A Prayer Time I-Cal maker

I was trying to sort out my schedule one morning, and I thought "wouldn't it be splendid if there was a way to put the prayer times on my iCal calendar?" A quick google search later and I found this:


http://praytimes-ics.appspot.com/

It's an extremely simple webapp that you enter your location into, choose your calculation method, and click which feed type you want! The calendar will download to your Mac, then all you have to do is click on it and it'll put itself into iCal! :D

A Prayer App Idea

I had this idea for an app the other day, I think it'd be cool if someone made it. 


In Fiqh us Sunnah, we are told that the entire world is a masjid to us. A hadith was quoted which goes:


"Abu Zharr asked the Prophet, "What was the first mosque on the earth?" He said: "The Masjid al-Haram [in Makkah]." Abu Zharr asked: "which is the next oldest mosque?" The Prophet sallallahu alehi wassalam said: "The al-Aqsa Mosque." Abu Zharr asked: "How much time was there between [the building of the two]." The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam replied: "Forty years." Then, he said: "Wherever you may be, at the time of salah, you may pray for it [the earth] is all a mosque." This is related by the group."


Also, there's hadith floating around that say that the earth will testify against us. A quote I found supporting this goes:


Al-Tabarani narrated on the authority of Rabi'ah al-Jarashi: "Protect [yourselves] from the earth for it is your mother and there is no one who does any act, good or eveil, except that it will tell about [it]."


(from http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showthread.php?14744-Why-do-pray-sunnah-in-a-diiferent-spot-from-where-we-prayed-fard&s=d76dc9d354a714958718a7281924cd8a)


So we can pray anywhere (as long as the area meets the cleanliness requirements), and the very ground we prayed on will testify that we have prayed there. So my idea was for an app that allows a person to save the coordinates of the place they prayed, a picture of the place, and a note about it (which prayer they did at what time and so on) and put it in an album that can be shared online! They'll be able to see (in Google Maps or such) all the places they prayed and (when sharing) all the places that other users have prayed. That way they can work together to cover the world in prayer, and find places that they haven't prayed in before. 


I think it's kinda neat too because it'll encourage people to pray in really unique places. I think the strangest place I ever prayed was on top of a watermill out in the countryside in the middle east. It was such a serene little building. Props to the person who prays at the north pole! :D 

How to Give a Khutba

Last friday, it happened that all of the guys who usually give the khutba were unable to attend Jumaa. The result was everybody sitting around waiting for 45 minutes because no one knew if they were coming or where they were. Finally, one of the older men got someone to give the sermon. A thought then occurred to me: what if they had asked me to do it? 


Okay, it's a little bit more complicated than that. It starts with deciding who is best to be Imam:


Selecting an Imam


Imam selection is done in the following order:


a) The person who knows the most Quran
b) The person who knows the most sunnah
c) The person who performed the migration (hajj?) first
d) The person who is the eldest


Who can be imam? (I was going to list them as they were given in Fiqh us Sunnah, but I changed my mind) Instead, I'll tell you whose imamate is NOT acceptable:


Someone who has a health problem which does not allow him to remain in a state of purity should not be an Imam for people who don't have this problem. 


Okay, so it turns out you're the most qualified to be the Imam, now what?


1) Greet the people when you come to the pulpit, and take a seat. A simple "Salam-alaykom" should do. Then ask someone to give the adhan. 
2) Stand up, and start the khutba off by praising Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAW) used to say:


"All praise be to Allah, we seek His aid and we seek His forgiveness and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls. Whomever Allah guides, no one will be able to mislead him. Whoever He leaves astray will have no guidance. And I testify that there is no God except Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His Messenger whom He sent with the truth and as a warner before the Hour. Whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger will be guided aright, and whoever disobeys them will only harm his own self and he will not harm Allah, the Exalted, at all."


3) Give the first khutba. The khutba should be a bit short, or as long as it usually is in your place of prayer. Remember, the purpose of the khutba is to encourage people to do good, and warn them about the consequences of wrongdoing. Fiqh us-Sunnah says to admonish (warn) the congregation, but I feel too much warning, doom and gloom will make them resent the religion. I think the ideal khutba, from my own experience, has a healthy mix of Quran, hadith, arabic wording, talk of reward, and talk of punishment, while providing the congregation with information they can use instantly. Of course, I always enjoy a good story too. ;)


4) According to islamicity.com, conclude the first khutba by inviting everyone to make a supplication (dua) to Allah (SWT), and sitting down. 


5) *brief pause for supplications* in my local masjid, we use a bit of time after duas to give some announcements.


6) The second Khutba. Start off again by praising Allah (SWT) and sending peace and blessings upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW), then reiterate what was discussed in the first khutba, summarizing and generally ensuring that the audience really understands the message.


7) The supplication before the prayer, say the following, pausing after each to allow the congregation to say "Ameen" (translations in blue)


"Allahuma’ Eghfir Lil’ Muslimeena wal Muslimat"
"Almighty God, forgive the Muslim men and women"


"Wal Moumineena wal Mouminaat"
"And the believing men and women"


"Al-Ahya’ee minhum wal amwat"
"Those who area live and those who died"


"Innaka samee’un mujibul dawat"
"You are indeed the One who listens and accepts all supplications"


Now you can add any additional supplications you like, such as praying for muslims in another part of the world. 


