Errors In Prayers That Must Be Avoided

[KIWI MUSLIM]

Errors in Prayers that must be Avoided
Contents
(Originally published in Ad-Deen an-Naseehah)
http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/toc.html

Errors in Prayers that must be avoided http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC1

1. Wearing pants, or garments that hangs below the ankles. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC2
2. Consuming food of bad smell such has garlic or onion, or smoking10 before coming to prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC4
3. Proceeding to mosque for prayer with brisk walk, or even running for fear of missing part of the prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC4
4. Saying Takbeer al-Ihram while in rukoo'. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC5
5. Mumbling the niyyah or intention, and uttering it in a low audible voice. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC6
6. Neglecting raising the hands in the opening takbeer of salah and before and after rukoo', and upon standing up for the third rak'ah. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC7
7. Neglecting the opening du'a of prayer, t'awwudth, and basmalah. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC8
8. Neglecting praying facing a sutrah. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC9
9. Reluctance to stand in the front line in congregational prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC10
10. Gazing upward during prayer, or looking at the imam, right or left. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC11
11. Leaving gaps in lines of congregational prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC12
12. Reciting surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC13
13. Fidgeting during prayer, or looking at a watch or fiddling with one's fingers, clothes or moving feet or other parts of the body restlessly. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC14
14. Holding the Qur'an and reciting from it by the muqtadi in congregational prayer to check the imam's recitation. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC15
15. Racing with the imam, or moving with or before him in congregational prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC16
16. Lowering the head excessively, or pushing it up, and arching the back during rukoo'. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC17
17. Sticking the arms to the sides of the body, in rukoo' or sujood, and sticking the belly to the thighs in sujood. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC18
18. Praying while part of the back is exposed. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC19
19. Neglecting ta'meen (to say 'Aameen) loudly when the imam recites the concluding verse of surat al-Fatiha, "waladh-dhalleen". http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC20
20. Resting only the tip of the head on the floor during sujood. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC21
21. Hasty performance of prayer which does not allow repose and calmness in rukoo' or sujood. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC22
22. Sitting in tawarruk position in the last rak'ah of Fajr and Jum'ah prayers. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC23
23. Moving the two palms upon saying, 'assalamu aleikum warahmatul-lah' to end prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC24
24. Counting tasbeeh with the left hand. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC25
25. Shaking hands with other praying people right after fardh prayer is over, saying, 'taqabbala-llah', or 'haraman' http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC26
26. Raising hands for dua' soon as prayer is over. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC27
27. Walking away right after tasleem, at the end of prayer, and neglecting dthikr. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC28
28. Crossing in front of a praying person. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC29
29. Neglecting prayer when one is sick or ill. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC30
30. Praying in a graveyard http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC31

[KIWI MUSLIM]

Errors In Prayers That Must Be Avoided http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC1

Salat (namaaz) or prayer is one of the most important pillars of Islam. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) warned that the first thing man will be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is prayer. Abu Hurairah said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) saying:


The first act of worship man shall be questioned about on the Day of Resurrection is prayer. If it was performed correctly1, man shall certainly succeed and prosper, if it is not, he shall certainly lose and fail. If, however, man's prayer was incomplete, the Lord, the Exalted, would say (to His Angels), "See if my slave performed supererogatory (nafl) prayers to make up what he had missed of the obligatory prayers. The rest of man's deeds will be reckoned in the same manner2.
Buraidah reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, The covenant3 which is between us and those (who embrace Islam) is prayer. Whoso neglects it, becomes an unbeliever4.

On the other hand, Allah has prepared great rewards for the believers who observe prayer and are particular about it. Perfect prayer effaces sins. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said: Have you considered, a river running by the door of you in which he bathes five times a day; would any of his dirt stay on him? They said "None of his dirt would stay on him." The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said So does Salah; therewith Allah eliminates sins5.

