The Power of Salah: Transform Your Life with This Simple Habit!

Struggling in Life? Discover How Salah Can Change Everything!

Every Muslim knows that Salah (prayer) is one of the most important obligations of Islam, a great act of worship, and the pillar of the religion. However, in addition to being an obligatory duty, Salah also plays a crucial role in an individual’s self-reform and moral training.

The Holy Quran states:

"Recite what has been revealed to you of the Book, and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prevents immorality and wrongdoing."

In this verse, it is clearly mentioned that prayer has the unique ability to prevent a person from wrongdoing and helps in their moral reform. Many hadiths explain that those who establish prayer properly gradually abandon sins and bad habits over time.

The True Meaning of Establishing Salah (Iqamat-e-Salat)

The term “Iqamat-e-Salat” does not simply mean performing Salah as a routine task, but rather, offering it with complete devotion and adherence to its outward and inward etiquettes, as demonstrated by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

For example:

1. Understanding and Observing Its Conditions, Sunnahs, and Etiquettes – One must acquire the correct knowledge of Salah and follow its conditions, Sunnah practices, and etiquettes as accurately as possible.
2. Attaining Humility and Sincerity in Salah – One should perform Salah with deep humility and presence of mind, as if they are standing before Allah and conversing with Him.

When a person establishes Salah in this manner, they are naturally granted the ability by Allah to perform righteous deeds and develop a strong inclination to stay away from evil. However, if someone performs Salah regularly yet continues to engage in immoral behavior or wrongdoing, they should realize that there is a deficiency in their prayer.

To truly establish Salah, consider the following:

• Learn the Conditions and Sunnahs – Understanding the correct method of Salah ensures that all essential aspects are fulfilled.

• Cultivate Humility and Sincerity – Imagine standing before Allah and conversing with Him; this mindset fosters devotion.

• Focus on the Meaning – Understanding the supplications and verses recited in Salah enhances engagement and reflection.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

"If a person's Salah does not prevent them from immorality and wrongdoing, then their Salah is meaningless."

Thus, it is essential that Salah is not seen as a mere burden to be fulfilled but rather as a means of true spiritual connection with Allah.

How Salah Influences Personal Development

Many Muslims perform Salah daily, but not all may experience its full spiritual and moral impact. The key lies in understanding and performing Salah correctly with sincerity and devotion. Here’s how it aids in self-improvement:

1. Strengthens the Connection with Allah – When performed with complete devotion, Salah becomes a means of direct communication with Allah, bringing inner peace and spiritual strength.

2. Encourages Self-Discipline – Praying five times a day instills discipline and structure, helping individuals lead an organized life.

3. Purifies the Heart and Soul – Regular prayer cleanses the heart from negative thoughts, arrogance, and malice, making a person more compassionate and kind.

4. Develops a Sense of Accountability – Knowing that one has to stand before Allah regularly encourages ethical behavior and mindfulness in daily actions.

5. Provides Emotional and Mental Stability – Engaging in prayer helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by fostering mindfulness and reliance on Allah’s mercy.

Can Salah Help Overcome Bad Habits and Sins?

There was a man who used to perform Tahajjud (late-night prayer) but would steal during the day. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was informed about him, he said:

"Very soon, his Salah will stop him from stealing."
(Reference: Tafsir Ibn Kathir)

After some time, the man repented and completely abandoned theft. This hadith shows how prayer gradually helps a person leave sins and bad habits behind.

Self-Reflection on Our Prayers

Nowadays, many people perform Salah regularly but still engage in various sins or immoral actions. According to the hadith, this means that there is some deficiency in their prayer. If they correct this deficiency and perform Salah with sincerity and proper etiquettes, then, as per Allah’s promise, Salah will certainly prevent them from evil deeds.

Thus, Salah is the best means for self-reform and moral development.

Making Salah a Transformative Experience

Salah is not just an obligation; it is a divine tool for self-improvement and spiritual elevation. By committing to sincere and mindful prayer, believers can experience profound personal growth, moral discipline, and a deeper connection with Allah.

Let us strive to perfect our Salah and experience its true impact in our lives. May Allah guide us in establishing our prayers with sincerity and devotion. Ameen.

