Commmon Mistakes in Salaat

[ارض الاحلام]

Peace and mercy of ALLAH be upon you


1- Leaving the salaah altogether. This is indeed kufr (disbelief) and the evidence is found
within the Qur’aan the authentic sunnah and the consensus of the ummah. Allah ta’aala
states: If they repent and establish the salaah and give the zakaah, they are you
brothers in faith (deen). [Al-Qur’aan 9:11] And Allah ta’aala says: What landed you in
As-Saqar (Hell)? They said: We were not of those who made salaah (almusalleen)…[
Al-Qur’aan 76:42-43] and so on. As far as the sunnah: The hadeeth of
Jaabir that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Between a man and shirk
(what protects him from shirk) is the abandonment of salaah. [Muslim] It is narrated
by Abu Dawood,

2- Delaying the salaah from its appointed time. This is a violation according to the word of
Allah ta’aala: Verily the salaah has been appointed for the believers at specific times
(mawqoot). [Al-Qur’aan 4:103] Al-Mawqoot indicates a specific appointed time and the
postponement of sallah beyond the obligatory time (fardh) is a major sin and Allah is the
one upon Whom we depend.


3- Abandonment of the congregational prayer in the masjid by able men either regularly or
on occasion. The commandment has been given to perform the salaah in congregation in
the masaajid. Congregational (al-jamaa’ah) salaah is a duty except for those who have a
valid excuse according to the sharia’h.


4-Lack of tranquility (at-tama’neenah) within the salaat. This is generally done out of
ignorance and it is an open sin because tranquility is a pillar (rukn) of the salaah without
which the salaah is incorrect.


5- Lack of proper reverence and humility (khushoo’) in the Salaat and excess movement
therein. The place of khushoo’ is in the heart and it is evident in the tranquility of the limbs
and humility before Allah.


6. Intentionally preceding the imaam in the movements of the prayer or not following his
movements. This nullifies the salaah or rak’ah for whoever bows before his imaam ruins
his own rak’ah unless he follows it later with another bowing.


Such is likewise with the
rest of the arkaan (pillars) of the salaah. It is obligatory for the praying person to follow the
imaam completely without preceding him or lagging behind him in any rukn (pillar) or
more.




7. Standing to complete a missed rak’ah before the imaam has completely finished making
the second tasleem (i.e closing the prayer by saying ‘As-salaamu ‘alaikum wa
rahmatullahi to the right and left).




8. Making the intention for prayer aloud. This is a bid’ah (innovation), and we have
previously mention the prohibition against bid’ah.



9. Not reciting Al-Faatihah in the salaah; The recitation of Al-Faatihah is a pillar (rukn) and
the salaah of whoever does not recite it is void.





10. Recitation of the Qur’aan in rukoo’ (bowing position) or during sujood (prostration).

11-Raising the eyes to the sky during salaat or looking to the right and left without due
cause. As far as raising the eyes, it is forbidden and bears the threat of punishment.



12-As far as looking around unnecessarily, it is a deficiency in the salaah of the worshipper
as long as he has not turned his entire body in another direction [i.e. away from the
Qiblah]. If however the entire body is turned then the salaah is invalidated.



13-Sitting on one’s haunches (Al-Iq’aa) during the salaah and prostrating with the elbows (Al-
Iftiraash) on the ground.



14-Wearing a thin (see-through) garment that does not sufficiently cover the ‘auwrah (private
area). This is an invalidator of the salaah because covering one’s ‘auwrah is a condition
for a sound salaah.



15-A woman not covering her head with the khimaar in salaah and not covering her feet. The
‘aurah of the woman in the sallah is her entire body with the exception of her face. Nor is
there any harm if she covers her face due to the passing by of men or the like.

16. Walking in front of the praying person whether they be the imaam or praying alone and
stepping over the people during the Jumua’h khutbah. It is a sin upon the person who
passes in front of someone who is praying.




17. Not saying the takbeeratul-ihraam (opening takbeer) when entering upon the
congregation while the imaam is in rukoo’. This is a major mistake in that the takbeeratulihraam
is a pillar (rukn) of the salaah that must be done by the one praying when standing
for the salaah and then afterwards join the imam in the bowing position (rukoo’). To make
the takbeer (al-ihraam) and then another takbeer before giong into rukoo’ is more
complete and thorough.



18. Not following the imaam (by getting in the same position) when coming late and the
imaam is sitting or in sujood (prostrating). It is most preferred and most sure for the one
who enters the masjid that he join the imaam in whatever position he may be in, whether
he be in sajdah or otherwise.




19. Busying oneself with matters that take one away from the salaah. This is evidence of
preference of the wordly life over that of the Hereafter, following vain desires and being
too busy to obey Allah.




20. Playing with one’s clothing or watch or the like.