PrayerandPurificationaccordingtotheMaalikiSchoolof

IslamicJurisprudence

AmanualcomposedbyBr.AbdullahbinHamidAli


TableofContents:
TableofContents:

1–
1–Preface.
Preface.    3
   
2–
2–Introduction.
Introduction.       8

3–
3–PrerequisitesofPrayer.
PrerequisitesofPrayer.
sitesofPrayer.     11
11

4–TheStepsofWudoo. 
4–     13
13

5–
5–HowtoPray?
HowtoPray?       15

6–
6–TheObligatoryPrayers,theirnames,andtimes.
TheObligatoryPrayers,theirnames,andtimes. 28
28


1
7–
7–TheObligatoryPrayers,andtheirNumberofUnits.
TheObligatoryPrayers,andtheirNumberofUnits. 31
31

8–
8–TheAudiblePrayersandInaudible.
TheAudiblePrayersandInaudible.   32
32

9–
9–PrayerinCongregation.
PrayerinCongregation.
erinCongregation.     34
34

10–
10–ThingsthatNullifythePrayer.
ThingsthatNullifythePrayer.    39
39

11–ThingsthatNullifyWudoo.
11– Wudoo.    41
41

12–TheRitualShower(Al-
12– (Al-Ghusl)
Ghusl)    44
44

13–
13–TheVoluntaryPrayers.
TheVoluntaryPrayers.     47
47

14–DryAblution(Tayammum)
14– (Tayammum)    52
52

15–Wipingoverleathersocks(khuff)
15– (khuff)   57
57

16–
16–Wipingoverthecastandmedicatedpad
Wipingoverthecastandmedicatedpad  59
59

17–AdditionalShortSurahs
17– Surahs     61
61

2
PrayerandPurificationaccordingtotheMaalikiSchoolof
IslamicJurisprudence
IslamicJurisprudence
FornewcomerstotheIslamicfaithandotherconcerned
Muslims

PREFACE

All praise is due to Allah. We beseech Him for His aid and
forgiveness. Whoever He guides, none can misguide. And
whomever He misguides, he/she has no one capable of granting
guidance.AndItestifythatthereisnodeityotherthanHim.He
has no associates. And I testify to the truthfulness of his Noble
Messenger, Muhammad – may Allah bless him and grant him
peace.

This is a manual for the Maaliki prayer. It is designed as a
referencebookfornewcomerstoIslam,althoughitcanbeagreat
sourceofbenefitforthoseseekingtoknowprayerasdescribedby
thejuristsoftheMaalikischooloflaw.

3
Thereaderwhoiscognizantofthearrangementofthechaptersin
the books of Fiqh (jurisprudence) will immediately notice that I
didn’t follow the same pattern customarily followed by Islamic
scholars;thatbeingthatthesubjectofpurification (At-
(At-Tahaarah)
wouldusuallybementionedexhaustivelyinthefirstchapter,then
followedbyprayer(Salaat).Asforme,Ichosetomixbetweenthe
chapter of prayer and purification, while placing the greatest
importanceontheprerequisitesofprayerandwhatfollowsit.
What led to this mixing was the objective from writing about the
topic itself, which is to teach the new comer to the faith how to
pray.Therefore,Isawitnecessarytoarrangethechaptersinthe
manner that you soon will see in the order of importance that it
wouldbedeemedsowithrelationtothenewcomer.
It appeared to me to be most important to first mention the
prerequisitesofprayer,sinceonesprayerwouldnotvalidifthese
prerequisiteswerenotfulfilled.Ichosethentodiscussthestepsof
wudoo (ablution), since it is the only of the prerequisites that is
absolutely required for the validity of ones prayer. The one who
isn’tinastateofminorritualpurity (wudoo)cannotpray,justas
weretheytodosotheprayerwouldbeinvalidwhetherornotthey

4
had the ability to perform wudoo, and whether or not they
rememberedtheywereinitsinviolablestate.
After dealing with the prerequisites, I explained the steps of the
prayer.Afterlearninghowtoprayitseemsmostnaturalforoneto
know what prayers are compulsory and which are optional. So I
mentionedtheirnames,times,andthenumberofunitsthateachis
comprisedof.
Then, I pointed out which of the prayers are to be performed
audiblyandwhicharenot.
After that, I talked about the congregational prayer, and the
distinctionsbetweenitandtheindividualprayers.
After I felt that the new comer should know enough about his
prayer, I talked about those matters that nullify ones prayer,
becauseonceoneisabletoprayitwouldseemnecessaryforthem
to know what things render his/her prayer to be null and void.
That’s namely because one should be working on how to perfect
onesprayerafterknowingthephysicalexteriormotionsofit.
Next,Italkaboutthethingsthatnullifyones wudoo,sinceitisan
absolutely necessaryingredientfor thesoundness ofones prayer.
Andwereitinvalid,theprayerwouldautomaticallybeinvalidby

5
extension, since the validity of the prayer is built upon the
soundnessofonesablution(wudoo).
(al--ghusl),
After that I talk about the ritual shower (al ghusl) its steps, and
nullifiers as a way of bringing to the attention of the new comer
certainmattersthatonemustbeconcernedaboutinoneseveryday
life, like how to bathe, and how to remove ones state of major
(al--janaabah)whenworshipbecomesaduty.
ritualimpurity(al
Then finally, I close with the chapter dealing with voluntary
prayers, and their relative descriptions as a way of bringing our
discussion to completion and perfection. For one may be
interestedinknowinghowonecangainadditionalrewardforones
ownsake.

Itriedtokeepthelanguageofthismanualverysimpleandplain,
sothat al-fiqh(jurisprudence)couldbeaccessibletoall Muslims,
the educated and the unlettered, and the poor and rich alike.
That’s because this knowledge is not the monopoly of any
particularclassorrace,justasunderstandingitdoesn’trequirean
extensiveEnglishvocabulary.
I adopted a simplified form of transliteration in an attempt to
make the memorization of certain Islamic prayersin Arabic easy

6
for the new comers who are mainly non-Arabic speakers and
readers.Thisinnomeansisanattempttoencourageanyonenot
tolearnhowtoreadArabicletters,etc.Rather,itwasdonemerely
in consideration of the great many people who have difficulty in
learning Arabic,aswellasnewcomerswhoareobligatedtopray
five times a day once they embrace Islam. It takes less time for
themtomemorizeatransliteratedtextthanitdoesforonetolearn
how to read and write in Arabic. So, one would definitely be
required to eventually learn how to recite all compulsory prayers
in Arabic,andtheirproperrecitations.So,itissimplyamatterof
necessity.
I didn’t adopt a more scholarly form of transliteration, since the
bettereducatedwouldnotfindanydifficultyindecipheringsucha
basictransliteration,whereasthelessereducatedwouldsurelyfind
great difficulty in trying to read a more scholarly transliteration.
And the Prophet said, “Move at the pace of the weak amongst
you”(seeroosairaDu’afaaikum).
SoweaskAllah,TheMostHigh,toblessthisventure,andmakeit
asourceofbenefittoallMuslimsseekinganeasywaytobecome
acquaintedwiththeirprayers.Amin.


7
 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

Just as we found that when one accepted the Islamic faith there
was a specific utterance required for one to say in order to be
considered a Muslim, there are also rules one must follow in
fulfillingthesecondpillarofIslam,prayer(Salaat).
Generally,itisa Muslim’sobjectiveinprayertocarryitoutinthe
samewaythattheHolyMessenger Muhammad–may Allah
Allah bless
him and grant him peace - did so. However, due to variant
traditionsandtheleveloftheirweaknessandstrength,therehad
arisen a number of different schools of jurisprudence, each
defining the prayer in their own particular terms, and in
accordancewiththelegislativeprinciplesadoptedbythefounders
ofeachindividualschool.
Of these various schools of Sunni Muslims, there only remain 4
thathavebeenacceptedbyall Sunni Muslims fromasearlyasthe
third century of Islam until the present day. This acceptance
constitutesaconsensus,whichisconsideredalegislativeproofin
the view of the overwhelming majority of Sunni scholars. The
resultbeingthatitwouldbeequallyvalidforonetoemulatethe

8
founder of any of the four schools in the area of prayer, just as
such a prayer would be equally valid regardless of the particular
jurisprudence adopted.  This in itself helps to save the Muslim
from great confusion with regard to his/her religion. For it
provides them with a simple and valid way of praying without
subjectingthemtothedoubtsanddifficultiesmanyhavesuffered
from for years as Muslims who constantly alter their manner of
prayer when confronted by certain tendencies current in the
Islamicworldtoday.So,myadvicetothenewbelieverwouldbeto
holdfastbythisfirstformofprayerthatyoushalllearnhereinthis
manual.1Knowthat,althoughyourprayermightdifferfrommany
others’ styles of praying, you do not violate any essential
component of the prayer that would render it invalid. And the
testimony of over a thousand years of Muslim scholarship
tenaciouslyholdingontothisparticularformofprayer,aswellas
the forms found in the other three schools, is a testimony much
much more worthy of consideration, than the testimony and
objections of modern-day dissenters who have only appeared
withinthelastcentury.

