AYAZ
02-22-2009, 09:28 PM
Understanding the Postures of Prayer
In the prayer there are certain basic postures which are repeated in sequence. Following is an illustrated explanation of those postures.
http://path-to-peace.com/p04.gif
Niyah & Tas-meeh (To Praise)
This posture occurs at 2 points in the prayer:
- When making intention (niyah) right at the beginning
- When standing up from Ruku (Tah-meed or genefluction) http://path-to-peace.com/p01.gif
Takbir
This posture marks the start of the prayer
This posture occurs:
1 times in a 2 Rahah prayer
2 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
1 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p02.gif
Standing in Prayer
Keeping the gaze fixed to the ground, men should place their right hand over the left one in the following manner: Grab the wrist of the left hand by forming a ring with the LITTLE FINGER (pinky) and the THUMB around it placing the palm of the right hand on top of the left hand and extending the 3 middle fingers over the left arms wrist.
This posture occurs:
2 times in a 2 Rahah prayer
3 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
4 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p_001.jpg
The method for men to wrap the hands.
Place the right hand over the left one in the following manner: Grab the wrist of the left hand by forming a ring with the LITTLE FINGER (pinky) and the THUMB around it placing the palm of the right hand on top of the left hand and extending the 3 middle fingers over the left arms wrist
http://path-to-peace.com/p03.gif
Ruku or Genefluction
While in this state men should bow as low as possible to bring the back to level keeping their elbows and arms separate from the body. Also while the hands are on the knees men should keep the fingers apart.
This posture occurs:
2 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
3 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
4 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p05.gif
Sajdah or Prostration
For the men it is important to keep the thighs and the stomach apart as shown and to keep the forearms raised off the ground.
This posture occurs:
4 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
6 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
8 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p06.gif
Jalsah & Ta-Shah-hud
Keep the Gaze fixed on the lap. The men should sit on their left foot pointing to the right side as shown and the right foot straight, resting on its toes.
This posture occurs:
3 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
5 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
6 times in a 4 Rakah prayer
http://path-to-peace.com/p_004.jpg
Saying Shadah in Ta-Shah-hud position
The difference between Jalsah and Ta-Shah-hud is that in the Jalsah position the worshipper stays silent and this is in-between sajdahs. Whereas the Ta-Shah-hud position marks the end of 2 rakahs and in this position the worshipper recites. In the second and fourth rakah we recite during which we utter the shadah, while saying the shadah one is required to raise the index finger of the right hand as shown.
This posture occurs:
1 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
2 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & witr prayer
2 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p_002.jpg
The Salam
When ending the prayer the head is first moved to the right hand side keeping the gaze on the right shoulder and then to the left keeping the gaze on the left shoulder. Saying As Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmat Alllah both times.
This posture occurs:
1 times in a 2 Rahah prayer
1 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
1 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p_003.jpg
Dua or Supplication
When the prayer has ended we are free to ask Allah for anything we wish. This is done through Dua. Both hands are joined together at the palm and raised up and then the worshipper may ask to their hearts content. Sequence of carrying out the above postures
2 Rakah Prayer
http://path-to-peace.com/prayer_explained.gif
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 Rakah Prayer & Witar Prayer
3 Rakah Witar Prayer is exactly the same except two additional steps are included as shown below.
http://path-to-peace.com/3_witr_prayer_explained.gif
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 Rakah Prayer
http://path-to-peace.com/4_rakah_prayer_explained.gif
In the prayer there are certain basic postures which are repeated in sequence. Following is an illustrated explanation of those postures.
http://path-to-peace.com/p04.gif
Niyah & Tas-meeh (To Praise)
This posture occurs at 2 points in the prayer:
- When making intention (niyah) right at the beginning
- When standing up from Ruku (Tah-meed or genefluction) http://path-to-peace.com/p01.gif
Takbir
This posture marks the start of the prayer
This posture occurs:
1 times in a 2 Rahah prayer
2 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
1 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p02.gif
Standing in Prayer
Keeping the gaze fixed to the ground, men should place their right hand over the left one in the following manner: Grab the wrist of the left hand by forming a ring with the LITTLE FINGER (pinky) and the THUMB around it placing the palm of the right hand on top of the left hand and extending the 3 middle fingers over the left arms wrist.
This posture occurs:
2 times in a 2 Rahah prayer
3 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
4 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p_001.jpg
The method for men to wrap the hands.
Place the right hand over the left one in the following manner: Grab the wrist of the left hand by forming a ring with the LITTLE FINGER (pinky) and the THUMB around it placing the palm of the right hand on top of the left hand and extending the 3 middle fingers over the left arms wrist
http://path-to-peace.com/p03.gif
Ruku or Genefluction
While in this state men should bow as low as possible to bring the back to level keeping their elbows and arms separate from the body. Also while the hands are on the knees men should keep the fingers apart.
This posture occurs:
2 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
3 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
4 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p05.gif
Sajdah or Prostration
For the men it is important to keep the thighs and the stomach apart as shown and to keep the forearms raised off the ground.
This posture occurs:
4 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
6 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
8 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p06.gif
Jalsah & Ta-Shah-hud
Keep the Gaze fixed on the lap. The men should sit on their left foot pointing to the right side as shown and the right foot straight, resting on its toes.
This posture occurs:
3 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
5 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
6 times in a 4 Rakah prayer
http://path-to-peace.com/p_004.jpg
Saying Shadah in Ta-Shah-hud position
The difference between Jalsah and Ta-Shah-hud is that in the Jalsah position the worshipper stays silent and this is in-between sajdahs. Whereas the Ta-Shah-hud position marks the end of 2 rakahs and in this position the worshipper recites. In the second and fourth rakah we recite during which we utter the shadah, while saying the shadah one is required to raise the index finger of the right hand as shown.
This posture occurs:
1 times in a 2 Rakah prayer
2 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & witr prayer
2 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p_002.jpg
The Salam
When ending the prayer the head is first moved to the right hand side keeping the gaze on the right shoulder and then to the left keeping the gaze on the left shoulder. Saying As Salam Alaikum Wa Rahmat Alllah both times.
This posture occurs:
1 times in a 2 Rahah prayer
1 times in a 3 Rakah prayer & Witr Prayers
1 times in a 4 Rakah prayer http://path-to-peace.com/p_003.jpg
Dua or Supplication
When the prayer has ended we are free to ask Allah for anything we wish. This is done through Dua. Both hands are joined together at the palm and raised up and then the worshipper may ask to their hearts content. Sequence of carrying out the above postures
2 Rakah Prayer
http://path-to-peace.com/prayer_explained.gif
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
3 Rakah Prayer & Witar Prayer
3 Rakah Witar Prayer is exactly the same except two additional steps are included as shown below.
http://path-to-peace.com/3_witr_prayer_explained.gif
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4 Rakah Prayer
http://path-to-peace.com/4_rakah_prayer_explained.gif