Year 10 Ibadah : Salat and Soam
Salat
Lesson 1: Al-Qunut in Cumpulsory and Recommended Salat
(The narrator of the Hadith) asked Imam Abu Ja’far-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) about Qunut (the supplication after the recitation in the second Rak’at) in the five daily Salat. The Imam-asws said: ‘Say Qunut in all of them.’ Our 6th Imam, Imam abu ‘Abd Allah-asws said that Qunut ‘is in every Salat; obligatory or optional.’
Someone once asked abu ‘Abd Allah-asws about Qunut and what is said in it. The Imam-asws replied: ‘Say whatever Allah-azwj makes to come out from your tongue. I-asws do not know of anything definite for it.’
In another Hadith, someone asked Imam Abu Ja’far-asws about a man who has forgotten Al-Qunut then remembers somewhere on the way. The Imam-asws said: ‘He should turn towards Qiblah and say it.’
Lesson 2: Recitation of Al-Qunut
Imam ‘Abu ‘Abd Allah-asws (our 6th Imam-asws) has said: ‘It is sufficient for Al-Qunut to say,
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَ ارْحَمْنَا وَ عَافِنَا وَ اعْفُ عَنَّا فِي الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ إِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
‘O Allah-azwj, Forgive us, Grant us Mercy, good health and Pardon us in this world and in the next life; You-azwj have power over all things.’[1]
Lesson 3: Sending Laan on the Enemies of Ahl Al-Bayt-asws
Amir-ul-Momaneen-asws, while offering Magrib prayers, cursed the enemies of the Ahl-ul Bayt-asws in Qunut.[2]
A group of people heard Abu ‘Abd Allah-asws (our 6th Imam-asws) express Laan against four men and four women after every obligatory Salat. He expressed Laan on people such as Mu’awiyah, Hinda and ‘Umm al-Hakam, the sister of Mu’awiyah.’
Lesson 4: Standing and Sitting Manners in Salat (for Men)
Imam Abu Ja’far-asws has said: “When you stand up for Salat do not allow one foot to touch the other, leave between them a distance of one finger at the least and one Shibr (about 8 inches) at the most. Allow your shoulders to relax and leave your hands alone. Do not criss-cross your fingers. Instead, they should be kept on your thighs and your eyes should look at the place for prostration.
During Ruku position line up your feet with a distance of one shibr in between, allow your fingers to hold on to your knees. Place your right palm on your right knee before placing the left palm on your left knee. Allow your fingers to reach to the sides of your knees and stretch your fingers when placed on your knees. If during Ruku the tips of your fingers reach your knees it is sufficient but it is better if your palm rests on your knees so you can allow your finger to hold on to your knees while they (the knees) are kept apart. Your back should be straight, your neck stretched forward and you should look between your feet.
“When you are ready for prostration, raise your hands for saying ‘اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ’ (Allah ho Akbar – Allah-azwj is Great beyond description)”, and then bow down for prostration. First your hands should be placed on the ground, before your knees, together but do not place your forearms on the ground as beasts do. You must not place your forearms on your knees or thighs but open them as wings with your elbows. You must not touch your knees with your palms and do not place them very close to your face. Place them level with your shoulders.
“You must not place your plams in front of your knees. Place them a little out, extend them on the ground and keep them a little towards you. If there is some cloth underneath, it does not matter, and if you allow them to be placed on the ground it is better. You must not keep your fingers apart from each other during your sajdah but keep them close, side by side.”
The Imam-asws said: ‘When you sit up straight for reading the Tashud, keep your knees touching the ground and a little apart from each other. The back of your left foot should be on the ground, the back of your right foot should be placed on the bottom of your left foot and both hips should be placed on the ground as well as the tip of the big toe of your right foot. You should never sit on both of your feet; it may hurt you. You should not be sitting if some parts of you are on top of the others on the ground and you cannot bear sitting this way for reading the Tashud and supplications.’[3]
Lesson 5: Standing and Sitting Manners in Salat (For Ladies):
‘The 6th Imam-asws has said: ‘When a woman stands up for Salat she should place her feet close to each other and should not keep them apart from each other. She should keep her hands over her chest. In Ruku position she should place her hands above her knees on her thighs so as not to bend down very much.
