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TOP | RELIGION | ISLAM | SUFISM

Salat: finger-gesture

To: tariqas@facteur.std.com
From: Tony 
Subject: Re: Salat: finger-gesture
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 15:28:30 -0500 (EST)

On Wed, 17 Jan 1996, Haramullah wrote:

	
 
> I have now read more than one analysis of salat and did not see this
> finger-gesture mentioned within them.  I would like to know when this
> is performed and in relation to what prayers or what part of salat.
> I'd also like to know if it is common and if it is so, why it wasn't
> within the post to this elist or the other text I found.  Thank you 
> very much for your time.
 
	Asalaam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah. I confess that there is no God but 
God, and I raise my index finger on my right hand to remind me of the 
One. I do that after the last prostration of the last ra'kah of the prayer. 

Anthony Teelucksingh

---------
To: tariqas@facteur.std.com
From: "M.I.S. DEPT" 
Subject: RE: jamilla/salat
Date: Sun, 21 JAN 96 21:11:48

I followed with much interest about the finger gesture in the salat
ritual during the "tahiyyat".  But none have so far explained the variations
performed by the different Islamic orders.  From what I have learned,
the finger gesture is performed by all the 4 main Islamic school of thoughts.
For the Shafiee school the index finger is raised and remained at this position
until the end of the tahiyyat. It goes back to normal just before the first
salam.
For the Hanafi school the index finger is raised and remained so only during
the duration of the shahadah.  The finger is lowered back once the shahadah
recital is over.
For the Maliki school the index finger is raised and it has to move gently
in circular motion.
I have forgotten how the Hanbali school performs the ritual.
Perhaps someone more knowledgeable in the list could provide some enlightenment 

Wassalam

Noordin
Singapore



From tariqas-approval@facteur.std.com  Sun Jan 21 23:12:14 1996
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To: tariqas@world.std.com
From: fhaddad@unix.asb.com (Fouad Haddad)
Subject: Finger gesture in salat
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Status: RO

salam alaykum,

The finger gesture in salat is defined in all four schools of Sunni
Islam as a non-obligatory part of prayer which occurs at the time
one sits back at the conclusion of the first and second cycle of
prayer and silently recites the "tashahhud" or testification of faith,
which reads (in English):

                Greetings, blessings, and the best of prayers
                to God.  Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the
                mercy of God and is blessings.  Peace be upon us
                and upon God's righteous servants.  I testify 
                there is no God except God alone without partner,
                and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and 
                His Messenger.

The two hands rest on one's thighs palms down.  At the words "except
God alone" or earlier, one lifts the right index finger horizontally
and points with it.


Fouad Haddad
Naqshbandi-Haqqani Foundation of Ahl al-Sunna wal-Jama`a



From tariqas-approval@facteur.std.com  Wed Jan 17 01:29:36 1996
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To: tariqas@facteur.std.com
From: "K.Ahmad" 
Subject: Re: request for salat details
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At 09:26 AM 1/16/96 -0800, you wrote:
>
>Hello friends,
>
>Does anybody know of a book or other document or a web page that gives
>the details of doing salat. Having receintly taken shahada I feel that
>I should get my salat straight. There are those at the masjid that 
>could help me, but they don't have it written down. When I have asked,
>they have given me more information than I can remember. 
>
> 
>
>
Dear Brother, I hope this will help. Sorry I couldn't include the the
diagrams. Any errors, typos or mistakes are mine.

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST GRACIOUS, MOST MERCIFUL

THE CONTENTS OF SALAH

Salah in Islam is a uniqe institution, It brings man closer to Allah by
harmonising his mental attitude with physical posture. In Salah, a Muslim
submits completely himself to his creator.
When you are sure that you have fulfilled all the necessary conditions for
Salah, you are ready to offer Salah.

Say to yourself that you intend to offer this Salah (Fajr, Zuhr, Asr,
Maghrib or Isha) Fardh or Sunnah.
Then raise your hands to your ears saying:

ALLAHU AKBAR
(Allah is the greatest)

Now placing your right on your left, just below, above or on the navel
recite the following:

SUBHANAKA ALLAHUMMA WA BI HUMDIKA
(O Allah, Glorified, praiseworthy)

WATABARAKAS MOKA WATA'ALA JADDOKA
(and blessed is Thy name and exalted Thy Majesty)

WA LA IHAHA GHAYROKA
(and there is no deity worthy of worship except Thee)

A'U ZU BIL LA HI MINASHAITANIR RAJIM
(I seek refuge in Allah from the rejected Satan)

BISMILLA'HIR RAHMAN IR RAHIM
(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

After this recite the opening Surah, Al-Fatiha:

ALHAMDO LIL LAHI RAB BIL A'LAMIN
(Praise be for Allah, Lord of the worlds)

AR RAHMAN IR RAHIM
(tha Beneficent, the Merciful)

MALIKI YAU MID DIN
(Master of the day of judgement)

IYYA KA NA BU DO WA IYYA KA NAS TAEEN
(Thee alone we worship and to Thee alone we turn for help)

IH DI NAS SI RA TAL MUS TA QEEMA
(Guide us in the straight path)

SIRA TAL LA ZINA AN AMTA ALAIHIM
(the path of those whom You favoured)

