On other occasions the Holy Prophet(SAW) said:

When the Holy Prophet(SAW) saw a person performing Salaat incorrectly, the Prophet(SAW) said "If you go on performing your prayers of Salaat in this manner, on the Day of Resurrection you will not be said to be of my Ummat."

Alhamdulilah, more and more Muslims are turning to Salaat throughout the world. However, many of us are not aware of the correct method of performing Salaat.

There are many Important rules of SaIaat that need to be observed if our Salaat is to be accepted in the Divine presence. Therefore, we shall point out some of the most important points of Salaat that most of us neglect or are unaware of and some points in regard to Salaat in a congregation.

a. Make sure that absolute straight lines are made before Salaat commences. And complete each row before forming another row. Remember that it is Mustahab(a preferable act) to stand when the words "Hayya Alas Salah" are heard in the Iqamat and not before.

The Holy Prophet(SAW) said "Be straight and differ not lest differences should grow in your hearts." (Muslim)

b. Stand shoulder to shoulder with person and leave no gaps between yourselves. Keep your feet about 4 inches apart not 4 FEET!

The Holy Prophet(SAW) said "Make the rows straight and stand shoulder to shoulder. Close up any gaps and keep close to the hands of your brethren and leave not the gaps for the devils. Whoever joins a row, Allah will join him and who so severs it,, Allah will sever him." (Abu Dawud)

c. Do not compete with the Imam, follow the Imam. Don’t hurry in performing the actions of Salaat ahead of the Imam. You should be a step behind him not ahead of him.

The Holy Prophet(SAW) said "Does he who lifts up his head before the Imam not fear that Allah will fill his head with the intellect of an Ass?" (i.e. devoid of common sense)

Your dress must be free from all impurities. For Men the dress should cover their bodies from the navel to the knees at least. Women are required to cover themselves from head to foot, leaving only the face and hands uncovered.

According to most AhIe Sunna scholars, it is Makruh-e-Tanzihi (not a sin, but reduction in

reward for your Salaat) for men to wear trousers that hang below their ankles.

However, there is no harm, if due to old age, fasting or the structure of ones body, the trousers slip below the ankles. What the Prophet(SAW) disliked about the trouser hanging below the ankles was the show of extravagance.

According to most Ahle-Sunna Scholars, at the following times it is Haram to offer any Salaat whether Fard, Sunnah or Nafl. It is also recommended not to recite the Holy Quran at these times.

1. When the Sun is rising
2. When the Sun is at its Zenith
3. When the Sun is setting

We have made a humble attempt at clarifying the correct manner in which to perform the most important actions of Slaat, since it it in these actions that most of us fail. Also bear in mind that we wrote this article for the benefit of practising Muslims, new or non-practising Muslims first need to learn the prerequisites of Salaat before reaching this stage. And remember that the elderly, disabled and sick people may not be able to perform the above actions correctly, however, they should at least be aware of the correct actions of Salaat.

May Allah forgive us and help us to learn all the good actions of worship according to Shariah, Ameen.