1
Thesamegoesfortheonewholearnsprayeraccordingtoanyoftheotheracceptedschools
ofIslamicjurisprudence.

9
The names of the 4 schools of Sunni Law are 1) the Haanafi
school, 2) the Maaliki school, 3) the Shaafi’ee school, and 4) the
Hanbali school.Theformofprayerexplainedinthismanualisin
accordancewiththeMaalikischool,especiallysinceitistheschool
studiedandpracticedbytheauthor.Asfornow,weleaveyouwith
The Muslim prayer according to the Maaliki school of
jurisprudence.















10
 ThePrerequisitesofPrayer
ThePrerequisitesofPrayer

For prayer in Islam are prerequisites by which every person
seeking to perform the obligatory act of prayer must observe in
orderforittobeconsideredvalid.Thepersonmustobservefour
matters:
1 - One must face the direction of Mecca.
Mecca It is on the North
Americancontinentapproximatelythenortheasterndirectionwith
slightvariancefromonelocalitytoanother.
2-Onemustremovefromonesbodyallformsoffilthe.g.urine,
2 Onemustremovefromonesbodyallformsoffilthe.g.urine,
feces,blood,etc.
feces,blood,etc
3-Onemustproperlycoveronesnakedness
3 Onemustproperlycoveronesnakednesswhileplacingspecial
Onemustproperlycoveronesnakedness
emphasisontheprivateparts.Meaning,thatonemustbesurethat
ones nakedness or private parts are not showing. This entails for
the man to cover all between his navel and knees. It is preferred
thathealsocoverstheareaabovehisnaveluptohisshoulders.As
for the woman, she is required to cover her entire body with the
exceptionofherfaceandhands.

11
The clothing of neither the man nor the woman should be tight
fittingorsee-through.2
4 - One must perform – in preparation for the prayer – what
what is
knownas wudu.Itisaspecialformofwashingofthebodilylimbs
thatwewillspecializeforitsstepsasectionofitsown.















2
Togetamoredetailedlegalexplanationofthelimitsofonesnakedness,oneshouldenroll
inthenearnessclassonMaalikilaw.

12
 TheStepsofWudu

1-Oneshouldbeginoneswudu,justasallotheractsofworship,
1
“InthenameofAllah,”(bismillaa).
withthesaying“Inth
“InthenameofAllah,”( ).
2-Thefirststepaftermentioning
2 Allah’snameistowashfromthe
hands any filth or other matter that may prevent water from
dampeningtheskin.
3-Next,oneshouldrinseouthis/hermouththreetimes.
3
4-Takewaterupthenoseandblowitoutthreetimes.
4
5-Washthefacethreetimes.Theboundariesofthefacearefrom
5
thefronthairlinetothetipofthechin,andfromtheedgeofone
eartotheother.Ifonehappenstohaveabeard,hemerelywipes
overthetopofitiftheskincannotbeseenduetoitsdenseness.
However,ifthebeardhappenstobethin/shortallowingforoneto
seethecoloroftheskin,onemustseparatethehairsofthebeard
tobesurethatwaterreachestheskin.
6-Washthearmstoandincludingtheelbows,beginningfromthe
6
fingertips,threetimes.
7-Wipethehead.Thewaytodothisistointerlacethefingersof
7
both hands. Position the two thumbs at each respective temporal

13
lobe. Then, commence to wipe the head, starting from the front
hairline and ending up at the nape of the neck or end of the
cranium,andthenreturnthehandsbackovertheheaduntilthey
reachthefronthairlineonceagain.Thisallshouldbedoneintwo
strokes,usingofthesamewater.
8-Wetthethumbsandindexfingersagain,andwipethebackside
8
of the ears that are closest to the head. Use the index fingers to
wipetheholesoftheears.
9-Washeachfoottoandincludingtheanklethreetimesstarting
9
withtherightfoot.Oneshouldseparatethetoesofeachfootwhile
doingthiswiththepinkytoinsurethatwatergetsbetweenthegaps
ofthetoes.
10-Itisrecommendedforonetosay:“Ibearwitnessthatthereis
10 “Ibearwitnessthatthereis
nodeityotherthan Allah. Heisalone,andhasnoassociates.And
Ibearwitnessthat Muhammad ishisslaveandmessenger.”(Ash
Ibearwitnessthat
hadu allaa ilaaha illallahu wah dahu laa shareekala wa ash hadu
annaMuhammadan‘abduhuwarasooluhu).
annaMuhammadan‘abduhuwarasooluhu). Nowyou’rereadyto
pray.




14
 Howtopray
Howtopray

The word for prayer in Arabic (which is the language of the
Qur’an
Qur’anandIslam)isSalaat.Itismorethanwhatisknowninother
religioustraditionsassupplication,whichiscalled Du’aa.
Du’aa Rather,
theprayerof Islamismorelikenedtoacompleteserviceinitself,
since it is comprised of many units, bowings, prostrations,
supplications,andthelike.
The obligatory prayer should begin with the recitation of what is
termed“Al-
“Al-Iqaamah”(TheFirstCalltoPrayer).ThewordsofAl
Al--
Iqaamahareasfollows.
(AllahuAkbar,AllahuAkbar,AshhaduallaailaahaillAllah,wa
ash hadu anna Muhammadan rasool Allah, Hayya ‘alas Salaati,
Hayya ‘alal falaah, qad qaama tis Salaatu, Allahu Akbar, Allahu
Akbar,LaailaahaillAllah.)
Akbar,LaailaahaillAllah.)
(Allah isGreater. Allah isGreater.Ibearwitnessthatthereisno
deity but Allah, and I bear witness
witness that Muhammad is the
Messenger of Allah. Hasten to Prayer. Hasten to Prosperity.
Prayerhasdrawnnear.AllahisGreater.AllahisGreater.Thereis
nogodbutAllah.)
.)

15
Al--Iqaamah should be recited before obligatory prayers, those
Al
doneincongregation,aswellasthoseperformedindividually.As
for the voluntary prayers, it is not necessary nor preferable that
al--iqaamah.
onerecitesal
AsforthestepsfortheIslamicprayerservice,theyareasfollows:

1 - Raise both hands parallel with the shoulders (almost as if
raising them in surrender), and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is
Greatest). No other expression will suffice. The hands are not
raisedatanyothertimeduringtheprayer,justasthearmsshould
beatone’ssidesasifstandingatattention.Thisistheviewofthe
majorityof Maliki jurists,althoughitisalsopermissibleforoneto
pray with ones hands folded, the right being over the left.3 The
handsshouldbepositionedbetweenthechestandnavel.

3
Ideemeditimportanttomentionthis,sincethereismuchdisputebetweenmostadherents
ofthereligionofthefaith,whoareunlearned,withregardtothepermissibilityofpraying
withoneshandsatonessides.Itmightbewiseforonetoabandonwhattheybelievetobethe
correctpositionorevenavalidpositionsometimeswhentheyfindthattheirfellowbrothers
andsistersinthefaithhavenotyetlearnedtobetoleranttovaliddifferencesofopinion.The
newMuslimwillcometoknowthisinnotime,justashe’ll/she’llcometoknowthecircles
whereitwouldbeadvisabletopossiblyabandonwhatonehaslearnedinitiallytobecorrect
andvalid.Thiswouldmerelybedoneforthesakeofpreservingunity.

