Performing Salaah Correctly (Part 4) – Mufti Taqi Usmani

In between the two Sajdahs:

1. Rising from the first Sajdah, sit up straight, calmly and comfortably. Then go for the second Sajdah. Doing the second Sajdah after raising the head just a little bit and without becoming straight is a sin. If one does it like that, it becomes obligatory that the Salah be made all over again.

2. Spread out the left foot and sit on it. Let the right foot stand vertically with toes turned towards the Qiblah. Some people let both feet remain in upright position and sit on the heels. This method is not correct.

3. While sitting, both hands should be placed on the thighs but fingers should not taper down onto the knees, instead, the far ends of the finger tips should reach only as far as the beginning edge of the knee.

4. While sitting, let your eyes be focused on the lap.

5. Sit for a time during which “Subhanallah”could be said at least once and if your can sit for a time during which “Allahummagh Firli Warhamni Wasturni Wahdini Warzuqni”could be recited, it is better. But, reciting this during Fard (obligatory) Salah is not necessary. It is better to do so in Nafl Salah.

The second Sajdah and rising from it:
1. Go on to do your second Sajdah in the same manner by first placing both hands on the floor, then the nose-tip, then the forehead.

2. The complete from of Sajdah should be the same as mentioned in connection with the first Sajdah.

3. When rising from Sajdah, first raise the forehead off the floor, then the nose-tip, then the hands, and then the knees.

4. While rising, it is better not to learn for support off the floor, however, should it be difficult to get up from the floor because of body-weight, sickness or old age, making use of the floor for support is also permissible.

5. After you have risen back to your standing position, recite “Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem” before Surah al-Fatihah in the begining of each raka’ah.

In Qa’dah:
1. The method of sitting in Qa’dah shall be the same as mentioned in connection with the method of sitting between Sajdahs.

2. When you reach “Ashhadu al laa ilaaha” while reciting “At-tahiyyat”raise the shahadah finger (the fore-finger or the index finger) with a pointing motion and let it fall back at “Illal lah”.

3. The method of making a pointing motion is that you make a circle by joining your middle finger and the thumb, close the little finger and the ringfinger (the one next to it), then raise the shahadah finger in a way that it is tapered towards the Qiblah. It should not be raised up straight in the direction of the sky.

4. However, lower the shahadah finger while saying “Illal lah”,but retain, right through the end, the initial formation of the rest of the fingers you already had when making the pointing motion.

When turning for Salam:
1. When turning for Salam on both sides, you should turn your neck just enough that your cheeks become visible to the person sitting behind you.

2. When turning for Salam, eyes should be towards the shoulders.

3. When turning your neck to the right to say “Asslamu Allaikum Wa-Rahmatullah”make an intention that you are offering your Salam (greetings) to all human beings and angels on your right. Similarly, while turning for Salam to the left, have the intention of offering your Salam greeting to all human beings and angels present on your left.

Related:

1. Performing Salaah Correctly – Part 1

2. Performing Salaah Correctly – Part 2

3. Performing Salaah Correctly – Part 3

Author: Mufti Taqi Usmani

Edited: Ar Rihla