A Prayer for Guidance

"O Allah, grant us the ability to perform Salah with all its outward and inward etiquettes so that we may benefit from its blessings in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen."

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What is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi and Makrooh-e-Tanzihi?

Makruh is of two types as  Makrooh-e-Tahrimi and  Makrooh-e-Tanzihi

What is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi ?
Makrooh-e-Tahrimi is an impermissible act in Deen. It's status is close to status of a haraam act. If one carries out a makrooh-e-tahrimi act, one will be sinful. The consequence of continuously carrying out a makrooh-e-tahrimi act could be disastrous.

What is Makrooh-e-Tanzihi ?
"Makrooh Tanzihi" is the opposite of Sunnat-e-Ghair-Muakkadah". The one who avoids it earns goodness and reward and in case of commission he is liable to neither torment nor Divine anger



Conditions for Makrooh-e-Tahrimi in Namaz

1. Rule: To cough without reason or to yawn without reason is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi. If you yawn naturally then there is no harm but you should try and stop it and if you cannot then you should bite your lips and if you still cannot then cover your mouth with your hand, whilst in Qayam use your right hand and in all other position use your left.
2. Rule: To pray Namaz with only your trousers or 'Tehband' on and there is another blanket on top available then it is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi, and if you have no other clothing available then there is no harm.
3. Rule: To delay in the Namaz because you are waiting for someone to join you is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi. If you are delaying it so that they can join the Namaz then it is all right as long as it is no longer than saying 'Subhanallah' twice [Alamgiri].
4. Rule: To pray Namaz with a grave in front and nothing in between is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Alamgiri].

Conditions for Makrooh-e- Tanzihi in Namaz

Rule: In Sijdah or Rukooh, to say the Tasbeeh less than three times is Makrooh-e-Tanzihi. If however, you do this because there isn't enough time or you are going to miss the train, then there is no problem.

Rule: To pray Namaz in your working clothes is Makrooh-e-Tanzihi. If however, no other clothes are available then there is no harm.

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What is Sajdah-e-Tilaawat? Sunnat way of performing Sajda Tilaawat

What is Sijdah-e-Tilaawat ?

This is the Sijdah which becomes Wajib when you pray or hear the verse of Sijdah. It's proper method is to stand up and say Allaho-o-Akbar whilst going into Sijdah and then pray at least three times 'Subhana Rabbi'al Aalaa' and then whilst saying Allah-o-Akbar stand back up. 

Sunnat way of performing Sajda Tilaawat

1. Rule:It is Sunnat to say at the start and the end 'Allaho Akbar in Sijdah-e-Tilaawat. Also to start the Sijdah by standing up and then going into Sijdah and then standing back up again after. Both of these Qayams are Mustahhab [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar etc.].
2. Rule: If you did not stand before or after the Sijdah or you did not say Allaho Akbar or you did not pray 'Subhana Rabbi'al Aala', then even still your Sijdah will count. However, you should not miss Takbeer as it is against procedure [Alamgiri, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
3. Rule: When saying the Takbeer you do not lift your hands nor do you pray Attahiyat or perform Salaam in Sijdah-e-Tilaawat [Tanweer, Bahar].
4. Rule: In total there are fourteen verses in the Holy Quran whereby whichever verse is prayed, both the person praying and listening will have to perform Sijdah-e-Tilaawat as it will become Wajib on them, whether the person listening made the intention of listening to it or not.