16
2-Recitetheopeningchapterofthe Qur’an Al--Faatiha.
ur’an entitled Al
Itmustberecitedin Arabic,althoughitistakenintoaccountthat
onemayhavedifficultyinmemorizingitattheoutstart.Ifthisis
thecase,onemustfindsomeoneelsewhoperfectsitsrecitationto
pray behind. This might entail attending the mosque at the
prescribedtimesforprayer.However,ifonedoesn’tfindsomeone
to pray behind, reciting Al-Faatiha falls as an obligation, just as
oneshouldnotreciteanythinginitsstead.Thisisthepopularview
intheMalikiSchool.Yet,thereisaminorviewthatholdsittobe
permissible for one to recite certain forms of glorification and
remembrance. So, in accordance with this second view, it is
recommended for one to say:  “Subhaan Allah wal Hamdu lillaa
waAllahuAkbarwalaahaulawalaaquwwataillaabillaa”
Akbarwalaahaulawalaaquwwataillaabillaa”(Glory
(Glory
betoAllah.AllpraiseisduetoAllah.AllahisGreatest.Andthere
isnomightandnopowerexceptby Allah).Thiscanbesaiduntil
).

Asforthevalidityofoneprayingwithoneshandsatonesside,theproofsofitsvaliditywill
notbementionedhere.Rather,Ihavededicatedanotherworkforthat.Itissufficientto
knowthattheclaimthatyouwillhearfrommanywithregardtothereasoningbehindImaam
Maalikprayingwithhishandsathissidesbeingthathewastorturedsharesnoportionof
truth.Especiallysince,theImaamhimselfexpresslymentionedhispreferenceofprayingwith
Al--MudawwanahofImaamSahnoon.
hishandsathissidestohisstudentsasquotedinAl

17
one has fully memorized Al-Faatiha. At that time, it is not
permissibleforonetoreciteanythinginitsstead.
AsforthewordsofAl-Faatiha,theyfollowbelow.
“Al-
“Al-hamdu lillaahi rab bil ‘aalameen, ar rahmaa nir raheem,
maaliki yo mid deen, iyyaaka na’ budu wa iyyaaka nasta’een, ih
dinassirawtalmustaqeem,sirawtalladheenaan’amta‘alaihim,
dinassirawtalmustaqeem,sirawtalladheenaan’amta‘alaihim,
ghairilmaghdoobi‘alaihimwaladdaweleen.”
ghairilmaghdoobi‘alaihimwaladdaweleen.”
(AllpraiseisduetoAllah,Lordoftheworlds,theMostGracious,
theMostMerciful,MasteroftheDayofJudgment.Youalonedo
weworship,andfromYoualonewebeseechforaid.Showusthe
weworship,andfromYoualonewebeseechforaid.Showusthe
straightway,thewayofthoseuponwhomyouhavebestowedyour
grace. Not of those who have incurred your wrath. Nor of those
whoareastray.)
whoareastray.)
Aftersaying“WaladDawlLeen”youshouldsay“Aameen.”Itisa
phrasethatmeans “OAllah!Respond!”
“OAllah!Respond!”Itisrecommendedthatit
besaidinaudibly(i.e.inalowvoice).Thisisthepopularopinion
heldintheMaalikiSchool,althoughitispermissibleforonetosay
itoutload.Asfortheoneleading,theprayer,heshouldn’tsayit

18
unlessitisduringoneoftheinaudibleprayerswheretherecitation
ofAl-Faatihaisheard.4
3-Reciteanyadditionalshortchapter(Surah)ofthe Qur’anone
might know. If not, the recitation of the aforementioned
glorification will suffice untilone memorizes anadditional Surah
alongsideAl-Faatiha.M
4 - After completing the Surah or glorification (dhikr), one must
bow (rukoo’) while placing the palms of the hands on the knees.
Onescountenanceshouldbepointedtotheground,andtheback
should be straight. In plainer terms, the body should be shaped
likeaninverted“L”.Oneshouldsaywhilebowing “Subhaanarab
bil aZeem wa bi hamdih” (Glory and Praise be to my Lord, The
Magnificent),althoughanyotherglorificationwouldsuffice.
Magnificent),
5 - Return to the standing position. On the way up from bowing
(rukoo’), one should say “Sami Allahu liman hamidah” (Allah
hears the one who praises Him).
Him). This is said if one is praying
alone, or is leading someone else in prayer. However, if one is
following someone else this should not be said. That is, only the

4
ItisalsopermittedfortheImamtosay“Aameen”outloud,sincethereexistssoundhadiths
thatmentiontheProphet(pbuh)ashavingsaid“Aameen”untilthoseintherowbehindhim
couldhearhimsayit.AaboveopinionisthestandardviewtakenbyMaalikis.

19
oneleadingshouldsaythis.Whenprayingaloneoneshouldsayin
addition to the previous statement “Rab banaa wa lakal hamd”
(OurLord!AndforYouisallpraise).Iffollowingsomeoneelsein
(OurLord!AndforYouisallpraise).
prayer, one should only say the latter statement after the one
leading (imaam) says the former, just as the latter statement
shouldn’t be said if one is leading someone else in prayer.
Meaning, that one should limit oneself to saying “Sami Allahu
limanhamidah”.
6 - Fall prostrate to the ground. Ones forehead and nose should
touchtheground.Thehandsshouldbeparallelwiththeearswith
the fingers pointing in a forward direction (i.e. the direction of
prayer).Whenmovingfromthestandingpositionintoprostration,
oneshandsshouldtouchthegroundbeforetheknees.Thetoesof
the feet should be pointing in the forward direction while
prostratingalso.Notbackwardinthewesterlydirection.Thearms
of the maleshould be outspread as if one had wings with elbows
bentinawaysuchthattheirarmstaketheshapeoftwosquares,
oneonbothsidesofthebody.5Thefeetshouldhaveasmallgap

5
Ofcourse,thisisifoneisabletodoso.Ifoneisinatightrankwithotherpeopleitisnotan
obligationtofulfillthisrecommendedact.Especiallysince,itwouldcauseunnecessary
comfortforonesfellowbrothersandsisters,anditwoulddistracttheminawaythatone

20
between them, and the knees should not be too close to the
abdominalarea.
As for the female, it should be the opposite. That is, the arms
shouldnotbeextended.Rather,theyshouldbeconstrictedandat
hersides.Thefeetshouldbetogether.
It should be said while prostrating, “Sub haanaka rab bee innee
zalamtunafseewa ‘amiltusooanfaghfirlee” (GlorytoYou,My
Lord!Ihavesurelywrongedmysoulanddoneevil,soforgiveme).
Lord!Ihavesurelywrongedmysoulanddoneevil,soforgiveme).
iveme).
Anyotherglorificationwilldoalso.
7 - Remove head and hands from floor, and assume a sitting
posture.Thepalmsofthehandsshouldrestonthethighs,andthe
feetshouldbepositionedinawaythattherightfootisproppedup
(toespointinginthedirectionofprayer)andtheleftfootshould
be bent underneath ones bottom. The left buttock should be
restingonthefloor.
Thisisaslongasoneisabletodoso.Thismightnotbepossible
when one is praying with others in a tight rank. Here, one can
simply fold ones left foot underneath his/her left buttock resting

wouldnotbeabletofocusinprayer.Thismightcausefrictionbetweenoneanotherand
violatethesenseofbrotherhoodthatiscompulsoryuponallMuslims.So,oneshouldbe
carefulnottoabandonanobligationinordertoperformsomethingthatisnotthus.

21
theposterioruponit.Ifitistoocrowdedonemaysitinawaymost
suitabletoonescomfort.
During this sitting, one should say: “Allah hum magh firlee war
hamnee wa ‘aafinee
‘aafinee wa’fu ‘annee” (O Allah! Forgive me, have
mercy upon me, cure me, and pardon me).
me). However, any other
formofglorificationwillbesufficient.
8-Aftersittingafterthefirstprostration,oneprostratesasecond
timeinthesamemannerashe/shedidthefirsttimewhilesaying
thesameglorification/supplication.Step1tohere(step8i.e.end
of second prostration) is considered to be what is known as a
completerak’atorunitofprayer.Aprayermaybecomprisedof1,
2,3,or4units(rak’aat).
(rak’aat).
9-Returntostandingposition,andrepeatthesamesequenceof
actionspreviouslymentioned.
10-Insteadofstandingafterthesecondprostration,thistimeone
10
sitstorecitewhatisknownasthe tashahhud (testimonialprayer).
Itswordsareasfollows:
“At tahiyyaatu lil laa hiz zaakiyaatu lil laa hit tayyibaatus
salawaatulillaa.Assalaamu‘alaikaaiyuhannabiyyuwarahmat
Allahiwabarakaatu.Assalaamu‘alainaawa‘alaa‘ibaadillaahis

22
 anna
saaliheen. Ash hadu al laa ilaaha il Allah. Wa ash hadu anna
Muhammadan‘abduhuwarasooluh.”
Muhammadan‘abduhuwarasooluh.”
(All salutations are for Allah. All pure things are for Allah. All
good things are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet! And
Allah’s mercyandblessings.Peacebeuponus,andupon Allah’s
that there is no deity other than Allah.
righteous slaves. I testify that
AndItestifythatMuhammadisHisslaveandHismessenger.)
isHisslaveandHismessenger.)
11-Iftheprayerbeingperformedisonethatconsistsofonlytwo
11
units(rak’aat),onemayaddanyadditionalsupplicationsafterthe
tashahhud;justasitispermissibletoconfinetheonesfinalprayer
totheaforementioned tashahhud,thenproceedtoexittheprayer.
The way to do this is to say the words “As-
“As-Salaamu ‘alaikum”
(Peace be unto all
all of you)
you) while turning the head to the right
shoulder,themeasureofapproximatelya45degreeangle.

