Part 1: Praise and Reminder
All praise is for Allah, Lord of the worlds, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate. He created us to worship Him, sent His messengers, and revealed His books to guide us. The greatest practical act of worship is standing before Allah in prayer. “Indeed, I am Allah; there is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.” [Al-Anbiya: 1]
The Prophet ﷺ found comfort and peace in prayer: “Prayer is the comfort of my eyes.” It is a blessing for the believer to pray on time. Neglecting prayer, delaying it or praying inconsistently is a major loss. Ibn Taymiyyah said missing a prayer until its time ends is greater than missing a fast in Ramadan. “Then there succeeded them generations who neglected prayer and followed their desires; they will meet destruction.” [Maryam: 59] Prayer is also the barrier between a person and disbelief: “Between a man and disbelief is abandoning prayer.” [Muslim] Not all prayers are equal; reward depends on the sincerity, focus and following the Prophet ﷺ.
Part 2: Standing in Prayer
- Always strive to pray standing if able.
- If physically unable, pray sitting; if sitting is impossible, pray on your side.
- Many pray sitting unnecessarily, reducing or nullifying reward.
“Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; if you cannot, then on your side.” [Bukhari]
Part 3: Khushu’ (Humility and Focus)
- Khushu’ is the heart’s submission and focus in prayer.
- Without it, prayer is like a lifeless body.
- Avoid distractions: phones, clocks, or worldly thoughts.
- Ibn al-Qayyim said: “Prayer without khushu’ is like a dead body without a soul.”
Prayer is your connection to Allah. Face Him with presence of heart.
Part 4: Correct Facing and Posture
- Every part of the body should face the Qibla, including feet, hands and head.
- During bowing (ruku’) and prostration (sujood), maintain correct angles and positions.
- Hands, back and head must follow Sunnah to be valid.
Part 5: Raising Hands (Takbeer) Properly
- Raise hands at the beginning of prayer, before bowing and after rising.
- Hands should be level with shoulders or ears, not exaggerated or too low.
- Improper raising reduces reward or invalidates part of prayer.
Part 6: Bowing (Ruku’) and Prostration (Sujood)
- Ruku’: Back must be straight; hands reach knees.
- Sujood: Seven body parts must touch the ground: forehead, nose, hands, knees and toes.
- Missing any part invalidates the prayer.
Part 7: Avoiding Mistakes in Voluntary Prayers (Nafl)
- Do not pray Nafl immediately after Fard without a short break.
- Change position or spot when praying Nafl to avoid confusion.
Part 8: Sutrah (Barrier)
- Always place a barrier in front when praying.
- Passing in front of a praying person without a sutrah is strongly prohibited.
“If the passerby knew what he was passing over, he would stand for forty units better than passing in front.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Part 9: Following the Imam
- Do not race the Imam in bowing, prostration or rising.
- Let the Imam lead; do not overtake him.
“Shall I tell you what erases sins and raises ranks? Do not raise your head before the Imam.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Part 10: Post-Prayer Adhkar (Remembrance)
- Do not neglect dhikr after prayer.
- Recommended: 33×SubhanAllah, 33×Alhamdulillah, 33×Allahu Akbar and then one time:
La ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lah, lahul-mulk wa lahul-hamd, wa huwa ‘ala kulli shay’in qadeer.
- This wipes away sins, even as abundant as the foam of the sea.
- Angels pray for those who remain for dhikr:
“O Allah, forgive him, have mercy on him.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Part 11: Key Mistakes That Invalidate or Reduce Prayer
- Neglecting Khushu’ (focus) – prayer without focus is like a dead body.
- Praying sitting without necessity – reduces reward or invalidates prayer.
- Not facing the Qibla properly – body must face Qibla in all positions.
- Looking around during prayer – eyes should stay on the place of prostration.
- Incorrect raising of hands – must follow the Prophet ﷺ.
- Improper ruku’ (bowing) – back must be straight, hands reach knees.
- Incorrect sujood (prostration) – seven parts must touch the ground.
- Doing Nafl in the same place as Fard – change spots.
- Prostrating on headgear or cloth – must prostrate directly on the ground.
- Connecting Nafl immediately after Fard – wait briefly.
- Praying without sutrah – always have a barrier.
- Racing the Imam in prayer – let Imam lead.
- Neglecting post-prayer dhikr – recite recommended supplications.
Part 12: Final Supplication
“O Allah, teach us what benefits us and benefit us with what You have taught us. Accept our prayers and make us among those who pray with humility and follow Your Prophet ﷺ.”
Seek forgiveness for yourself and others: “I say what I have said and seek Allah’s forgiveness for me and for you. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
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