meaning of at-Tahiyyaat. Be inwardly aware of the Prophet, and of his
noble person, as you say: "Peace be upon you, O Prophet, as well as
Allaah's mercy and blessing." Be sure that he will return an even more
perfect greeting to you. Then salute yourself and all Allaah's
righteous servants. Then testify to the Unity of Allaah Almighty, and
to the mission of Prophet Muhammad .
End of Supplication
Make sure to supplicate at the end of your ritual Prayer and before
Tasleem, imploring and entreating with meekness and humility,
confidently hoping to be answered. Let your supplication include your
parentsand the other believers.
Salutation (Tasleem)
Finally, and with the intention of concluding your Prayer, address
your Tasleem to the angels and the others present. Feel a sense of
gratitude to Allaah Almighty for having enabled you to complete this
act of worship. Imagine that you are saying farewell to this Prayer of
yours, and that you may not live to make another one.
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