[*Note
[*Note:Ifoneisbeingleadinprayer,his/orherdeparturefromit
Note:Ifoneisbeingleadinprayer,his/orherdeparturefromit
would differ from that of the one leading. As for the Imaam
(leader), he exits the prayer by turning his head to the right and
saying “As-Salaamu‘alaikum”.
“As-Salaamu‘alaikum”. Asforthefollower,heorsheisto
“as--salaamu ‘alaikum”) once to the right,
give salaams (i.e. say “as

23
oncetothe Imaam infromofhim/her,andoncetothepersonon
onesleftsideifthereisone.]
onesleftsideifthereisone.]

However,iftheprayerhappenstoconsistofmorethantwounits,
one stands, after the completion of the first tashahhud, for the
third rak’at(unit)orfourthiftheprayerconsistsoffourunits.If
the prayer is one unit, one obviously remains seated after
completing the second prostration, then exits from the pray with
thetasleemah(i.e.tosayas-salaamu
tasleemah ‘alaikum).
When the prayer exceeding two units is an audible prayer, the
consecutiveunit/unitsaresaidsilently.
Upon completing the final unit (rak’at) of the prayer exceeding
two units, one sits again to recite the tashahhud, and any
additional supplication sending praises and salutations upon the
Prophet – peace be upon him - before exiting the prayer in the
customary fashion. However, it is recommended to say the
followingafterrecitingthetashahhud:
“waashhaduannalladheejaa-
“waashhaduannalladheejaa-abiheeMuhammadunhaqqun,wa
annaljannatahaqqunwaannannaarahaqqun,waannassaa’ata
aatiyatunlaaraibafeehaawaanAllahayab’athumanfilqaboor.
Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali
aali Muhammadin,

24
kamaasallaita‘alaaIbraaheemwa‘alaaaaliIbraaheem,wabaarik
‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta
‘alaa Ibraaheem wa ‘alaa aali Ibraaheem, fil ‘aalameen, innaka
HameedunMajeed.”
HameedunMajeed.”
(And I testify that what Muhammad came with is true, and that
Paradise/Heavenistrue,andHellistrue,andtheHouriscoming
–there’snodoubtaboutit,andthatAllah willraisethosewhoare
inthegraves.OAllah!SendprayersuponMuhammad,andonthe
familyofMuhammad,justasyou
justasyousentprayersuponAbrahamand
onthefamilyofAbraham.Andbless Muhammad andthefamily
of Muhammad, like you blessed Abraham and the family of
Abraham. With all the creation you are Worthy of Praise,
Magnanimous.)
Magnanimous.)

Or,

“Allahummasalli‘alaaMuhammadinwa‘alaaaaliMuhammadin,
“Allahummasalli‘alaaMuhammadinwa‘alaaaaliMuhammadin,
war ham Muhammadan wa aala Muhammadin, wa baarik ‘alaa
Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa sallaita  wa
rahimta wa baarakta ‘alaa Ibraaheem wa ‘alaa aali Ibraaheem fil
‘aalameeninnakaHameedunMajeed.
‘aalameeninnakaHameedunMajeed.

25
Allahumma salli ‘alaa malaa-
malaa-ikatika wal muqarrabeen wa ‘alaa
anbiyaa-ikawalmursaleenwa‘alaaahlitaa’atikaajma’een.
anbiyaa-ikawalmursaleenwa‘alaaahlitaa’atikaajma’een.
Allahummaghfirleewaliwaalidayyawalia-
Allahummaghfirleewaliwaalidayyawalia-immatinaawaliman
sabaqanaafileemaanmaghfiratan‘azmah.
sabaqanaafileemaanmaghfiratan‘azmah.
Allahumma innee as aluka min kulli khairin sa
sa alaka minhu
Muhammadun nabiyyuk, wa a’oodhu bika min kulli sharrin sa
alakaminhuMuhammadunnabiyyuk.
alakaminhuMuhammadunnabiyyuk.
Allahummaghfirlanaamaaqaddamnaawamaaakhkharnaawa
maa‘aalannaawamaaasrarnaawamaaanta‘aalamubihiminnaa.
maa‘aalannaawamaaasrarnaawamaaanta‘aalamubihiminnaa.
Rabbanaaaatinaafiddunyaahasanahwafilaakhiratihasanahwa
Rabbanaaaatinaafiddunyaahasanahwafilaakhiratihasanahwa
qinaa‘adhaabannaar.
qinaa‘adhaabannaar.
Wa a’oodhu bika min fitna til mahyaa wal mamaat, wa fitna til
‘adhaabilqabrwafitnatilmaseehiddajjaalwamin‘adhaabinnaar
wasooilmaseer.
wasooilmaseer.
As salaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmat Allahi
Allahi wa
barakaatu,wassalaamu‘alainaawa‘alaa‘ibaadillaahissaaliheen.”
barakaatu,wassalaamu‘alainaawa‘alaa‘ibaadillaahissaaliheen.”

(OAllah!SendprayersuponMuhammadandtheonthefamilyof
Muhammad.Havemercyupon Muhammad andonthefamilyof
Muhammad.BlessMuhammadandthefamilyofMuhammad,like
you sent prayers, showed mercy, and blessed Abraham and the

26
family of Abraham. With all the creation you are Worthy of
Praise,Magnanimous.
Praise,Magnanimous.
O Allah! Sendprayersuponyourangelsandthosedrawnnear(to
you),andonyourprophetsandthosesent,andonallthepeople
you),andonyourprophetsandthosesent,andonallthepeople
whoconstantlyobeyyou.
whoconstantlyobeyyou.
O Allah! Forgive me, my parents, our leaders, and all who
precededusinfaithapardonresolved.
precededusinfaithapardonresolved.
O Allah! Iaskofyouallgoodthat Muhammad askedofYou,and
Itakerefugewithyoufromallevil Muhammad tookrefuge with
Youfromit.
Youfromit.
O Allah! Forgive us what we have set forth, what have not yet
committed, what we have done openly, what we have done
secretly,andwhatyouaremoreacquaintedwithitthanweare.
secretly,andwhatyouaremoreacquaintedwithitthanweare.
OurLord!Giveusgoodintheworld,andgoodintheHereafter,
OurLord!Giveusgoodintheworld,andgoodintheHereafter,
andshieldusfromtheFire.
andshieldusfromtheFire.
AndItakerefugewithyoufromthetrialoflifeanddeath,from
the trial of the chastisement of the grave, the trial of the Anti-
Anti-
Christ,andfromaneviloutcome.
Christ,andfromaneviloutcome.
I testifythat thereis nodeityotherthan Allah,and Itestifythat
MuhammadisHisslaveandHismessenger.)
isHisslaveandHismessenger.)


27
 TheObligatoryPrayers,TheirNames,andTimes
TheObligatoryPrayers,TheirNames,andTimes

The obligatory prayers are five in number. Some of them are
performedduringthedaylighthourswhileothersareperformedat
night.Someofthemareperformedaudibly,someinaudibly,while
others are partly audible, partly inaudible. What we mean by the
prayerbeingaudibleisforAl-FaatihaandthesubsequentSurahto
be recited aloud. We mean by the prayer being inaudible the
opposite. As for it being partly audible and partly inaudible, we
mean that Al-Faatiha and the Surah are recited aloud in some
units (rakats), and not recited aloud in others. The obligatory
prayersintheorderthattheyoccurwithina24hourperiodareas
listedbelow.