‘When sitting, she should sit back, unlike a man. When bowing down for prostration she should first bring down her knees before her hands, and then place herself on the ground. When sitting she should keep her thighs together and raise her knees from the ground.’[4]
Lesson 6: (general) Sitting Manner in Salat:
Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah-asws (our 6th Imam-asws) has said: ‘You must not kneel, between the two sajdahs.’[5]
Someone once asked Imam Abu Ja’far-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) about the words of Allah-azwj, ‘Perform Salat for the sake of your Allah and offer sacrifice….’(108:2) The Imam-asws said: “’Offering sacrifice’ is a reference to standing in a level posture by keeping one’s back and neck level.” The Imam-asws said: ‘You must not place your hand on your other hand; Majus people (Zoroastrians) would do so. You must not cover your mouth, do not hold your limbs tightly together and do not squat (sit on one’s heels) and do not place your arms flat on the ground (fingers and palm on the ground but not the forearm).’[6]
Someone once heard abu ‘Abd Allah-asws say: ‘Imam Ali Ibn Al-Hussain-asws while bowing down for Sajdah would say اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ (Allah-azwj is Great beyond description).’
Lesson 7: The Tashud:
اشهد ان لا اله الا الله وحده لا شريك له، واشهد ان محمدا عبده ورسوله، واشهد ان علي وَلِيَّ الله اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّد السَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَى عِبَادِ اللَّهِ الصَّالِحِينَ وَ رَحْمَتُ اللَّهِ وَ بَرَكاتُ
Lesson 8: Salat Ends With Salam
Imam Abu ‘Abd Allah-asws once said to someone: “As soon as you say the phrase (Salam), ‘I appeal before Allah-azwj to send peace on us and on the virtuous servants of Allah’, you have ended Salat.”[7]
The Imam-asws has also said: ‘When you want to move away after completing Salat, move to your right side.’
Lesson 9: Reciting Tasbih:
“Abu ‘Abd Allah-asws has said: ‘Whoever reads the Tasbih of Syeda Binte Rasool Allah-asws, after an obligatory Salat, Allah-azwj Forgives him and he should begin with Al-Takbir (اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ).’
‘Abu’ Abd Allah-asws has also said: ‘If one speaks of the Glory of Allah-azwj after completing an obligatory Salat in the form of Tasbih of Syeda Binte Rasool Allah-asws‘, and follows this by saying, one hundred times, “No one deserves to be worshipped except Allah-azwj,” Allah-azwj Forgives him.’
The Imam-asws also said: ‘If you face uncertainty about saying the Tasbih, say it all over again.’
Lesson 10: If Wudu Becomes Invalidated Before Al-Taslim (Salam)
If the ‘Wudu’ of a man breakes after he raises his head from the last Sajdah before ‘Tashahhud’ in his Salat, Imam Abu Ja’far-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) has said, that ‘He (should) perform Wudu again and should sit down, either back in the Masjid or in his house, to say Tashahhud and the phrase of offering greetings of peace. If his Wudu becomes invalid after Tashahhud, his Salat is completed.’
Lesson 11: Recommendation for non-Obligatory Salat (Nawafils) after Obligatory Salat (Wajib)
Imam Abu Ja’far-asws has said: ‘Prayer after an obligatory Salat is better than after a non-obligatory Salat.’
Lesson 12: Prayers after Offering Salat
‘Mohammed ibn Ibrahim wrote to Abu AI-Hassan-asws (our 7th Imam-asws), and said: ‘My master, if you deem it proper, teach me a prayer that I can read after every Salat so Allah-azwj will grant me good, both in this and the next life.’ The Imam-asws wrote bak to him and said: “Say:
أَعُوذُ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ عِزَّتِكَ الَّتِي لَا تُرَامُ وَ قُدْرَتِكَ الَّتِي لَا يَمْتَنِعُ مِنْهَا شَيْءٌ مِنْ شَرِّ الدُّنْيَا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مِنْ شَرِّ الْأَوْجَاعِ كُلِّهَا
‘O Allah, I seek refuge with Your-azwj gracious presence, Your-azwj unassailable Majesty and Your-azwj unstoppable Power, against the evil of this World as well as those in the next life and against the misfortune of all illnesses’.”
The Imam-asws then said: ‘Pray to Allah-azwj and do not say that’s it. Prayer is worship. Allah-azwj has said: ‘Those who belittle worshipping Me will go to hell in humiliation.” He-azwj has also said: “Pray to Me. I answer your prayers.” (40:60).’ The Imam-asws then said: ‘When you want to pray to Allah-azwj, you should speak of His-azwj glory. You should praise Him-azwj, speak of His-azwj Majesty, say that He-azwj is the only God who must be worshipped and speak of His-azwj praise. You should say, “Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Mohammed wa ‘Ali Muhammad (O Allah grant Mohammed and his family a compensation worthy of their serving Your-azwj cause),” then ask for your needs, you will receive what you need.’[8]
Appendix: Supplications for Relieving Illness after Salat
‘Abu’ Abd Allah-asws (our 6th Imam-asws) has said that if one has an illness or pain somewhere in his body he, after completing a Salat, should touch the place of his sajdah with his hand. He should say this prayer and wipe, seven times, on the painful or ailing part of his body.