8) Conclude the khutba by saying:

"Ibada Allah: inna Allah Ya’amuru Bil Aadli wal Ihsan, wa Ita’ee Zil Qurbaa, wa yanhaa anil fahshaa’ee wal munkaree wal bagh’yi. Ya’Izukum La’allakum tazakkaroon"

"Servants of Allah: indeed Allah orders us to be just and to excel in what we do, be generous and to take care of our kin and relatives, never do what is forbidden of all sins and not to transgress. He almighty advises you so you can remember."

9) Ask the muezzin to call the iqamah to start the prayer:

"Aqimi Salah, innaa asalata tanha anil fahshaa’ee wal munker" 

(no translation, sorry :( ) 

10) Begin the salat.

Congratulations! You survived giving a khutba! 
For more information, check out:


http://www.islamicity.com/library/Articles/Khutba_GuideLine.htm

Comic: Whispers

There are these hilarious and sometimes entirely inappropriate comics online that usually centre around funny situations that happen to all of us. They made a way of making these comics, so I'm going to try my hand at them. This is my first attempt.

*DISCLAIMER*

THESE COMICS ARE PURELY FOR ENTERTAINMENT AND FOR US ALL TO HAVE A LAUGH OVER STUFF THAT HAPPENS TO ALL OF US AS MUSLIMS. THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE EDUCATIONAL. 

Khanzab

So there you are, doing your duhur,  you're making your way through your prayer, coming up from sujuud and into the second rukaa. You start going through your Al Fatiha and deciding which Surat your going to recite, but you can't for the life of you remember where you heard that line before. You know, the one....some guy was saying it....he was in a movie, and you think there was a motorcycle chase. Man, motorcycle chases are awesome, but they're so unrealistic. I wonder how hard it is to get a motorcycle licence. How would the instructor teach you? Would they sit behind you? That would be so awkward. I'm pretty awkward, I should fix that. I wonder if I should whiten my teeth today? I don't even know if those white strips are working, maybe I should stop drinking coffee, I heard it stains teeth. Aw man, I want Timmies now! I think I'll get a cup after this....wait...how did I get here? Okay, my head was on the ground....then I came up...I'm sitting now..so I must have done two bows....so now I recite Tashhaddud..no...I need to go down one more time...what if I don't? should I just add another rukaa? Or do the prostrations of forgetfulness? maybe I should just start over....no I don't need to...




If you said yes (come on, I know you have :P ), then YOU my friend, have had a good little chat with your fiend and mine: Khanzab. Khanzab is a devil responsible for screwing over our prayers. Distracting us with stuff until we have no idea how many rukaa's we've prayed. AND MAN IS IT IRRITATING. 


So what do you do? How do you cast him out? Well, according to this hadith:


“Oh Rasūlullah! The Shaytān comes between me and my prayers and my recitation, confusing me therein.” Rasūlullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “That is a shaytān that is called khanzab¹. If he affects you seek refuge in Allah  from him and spit drily to your left three times.” The companion said, I did that and Allāh took him away from me.
(Narrated by Muslim, 4083)


you simply spit on your left 3 times. Now, I'm not going to argue with hadith, that's what it says, okay try that. Personally, I have my own little techniques. 


THIS IS MY OWN INFORMATION, THIS IS WHAT I DO, IT HAS NO BASIS IN RELIGION, SO I DON'T GUARANTEE IT'S RIGHT AND WON'T GET YOU IN TROUBLE WITH THE LORD.


Technique 1) My first technique to keep my count during prayers was just that. As I start each rukaa, I imagine a number drawn in a strange way. Some way I'll remember (for rukaa 4, the 4 was usually the Fantastic 4 symbol :P). That way, if I lost count, I would just remember the numbers I've thought of and how they looked.


Technique 2) Count something. for me, it was usually corners of the prayer mat, but if there's something within your immediate field of view (specs of dust on the carpet, or something that doesn't require you to look around a whole lot). Again, if I lost count of the numbers of rukaa's, I'd just look for the things I counted.


Technique 3) This is my newest one, and probably the least likely to get you in trouble. In your mind, ask for a different thing in each rukaa, and each time you bow. For example, in rukaa 1 maybe ask for help improving your character, in 2: forgiveness, 3: cheesecake, 4: get out of debt. And stick with it, only change them up every few months (or after you've got what you asked for). That way you'll learn that if you just finished asking for cheescake, you're heading into rukaa 4. 


Good luck! 

Supplication after Recitation

Before this weeks post, I would like to mention that uni is starting to tighten it's grip around my throat and I've run out of buffer articles. I'm going to try my best to keep updating every friday, but if I miss a day, don't crucify me. haha, crucify. Religious humor. ANYWAY.