1– Subh:TheDawnPrayer.Knownas Fajrinthecirclesofmost
Muslims. Fajris a separate voluntary prayer in the jurisprudence
ofthe Malikischoolperformedbefore Subh,althoughwithinthe
latter’stimeframe.Thattimebeingatthefirstbreakofdawnwhile
it is still dark before the sun breaks the horizon. Once the sun
breaksthroughthehorizon,thetimeforSubhhaselapsed.Hence,

28
it is not permissible for one to perform any prayer at that time
untilthesunhascompletelyrisen.6
2 Zuhr: TheMiddayPrayer.Thatis,afterthesunhaspassedits
2–
midway passage (meridian) and begins its decline in the western
portion of the sky. Its time extends until the time for the next
prayer.
3– ‘Asr:TheAfternoonPrayer.Thetimeforthisprayerextends
untilsunset,anothertimeatwhichprayersareprohibiteduntilthe
sunhascompletelyset.
4– Maghrib:TheSunsetPrayer.Afterthesunhascompletelyset,
thisprayerbecomesobligatory.Thereisenormousemphasiswith
regard to performing this prayer as soon as its time enters. Its
meritsareachievedbyperformingitatitsearliesttime.Thelater
onewaitstoperformit,themoredisliked/undesirableitistopray
it,althoughitwouldremainonesobligationtodosoinsuchacase.
5– ‘Ishaa:TheEveningPrayer.Itstimebeginsatthetermination
of the time for the Maghribprayer, and should beprayedbefore

6
Thatis,atleast,ifonehasalreadyprayedSubh.Asforwhenonehasn’tprayedit,itmaybe
prayedaslongasonehasenoughtimetocompleteonerakatofprayerbeforethesunhas
completelyrisenorset.Ifnot,onehastowaituntilthedescentorascensionofthesunin
complete.

29
the first third of the night has passed, although its time extends
untilthetimeofthedawnprayer(subh).
For the times of each prayer, one should check with one of the
localmosquestoobtainaprayerschedule,orshouldlearnhowto
determinethemforonesselfthroughattendingoneofthesessions
dealing with the jurisprudenceof worship (fiqh al-‘ibaadaat) that
arepresentedattheQubaInstitute
Instituteorwhereverelsetheymightbe
Institute
offered.














30
 TheObligatoryPrayersandtheTheirNumberofUnits
TheObligatoryPrayersandtheTheirNumberofUnits

1–Subh
Subh =2units(rak’aat).
2–Zuhr=4units.
3–‘Asr=4units.
4–Maghrib=3units.
5–‘Ishaa=4units.

Note:Theshortestoftheobligatoryprayersis2units.Itisarule
[Note
thatonemustsitafterthesecondprostrationattheendofevery2
units to recite the tashahhud regardless of how many units the
prayermaybe.InthecaseofMaghrib,thereisasecondsittingat
prayermaybe.InthecaseofMaghrib,thereisasecond sittingat
theendofthethirdunit.Contrarytothecaseoftheotherprayers
where the second sitting occurs at the end of the fourth unit in
accordance with the aforementioned rule stating that there is a
sitting for the tashahhud at the termination of
of every two units
(rak’aat).]
.]




31
 TheAudiblePrayersandTheInaudible
TheAudiblePrayersandTheInaudible

1– Subh isanaudibleprayer.Meaning,thattherecitationofthe
Al-Faatiha and another Surah is recited aloud in both rakats. In
addition to this, it isrecommended that one recite what is called
Du’aaal-
Du’aaal-qunootoncerecitationhasbeenterminatedattheendof
the second rak’at (unit). It is preferable to do it before one
changes to the position of bowing (rukoo’), although it is
permissible to recite it after rising from rukoo’ before moving to
thepositionofprostration.Thewordsofal-qunootareasfollows:

“Allahumma innaa nasta’eenuka wa nastagh firuk, wa numinu
bika wa natawakkalu ‘alaik, wa nakh na’u laka wa nakh la’u, wa
natrukumanyakfuruk.
natrukumanyakfuruk.
Allahumma iyyaaka na’bud, wa laka nusallee wa nasjud, ilaika
nas’aawanahfid,narjoorahmatakawanakhaafu‘adhaabak.Inna
‘adhaabakabilkaafireenamulhiq.”
‘adhaabakabilkaafireenamulhiq.”

(O Allah! Verily,weseekyouraid,andforgiveness.Webelievein
you, and depend upon you. We yield to you, and give up.
up. We

32
renouncehewhoisungratefultoyou.O Allah! OnlyYoudowe
worship,andtoYouweprayandprostrate.ToYouweaspire,and
hasten (in action). We hope for Your mercy, and we fear Your
chastisement.Verily,Yourchastisementwillovertakerejectersof
chastisement.Verily,Yourchastisementwillovertakerejecters of
faith.)
faith.)

*Du’aaal-Qunootshouldberecitedinaudibly.

2–Zuhristotallyinaudiblewiththeexceptionofthetakbeers(i.e.
tosay AllahuAkbarbeforeeachmotion),theconcluding salaam,
etc.
3 – ‘Asr is also inaudible. It is exactly identical to Zuhr in its
performancewiththeexceptionofcertainrecommendedsurahsto
berecited.
4 – Maghrib is partly audible, and partly inaudible. The first two
unitsareaudible.Asforthelastunit,itisinaudible.
5– ‘Ishaaisalsopartlyaudible,andpartlyinaudible.Thefirsttwo
unitsareaudible.Thelasttwoareinaudible.




33
 PrayerinCongregation
PrayerinCongregation

TheProphetofIslam–mayAllahblesshimandgranthimpeace–
placed great emphasis on prayer in congregation at the mosque.
Prophetictraditions (hadiths)pointoutthesuperiorityofpraying
in congregation so much so that its rewards are at least 25 times
more meritorious than onesprayer alone in ones home (i.e.with
regard to men). As for women, prayer in their homes are more
meritorious, although there is no objection to them attending
congregational prayers at mosques as long as they observe the
proper conduct of the mosque. That is, not wearing strong
perfumes,oranykindofclothing(e.g.tight,orsee-through)that
might distract praying men. It is exactly because of this feared
distractionthatitisdislikedforyoungattractivewomentoattend
congregational prayers with the exception of the two
recommendedholidayprayers(Salaatal-
(Salaatal-‘Eedain).
WhathasbeencustomaryforMuslimsistoprayallcongregational
prayersattheirearliesttimesinmosques.Thisisso,eventhoughit
ispermissibleforonetoprayuptothebeginningofthetimesfor
each respective consecutive prayer. The reason for performing

34
prayersattheirearliesttimesisinlightoftheprophetictraditions
mentioningthatprayersperformedthusaremostmeritorious.
Inthe Maalikischoolofjurisprudencethisisthecasewithregard
to both the dawn (Subh) and sunset (Maghrib) prayers. That is
thattheyshouldbeprayedassoonastheirtimesenterregardless
ofwhetherornotacongregationhasformed.Ifonehappenstogo
to the mosque after that and finds a congregation being
performed, one should repeat the prayer in congregation. This
goes for all prayers with the exception of Maghrib, which one
shouldnotrepeatincongregationifonehasalreadyperformedit
alone.
As for Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers, it is better to delay them if one
knows that the congregation will be performing them later than
thetimethattheyenter.Ifthereisnocongregation,itisbetterto
praythemattheirearliesttimesalone.
Inthecaseof ‘Ishaa,itisbettertodelayitsperformanceuntilthe
lastportionofthefirstthirdofthenightforthosewhoareableto
doso.Thenightbeginsatsunset.

Inadditiontowhathasbeenmentionedabove,itisrecommended
for someone from the praying congregation to recite the “First

35
CalltoPrayer”(Al-
(Al-Adhaan)oncethetimeforprayerhasentered.
The purpose of it is to indicate that the time for prayer has
entered, as well as to call others to the masjid in order to pray.
Then,immediatelybeforebeginningtheprayeroneshouldrecite
the “Second Call to Prayer” (Al-
(Al-Iqaamah). The words of al
al--
iqaamahhavealreadybeenmentionedabove.Asforal
al--adh
adhaan
aan,its
wordingisasfollows.
(AllahuAkbar,AllahuAkbar,ashhaduallaailaahaillAllah,ash
hadu allaa ilaaha ill Allah, ash hadu anna Muhammadan rasool
Allah, ash hadu anna Muhammadan rasool Allah, Hayya ‘alas
Salaah,Hayya‘alasSalaah,Hayya‘alalFalaah,Hayya‘alalFalaah,
Salaah,Hayya‘alasSalaah,Hayya‘alalFalaah,Hayya‘alalFalaah,
AllahuAkbar,AllahuAkbar,laailaahaillAllah.)
AllahuAkbar,AllahuAkbar,laailaahaillAllah.)
(Allah isGreater. Allah isGreater.Ibearwitnessthatthereisno
godbut Allah.Ibearwitnessthatthereisnogodbut Allah.Ibear
witnessthatMuhammadistheMessengerof Allah.Ibearwitness
witnessthatMuhammadistheMessengerof
that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Hasten to Prayer.
Hasten to Prayer. Hasten to Prosperity. Hasten to Prosperity.
AllahisGreater.AllahisGreater.ThereisnogodbutAllah.)
Allah.)