Conditions of Sajdah-e-Tilaawat

1. Rule:Except for Tahrimah, for Sajdah-e-Tilaawat all conditions remain which are in Namaz; For example, cleanliness, facing the Qibla, intention, time and covering of the body, also if you have access to water then you cannot perform Sijdah-e-Tilaawat by performing Tayammum [Durr-e-Mukhtar, etc.].
2. Rule: If a verse of Sijdah is prayed in Namaz then it is Wajib in Namaz to perform Sijdah and if you delay it you will become a sinner. Delay means to pray three or more verses after the verse of Sijdah. If however, the verse is at the end of a Surat then there is no harm in finishing the Surat. For example, in Surah Inshaaq if you performed Sijdah at the end of the Surat there is no harm.
3. Rule: If you prayed a verse of Sijdah in Namaz, but forgot to perform Sijdah then as long as you are in the state of Namaz (whether you have performed Salaam) then you must perform it and then perform Sijdah-e-Sahoo [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
4. Rule: If you pray a verse of Sijdah in Namaz then to perform it's Sijdah is Wajib in Namaz not outside, and if you deliberately missed it then you are a sinner and repentance is necessary as long as you did not perform Rukooh and Sijdah straight after the verse.
5. Rule: It is not a condition to state in the intention for Sijdah-e-Tilaawat the verse that you have prayed, but a general intention of Sijdah-e-Tilaawat is sufficient.
6. Rule: Whatever action breaks the Namaz also breaks the Sijdah-e-Tilaawat, such as releasing wind, talking, laughing in Namaz etc. [Durr-e-Mukhtar etc.].
7. Rule: Sijdah does not become Wajib by writing a vferse of Sijdah or just by looking at the verse [Qazi Khan, Alamgiri, Guniya].
8. Rule: For the Sijdah to become Wajib, it is not necessary to pray the whole verse of Sijdah, but by just praying the word that makes the verse Wajib and a joining word before or after the word would make the Sijdah Wajib [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
9. Rule: By spelling or listening to the spelling of a verse of Sijdah does not make the Sijdah Wajib [Alamgiri, Durr-e-Mukhtar, Qazi Khan].
10. Rule: If the translation of a verse of Sijdah is prayed or is heard then the Sijdah becomes Wajib, whether the person who heard it understands it or not that it was the translation of a verse of Sijdah. However, it is important that if he does not know then he should be informed. If however, the verse is prayed and then the translation is prayed then it is not necessary to inform him that this was the translation [Qazi Khan, Alamgiri, Bahar].
11. Rule: If a woman on her menstrual cycle of bleeding after childbirth has prayed the verse then the Sijdah won't be necessary for her to perform the Sijdah, however those who have heard her pray the verse will have to perform the Sijdah as it is still Wajib for them [Bahar].
12. Rule: Just as it does not become Wajib for a woman on her menstrual cycle or bleeding after childbirth to perform a Sijdah, it also does not become Wajib for her if she hears the verse.
13. Rule: If a person for whom it is obligatory to bathe has prayed the verse of Sijdah or heard the verse or a person who is not in Wuzu prays or hears it then it still becomes Wajib for them to perform a Sijdah.
14. Rule: If a child prays a verse of Sijdah then it becomes Wajib for those who hear it but not for the child [Alamgiri etc.].
15. Rule: If the Imam has prayed the verse of Sijdah but did not perform Sijdah, then the Muqtadee will also not perform Sijdah and continue following the Imam even though they might have heard the verse [Guniya]. Whenever the verse is prayed and for some reason the person praying or hearing do not perform the Sijdah then it is Mustahhab to pray "Sam'1 Na Wa Ata'na Gufranaka Rabbana Wa'ilaikal Masir [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
16. Rule: To pray the whole Surat and to miss the verse of Sijdah is Makrooh-e-Tahrimi [Qazi Khan, Durr-e-Mukhtar].
17. Rule: If in one Masjid one verse is repeated many times or heard many times then only one Sijdah is Wajib even if different people have prayed it. Also if you pray a verse and you hear the same verse from someone else, then again only one Sijdah will be Wajib [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].

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How to Perform Sajdah-E-Sahu or Sajdah Sahw - Prostration of Forgetfulness

SAJDAH-E-SAHOO / Sajdah Sahw  (SAJDAH FOR FAULTS / Prostration of Forgetfulness)

What is  Sajdah Sahw ? When is Sajdah-e-Sahoo Wajib or compulsory ?
If those actions which are Wajib in Namaz are not performed by mistake, it is Wajib to perform the Sijdah-e-Sahoo to substitute for the action missed. 

Method of performing Sajdah Sahw?
The method of performing this is, when you finish praying 'Attahiyat' in the last Qaidah, turn your head to the right side and then perform two Sajdahs. Then repeat Attahiyat from the beginning and complete your Namaz.

Rule1: If a Wajib was missed and you did not perform Sajdah Sahw  and completed the Namaz, then it is Wajib to repeat the Namaz.

