Performing Namaz

Say your intention to yourself. Being clear about the act of worship that you will perform is imperative to practicing Namaz. Each of the 5 obligatory prayers require a certain number of repetitions, so you will also need to be clear about the proper prayer time as well as the obligatory number you must say it. Your intention should go something like this: “I offer this (name of prayer type) prayer, of (number of repetitions) rakah’s in order to seek closeness to God.”

• The dhuhr (noon) prayer- 4 repetitions
• The asr (mid-afternoon) prayer- 4 repetitions
• The maghrib (sunset) prayer- 3 repetitions
• The isha’ (nightfall) prayer- 4 repetitions
• The subh or fajr (dawn) prayer- 2 repetitions

Get into the correct stance. Stand if you are able to. Raise your hand to the level of your ears and say, « Allahu Akbar (God is great)” loud enough so you can hear yourself. You may also use your right hand to hold your left wrist and keep both hands above your navel.

Recite the Fatihah (1st chapter of the Qur’an). You must recite the 1st chapter of the Qur’an loud enough to hear yourself. It is very important that the Fatihah is recited properly. Each letter must be pronounced correctly, so it is always best to learn the Fatihah from a qualified instructor, if needed.

• Suratul-Fatihah goes: “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim, Al-Hamdu lillahi Rabbil- ^alamin, Ar-Rahmanir-Rahim, Maliki yawmid-Din, Iyyaka na^budu wa iyyaka nasta^in, Ihdinas-siratal-mustaqim, Siratal-ladhina an ^amta ^alayhim, Ghayril-maghdubi ^alayhim wa lad-dallin.”
• If you cannot properly speak the entire Fatihah correctly, then you can recite the lines (qyahs) you are able to and repeat them as many times as is needed to equal the 156 words of the full Fatihah. If you don’t know any of the Fatihah, then you must recite another part of the Qur’an with 156 letters like the Fatihah.
• If you don’t know any of the Qur’an, then you need to recite parts of the dhikr, such as: “subhanallah, al-hamdulillah, la ilaha illallah, and Allahu akbar (I declare that Allah is clear of all imperfections, praise and thanks to Allah, no one is God but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest) as many times as would render minimally the same number of letters in the Fatihah (Ibn Hibban an-Nawawiyy).”

Bow. It is obligatory that you bow by bending at the waist so that your palms are able to reach your knees. Stay in the bowed position for the length of time it takes to recite, “subhanallah”. Then, straighten your back and stay there long enough to say, “subhanallah.” While bending or straightening your back, it is recommended that you put your hands next to your ears and say, “Allahu akbar” while bending or “Sami^ allahu liman hamidah (Allah hears who praises Him)” when straightening your back.

• It is recommended that you say, “subhana Rabbiyal- ^Adhim (Praise be to my Great Lord)” 3 times as you bow.
• It is also recommended that you say, “Rabbana lakal-hamd (0 our Lord, to You the praise is due)” as you straighten your back.

Prostrate yourself. You are obligated to place your palms, knees and toes against the floor and press your forehead to the ground. While in this position, your heels should be off the ground with only the pads of your toes on the floor. The length of time that you should remain in this position equals how long it takes you to say, “subhanallah.”

• While you prostrate yourself, it is recommended that you raise your hands next to your ears and say, “Allahu akbar.”
• If you are a man, it is recommended that you keep your elbows away from your sides as well as your abdomen lifted away from your thighs. If you are a woman, keep your elbows pulled in to your sides and trunk close to your thighs.

Get into a sitting position. Raise yourself from prostration and sit. You should sit for as long as it takes to speak, “subhanallah.” During this time, it is recommended that you say, “Allahu akbar” as well as, “Rabbighfir li warhamni wajburni warfa ^ ^ni warzuqni wahdini wa ^afini (0 my Lord, forgive me, have mercy on me, fulfill my needs, raise me, provide for me, guide me, and protect me from sickness).”

• It is also recommended that you tuck your left foot under your buttocks and keep the right foot vertical while sitting.