I was browsing through the book "The Ways of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)" by Arif Billah, Dr. Muhamad Abdul Hai Aarfi (GREAT book by the way, I recommend it) when I came upon a section titled:


Du'a (supplication) at the Time of Completing the Recitation of the Quran Receives an Answer


It goes on to say that it is reported in traditions that a special mercy of Allah (SWT) descends at the time when one completes the recitation of the Quran, and that it was the usual practice of the companions that, upon completion of Quranic Recitation, they would sit and pray together. Sayyidina Hasan (RA) would even go and bring his family members to join him in prayer. 


So I figured, hey! That sounds like a good idea! And started reciting. I read it out loud, from transliterated arabic (i.e english lettering of the arabic pronunciation), but you'll probably get a more points if you read it in arabic from arabic text. I finished in about 30 days (new high score! Actually, only high score. I've never actually read it front to back in any language before). Upon completion, I sat down and made my supplications. I finished it so quickly, because I had something very specific in mind that I wanted to ask for, and in case you were wondering, yes, my supplication did get answered. :P

Duha Prayer

 Abu Dharr reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: In the morning charity is due from every bone in the body of every one of you. Every utterance of Allah's glorification is an act of charity. Every utterance of praise of Him is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Oneness is an act of charity, every utterance of profession of His Greatness is an act of charity, enjoining good is an act ofcharity, forbidding what is distreputable is an act of charity, and two rak'ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.  (Book #004, Hadith #1557)

Ahmad and Abu Daw'ud record from Buraidah that the Prophet (SAW) said: In a human (body) there are 360 joints and man must perform an act of charity for each one." The people said: "Who can do that, O Messenger of Allah?" He responded: "One may cover the mucus that one finds in the masjid or remove something harmful from the road. If one cannot do that, he can pray two rak'ahs of Duha and that will be sufficient for him". (Fiqh us Sunnah)

So, as you can no doubt see, we are pretty much expected to do Duha prayer. 

It's time: From when the sun is about a spears length above the horizon until the sun reaches it's meridian. Preferrably delay it until the sun has risen high, and the day has become hot. So, in english about an hour after sunrise until about an hour before duhr should be good. 

The number of Rakaa's: The previous hadith mention doing two, which is the minimum number, but, you can pray as much as you like really. (See Fiqh us Sunnah).

And that's it! Wasn't that easy?

Tahajjud, the late night prayers, or as I like to call it: the H-bomb of prayers.

I'm sure you've read about the benefits and recommendations of staying up late, or waking up late to pray. If not, here are a few:

Surat 25: Al-Furqan

63) And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they  reply back with mild words of gentleness.

64)  And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing.

Surat 51: Al-Dhariyat

15) Verily, the Muttaqun (the pious. See V.2:2) will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs (in the Paradise),

16) Taking joy in the things which their Lord has given them. Verily, they were before this Muhsinun (good-doers. See V.2:112).

17) They used to sleep but little by night [invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope].

18) And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness.

Verily, the rising by night (for tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allah). 
(  سورة المزمل  , Al-Muzzammil, Chapter #73, Verse #6)

And during night, prostrate yourself to Him (i.e. the offering of Maghrib and 'Isha' prayers), and glorify Him a long night through (i.e. tahajjud prayer). 
(  سورة الإنسان  , Al-Insan, Chapter #76, Verse #26)

So I am here today to tell you the whats and hows of this recommended prayer, so here's what you do:

1) You need to wake up, or plan to wake up. Waking up your family is recommended too.

Jabir reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who amongst you is afraid that he may not be able to get up at the end of the night should observe Witr (in the first part) and then sleep, and he who is confident of getting up and praying at night (i. e. tahajjud prayer) should observe it at the end of it, for the recitation at the end of the night is visited (by angels), and that is excellent.  (Book #004, Hadith#1651)

Also, Abu Ad-Darda has reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever goes to his bed with the intention of getting up and praying during the night, and sleep overcomes him until the morning comes, for him will be recorded what he had intended, and his sleep will be a charity for him from his Lord." (Fiqh us Sunnah)

The best time, of course, is during the last 3rd of the night:

Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith Qudsi]

2) Wipe your face, brush your teeth (Narrated Hudhaifa : Whenever the Prophet got up for tahajjud prayer he used to clean his mouth (and teeth) with Siwak.  (Book #21, Hadith #237)) , look to the sky and say:

There is no God but You. glory be to You. I seek forgiveness from You for my sins, and I ask for your mercy. O Allah, increase my knowledge and let my heart not swerve after you have guided me, and bestow upon me from Yourself. You are the Granter of bounties. All praise be to Allah who restored us to life after our death and unto Him is the resurrection. 

3) Whip out a copy of the Quran and recite the last 10 Ayahs of Surah Al-Imran, starting at #190.

4) Say:

O Allah, to You belongs the praise.

You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and what is therein.

And to You belongs the praise.

You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and whatever is therein.

To You belongs the praise.

You are the truth and Your promise is true.

And the meeting with You is true.

And Paradise is True.

And the Fire is true.

And the Prophets are true.

And Muhammad (SAW) is true.

And the Hour is true.

O Allah, to You have I submitted.

And in You have I believed. 

And in You have I put my trust.