Therefore, brothers and sisters it is very important to be regular on prayer, and perform it correctly. One may perform prayer according to the way he was taught by his parents or sheikh, according to their madthhab. But you should always remember that it is only the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) who must be followed. The angels will not ask you, while in the grave, "Did you follow this imaam or that imaam?" Your imaam will not be with you then, nor will he defend you on the Day of Resurrection.

The traditions quoted here, and in every issue of Ad-Deen an-Naseehah, are authentic. Anyone who rejects the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) exposes himself to destruction, as stated by Imaam Ahmed.

The following are some common errors committed by Muslims in their Salah. These errors must be avoided hoping that Allah would accept this act of worship and reward us for it.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

1. Wearing pants, or garments that hangs below the ankles. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC2

1) Wearing pants, or garments that hangs below the ankles.
This is one of the greatest sins. Abu Dtharr reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said, There are three people whom Allah shall not speak to on the Day of Resurrection, nor shall he look at them, nor shall he purify them, and they shall have a painful torment: One whose garment hangs down below his ankles, almanaan6, and (a merchant) who sells of his merchandise by means of false oath7.
Some people think that wearing clothes that hang below the ankles is not a sin if they abstain from doing so while praying only. Others think that wearing such a garment is a sin only if it is worn out of pride; otherwise, they believe there is no harm in doing so. However, the above and many other traditions indicate clearly that wearing clothes that hang below the ankles (for men) is a grave sin regardless of whether such garments are worn out of habit or pride. There are other authentic traditions that emphasize wearing clothing that hangs below the ankles out of pride entails harsher punishment. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said The part of the garment which hangs below the ankles is (punishable by) Fire (on the Day of Resurrection)8.

It is commonplace to see brothers folding up the hems of their pants for prayer. However, as soon as prayer is completed, they unfold their pants. The belief that wearing garments that hang below the ankles is prohibited during prayers only is a misconception commonly held by many Muslims. Such Muslims are unaware that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) forbade praying with folded clothes9. Based on this prohibition, scholars have agreed that praying with folded sleeves or pants is unlawful.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

2. Consuming food of bad smell such has garlic or onion, or smoking10 before coming to prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC4

2) Consuming food of bad smell such has garlic or onion, or smoking10 before coming to prayer.
Angels and the praying people are bothered by offensive smell. On the contrary, one should wear perfume, if available before coming into mosques. Jabir reported that the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said: He who eats from the smelly plant [garlic or onion], let him come not near our mosque; the angels are bothered by that which bothers men11.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

3. Proceeding to mosque for prayer with brisk walk, or even running for fear of missing part of the prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC4

3) Proceeding to mosque for prayer with brisk walk, or even running for fear of missing part of the prayer.
This may disturb those who are already in prayer. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said: When prayer has already started, do not walk quickly to join in. Proceed calmly and reposefully; then join in whichever part you catch up, and complete whichever part you missed (i.e., soon after the imaam ends the prayer)12.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

4. Saying Takbeer al-Ihram while in rukoo'. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC5

4) Saying Takbeer al-Ihram while in rukoo'.
Many of those who come late to the mosque and join in prayer which is already in progress, rush to take the same posture, while people are in rukoo', and say takbeer al-Ihram, or the opening takbeer of prayer while bowing for fear of missing that ruk'ah. Takbeer al-Ihram is to be pronounced when one is standing upright, only.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

5. Mumbling the niyyah or intention, and uttering it in a low audible voice. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC6

5) Mumbling the niyyah or intention, and uttering it in a low audible voice.
The heart is the place of intention. Mumbling words such as "I intend to pray such prayer or such number of rak'aat, or I intend to fast, or do such act of worship or another," just before starting prayer is a bid'ah which was practiced neither by the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) nor his companions, nor by their followers.
Uttering the above words of niyyah allows shaitaan to put irrelevant words in the mouth of the person who utters the niyyah. Do you remember at one time or another that once you stood up for dhuhr prayer and discovered yourself saying, "I intend to pray four rak'aat of Isha," or when you were standing for Asr prayer you made your intention to pray fajr instead? This confusion is from shaitan. Had you kept silent, shaitan would have no chance of confusing you.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

