Obligatory acts and Wajibat of Salah explanation

The foundation of Islam is built upon five pillars, one of which is Salah (prayer), a significant and essential component. In Salah, certain elements are indispensable, without which the prayer will not be valid; these are known as the conditions, obligations, and essential components of Salah. Additionally, there are aspects that, while beneficial, are not mandatory for the prayer to be valid, known as the Sunnah and recommended acts of Salah.

It is important for the one who prays to be knowledgeable about these aspects, as gaining this knowledge is obligatory. Here, I will now explain obligatory acts and Wajibat of Salah.

Conditions of Salah According to Hanafi Fiqh

According to Hanafi Fiqh, there are six conditions for Salah. Without fulfilling these conditions, the prayer will not begin at all.

1.Purity (Taharah):

It is essential for the person praying, their body, and the place of prayer to be clean.

2.Covering the Private Parts (Satr-e-Aurat):

Men must cover from the navel to below the knees, while women must cover their entire body except the face, hands, and feet.

3.Facing the Qibla (Istiqbal-e-Qibla):

It is necessary to face the Kaaba during prayer.

4.Observing Prayer Time (Waqt):

1. The specific time for each prayer must be observed. Salah performed before its time will not be valid, nor will it be valid if delayed beyond its time.

5.Intention (Niyyah):

One must intend in their heart for the specific prayer, such as the obligatory prayer of Zuhr or Fajr.

6.Opening Takbeer (Takbeer-e-Tahrima):

1. It is essential to start the prayer by saying “Allahu Akbar.”

The Essential (Fard) Acts of Salah

The obligatory acts (faraiz) of Salah are seven. Without fulfilling the Fard (obligatory) acts, the prayer will not be valid, whether they are missed unintentionally or intentionally.

1.Opening Takbeer (Takbeer-e-Tahrima):

Starting the prayer by saying “Allahu Akbar.”

 2.Standing (Qiyam):

It is obligatory for one who is capable of standing to do so during prayer. If someone cannot stand or perform sajda, they can pray while sitting and using gestures. Standing is obligatory in obligatory prayers, while it is Sunnah in Sunnah prayers and optional in Nafl prayers. However, it is preferable to pray standing as long as one is able.

3.Recitation (Qira’at):

In the obligatory prayer or witr, one must recite the required amount, which is at least one verse of the Quran in the obligatory and Witr prayer. It is obligatory to recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah.

4.Bowing (Ruku):

Bowing is mandatory, and the minimum amount of bowing is that one bends down enough for their hands to reach their knees.

5.Prostration (Sajda):

Two prostrations are obligatory in each rak’ah.

6.Final Sitting (Qada Akhera):

Sitting for the duration of Tashahhud is also obligatory. Reciting Tashahhud itself is wajib (necessary).

7.Exit with Minimal Movement (Khurooj-e-Bisunehi):

To exit the prayer, performing any act that signifies leaving the prayer or saying Salam is necessary.

These are essential components of the prayer that must be fulfilled for it to be valid.

Obligatory Acts (Wajibat) of Salah

The following are the Wajibat (obligatory acts) of Salah (prayer). If someone intentionally omits any wajib, the Salah will not be valid, and if a wajib is missed unintentionally, then it is necessary to perform Sajda Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness). Some of the Wajibat are as follows:

1. Reciting Surah Fatiha in the First Two Rak’ahs of a Fard (Obligatory) Prayer.
2. Adding Another Surah After Surah Fatiha.
3. Standing After Ruku (Qouma): Standing after bowing.
4. Sitting Between the Two Prostrations (Jalsa).
5. Sitting for Tashahud after the Second Rak’ah in a Four-Rak’ah Prayer (Qa’da Aula).
6. Reciting Tashahud During This Sitting.
7. Observing Tadeel-e-Arkan: Staying in each posture long enough to say SubhanAllah once.
8. Saying Takbeer-e-Qunoot and Reciting Dua-e-Qunoot in the Witr Prayer.
9. Performing Sajda Sahw for Missed Wajibat.

How to Perform Sajda Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness)

The method of performing Sajda Sahw (prostration of forgetfulness) is as follows:

In the final sitting, meaning in the rak’ah where one intends to end the prayer, after reciting Tashahud, say Salam to the right side only. Then, perform two prostrations as one would do in the regular prayer. After the two prostrations, sit back up, recite Tashahud again, followed by Durood and any supplication, and then complete the prayer by saying Salam on both sides.