The Parts of Prayer

Every prayer follows one pattern: Whether it is Fajr with 2 rak'at or Dhuhr with 4, every prayer is built from the same parts. Learning the parts once means you can pray any prayer. Each Rak'ah (رکعت) is one full cycle of standing, bowing, and prostrating.

Niyyah and the opening Takbir: Prayer begins with Niyyah — the intention in the heart, for Allah alone, without showing off (Riya'). Then comes Takbirat al-Ihram: raising the hands and saying Allahu Akbar — Allah is Greatest. After this Takbir, the prayer has begun, and ordinary actions like talking and eating are no longer allowed.

Standing and recitation: In Qiyam (standing), you recite Surah al-Fatiha and then another Surah in the first two rak'at of every prayer. In the third and fourth rak'at, you recite the Tasbihat al-Arba'ah (SubhanAllahi wal-hamdu lillahi wa la ilaha illAllahu wallahu Akbar) or Surah al-Fatiha alone. The body must be still, the clothes proper, and the face toward the Qibla — the Ka'bah.

Ruku and Sujud: Then comes Ruku (bowing) — bending so the hands reach the knees, saying Subhana Rabbiy al-Azimi wa bihamdih. Then Sujud (prostration) — twice in every rak'ah — the forehead, both palms, both knees, and the tips of the big toes on the ground, saying Subhana Rabbiy al-A'la wa bihamdih. In the Shia tradition the forehead is placed on the earth (often a Turbah made of clay), following the Prophet's (SAW) practice of prostrating on the earth.

Qunut, Tashahhud and Salam: In the second rak'ah, after recitation and before Ruku, it is Mustahib to raise the hands in Qunut and make du'a. At the end of the prayer, you sit for Tashahhud — bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad (SAW) is His Messenger — and then Salam, turning with the words of peace, which ends the prayer.

The pillars of prayer: Some parts are Arkan (pillars): Niyyah, Takbirat al-Ihram, Qiyam, Ruku, and Sujud. If a pillar is left out deliberately, or added deliberately, the prayer is invalid. Other parts, if forgotten, are made up by Sajdah al-Sahw (the prostration of forgetfulness). The exact rules are in the Tawdhih al-Masa'il, Issues 730–1124. — to be checked.

Prayer in congregation and on Friday: Praying in congregation (Salat al-Jama'ah) is Mustahib, and its reward is multiplied 25 times over praying alone. The Imam of the congregation must be just, Shia, sane, adult, and praying a valid prayer. On Friday, the Friday prayer replaces Dhuhr when its conditions are met; otherwise Dhuhr is prayed. — to be checked.

Example

Fatima is learning to pray. She writes the parts on a card: Niyyah → Allahu Akbar → Fatiha + Surah → Ruku → two Sujud → (second rak'ah: Qunut) → Tashahhud → Salam. She follows the card for a week. By the second week she does not need the card — the pattern is in her body now, like riding a bicycle.

Key Terms

• Rak'ah (رکعت) — one unit of prayer: standing, bowing, and two prostrations
• Takbirat al-Ihram (تکبیرۃ الاحرام) — the opening "Allahu Akbar" that begins the prayer
• Qunut (قنوت) — the Mustahib raising of hands in du'a in the second rak'ah
• Arkan (ارکان) — the pillars of prayer, which must not be left out or added to deliberately

Quran or Hadith

Quran 2:43 — "Establish prayer — give Zakat — and bow with those who bow." — to be checked.

Quran 29:45 — "Indeed, prayer prevents immorality and wrongdoing." — to be checked.

The Prophet (SAW): "The first thing a servant will be questioned about on Qiyamah is his Salah. If it is sound — all his deeds are sound." — Bihar al-Anwar, Vol. 82, p. 209. — to be checked.

Fresh diagram to be drawn: One rak'ah shown as a circle of five steps in order — Qiyam (recitation) → Ruku → Sujud → Sujud → stand — with Qunut, Tashahhud, and Salam marked where they fall.