6. Neglecting raising the hands in the opening takbeer of salah and before and after rukoo', and upon standing up for the third rak'ah. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC7

6) Neglecting raising the hands in the opening takbeer of salah and before and after rukoo', and upon standing up for the third rak'ah.
Abdullah bin Umar said, "I saw the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) raising his hands to the level of his shoulders, upon starting prayer, and before bending for rukoo' and when he stood up again13.
Raising hands with every takbeer, subsequent to the first takbeer in janazah, Eed or rain prayers is not recommended. The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) used to put his hands on his chest (while standing in prayer)14.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

7. Neglecting the opening du'a of prayer, t'awwudth, and basmalah. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC8

7) Neglecting the opening du'a of prayer, t'awwudth, and basmalah.
T'awwudth is saying "Aoudhu billahi min ashshaitan ir-rajim" and basmalah is saying "Bismillah hirRahmaan irRaheem."

[KIWI MUSLIM]

8. Neglecting praying facing a sutrah. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC9

8) Neglecting praying facing a sutrah.
The sutrah is an object, such as a wall, or a post, which a person faces while praying. Or any other object which a person places to serve as a sutrah, by putting it on the ground in order that no one may cross in front of him while praying. The Messenger of Allah SAWS said: Pray facing a sutrah, and let no one cross in front of you while praying. If he insists, then prevent him by force because he is accompanied by shaitan15.
And he said: When one of you prays facing a sutrah, let him pray close to it so that shaitan may not be able to nullify his prayer16.

The above tradition indicates clearly that shaitan crosses in front of a praying person who prays without a sutrah, causing his prayer to be null and void without being aware of it. Even if one prays in an open field, he should place a sutrah in front of him.

Allah says: (Verily) He (the shaitan) and his own people see you while you do not see them17.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

9. Reluctance to stand in the front line in congregational prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC10

9) Reluctance to stand in the front line in congregational prayer.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) said: Were people to realize the value of making adthan (the call for prayer), and the great reward (for doing so) and the virtue of standing in the first line (in congregational prayer), and had no choice but to make a draw (to decide who makes adthan or stands in the first line) they would have justifiably done so. And were people to know the significance of coming early to (congregational) prayer, they would have raced with one another (to reach the mosque first). And if they were to know the great reward (for coming to mosque) for Isha' and Fajr prayers, they would have come even if they had to crawl (i.e. even if they were disabled, they would have come crawling for fear of missing its great reward.)18.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

10. Gazing upward during prayer, or looking at the imam, right or left. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC11

10) Gazing upward during prayer, or looking at the imam, right or left.
This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded to lower our gaze, and look at the point at which the head rests during sujood. The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) warned: Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them. [i.e. lose their eyesight]. (Muslim)

[KIWI MUSLIM]

11. Leaving gaps in lines of congregational prayer. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC12

11) Leaving gaps in lines of congregational prayer.
The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) commanded: Straighten your lines, level your shoulders and block the gaps. Shaitan passes through [line] gaps19.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

12. Reciting surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC13

12) Reciting surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse.
The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) used to pause after each verse of this surah20.

[KIWI MUSLIM]

13. Fidgeting during prayer, or looking at a watch or fiddling with one's fingers, clothes or moving feet or other parts of the body restlessly. http://www.qss.org/articles/errors/errors.html#RTFToC14

13) Fidgeting during prayer, or looking at a watch or fiddling with one's fingers, clothes or moving feet or other parts of the body restlessly.
All of this diminish the reward for prayer. Submissiveness is a condition of acceptance of prayer. Allah's command signifies: And stand [in prayer] to Allah submissively21.