And to You have I turned.

and by You I argue.

And to You do I turn for my decisions.

Forgive me my former and latter sins, and those done in private and those done in public. 

You are Allah, there is no God besides You.

5) Pray two quick Rak'ahs

Aishah says: "When the Prophet (SAW) prayed during the late night, he would begin his prayers with two quick rak'ahs." (Muslim)

Anas relates that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Prayer in my mosque is equal to ten thousand prayers (elsewhere). And prayer in the Sacred Mosque is equivalent to one hundred thousand prayers (elsewhere). And prayer in the battlefield is equivalent to one million prayers (elsewhere). And what is more than all of that is two rakahs by a servant (of Allah SWT) during the middle of the night. 

6) Pray whatever you'd like. 

There's no limit to the number of rakahs you can perform; tahajjud would count even if you just prayed one rak'ah of Witr, but whatever you pray, Witr should be the last payer. This means I'm going to have to explain what Witr is, doesn't it? 

Okay, without going in to great detail (and believe you me there is a lot of ways to do witr. In fact, I just found out I have been doing it wrong! ToT)

Right, for a 3 rukaa'd Witr, it's going to be just like any other prayer, except you don't sit for at-tahiyat in the second rukah: you just stand up again, and in the third rukah, there is a Quranic recitation after Al-Fatiha, and then there is a special dua called the Qunut to be said. So, from the beginning:

1) "Allahu Akbar"

2) Opening Dua

3) Al Fatiha

4)Quran

5) Bow

6) rise

7) Prostration 1

8) sit

9) Prostration 2

10) stand up

11) Al Fatiha

12) Quran

13) bow

14) rise

15) Prostration 1

16) sit

17) Prostration 2

18) STAND UP.

19) Al Fatiha

20) QURAN

21) Raise your hands and make takbir (say: "Allahu akbar")

22) Fold your arms like usual

23) Recite the Qunut:

"O Allah, guide me aright among those You guide aright,

and grant me health and pardon among those You grant health and pardon.

And care for me among those You care for

And bless me in what You have given

and protect me from the evil of what You have predestined.

You alone decrees, and none decrees against You.

He is not abased whom You befriend.

Blessed are You, O Lord and You are Most High.

And Allah's blessings be on (His) Prophet Muhammad (SAW)

24) Raise your hands and make takbir (say: "Allahu Akbar")

25) bow

26) rise

27) Prostration 1

28) sit

29) Prostration 2

30) sit

31) Finish the prayer (recite At-tahiyat and whatever else you normally do, then say the salams to the right and left.)

7) Recite:

Glory be to the Master, the Holy

Glory be to the Master, the Holy

Glory be to the Master, the Holy

Lord of the angels and the spirits

O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger.

And I seek refuge in Your granting well being from Your punishment.

And I seek refuge in You from You.

I cannot reckon Your praise: You are as You have praised Yourself.

8) Now that that's all done and finished with, I like to take this time to make Dua for whatever; good health, pass exams, forgiveness. If it's the last third of the night, and you did all that, I'd imagine you'd be in pretty good standing to have your prayers answered! :D

It Almost Makes You Wonder "Why Recite Anything Else?"

There is merit in memorizing Quran, quite a bit actually. It is the only method (I know of) that will allow you to actually move up in heaven once you are already there.

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: One who was devoted to the Qur'an will be told to recite, ascend and recite carefully as he recited carefully when he was in the world, for he will reach his abode when he comes to the last verse he recites. (Book #8, Hadith#1459)

So the more you know the higher you go.

Now, the Hadith says verses, which could be taken to mean either Surats or Ayats, but some are longer than others so I wonder how that factors in... at any rate, with a bit of math:

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS MY OWN MATH AND HAS NO BASIS IN HADITH OR QURAN.

• There are 18248 words in the Quran (http://www.searchtruth.com/showWords.php?translator=1), and 7 heavens. That gives 2607 words per level.
• There are 114 Surah's in the Quran, so: 17 surahs per level.
• There are 6349 ayat's in the Quran (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayah) (yes, wikipedia. :( ) so: 907 ayat per level.
• And actually, 113 of those are just "Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim" so: 891 ayat's per level.

More benefits (like Quranic intercession) found at: http://www.themodernreligion.com/basic/quran/quran-benefits.html

But let it be known that some Surat's are better than others. Surat Al-Ikhlas, for example, is worth 1/3 of the Quran:

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: The Prophet said to his companions, "Is it difficult for any of you to recite one third of the Qur'an in one night?" This suggestion was difficult for them so they said, "Who among us has the power to do so, O Allah's Apostle?" Allah Apostle replied: " Allah (the) One, the Self-Sufficient Master Whom all creatures need.' (surat Al-ikhlas 112.1--to the End) is equal to one third of the Qur'an." (Book #61, Hadith #534)

The two really worth mentioning are #99 (Al Zalzalah) and #100 (Al-Adiyat) as each one is worth half of the Quran:

The Prophet (sal Allau alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever recites Aadiyat, his reward equals one half of the Qur'an." [Hakim and Tirmidhi]

Abdullah Ibn Abbas (radi Allahu anhu) reported that the Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, "Whoever recites Surah Zalzalah (99) will get the reward of reciting half the Qur'an." [Tirmidhi]

And since it's sunnah to do Quranic recitation in 2 of the rukaa's of the daily prayers, you could have the reward of reciting the entire Quran five times (or more ;) ) every day for the rest of your life!! Then you'd just need to figure out how to work reciting the rest of the Quran into your day....