Iftheprayerbeingperformedisthedawnprayer (Subh),oneadds
after saying “Hayya ‘alal Falaah” the second time: “As Salaatu

36
khairunminannawm,AsSalaatukhairunminannawm.” Then,
onecompletesal-adhaanasmentionedabove.
Itisheldby Maalikijuriststhatoneshouldrepeatthewords: “ash
haduallaailaahillAllah,ashhaduallaailaahaillAllah,ashhadu
anna Muhammadan rasool Allah, ash hadu anna Muhammadan
rasool Allah” twice. The first time should be said in a very low
voice.Thesecondtimeitshouldberecitedinahighvoice.
Note1:OneisobligatedtofollowtheImaam(leaderofprayer)in
[Note
allmovementsoftheprayertotheextentthatonedoesnotmake
anymotionbeforethe Imaam.Intheaudibleprayersoneshould
not recite along with the Imaam in those rakats that he recites
recites
audibly. One should merely listen and be attentive to his
recitation.However,oneshouldreciteinallrakatsthattheImaam
recitesinaudibly,althoughitwouldnotbeanobligationtodoso.
recitesinaudibly,althoughitwouldnotbeanobligationtodoso.
Note
Note 2: Women are not allowed to lead other women in pray
prayer.
er.
Noraretheyallowedtoleadmeninprayer.Theprayerofonewho
praysbehindtheleadershipofawomanisinvalidintheschoolof
ImaamMaalik.Itmustbeprayedover.
.Itmustbeprayedover.
Note 3: The Friday Congregational Prayer (Salaatul-
Note Salaatul-Jumu’ah) is
anotheroneoftheprayersthatisespeciallycompulsoryformento
anotheroneoftheprayersthatisespeciallycompulsoryformento
perform, although women may also attend. The prayer is

37
performedatthevariouslocalmosquesatthesametimethatthe
Zuhr prayer is customarily performed. The Jumu’ah prayer is an
consisting of  2 rakats (units) only. It takes the
audible prayer consisting
placeoftheZuhrprayerforbothmenandwomenwhoattend.So,
oneisnotobligatedtopraythe Zuhr prayerifhe/shehappensto
catchtheJumu’ahprayer.Theprayerisalsoprecededbyasermon
consistingoftwopartsduringwhichoneisrequiredtobeattentive
consistingoftwopartsduringwhichoneisrequiredtobeattentive
to the words of the speaker. Meaning, that one should not be
holding a conversation with any other attending the sermon or
doing any other thing that would divert ones attention from the
orator’stopicofdiscussion.
orator’stopicofdiscussion.
fdiscussion.
4: If the congregation is more than two people, the Imaam
Note 4:
shouldstandinfront,whilealltheothersshouldstandbehindhim.
Ifthereareonlytwopeoplepraying,the Imaam andhisfollower
shouldbeinasinglerankwiththeImaamalittleinfrontofhim.If
alittleinfrontofhim.If
amanisleadingawomanorwomeninprayer,theystandbehind
him.Ifthecongregationiscomposedofbothgendersandismore
than three people, the men stand behind the Imaam and the
womenstandbehindtherank(s)ofthemen.]
womenstandbehindtherank(s)ofthemen.]



38
 ThingsthatNullifythePrayer
ThingsthatNullifythePrayer

Prayer is nullified by intentionally not observing any of the first
three prerequisites of prayer mentioned at the beginning of this
manualwhilehavingthecapacitytodoso.7

Theyare:
1–Facingtheapproximatedirectionofprayer(qiblah/Mecca).
2–Removingfilthfromonesperson,clothing,andplaceofprayer.
3–Coveringonesnakednessandprivateparts.

Asforthefourthoftheprerequisites, wudu,prayerisnullifiedfor
not observing it regardless of whether or not one abandoned it
intentionally. It is a precondition that is absolutely necessary for
thevalidityofonesprayer.Whereas,theothersareonlyrequired
aslongasoneremembersandisabletofulfillthem.
Thedistinctcharacterof wudugrantsitenormousimportance.So
itwouldbehooveustocomposeasectiondealingwiththosethings

7
Thereareotherthingsthatnullifytheprayer,whichIhaven’tmentionedhereforreasonsof
facility.

39
thatrenderwuduinvalid.Forifoneswuduisinvalid,onesprayeris
invalidbywayofextension.8


















8
Remember,thesearenottheonlythingsthatnullifytheprayer.Oneshouldenrollinaclass
thatdetailstheothernullifiersofprayer.

40
 ThingsthatNullifyWudu

The nullifiers of wudu are sixteen in number as mentioned in
Maalikijurisprudence.Theyareasfollows:
1–Urinating.
2–Passinggas.
3 – Continence of urine, passing gas, pre-ejaculatory fluid, or
excessivebleedingonthepartofawomanforaperiodbeyondher
usual menstrual cycle, or beyond the usual interval of post-natal
bleeding. These matters are all considered nullifiers if they are
rare occurrences. As for when they are continuous and constant,
onemerelymakes wudu beforeperformingeachprayer,andones
prayerisvalidevenifoneisovercomebyoneoftheseafflictions
duringtheprayer,althoughmedicalattentionshouldbesoughtfor
theseailments.
4–Defecating.
5–Fallingintoaheavysleepafteronehasperformedwudu.
6–Theexcretionofpre-ejaculatoryfluid (madh).Itistheseminal
fluid that comes out when one ponders about sexual intercourse
and the like, or when one is playing with ones spouse. One must

41
cleantheprivatepartofsuchfluidbeforemakingwudu.Asforthe
climax fluid (i.e. sperm) one is required to perform a special
bath/shower called gusl. This means that wudu isn’t sufficientfor
prayerinsuchacase.
7–Intoxication.
8–Fainting.
9–Temporaryinsanity.
10 – The discharge of wady. It is a form of seminal fluid that
10
usually comes out after urinating. Its mention here by Maaliki
juristsseemstobesimplytoindicatethatghuslisn’trequiredfrom
it. Rather, all one is required to do is to clean such fluid before
performing wudu.Isaythisbecauseurinationnullifiesones wudu.
So,itwouldseemeffusivetomention wadyasoneofthenullifiers
aslongasitappearsafterurinating.Unless,therearecaseswhere
itappearswithoutthecompanyofurine.
11/12
11/12 - Experiencing or seeking pleasure through touching or
kissing the opposite sex. This also goes for the one who seeks
pleasurethroughsuchakissortouch,butdoesn’texperienceit.
13–Enteringthehandwithinthebordersofawoman’svagina.
13
14–Touchingaman’spenis.
14

42
15
15 – Having doubt as whether or not one is in a state of purity
permitting the performance of prayer. That is, doubting whether
onehaswuduorghusl(whenrequired)ornot.
16
16 – Apostasy. When one rejects Islam in word or belief, ones
wuduisnullified,sinceprayerisonlyvalidfroma Muslim. Wudu,
being a condition for the validity of the prayer would make the
prayer itself invalid. That’s because the invalidity of the root
necessitates the invalidity of what branches out from it. Such an
individualisrequiredtorepentforhis/herapostasy,thenremake
oneswuduforthefollowingprayer.












43
 (Al--Ghusl)
TheRitualShower(Al

UponenteringIslamitisrecommendedforonetoperformwhatis
al--ghusl, or the ritual shower. This is a special form of
termed al
washing whose aim is, as ordinary baths/showers are, to remove
anyimpuresubstancesfromthebodythatmayinterferewiththe
soundness of ones prayer or other forms of ritual worship where
cleanliness is a precondition, just as it is intended as a symbol of
ones adoption of the new life of purity and faith, and ones
relinquishingofonespastlifeofimpurityandinfidelity.
Thethingsnecessitatingtheritualshowerareasfollows:
1–Thecessationofawoman’smenstrualperiod.
2–Thecessationofpost-natalbleeding.
3 – Ejaculation, whether it be the result of sexual intercourse, a
wetdream,fantasizingormasturbation,althoughmasturbationis
prohibitedintheMalikischool.
4–Enteringtheheadofthepenisinthevaginaofawoman,even
ifejaculationdoesn’toccur.