Rule2: If a Wajib is missed deliberately, then a to perform A Sajdah Sahw  would not be sufficient and therefore it would be Wajib to repeat the Namaz.

Rule3: If any of the Farz actions are missed, then Sajdah Sahw  would not compensate for them and therefore the Namaz would not count and to repeat the Namaz would be Farz.

Actions which by missing would not make the Sijdah-e-Sahoo necessary

1. Rule: If the actions that are Sunnat or Mustahhab in Namaz are missed, such as 'Ta'awwuz', 'Tasmee' 'Aameen', 'Takbeers when changing positions', the Tasbeehs (of Rukoo and Sijdahs) etc. it would not make it necessary to perform Sajdah Sahw , but the Namaz would count [Radd-ul-Mohtar, Guniya]. However, it would be better to repeat it.
2. Rule: If in one Namaz many Wajibs are missed, then the two Sajdahs of Sahoo would be sufficient, it is not necessary to perform a Sijdah-e-Sahoo for ever Wajib missed [Radd-ul-Mohtar, etc.]
3. Rule: If in the first Qaidah after Attahiyat and before standing for the third Rakat there is a delay as long as it takes to pray 'Allahumma Salleh Ala Muhammad' then Sajdah Sahw  would become Wajib, whether you pray it or not, in both situations Sajdah Sahw  would become Wajib [Durr-e-Mukhtar, Radd-ul-Mohtar].
4. Rule: If in Qiraayat etc at any time you start thinking and there is a gap long enough for someone to say 'Subhanallah' three times, then it would be Wajib to perform Sajdah-e-Sahoo [Radd-ul-Mohtar].
5. Rule: If you think that the first Qaidah is the last Qaidah in a four Rakat Namaz and you perform Salaam and then remember and stand back up and complete the Namaz, you must perform Sijdah-e-Sahoo [Alamgiri]. If you forgot to pause between actions then Sijdah-e-Sahoo is Wajib [Hindiya].
6. Rule: If a Muqtadee had not completed his 'Attahiyat' and the Imam stood up for the third Rakat, it is necessary for the Muqtadee to complete his Attahiyat, regardless of whether it causes delay.
7. Rule: If the Muqtadee had not prayed the Tasbeeh in a Rukoo or Sijdah three times and the Imam finished it and stood up, it is necessary for the Muqtadee to stand up and not finish the rest of the Tasbeeh.
8. Rule: If a person forgot to perform the first Qaidah and had only started standing up then he should sit back down and pray Attahiyat and the Namaz would be correct, a Sijdah-e-Sahoo would not be necessary. If however, he stood up and was close to completely, standing then he should stand up and continue with his Namaz and then finally perform Sajdah Sahw  [Shareh Waqia, Hidaaya etc].
9. Rule: If you forgot to perform the last Qaidah and had not yet performed a Sijdah for the extra Rakat then you should sit back down straight away and perform Sijdah-e-Sahoo. If however, you had performed a Sijdah for the extra Rakat then except for Maghrib you can join another Rakat and they would all count as Nafl, because your Farz Namaz would not count and therefore you would have to pray the Farz Namaz again [Hidaaya, Shareh Waqia].
10. Rule: If in the last Qaidah you prayed Tasahhud and then stood back up, you should sit straight back down and as long as you have not performed a Sijdah for the extra Rakat, perform Sijdah-e-Sahoo and complete the Namaz. If however, you had performed a Sijdah in the extra Rakat, your Farz Namaz would still count but you should join another Rakat and then finally perform Sijdah-e-Sahoo and the last two Rakats would count as Nafl, but do not join another Rakat for Maghrib Namaz [Hidaaya, Shareh Waqia].
11. Rule: If in one Rakat you performed three Sijdahs or two Rukoos or forgot the first Qaidah then perform Sajdah Sahw .
12. Rule: Order of sequence is obligatory in Qayam, Rukoo, Sijdah and the last Qaidah, therefore, if you performed Rukoo before you performed Qayam then this Rukoo is cancelled and will not count and if then you perform another Rukoo your Namaz will count otherwise it will not, and in the same way if you performed Sijdah before the Rukoo and then performed the Rukoo and performed the Sijdah again after, then the Namaz will count.
13. Rule: Order of sequence is obligatory in Qayam, Rukoo, Sijdah and the last Qaidah meaning, whichever is due first should be done first and whichever is due next should be done next and if this done in,the wrong order then the Namaz will not count, for example, if someone performed Sijdah before Rukoo then their Namaz will not count, however, if they performed the Sajdah again after the Rukoo meaning they rectified the order of sequence again then their Namaz will count. In the same way if they perform Rukoo before Qayam and they stand back in Qayam and then perform another Rukoo, their Namaz will count Radd-ul-Mohtar]. All Qaidahs in Nafl Namaz are counted as last Qaidahs and therefore are obligatory and so if you forgot to perform a Qaidah and stood up then as long as you have not performed a Sijdah for the new Rakat sit back down and perform the Qaidah and then perform Sajdah Sahw  and all Wajib Namaz are in the same rule as Farz Namaz, therefore if you forget to perform the first Qaidah of Witr then the same rule applies as a Farz Namaz [Durr-e-Mukhtar].
14. Rule: If you forgot to pray Dua-e-Kunoot or forgot to perform the Takbeer-e-Kunoot then perform Sajdah Sahw . Takbeer-e-Kunoot means the Takbeer that is said in the third Rakat after Qirat and is done and then Dua-e-Kunoot is prayed [Alamgiri].