Prayer Etiquette

I'm a very light prayer; much like a light sleeper, it doesn't take much stimulus to distract me from my prayer and throw the entire thing off course. I also need to be able to hear myself when I pray or else I start mispronouncing the words. Unfortunately, sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in the world like that because in the event I have to pray with someone else in the room (I try my best not to, but sometimes the circumstances are out of my control (i.e like in a hotel room)), they don't seem to care that I'm trying to pray and they make all sorts of noises, snapping their fingers, laughing to themselves, or not bothering TO MUTE THE RUDDY TELEVISION FOR 7 MINUTES SO I CAN FOCUS!!!! >_<

On the flip side, it can be really irritating when someone is praying in a room and seem to completely oblivious to the fact that there are others in there who may be trying to focus on something themselves. Yes. We know you're praying. Good for you. Now keep it down, are you praying for show or what?

So here I've decided to come up with a list of prayer etiquette, both for the prayer and others who might be around.

If you see someone praying

• leave the room, let them be alone so they can focus and finish
• if you can't leave the room, move out of their sight and keep quiet until they are done.
• don't be constantly moving around them; it's distracting!!
• if you must talk with someone else in the room, talk like you're trying to evade death himself.
• MUTE THE T.V. Don't wind it down, MUTE IT. Humans are quite adept at understanding body language and facial expressions, you can last for 7 minutes!!!!
• Don't turn on machines that are going to make noise or change the room conditions unless it's for the better, like turning on the a/c when the room is stifling.

If you are going to pray with someone else in the room (because you can't find somewhere secluded)

• Keep your voice to a minimum, so that ONLY YOU can hear it. I know some prayers are supposed to be recited aloud, but seriously, if you want to recite aloud go somewhere else. Also, and usually for people who don't speak arabic as a first language, you're recitation might just annoy the heck out of those around you.
• Go a bit faster than you normally would. Not so fast that you're movements become jerky and the prayer is lost anyway, but just a bit faster so that everyone can get on with what they're doing.
• Don't pray where everyone is going to walk or might need to walk. Find a nice corner with something in front of you so that you're out of the way.
• Don't make a scene; it becomes so much easier to try and show off when there are people watching. Remember why you are praying.

If you are going to be praying in a room with another person who is also praying, but not with you.

• Follow all of the above rules that apply.
• Maybe keep your distance from each other.
• Don't race.
• Don't base your timings on them.

That's what I have so far, most of it is just common sense, but sometimes people can be remarkably inconsiderate.

Spice Up Your Salat

Most of us are taught how to pray by someone close to us, but usually, we are taught the simplest way to pray and we stick with that. I recently found out that during different parts of prayer there are a number of different things which can be said, some very short, some quite long. All of my information was obtained from "Fortress of the Muslim: Invocations from the Quran and Sunnah" by Darassalam publications (and they cite all their references, so no worries, check it out for yourself if you want). But here's what you can do (I tried putting it all in a table, but I couldn't do anything with the table after that, it was too big.)

1. Takbeeratul-Ihram

I. Allahu Akbar

· God is the Greatest

2. Opening Prayer

I. Allaahumma baa’id baynee wa bayna khataayaaya kamaa baa’adta baynalmashriqi walmaghribi, Allaahumma naqqinee min khataaayaaya kamaa yunaqqaththawbul-‘abyadhu minad-danasi, Allaahummaghsilnee min khataayaaya, bith-thalji walmaa’I walbarad.

· O Allah (SWT), separate me from my sins as You have separated the East from the West. O Allah (SWT), cleanse me of my transgressions as the white garment is cleansed of stains. O Allah (SWT), wash away my sins with ice and water and frost.

II. Subhaanaka Allahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaarakasmuka, wa ta’aalaa jadduka, wa laa ‘ilaaha ghayruka.

· Glory is to you O Allah (SWT), and praise. Blessed is Your name and exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You.

III. Wajjahtu wajhiya lillathee fatarassamaawaati wal’ardha haneefan wa maa ‘anaa minal-mushrikeen, ‘inna salaatee, wa nusukee, wa mahyaaya, wa mamaatee lillaahi Rabbil-‘aalameen, la shareeka lahu wa bithaalika ‘umirtu wa ‘anaa minal-muslimeen. Allaahumma ‘Antal-Maliku laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta. ‘Anta Rabbee wa ‘anaa ‘abduka, dhalamtu nafsee wa’taraftu bithanbee faghfir lee thunoobee jamee’an ‘innahu laa yaghfiruth-thunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta. Wahdinee li’ahsanil-‘akhlaaqi laa yahdee li’ahsanihaa ‘illaa ‘Anta, warif ‘annee sayyi’ahaa, laa yasrifu ‘annee sayyi’ahaa ‘illa ‘Anta, labbayka wa sa’dayka, walkhayru kulluhu biyadayka, washsharru laysa ‘ilayka, ‘anaa bika wa ‘ilayka, tabaarakta wa ta’aalayta, ‘astaghfiruka wa ‘atoobu ‘ilayka.

