Purification
The Ritual Ablution (Hanafi School)
The Ritual Ablution: A Simple Guide
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To perform ritual ablution in the sunna way, follow these steps:
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Intend in your heart, saying, “I plan to perform ritual ablution for the sake of Allah.”
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Wash your hands up to your wrists.
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Invoke Allah's name by saying, "Bismi ’Lldh wa ’l-hamdu li ’Llah" (In the name of Allah, and all praise belongs to Allah).
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Rinse your mouth three times using three handfuls of water.
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Brush your teeth with a miswak or toothbrush.
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Rinse your nose three times using a handful of water each time. It's best to take water into the nostrils with your right hand and blow it out with your left.
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Wash your entire face, from the top of your forehead to the bottom of your chin, and from earlobe to earlobe. This is the first of the four required acts of ablution. It's recommended to wash your face three times. If you have a long beard, run wet fingers through it, starting from your forehead. Avoid splashing water on your face.
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Wash your arms completely up to the elbows. This is the second required act. Wash your arms three times, starting from your fingertips and passing your fingers through each other.
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Wipe a quarter of your head once, above the ears. This is the third required act. It's good practice to wipe your entire head starting from the top of your forehead and to also wipe the back of your neck.
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Wipe your ears without using new water. Use your thumb on the outside and your index fingers on the inside, inserting your little fingers into the ear canal.
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Wash your feet up to your ankles. This is the fourth and final required action. Wash your feet three times and pass your fingers between your toes, starting with the little toe on your right foot and ending with the little toe on your left foot.
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During the ritual ablution, follow the above order, wash your limbs without delay, and rub them during the first wash. It’s recommended to face the qibla throughout the process and avoid splashing water on yourself. Try not to engage in unnecessary talk, waste water, or skip any of the recommended practices.
Prayer (Salat)
Complete description of the Prayer
A Complete Description of the Prayer
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Stand with your feet slightly apart and say the opening invocation, which is mandatory. You must say, "Allahu akbar." This phrase is repeated without raising your hands during each movement of the prayer, except when rising from the bowing (ruku). The person leading the prayer should say it aloud. It’s recommended to keep your gaze lowered throughout the prayer to avoid distractions, focusing on the spot where you will prostrate.
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Raise your hands (to ear level for men and shoulder level for women) just before saying the opening invocation. Keep your head upright and lower your hands as you say the invocation. It’s best to keep your hands open with palms facing the qibla.
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Place your right hand over your left hand (under the navel for men and on the chest for women).
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In the first rak'ah only, quietly recite the opening supplication (thana).
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Seek refuge from the Devil (taawwudh) quietly in the first rak'ah only if you are reciting the Qur’an during prayer. Both the leader and those praying alone should do this. When praying in a group, do not recite this unless you have missed one or more rak'ahs, in which case recite it when you stand to make up the missed rak'ahs.
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Recite at least one verse of the Qur’an when leading others or praying alone, as this is obligatory. If you are praying behind an imam, you do not recite any Qur’an, including the Fatiha, in both loud and quiet prayers. It is necessary for the person reciting to include the Fatiha in two rak'ahs of obligatory prayers and in all rak'ahs of other prayers. You should also recite at least the equivalent of three short verses of the Qur’an in two rak'ahs of obligatory prayers and in all rak'ahs of other prayers, particularly in the first two rak'ahs of obligatory prayers.
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When leading others, recite quietly during the Zuhr and Asr prayers, the last two rak'ahs of the Isha prayer, and the last rak'ah of the Maghrib prayer, but recite loudly in the first two rak'ahs.
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Quietly say Bismi ’Lldhi ’r-Rahmdni ’r-Rahim before the Fatiha and say ameen quietly after the Fatiha.
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Bow, which is mandatory. The minimum requirement is that your hands should reach your knees. It’s necessary to stay still in this position for at least a moment. Women should bend just enough to reach their knees without spreading their fingers. Men should grip their knees with fingers spread and pointing down, keeping their legs and back straight, with their head level with their lower back. It’s recommended to keep your gaze on the tops of your feet.
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Recite the bowing invocation three times, saying Subhdna rabbiya ’l-azim (Glory be to my Tremendous Lord).
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Rise from bowing like a champ! It's a must (wdjib), and hey, take a moment to soak it in. If you’re leading the charge or flying solo, it’s sunna to say "Sami-a ’Lldhu li man hamidah" as you lift off, while your followers can keep it chill. Then, give a silent shoutout with "Rabband laka ’l-hamd" – the solo act or imam can join in too!
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Time to hit the ground—literally! Prostration is a non-negotiable. Make sure your forehead, nose, both hands, knees, and at least one toe are touching the turf. Stay still for a moment; it’s not a race! Say "Allahu akbar" as you dive down, landing knees first, then hands, then face. For the guys, hands at head level is the move; for the gals, shoulder level is where it’s at. Guys, separate those abs from your thighs, elbows from your sides, and forearms off the ground. Ladies, hug those limbs in close for a cozy fit. And remember, gaze at the tip of your nose—it's a look!
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For the prostration invocation, repeat "Subhana rabbiya ’l-ald" three times. It’s a must-do sunna—don’t skip it!
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After your stylish dive, sit up like you own it! At the very least, lift your head up and sit closer to upright than face-down, holding that stillness for a sec. For men, sit on your left foot with the right foot popping up like it's ready to dance. Women, take a comfy seat on your left side with your right thigh on your left. Place your hands on your thighs, fingers pointing towards your knees—no bending!
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Prostrate again, just like before. This is a must for every rak‘a.
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Pop back up for the next rak‘a! It's obligatory, so face up first, then hands, and finally knees. Stand on your tippy-toes without plopping down for a breather (unless you really need to).
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The next rak‘as follow the same script, but skip raising your hands, reciting the opening supplications, and asking for refuge from the Devil.
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After the second rak‘a's prostrations, it’s time to sit for the first sitting (a definite must!). Don’t forget to recite the testification of faith (tashahhud). It’s a sunna to clasp your fingers during "ashhadu alla ildha," with your thumb cozying up to your middle finger, and don’t forget to raise your index finger—just lower it when saying "illa ’Llah."
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Time to stand (like a pro again) for the third and fourth rak‘as in Zuhr, ‘Asr, and ‘Isha prayers, and only the third rak‘a for Maghrib. Get up without any lingering!
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Actions in the third and fourth rak‘as mirror the first two. It’s a sunna to recite the Fatiha or throw in "Subhan Allah" three times while standing in obligatory prayers. In other prayers, make sure you recite both Fatiha and three short verses.
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After your grand finale of prostrations in the last rak‘a, sit for that final sitting, and say your testification of faith (tashahhud) like a pro. You’ve gotta recite it fully—no half-measures here! And hey, it’s sunna to raise that finger again.
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Next up, send blessings on the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) with the Salat Ibrdhimiyya—make it heartfelt!
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Before you wrap it up with the final salams, throw in a little supplication—it’s sunna! Keep it short and sweet, but if you can, snag one from the Qur’an or Sunna for bonus points.
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Finish strong by giving salams twice. It’s a must! Say "Assaldrnu c alaykum wa rahmatu ’Lldh" while turning your head—right for the first, left for the second, greeting everyone in prayer (even if you're solo). And feel free to give a little cheek-to-shoulder action each time for that dramatic flair!
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