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The Meanings of the Salat (Prayer) with English Translation

Arabic Transliteration	English Translation
"Subhana Kal-lah hum-ma wabi hamdika wata-bara kasmuka wata'ala jad-duka wala ilaha ghyruka.”	"Glory be to you oh Allah, and Praise. Blessed be Your name and exalted be Your majesty. There is no god but You"
“A'udhu bil-lahi minash Shayta-nir-rajeem”	"I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned"
"Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Raheem”	"In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful."
"Alhamdul lil-lahi rab-bil 'alameen Ar rahma nir-raheem Maliki yawmid-deen Iyyaka na'budu wa iyyaka nasta'een Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem Siratal Ladheena an'amta 'alayhim Ghai-ril maghdubi 'alayhim Walad dal-leen. (Ameen)"	"Praise be to Allah, the Sustainer of the Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Only you do we worship, and only your help we seek Show us the straight way The way of those whom you bestowed your Grace, Those whose (portion) is not wrath And who go not astray."
"Sub-hana Rabbi-al 'azeem"	“Glorified is my Lord, the Almighty”
"Sami 'allah hu liman hamida.	"Allah listens to him who praises Him"
"Rab-bana lakal hamd"	"Our Lord, praise be for you only”
"Allah u Akbar"	"Allah is the greatest"
“Sub-hana Rabbi yal a'la”	“Glory to Allah, the Exalted"
"At-tahiy-yatu lil-lahi was sala-watu wat-tay yibatu. As-salamu 'alayka ay-yuhan-nabiy-yu wa rahma tullahi wa bara-katuhu As-salamu 'alayna wa'ala 'ibadil-la his-sali-heen”	"All our salutations are for Allah, and prayers, and good deeds. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O Prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah.”
“Ash hadu al-la ilaha il-lal lahu wa ash hadu an-na Muhammadan 'ab-duhu wa rasuluh.”	“I testify that there is no god but Allah and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and messenger".
"Allah humma sal-li 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, Kama sal-layta 'ala Ibraheema Wa'ala ahli Ibraheema innaka Hameedum Majeed Allah humma barik 'ala Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin, Kama barakta 'ala Ibraheema Wa 'ala ahli Ibraheema innaka Hameedum Majeed.”	"Oh Allah send your Mercy on Muhammad and his posterity as you sent Your mercy on Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most Praised, The Most Glorious. Oh Allah, send your Blessings on Muhammad and his posterity as you have blessed Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most praised, The Most Glorious".
“Rubbana ‘atayna fi dunya hasanatuh, wa fil akheratay hasanatuh, wa qina a'zaban nar.”	Our Lord, grant us the good of this world and of the Hereafter and save us from the torture of the Fire
"As-salamu 'alaykum wa rah-matul lah".	"Peace and mercy of Allah be on you".

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