The Pillars of the Prayer

The pillars of the prayer are the actions and statements in the prayer which render the prayer void if omitted intentionally. If omitted due to Sahw – forgetfulness/unintentionally, they cannot be made up except by practicing them [when remembered].

1. Standing if one has the ability for the obligations.

The evidence: The saying of Allah:

And stand before Allah with obedience [Al Baqarah: 238]

The evidence from the Sunnah: The Messenger’s order - صلى الله عليه وسلم - to ‘Imraan ibn al Husayn - may Allah be pleased with him:

“…pray standing…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/264 #1117]

Refer to: Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.77, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.131, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.100.

 
2. Takbeerat al Ihraam.

The evidence:

“…then face the Qiblah and perform the Takbeer…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/178 #793 and Muslim: 1/82: #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.4, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.86, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.131, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.101.

 
3. Reading al Faatihah.

The evidence: The statement of the Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم -:

“There is no Salaat for the one who does not read the Faatihah of the Book.” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/170, #756, Muslim: 1/80, #394 and an Nasaa-ee: P.159, #908]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.6, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.97, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.131, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.101.

 
4. Rukoo’ – Bowing.

The evidence:

O you who have believed! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful [Al Hajj: 77]

“…then bow until you are tranquil…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/178, #793 and Muslim: 1/82, #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.6, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.128, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.131, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.102.

 
5. Rising from the Rukoo’.

The evidence:

“…then rise until you are tranquil…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/178, #793 and Muslim: 1/82, #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.8, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.131, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.131, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.103.

 
6. Sujood – Prostration.

The evidence:

O you who have believed! Bow down, and prostrate yourselves, and worship your Lord and do good that you may be successful [Al Hajj: 77]

“…then prostrate until you are tranquil…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/178, #793 and Muslim: 1/82, #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.8, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.139, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.131, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.103.

 
7. Sitting between prostrations.

The evidence:

“…then rise from the prostration until you are tranquil…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/178, #793 and Muslim: 1/82, #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.9, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.151, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.103.

 
8. The second prostration.

The evidence:

“…then prostrate [again] until you are tranquil…” [Collected by al Bukaaree: 1/178, #793 and Muslim: 1/82, #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.9, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132

 
9. The last Tashahhud.

The evidence:

“…If you sit during the prayer say; at Tahiyaat liLaah…” [Collected by Muslim: 4/92, #402]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.11, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.160, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.103.

 
10. Sending the Salaat and Salaam upon the Messenger after the last Tashahhud.

The evidence:

The Hadeeth of Abu Mas’ood al Ansaaree – may Allah be pleased with him. [Collected by Muslim: 4/98, #495 and an Nasaa-ee: P.220, #1283]

The Hadeeth of Ka’b ibn ‘Ajazah – may Allah be pleased with him. [Collected by Muslim: 4/98, #406 and an Nasaa-ee: P.221, #1286]

The Hadeeth of Abu Humayd as Saa’idee – may Allah be pleased with him. [Collected by al Bukhari: 3/216, #6360, Muslim: 4/99, #407 and an Nasaa-ee: P.222, #1291]

The Hadeeth of Abu Sa’eed al Khudri. [Collected by al Bukhari: 3/215, #6358 and an Nasaa-ee: P.222, #1290]

Refer to: Jalaa al Afhaam by ibnul Qayyim for the variations of the Salat and Salaam P.84, Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.11, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.164, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.104.

 
11. The ordering of the pillars.

Standing, then bowing, then rising, then prostrating, then sitting between the two prostrations, then prostrating again.

Refer to: Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.104.

 
12. Tranquility.

The evidence:

“…until you are tranquile…” [Collected by al Bukhari: 1/178, #793, and Muslim: 1/82, #397]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.9, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.130, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.103, Salaatut Taraaweeh by al-Albani: P39

 
13. The Tasleem.

The evidence:

The Hadeeth of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas’ood:

“He used to give Salaam to his right and to his left.” [Collected by Ibn Hibbaan: 5/329, #1990 and declared authentic by al-Albani in al Irwaa #326]

The Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar – may Allah be pleased with him. [Collected by an Nasaa-ee: P.227, #1320]

The Hadeeth of ‘Alqamah ibn Waa-il – may Allah be pleased with him. [Collected by Abu Dawud and declared authentic by al-Albani: 1/162, #797, as well as Muqbil in as Saheeh al Musnad: #1192]

The Hadeeth of Waa-il ibn Hajar. [Declared as authentic by al-Albani in Tamaam al Minnah: P. 171]

Refer to: Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee by Shaykh ibn Baaz: P.12, Sifat Salaat an Nabee by al-Albani P.187, Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat by Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen : P.132, al Mulakhas al Fiqhee by Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan : P.104.

 
 

______________________________

Prints used for:

Saheeh al Bukhari: Maktabat as Safaa.
Saheeh Muslim: Maktabat as Safaa.
Kayfiyyat Salaat an Nabee: Daar ar Rahmah.
Sifat Salaat an Nabee: Maktabat al Ma’aarif.
Fiqh al ‘Ibaadaat: Daar al Athaar.
Al Mulakhas al Fiqhee: Daar al Athaar.
Salaatut Taraweeh: al Maktab al Islamee.
As Saheeh al Musnad: Daar al Athar.
Al Irwaa: Daar al ‘Aasimah.
Tamaam al Minnah: Daar ar Raayah.


Taken from research by Abul Haarith Iskanayd with some slight additions, more references to be added in the future inshaa Allah.