· I turn my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, as a true believer. I am not of those who associate partners with Allah (SWT). Verily, my prayer and my devotion, my living and my death, are for Allah (SWT), Lord of the worlds, He has no partners. Thus I have been commanded and I am among those who have submitted. O Allah (SWT), You are the King, there is none worthy of worship but You. You are my Lord and I am Your slave. I have wronged my own soul and confess my sin. Forgive all of my sins, surely none forgives sins but You. Guide me to the perfection of my character, for none guides to its perfection but You. Protect me from the evils of my character, for none may protect me from its evils but You. I am here at Your service. All goodness is in Your hands, and evil is not attributed to You. I am (created) by You, and I am (returning) to You. You are Most Blessed, Most Exalted. I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You.

IV. Allaahumma Rabba Jibraa’eela, wa Mikaa’eela, wa ‘Israafeela faatirassamaawaati wal’ardh, ‘Aalimal-ghaybi washshahaadati, ‘Anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibaadika feemaa kaanoo feehi yakhtalifoon. Ihdinee limakh-tulifa feehi minal-haqqi bi ‘ithnika ‘innaaka tahdee man tashaa’u ‘ilaa siraatim-mustaqeem.

· O Allah (SWT), Lord of Jibrail, Mikail and Israfil. Maker of the heavens and the earth. Knower of the unseen and the seen. You judge between Your slaves regarding that in which they differ. Guide me to the truth regarding that in which there is difference, by Your leave. Surely, You guide whomever You please to the straight path.

V. Allaahu ‘Akbar Kabeera, Allaahu ‘Allaahu ‘Akbar Kabeera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera, walhamdu lillaahi katheera,wa Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. Subhaanallaahi bukratan wa ‘aseela. ‘A’oothu billaahi minash-shaytaan min nafkhihi, wa nafhihi, wa hamzihi.

· Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great. Allah (SWT) is the Greatest, Most Great Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Praise is to Allah (SWT), abundantly. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. Glory is to Allah (SWT), at the break of day and at its end. I seek refuge in Allah (SWT) from satan. From his breath and from his voice and from his whisper.

VI. Allaahumma lakal-hamdu ‘Anta noorussamaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna, wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta qayyimus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna, [wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta Rabbus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna] [ wa lakal-hamdu laka mulkus-samaawaati wal’ardhi wa man feehinna] [ wa lakal-hamdu ‘Anta Malikus-samaawaati wal’ardhi] [ wa lakal-hamdu] [ ‘Antal-haqq, wa wa’dukal-haqq, wa qawlukal-haqq wa liqaa’ukal-haqq, waljannatu haqq, wannaaru haqq, wannabiyyoona haqq, wa Muhammadun (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) haqq, wassaa’atu haqq] [ Allaahumma laka ‘aslamtu, wa ‘alayka tawakkaltu, wa bika ‘aamantu, wa ‘ilayka ‘anabtu, wa bika khaasamtu, wa ‘ilayka haakamtu. Faghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘aasrartu, wa maa ‘a’lantu] [‘Antal-Muqaddimu, wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta] [ ‘Anta ‘ilaahee laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta].

· O Allah (SWT), praise is to You. You are the Light of the heavens and the earth and all that they contain. Praise is to You, You are the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all they contain. [ Praise is to You, You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all they contain.] [ Praise si to You, Yours is the dominion of the heavens and he earth and all they contain.] [ Praise is to You, You are the King of the heavens and the earth.] [ And praise is to You.] [ You are the Truth, Your Promise is true, Your Word is true, Your audience is true, Paradise is true, Hell is true, the Prophets are true, and Muhammad (SAW) is true, and the Hour of Judgement is true.] [ O Allah (SWT), to You I have submitted, and uon You I depend. I have believed in You and to You I turn in repentance. For Your sake I dispute and by Your standard I judge. Forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have declared.] [You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but You.] [ You are my God, there is none who has the right to be worshipped but You.]

3. Al-Fatiha

4. Quranic Recitation

5. Rukuu

I. Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem, Subhaana Rabbiyal-’Adheem, Subhaana Rabbiyal-‘Adheem

· Glory to my Lord the Exalted, Glory to my Lord the Exalted, Glory to my Lord the Exalted.

II. Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.

· Glory is to You, O Allah (SWT), our Lord, and praise is Yours. O Allah (SWT), forgive me.

III. Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbul-malaa’ikati warrooh.

· Glory (to You), Most Holy (are You), Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

IV. Allaahumma laka raka’tu, wa bika ‘aamantu, wa laka ‘aslamtu khasha’a laka sam’ee, wa basaree, wa kukhkhee, wa ‘adhmee, wa ‘asabee, wa mastaqalla bihi qadamee.