44
Ifoneoftheabovehappens,oneisobligatedtoperformtheritual
shower before performing the prayer or the like. The steps for
makingtheritualshowerareasfollows:

1–OnestartswiththenameofAllahbysaying“Bismillaa”.
2 - Wash ones private parts being sure that all blood or seminal
fluidisremoved.
3– Perform the ablution (wudu) as onewould doin preparation
for Salaat(prayer),exceptthatonemerelywasheseachextremity
once.Thereisnomeritinwashingthemthreetimes.
4–Repeatthewashingofthehair.Itshouldbedonethreetimes.
5 – Pour water over the entire body while making sure that it
dampens the skin of the entire body. This is insured through
rubbing. One should start with ones right side, and from top to
bottom.Oneshouldemployatowel,rope,ortheliketoinsurethe
waterisrubbedintotheskinofonesback.Ifthesetoolsdon’twork
onemayutilizeonesspouseoranyotherfamilymember.

Note: If one doesn’t do anything that would nullify ones wudu
[*Note
[*Note:
during
during the washing, it is permissible to perform all forms of
worshipwiththisshower.So,wereonetotouchonesgenitalswith

45
thepalmsofthehandsortipsorsidesoffingers,he/shewouldbe
requiredtorenewonesablution (wudu) inordertoperformacts
inordertoperformacts
of worship. However, if the same person were to touch his/her
genitalswiththebackofthehand,noinvalidationwouldoccur.]
genitalswiththebackofthehand,noinvalidationwouldoccur.]

[AdditionalNote:Whenoneurinatesordefecatesitiscompulsory
AdditionalNote:Whenoneurinatesordefecatesitiscompulsory
tocleananyremnantsofwasteexitingfromthetwopassageways
tocleananyremnantsofwasteexitingfromthetwopassageways
from the skin or clothing. Using water and the customary toilet
tissuedoesthis.Oneshouldbesurethatnofilthremains,justas
oneistousehis/herlefthandinordertoremovesuchfilth.]
oneistousehis/herlefthandinordertoremovesuchfilth.]












46
 VoluntaryPrayers
VoluntaryPrayers

Once one has incorporated the 5 obligatory prayers into ones
every day routine, it might be in ones interest to do additional
prayersinordertogivemoreweighttoonesscaleofdeedsonthe
Day of Judgment, and to make up for any imperfection which
likely will occur in ones prayer due to ones being diverted by
thoughtsunrelatedtotheprayer.
Of the voluntary prayers are those that are connected with the
performance of the obligatory prayers, and others that are not
connectedtotheirperformance.

A.Thoseconnectedtotheobligatoryprayers
1. Fajr.Thesearetwoinaudibleunitsofprayerthatarehighly
recommended.They
shouldbeprayedbeforethedawnprayer (Subh). However,if
one is deterred from praying the two rakats of Fajr due to
finding the congregation in the mosque praying the
obligatory, Subh, one may pray the Fajr after completing
Subhaslongasthesunhasn’tbrokenthehorizon.Andifone

47
 delays Fajr untilaftersunrise,itispermissibletoprayitupto
thetimeofZuhr.
2.Itisdesirablethatoneperform4unitsofprayerfollowingthe
noonprayer(Zuhr).
Theyshouldbedividedinto2unitseach,andseparatedbythe
concluding salaam. They are also inaudible. Some scholars
recommendthatonemake4unitsbeforeZuhr also.Theyare
executedinthesamemannerasthe4unitsfollowingZuhr.
3. Beforetheafternoonprayer (‘Asr)onecanmake4units,just
asthecaseofZuhr.
Except that no voluntary prayers are to made after the
compulsoryafternoonprayer.
4.Afterthesunsetprayer
4. (Maghrib) onecanmake2units.Itis
saidthatsixunitsare
desirable.

B. Thosethatarenotconnectedtotheobligatoryprayers
B.
11.Greeting the mosque (masjid). It is recommended that one
perform2unitsofprayer
upon entering the masjid before taking a seat, although this
wouldnotbepermitted

48
duringtheprohibitedtimesforprayer.

Note:Theprohibitedtimesareafter Subh oncethesunbreaks
[Note:Theprohibitedtimesareafter
the horizon until it has fully risen, and after ‘Asr once the sun
begins to set until it
it has completed its descent below the
horizon.Thisisthegeneralrulethatappliesmainlytovoluntary
prayers.Asforcompulsoryprayers,itwouldbepermissiblefor
onetoperformonesprayeratthistimeifthereisenoughtime
foronetocompleteoneunit(rakat)ofprayerbeforethesunhas
foronetocompleteoneunit
completeditsascentordescent.Addedtotheprohibitedtimes
isthetimethatthe Imaam exitsforthe Jumu’ah prayer,aswell
as during the sermon. Also amongst the prohibited times are
when little time remains for
for one to pray a compulsory prayer
that one hasn’t made, when one remembers that he/she hasn’t
prayedacompulsoryprayerwhosetimehaselapsed,andwhen
one enters and finds the obligatory prayer already being
performedorstarted.]
performedorstarted.]

2.   The Forenoon Prayer (Duhaa). This is a prayer that is
2.
performedafterthesunhas

49
 begun its ascent after dawn. Its time extends until the noon
prayer. The least number of units it is comprised of is two,
andthemostiseight.Theyshouldbeperformedastwounits
atatimebeingseparatedbytheconcludingsalaam.
3.TheEvenandOddoftheNightVigil
3. (As-
(As-Shaf’uwal-
Shaf’uwal-Witr).
Itwascustomaryfor
theHolyProphet–peacebeuponhim-toperformwhatis
termedasthe“night vigil”, tahajjud(alsoknownasqiyaam
“nightvigil”,
“night vigil”,or
al-lail).Afterperformingthenightprayer (‘Ishaa)hewould
retiretohishome,andthenwakeinthemiddleofthenight
in order to pray so much so that sometimes his feet would
crackfromstandingsolong.
Hewouldperform2unitsofprayeratatimeseparatingthem
by the concluding salaam. Once he had completed the
numberofunits (rakats)hefeltweresufficientinnumberhe
“al--witr”. The even
would pray a single unit prayer termed “al
numberofrakatsarecalled“ash-
“ash-shaf’”.
Considering the enormous difficulty there is in abandoning
onesbedsideinthemiddleofthenightinordertostandfor
prayer,ithasalsobeenallowedforonetopraythenightvigil
after the night prayer (‘Ishaa) before retiring. The least

50
 number of rakats allowed in the view of Imaam Maalik is
three. The first two rakats (ash-shaf’) are to be prayed
separatelyfromtheoneoddrakat(al-witr).
It was the customary practice of the Holy Messenger – may
Allah blesshimandgranthimpeace–toprayeleven rakats.
In one narration, he used to pray thirteen. Despite that, he
didn’texpresslysetalimittothenumberof rakatsthatoneis
permittedtopray.Thegeneralruleisthatoneistopraytwo
rakatsatatime,andwhenonefearsthatthedawnisaboutto
enter, he/she should perform the witr prayer making the
numberofrakatsanoddnumber.
4.Itisgoodtomaketwo
4. rakatsofprayeraftermakingwudu.
5.    Voluntary prayers are recommended absolutely. Meaning
thatwheneverone
desirestoprayavoluntaryprayer,doingsoispermittedwith
exceptionbeingmadetoprayingduringtheprohibitedtimes.

[Note:Voluntaryprayersshouldnotexceedtwounitsatatime.]
:Voluntaryprayersshouldnotexceedtwounitsatatime.]