GHAIRIL MAGH BU BA ALAIHIM
(and who did not deservr Thy anger)

WA LUD DALL LIN (AMIN)
(or went astray)

Now recite the following or any other passage from the Holy Qur'an:

BIS MIL LA HIR RAHMAN IR RAHIM
(In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful)

QUL HO WAL LAHO AHAD
(Say: Allah is one and the only God)

ALLAH HUS SA MAD
(Allah, upon whom all depend)

LAM YALID WA LAM YU LAD
(He begets not, nor is He begotten)

WA LAM YA'KUL LA HU
KUFU WAN AHAD
(and there is nothing which can be 
compared to Him)

Now bow down saying:

ALLAHU AKBAR
(Allah is the greatest)

Place your hands on your knees and in 
this inclined position (Raku) recite 
these words thrice:

SUBHA NARAB BI YAL AZIM
(Glory to my Lord the great)

Then come to the standing position saying:

SAMI ALLAHU LI MAN HAMIDAH
(Allah has heard all who praise Him)

RAB BA NA LAKAL HAMD
(Our Lord: Praise be to Thee)

Now saying "Allah Akbar" prostrate on the 
ground with your forehead, the knees, the nose
and palms of both hands touching the ground. 
In this position (Sajdah) repeat these 
words three times at least:

SUBHANA RAB BI YAL A'LA
(Glory to my Lord, the most high)

Sit upright with knees still on the ground 
and after a moment's rest perform the second 
Sajdah saying:(same as before)

This completes one rakah of salat. The second is said in the same way except
that after the second Sajdah you sit back, with the left foot bent towards
the right, which should be placed vertical to the mat with the toes touching
the mat. The palms should be lifted from the mat and placed on the knees.

In this position (Q'Adah) silently say these words (Tashahhud);

AT TA HIY YA TO LIL LAHI WAS SALA WATO WA TAY YI BATO
(All prayers and worship through words, 
action and sanctity are for Allah only)

AS SA LA MO ALAIKA AY YO HAN NA BIY YO
(Peace be on you, O Prophet)

WA RAH MA TUL LA HEY WA BARA KA TO HU
(And Mercy of Allah and His blessings)

AS SALAMU ALAINA WA ALA IBA DIL LAHIS SALI HEEN
(Peace be on us and on those who are righteous 
servants of Allah)

ASH HA DU AL LA ILAHA IL LA LAHO
(I bear witness to the fact that there is no deity but Allah)

WA ASH HA DU AN NA MUHAMMADAN AB DU HU WA RASUL UH
(and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger)

In a three rakah (i.e. Maghrib) or four rakah (like Zuhr, Asr and Isha)
salah you stand up for theremaining rakah after Tashahhud. On the ather hand
if it is a  two rakah (Fajr) salah, keep sitting and after this recite
darood (blessing for the Prophet) in these words:

ALLAH HUM MA SAL LI ALA MUHAMMAD DIN WA AL'A AALI
MUHAMMADIN
(O Allah, exalt Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad)

KA MAA SAL LAY TA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA AALI
IBRAHEEMA
(As thou did exalt Ibrahim and his followers)

INNA KA HAMEEDUM MAJEED
(Thou art the praised, the Glourious)

ALLAHUM MA BAA RIK ALA MUHAMMADIN
(O Allah, bless Muhammad)

WA ALA AALI MUHAMMADIN
(and his followers)

KA MAABA RAK TA ALA IBRAHEEMA WA ALA IBRAHEEMA
(as Thou has blest Ibrahim and his followers).

INNA KA HAMEEDUN MAJEED
(Thou art the Praised, the Glorious).

Then say silently:
RABBIJ-ALNI MUQUIMUS-SALATE WA MIN ZURRIYYATI,
(O Lord! Make me and my children steadfast in Prayer;)

RABBANA WA TAQABBAL DUA RABBANA GHAFIRLI
(Our Lord! Accept the prayer. Our Lord! forgive me)

WA LIWALIDAYYA WA LIL MU'MINEENA YAUMA YAQOOM UL HISAB
(and my parents and believers on the day of judgement)

Now turn your face first to the right saying:

ASSALAMO ALAIKUM WA RAHMATULLAH
(Peace be on you and Allah's blessings)

Then turn your face to the left and repeat the above words (aloud).

This completes your two rakah salah.  The four rakah of Zuhr, Asr and Isha
are said in an identical manner with the only difference that in the first
two rakah of Zuhr and Asr, Al-Fatiha is said silently while in Isha prayer
it is recited aloud.
If you are performing a three rakah (like Maghrib) or a four rakah (like
Zuhr, Asr and Isha) salah stand up after Tashahud saying ALLAHU AKBAR and
recite Al-Fatiha.  YOu must remember that Al-Fatiha is always recited
silently in the third and fourth rakah of every salah.  When you are
offering Fardh salah do not recite any additional passage from the Holy
Qur'an after Al-Fatiha in the last two rakah.  After the second Sajdah in
the fourth rakah say the Tashahud, Darood and end with "ASSALAMO ALAIKUM WA
RAHMATULLAH to each side (first right, then left).  This marks the end of
Salah. 




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