· O Allah (SWT), to You I bow and in You I believe and to You I have submitted. Before You my hearing is humbled, as is my sight, my mind, my bones, my nerves and what my feet have mounted upon.

V. Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa’I, wal’adhamati.

· Glory is to You, Master of power, dominion of majesty and greatness.

6. When Rising from Ruku

I. Sami’allaahu liman hamidah.

· Allah (SWT) hears whoever praises Him.

II. Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd, hamdan katheeran tayyiban mubaarakan feeh.

· Our Lord, praise is Yours, abundant, good and blessed praised.

III. Mil’as-samaawaati wa mil’al-‘ardhi wa maa baynahumaa, wa mil’a maa shi’ta min shay’in ba’d. ‘Ahlath-thanaa’I walmajdi, ‘ahaqqu ma qaalal-‘abdu, wa kullunaa laka ‘abdun. Allaahumma laa maani’a limaa ‘a’tayta, wa laa mu’tiya limaa mana’ta, wa laa yanfa’u thal-jaddi minkal-jadd.

· (A praise that) fills the heavens and the earth and what lies between them, and whatever else You please. (You Allah (SWT)) are most worthy of praise and majesty, and what the slave has said – we are all Your slaves. O Allah (SWT), there is none who can withhold what You give, and none may give what You have withheld. And the might of the mighty person cannot benefit him against You.

7. During Sujood

I. Subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa, subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa, subhaana Rabbiyal-A’laa

· Glory is to my Lord, the Most High, glory is to my Lord, the Most High, glory is to my Lord, the Most High.

II. Subhaanaka Allaahumma Rabbanaa wa bihamdika Allaahum-maghfir lee.

· Glory is to You, O Allah (SWT), our Lord, and praise is Yours. O Allah (SWT), forgive me

III. Subboohun, Quddoosun, Rabbulmalaa’ikati warrooh.

· Glory (to You), Most Holy (are You), Lord of the angels and the Spirit.

IV. Allaahumma laka sajadtu wa ‘aamantu, wa laka ‘aslamtu, sajada wajhiya lillathee khalaqahu, wa sawwarahu, wa shaqqa sam’ahu wa basarahu, tabaarakallahu ‘ahsanul-khaaliqeen.

· O Allah (SWT), to You I prostrate myself and in You I believe. To You I have submitted. My Face is prostrated to the One Who created it, fashioned it, and gave it hearing and sight. Blessed is Allah (SWT), the best of creators.

V. Subhaana thil-jabarooti, walmalakooti, walkibriyaa’I, wal’adhamati.

· Glory is to You, Master of power, of dominion, of majesty and greatness.

VI. Allaahum-maghfir lee thankbee kullahu, diqqahu wa jillahu, wa ‘awwalahu wa ‘aakhirahu wa ‘alaaniyatahu wa sirrahu

· O Allah (SWT), forgive me all my sins, great and small, the first and the last, those that are apparent and those that are hidden.

VII. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu biridhaaka min sakhatika, wa bimu’aafaatika min ‘uqoobatika wa ‘a’oothu bika minka, laa ‘uhsee thanaa’an ‘alayka ‘Anta kamaa ‘athnayta ‘alaa nafsika.

· O Allah (SWT), I seek protection in Your pleasure from Your anger, and I seek protection in Your forgivenss from Your punishment. I seek protection in You from You. I cannot count Your praises. You are as You have praised Yourself.

8. Between 2 Sujood

I. Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee.

· My Lord, forgive me. My Lord, forgive me.

II. Allaahum-maghfir lee, warhamnee, wahdinee, wajburnee, wa ‘aafinee, warzuqnee, warfa’nee.

· O Allah (SWT) forgive me, have mercy on me, guide me, support me, protect me, provide for me and elevate me.

9. During Tashahhud

I. Attahiyyaatu lillaahi wassalawaatu, wattayyibaatu, assalaamu ‘alayka ‘ayyuhan-Nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu, assalaamu ‘alaynaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahis-saaliheen. ‘Ash-hadu ‘an laa ‘ilaaha ‘illallaahu wa ‘ash-hadu ‘anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasooluhu

· All greetings of humility are for Allah (SWT), and all prayers and goodness. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah (SWT) and his blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous slaves of Allah (SWT). I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah (SWT), and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger.

10. Blessings on the Prophet (SAW) after Tashahhud

I. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘alli Muhammadin, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘Ibraheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema, ‘innaka hameedun Majeed. Alaahumma baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘aali Muhammadin, kamaa barakta ‘alaa ‘Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraaheema ‘innaka Hameedun Majeed.

· O Allah (SWT), bestow Your favor on Muhammad (SAW) and on the family of Muhammad (SAW) as You have bestowed Your favor on Ibrahim (AS) and on the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious. O Allah (SWT), bless Muhammad (SAW) and the family of Muhammad (SAW) as You have blessed Ibrahim (AS) and the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are Praiseworthy, Most Glorious.

II. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘azwaajihi wa thurriyatihi, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraaheema. Wa baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa ‘azwaajihi wa thurriyyatihi, kamaa barakta ‘alaa ‘aali ‘Ibraheema. ‘Innaka Hameedun Majeed.