51
 DryAblution(Tayammum)
DryAblution(Tayammum)

No religion stresses the obligatory nature of prayer more than
Islam. What lends support to this claim is the fact that Islam
obligesitsadherentstoperformprayerincaseswhereevensome
ofthemajorprerequisiteshavenotbeenfulfilled.Namely,inthe
casewhereonecannotfindwaterfortheritualablution (wudoo),
oroutoffearofsomepotentialharmthatmayafflictanindividual
were he/she to utilize or seek out water. When unable to find or
usewaterforwudoo,theDivineLawgiver(Allah)hasprovidedfor
HisservantsalegalsubstitutecalledTayammum.
Tayammum is an earthly purification (i.e. through the use of
earthly matter) consisting of the wiping of the face and hands to
the elbows. Its aim is to make permissible all things that the
nullifiersof wudoo have rendered impermissible for one to carry
outwithoutit(i.e.wudoo)whenwaterisnon-existent.
Thewayofperforming tayammumisforonetotouchpuredirt,a
stone, or the like with both hands, and then wipe the face. Next,
oneshouldtouchtheobjectasecondtime,thenproceedtowipe

52
thehandsandarmsuptoandincludingtheelbowsasonewould
doinwudoo.

[Note:Oneshouldonlywipethefaceandarmsonce.]
Note:Oneshouldonlywipethefaceandarmsonce.]
:Oneshouldonlywipethefaceandarmsonce.]

Asforthetypesofthingsitispermissibletomaketayammumwith
in the Maaliki school, they are any thingfound on thesurface of
the Earth in its natural state, whether it be sand, rocks, mud, or
dirt.Suchthingsshouldnotbesoiledbyfilth.
Tayammumisapermissiblesubstituteforwudoointwocases.
1 – Absence of water.
water This also includes when one has an
insufficientamountofdrinkingwaterwhiletravelingandthelike.
2 – Fear,
Fear in the broad sense of the word. That is, fear that one
might become sick from the use of water (even if it’s not cold
outside),fearthatonessicknesswillworsen,fearthatonemightbe
harmed by someoneor something on theway tofetch water in a
particularplace,etc.Andthescenariosaremany.

As for the first case, tayammum is not deemed a permissible
substitute for wudoo absolutely. Rather, the permissibility of
tayammum when water is absent is relative to the state of the

53
individual.Theindividualmaybeineitheroneofthreedifferent
states.Theyareasfollows.

a. TheHopeful.Thatis,onemightbehopefulthathe/shewill
TheHopeful
findwaterbeforethetimefor
prayerhasexited.Inthiscase,onemustwaituntilthelatest
timefortheprayerbeforeits
timeelapses.Ifonefindswater,theyshouldmakewudoo
andpray.Iftheydon’t,they
shouldmaketayammumwithcleandirt,arock,andthelike,
andthenpray.
b. TheDespondent.Asfortheonewhohasgivenuphopethat
TheDespondent
theywillfindwatereven
werehe/shetowaituntiltheendoftheprayertime,itis
permissibleforthemtomake
tayammumattheearliesttimeoftheprayerthenpray.
c. The Irresolute.
Irresolute The one who isn’t certain about finding
waterornotfindingitbeforethe
timefortheprayerelapsesshouldwaituntilhalfofthe
prayer’stimehaselapsedthenpray
withtayammum.

54

Tayammumisvalidforallthingspermittedby wudoo,suchasthe
obligatory and voluntary prayers. An exception is made with
regardto Jumu’ahprayerwhere tayammum doesnotrepresenta
substituteforwaterinthecaseofthehealthyresident.Thatis,one
is required to make wudoo for Jumu’ah prayer according to the
majorityofMaalikijurists.
The same things that render wudoo invalid also render ones
tayammuminvalid.However,wasonetofindwaterbeforepraying
afterperforming tayammumthelatterwouldberenderedinvalid.
Ontheotherhand,ifoneweretofindwateraftercompletingthe
prayeritwouldberecommendedtorepeattheprayeraslongasits
timehasn’telapsed.Whatismeantbytimeinthisinstanceiswhat
isknownasthe “PreferredTimes”
“PreferredTimes”oftheprayers.Thatwouldbe
for Zuhr,fromthebeginningofitstimeuntilthestartof ‘Asr.As
for Maghrib, its time would be considered from sunset until the
dissipationoftwilight.

[Note: The permissibility of tayammum extends to both wudoo
ghusl
andghusl.]
.]


55





















56
 (Khuff)
WipingOvertheLeatherSock(Khuff)

TheArabswereknownforwearingaleathersockcalleda Khuff.
Itwasworntoprotecttheirfeetfromanyharmfulmatters,namely,
the cold or heat. The newcomer will probably find some of our
brothers in the faith wearing them from time to time. So, it will
becomeeasytoidentifythem.
If one performs a complete wudoo before wearing these leather
footcovers,onemayrepeatprayerinthembysimplywipingover
thetopofthemifonehappenstodosomethingtoinvalidateones
wudoo.Thatis,aslongasonedoesn’tremovethemafternullifying
ones wudoo,itispermissibletorenewthewudoowithouthaving
towashonesbarefeetanothertime.
The interval of the permissibility of this is three days and three
nights.Thisistheviewrepresentedbysounderevidence,although
the popular view in the Maaliki School is that there is not time
limitsetforthepermissibilityofwipingoverthekhuff.

Note: Were one to remove the khuff after invalidating
[Note: invalidating ones
wudoo, and before renewing it, one would be required to wash

57
onesfeetanew.Meaningthatprayerwouldnotbevalidthenwere
onetowipeoverthekhuff.Alsorememberthatonehastoalready
have wudoo before wearing the khuff in order for it
it to be
considered permissible to wipe over it after doing a thing that
wouldnullifyoneswudoo.]
.]

















58
 WipingOvertheCastorMedicatedPad(Al-
WipingOvertheCastorMedicatedPad(Al-Jabeerah)
Jabeerah)

Ifthereisawound,abscess,mange,burn,oranythingofthesort
on the body, and one fears that if he/she was to wash it in the
processofmaking wudooor ghusl thatonemightbecomeill,one
canplaceamedicatedpadupontheinjuredplaceandsimplywipe
over it (i.e. the splint). This also applies when one merely fears
thatonessicknessmightworsen,orthatwashingitwoulddelayits
improvement.
There are other matter pertinent to the subject that we have
abandoned out of fear of prolixity, and due to the fact that the
subjectwillbedealtwithatgreaterlengthintheclasseswhichwill
beheldonthetopicofFiqh(jurisprudence),inshaaAllah.





59
60
 AdditionalShortSurahs
Surahs

I. SuratAl-
SuratAl-Ikhlaas(Sincerity)
(Sincerity)

“QulhuwAllahuAhad,
“QulhuwAllahuAhad,
AllahusSamad,
AllahusSamad,
Lamyalidwalamyoolad,
Lamyalidwalamyoolad,
walamyakul
walamyakullakufuwanahad.”
lakufuwanahad.”

(Say:He, Allah isUnique. Allah,TheEternal.Hedidnotbeget.
And he was notbegotten. And there is not to Him one
comparable.)

II. SuratAl-
SuratAl-Falaq(TheDawn)
Falaq(TheDawn)

“QulA’oodhubirabbilfalaq,
“QulA’oodhubirabbilfalaq,
minsharrimaakhalaq,
minsharrimaakhalaq,
waminsharrighaasiqin
waminsharrighaasiqinIdhaawaqab,
Idhaawaqab,
WAminsharrinnaffaathaatifil‘uqad,
WAminsharrinnaffaathaatifil‘uqad,
wamin
waminsharrihaasidinidhaahasad.”
sharrihaasidinidhaahasad.”

61
 
(Say:ItakerefugewiththeLordoftheMornfromtheevilofall
Hecreated,andfromtheevilofnightwhenitenters,andfromthe
eviltheonewhoblowsintoknots,and
eviltheonewhoblowsintoknots,and fromtheevilofanenvious
onewhenhepracticeshisenvy.)
onewhenhepracticeshisenvy.)

III. SuratAl-
SuratAl-Naas(Humanity)
Naas(Humanity)

“Qula’oodhubirabbinnaas,
“Qula’oodhubirabbinnaas,
Malikinnaas,
Malikinnaas,
ilaahinnaas,
ilaahinnaas,
minsharrilwaswaasilkhannaas,
minsharrilwaswaasilkhannaas,
alladhiyuwaswisufisudoorinnaas,
alladhiyuwaswisufisudoorinnaas,
minalJinnatiwannaas.”
minalJinnatiwannaas.”
(Say: I take refuge with the Lord of Mankind, the King of
Mankind,theGodofMankindfromtheevilofthewhispererwho
withdraws,whowhispersinthebreastsofmen,fromtheJinnand
Mankind.)
Mankind.)

((AndtoAllahisthereturnofallaffairs))

62