يَا مَنْ كَبَسَ الْأَرْضَ عَلَى الْمَاءِ وَ سَدَّ الْهَوَاءَ بِالسَّمَاءِ وَ اخْتَارَ لِنَفْسِهِ أَحْسَنَ الْأَسْمَاءِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ افْعَلْ بِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ ارْزُقْنِي كَذَا وَ كَذَا وَ عَافِنِي مِنْ كَذَا وَ كَذَا
‘O the One-azwj Who Compressed the earth upon the water, and Filled the atmosphere with the sky, and Chose for Himself-azwj the best of the Names! Send Blessings upon Muhammad-saww and the Progeny-asws of Muhammad-saww, and do such and such with me, and Grace me with such and such, and Grant me good health from such and such (pain).’[9]
SOAM (Fasting) YEAR 10
Lesson 1: Soam Is One of The Five Pillars of Islam:
It is narrated from Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws (5th Imam-asws) that the foundation of Islam is built on five pillars, Salat, Zikat, Hajj, Soam (also known as ‘Roza’) and Wilayah. The Rasool Allah-saww said: ‘Soam is protection from the Hell Fire.’[10]
Lesson 2: The 30 Wajib (Compulsory) Fasts in the Month of Ramadhan.
Our 5th Imam-asws says: ‘The month of Ramadhan will always consist of 30 days.’
It is narrated from Abu Abdullah-asws that the Rasool Allah-saww said: ‘Fasting turns Iblis-la’s face black (as if he was being hit on the face), being chairtable breaks his spine, asking for forgiveness cuts his jugular vein.’[11]
Our 8th Imam (Imam Ali Reza-asws says) that the first month of the (Islamic) year for the righteous people is the month of Ramadhan.[12]
Lesson 3: Fasting for Children:
Imam Abu Abd Allah-asws (6th Imam) said: ‘We ask our children to fast upon reaching the age of 7 so that little ones may fast as long as their strength would allow them (before breaking it). Thus, you should also ask the same from your children when they are 9 years’ old and let them end their fast after finding it (too) difficult to manage, due to thirst.’[13]
(The narrator says) ‘I asked: “When shall a boy start fasting?” The Imam-asws replied: “When he gains enough strength to withstand it.”’[14]
Lesson 4: The End of Sahr (the start time of a Fast):
Sahr time ends at Fajr prayer time. Before this time you can eat/drink for (having enough energy to be) keeping Fasts. The Fajr prayer time is about 90 minutes before the sunrise depending on the geographical location. This time varies so, to find out, please see the calendar.
Lesson 5: Eating at Sahr[15]:
The narrator asked from Abu Abd Allah-asws: ‘How important is it to have something at Sahr, is it a compulsory part of Fasting?’ The Imam-asws replied: ‘There is no harm if one would miss Sahr. However, it is highly recommended to have something at Sahr in the month of Ramadhan. We-asws will prefer (it), if Sahr is not skipped during the month of Ramadhan.’[16]
They asked about eating at Sahr, and the Imam-asws replied that eating at Sahr is highly recommended, even if one takes a sip of water; the rest is up to an individual to either eat or skip food.[17]
It is narrated from Imam Jafar-asws that the Rasool Allah-saww said: ‘Eating a Sahr is a blessing,’ and added: ‘My followers should never give up eating at Sahr even if having a single date.’[18]
Lesson 6: Iftar[19] Time
(The narrator) asked from Imam Abu Abd Allah-asws (our 6th Imam-asws) about the Iftar time, and the Imam-asws replied: ‘It is compulsory to break (one’s) fast when the sun disappears, even if one is standing in front of the Kabah.’ Our 5th Imam-asws has said that, to break your fast, you must wait until the sky redness, which starts from the East, vanishes in the West (completely).[20]
Imam Abu Abdullah-asws was asked if one should break their fast before or after reciting the Magrib prayers. The Imam-asws replied: ‘If he is with other people and offering salat would delay the others’ dinners then he should first break his fast with them and then recite prayers, otherwise it is better for him to first offer prayers and then break his fast.’[21]
Lesson 7: What to Recite at Iftar[22]:
Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws said that Rasool Allah-saww used to recite, at Iftar:
اللَّهُمَ لَكَ صُمْنَا وَ عَلَى رِزْقِكَ أَفْطَرْنَا فَتَقَبَّلْهُ مِنَّا ذَهَبَ الظَّمَأُ وَ ابْتَلَّتِ الْعُرُوقُ وَ بَقِيَ الْأَجْر
(Our Allah-azwj, we kept fast and ended it with the sustenance provided by You-azwj, please accept it. Our thirst has been quenched but its reward remains.)[23]
Lesson 8: Soam (Roza) Manners:
Imam Abu Abd Allah-asws (our 6th Imam-asws) said: ‘Your fasting day should not be like another day, when you fast, all your body parts, such as, the eyes, ears, hair, and skin, should also be part of it.’[24]
Imam Mohammed Baqir-asws (our 5th Imam-asws) narrates that the Rasool Allah-saww told Jabir: ‘O, Jabir! (if someone) fasts during the month of Ramadhan, worships Allah-azwj during the night, and controls his tongue, all his sins will be washed away like he has taken a bath in a river.’ Jabir responded with joy that this is a very rewarding tradition. The Rasool Allah-saww replied that it is, but with extremely strict conditions.[25]
Imam Abu Abd Allah-asws also said: ‘Fasting is not only about not taking food,’ and then added, ‘Mary-sa (the mother of Prophet Isa-as, also known as Prophet Jesus) told others that “I have pledged to Allah-azwj to keep a fast of silence”, meaning to control the tongue from inappropriate talk. The meanings of “Samat” are to refrain from loose talk and looking at forbidden things (by lowering the eyes), to avoid arguments and resentment.’ The Imam-asws also referred from the Rasool Allah-saww that when you fast (you should) protect your ears and eyes from forbidden and shameful acts, avoid fights and do not spend it just like an ordinary day.[26]
Lesson 9: When to Break a Fast During Travel:
The narrator asked from the 5th Imam-asws: ‘At what time should a traveller break his fast after departing from home?’ the Imam-asws replied that if he leaves before mid-day then he should break it and offer it later on, but if he leaves after mid-day then he should complete the fast.[27]
Lesson 10: Kasr[28]:
It is narrated from the 5th Imam-asws to break your fast when your Salat (Obligatory Prayer) becomes ‘Kasr’ (reduced) and, after you break your fast, you should offer ‘Kasr’ salat.[29]
Imam Abu Abdullah-asws said: ‘Kasr and Iftar are connected to each other; therefore whoever offers Kasr salat should break his “Soam” (fast)’.[30]
[1] Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, Chapt. On Salat, H. 5083 (h, 12)
[2] Masadurakal Wasail, vol. 4, page 410
[3] Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, Chapt. On Salat, H. 5052 (h, 1)
[4] Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, Chapt. On Salat, H. 5053 (h, 2)
[5] Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, Chapt. On Salat, H. 5054 (h, 3)
[6] Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, Chapt. On Salat, H. 5060 (h, 10)
[7] Al-Kafi, Vol. 3, Chapt. On Salat, H. 5066 (h, 6)
[8] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book of Salāt CH 32 H 28
[9] Al Kafi V 3 – The Book of Salāt CH 32 H 23
[10] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 208.
[11] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 208. (Al-Kafi, vol 4, pp. 62-Arabic)
[12] Manlahyazahar ul Faqi Vol-1 page-522, Hadith 1485
[13] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 290.
[14] Kafi, tradition 3, vol. 3, pp. 290.
[15] Before Fajr time and fast start time
[16] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 249
[17] Kafi, tradition 2, vol. 3, pp. 249
[18] Kafi, tradition 3, vol. 3, pp. 249
[19] Fast ending time.
[20] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 258
[21] Kafi, tradition 4, vol. 3, pp. 265
[22] Fast ending time.
[23] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 250
[24] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 238. (page 87, vol. 4 Arabic)
[25] Kafi, tradition 2, vol. 3, pp. 239.
[26] Kafi, tradition 3,4, vol. 3, pp. 239
[27] Kafi, tradition 1, vol. 3, pp. 300.
[28] To reduce, decrease, four part salat to two-part.
[29] Wasail-ul-Shia, vol. 7, tradition 1, pp. 124.
[30] Wasail-ul-Shia, vol. 7, tradition 2, pp. 124.