· O Allah (SWT), bestow Your favor on Muhammad (SAW) and upon his wives and progeny as You have bestowed Your favor upon the family of Ibrahim (AS). And bless Muhammad (SAW) and his wives and progeny as You have blessed the family of Ibrahim (AS), You are full of praise, Most Glorious.

11. After the final Tashahhud and before ending the Prayer

I. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-aqbri wa min ‘athaabi jahannama, wa min fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati, wa min sharri fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaal.

· O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and from the punishment of Hell-fire, and from the trials of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the Anti-Christ.

II. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika min ‘athaabil-qabri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatil-maseehid-dajjaali, wa ‘a’oothu bika in fitnatil-mahyaa walmamaati. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-ma’thami walmaghrami

· O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and I seek refuge in You from the trial of the Anti-Christ, and I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death. O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in You from sin and from debt.

III. Allaahumma ‘innee dhalamtu nafsee dhulman katheeran, wa laa yaghfiruththunooba ‘illaa ‘Anta, faghfir lee maghfiratan min ‘indika warhamnee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.

· O Allah (SWT), I have greatly wronged myself and no one forgives sins but You. So, grant me forgiveness and have mercy on me. Surely You are Forgiving, Merciful.

IV. Allaahumma ‘a’innee ‘alaa thikrika, wa shukrika, wa husni ‘ibaadatika.

· O Allah (SWT), help me to remember You, to give You thanks, and to perform Your worship in the best manner.

V. Allaahum-maghfir lee maa qaddamtu, wa maa ‘akhkhartu, wa maa ‘asrartu, wa maa ‘a’lantu, wa maa ‘asraftu,wa maa ‘Anta ‘a’lamu bihi minnee. ‘Antal-Muqaddimu, wa ‘Antal-Mu’akhkhiru laa ‘ilaaha ‘illaa ‘Anta.

· O Allah (SWT), forgive me what I have sent before me and what I have left behind me, what I have concealed and what I have done openly, what I have done in excess, and what You are better aware of than I. You are the One Who sends forth and You are the One Who delays. There is none worthy of worship but You.

VI. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘a’oothu bika minal-bukhli, wa ‘a’oothu bika minal-jubni, wa ‘a’oothu bika min ‘an ‘uradda ‘ilaa ‘arthalil-‘umuri, wa ‘a’oothu bika min fitnatid-dunyaa wa’athaabil-qabri.

· O Allah, I seek Your protection from iserliness, I seek Your protection from cowardice, and I seek Your protection from being returned to feeble old age. I seek Your protection from the trials of this world and from the torment of the grave.

VII. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’alukal-jannata wa ‘a’oothu bika minan-naar.

· O Allah (SWT), I ask You for Paradise and seek Your protection from the Fire.

VIII. Allaahumma bi’ilmikal-ghayba wa qudratika ‘alal-khalqi ‘ahyinee maa ‘alimtal-hayaata khayran lee wa tawaffane ‘ithaa ‘alimtal-wafaata khayran lee, Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka khashyataka fil-ghaybi wash-shahaadati, wa ‘as’aluka kalimatal-haqqi fir-ridhaa walghadhabi, wa ‘aas’alukal-qasda fil-ghinaa walfaqri, wa ‘as’aluka na’eeman laa yanfadu, wa ‘as’aluka qurrata ‘aynin laa tanqati’u, wa ‘as’alukar-ridhaa ba’dal-qadhaa’I, wa ‘as’aluka bardal-‘ayshi ba’dal-mawti, wa ‘as’aluka laththatan-nadhari ‘ilaa wajhika wash-shawqa ‘ilaa liqaa’ika fe ghayri dharraa’a mudhirratin wa laa fitnatin mudhillatin, Allaahumma zayyinna bizeenatil-‘eemaani waj’alnaa hudaatan muhtadeen.

· O Allah (SWT), by Your knowledge of the unseen and by Your power over creation, let me live if You know that life is good for me, and let me die if You know that death is good for me. O Allah (SWT), I ask You to grant me fear of You in private and in public. I ask You for the word of truth in times of contentment and anger. I ask You for moderation in wealth and in poverty. I ask You for blessings never ceasing and the coolness of my eye that never ends. I ask You for pleasure after Your judgement and I ask You for the delight of gazing upon Your Face and the joy of meeting You without any harm and misleading trials befalling me. O Allah (SWT), dress us with the beauty of Faith, and make us guides who are upon (correct) guidance.

IX. Allaahumma ‘innee ‘as’aluka yaa Allaahu bi’annakal-Waahidul-‘Ahadus-Samadul-lathee, lam yalid wa lam yoolad, wal lam yakun lahu kufuwan ‘Ahad, ‘an taghfira lee thunoobee ‘innaka ‘Antal-Ghafoorur-Raheem.

· O Allah (SWT), I ask You. O Allah (SWT), You are the One, the Only, Self-Sufficient Master, Who was not begotten and getets not and none is equal to Him. Forgive me my sins, surely you are Forgiving, Merciful.