What are the acts and sayings that must be properly done in prayer by the Imam and the worshippers behind him

RUSHING THROUGH TARAWĪH

Your Imām may choose to recite "mud-hāmmatān" (55:64) after Sūrah al-fatiha in tarawīh prayers. In this case, no one will say that his prayer is invalid, we can only offer advice for improvement.

 

However, it is important to note that some actions and sayings must be performed correctly during prayer, including tarawīh, else the prayer may become invalid and may not benefit anyone involved just like the Prophet ﷺ told a companion after he concluded with the prayer, he ﷺ said to him: "Go back and pray for you have not prayed." {al-Bukhaari #757}

He repeated his prayer three times but the Prophet ﷺ kept correcting him until he was finally taught the correct way to perform the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ said to him:

"When you stand to pray, say the Takbir, then recite whatever is easy for you of Qur'an. Then bow until you have tranquillity in your bowing, then stand up until you are standing straight. Then prostrate until you have tranquillity in your prostration, then sit up until you have tranquillity in your sitting. Then do that throughout"

{al-Bukhaari #757}

Abu Abdullah al-Ash’ari (may ALLĀH be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of ALLĀH ﷺ saw a man who did not complete his bowings and rushed through his prostrations while praying. The Prophet ﷺ said, "If he were to die in this state, he will have died upon a religion besides that of Muhammad. The parable of one who does not complete his bowings and rushes through his prostrations is that of a starving person, who eats only a morsel or two that does not suffice him at all."

{Al-Mu’jam al-Kabi‌r #10459}

The following are acts and sayings that must be properly done in prayer by the Imam and the worshippers behind him:

•  Proper recitation of Surah al-Fathia.
• 
  
•  Saying "Subhāna Rabbiyal-Adhim" at least once in Ruku, as long as it can afford those praying behind to do the same.
• 
  
•  Standing straight and calm after Ruku.
• 
  
• Saying "Subhāna Rabbiyyal-Ala" at least once in Sujud, as long as it can afford those praying behind to do the same.
• 
  
• Sitting calmly between two Sujuds.
• 
  
• Saying "Rabbighfir lee, Rabbighfir lee" while sitting between two Sujuds.
• 
  
• Being calm and still in each act.
• 
  
• Saying the prayers for the Prophet ﷺ in tashahud (Salātul Ibrāhimiyyah)

I only mentioned the acts and sayings that are most likely to be omitted by those who rush their prayers.

ALLĀH says:

قُلۡ هَلۡ نُنَبِّئُكُم بِٱلۡأَخۡسَرِینَ أَعۡمَـٰلًا ٱلَّذِینَ ضَلَّ سَعۡیُهُمۡ فِی ٱلۡحَیَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنۡیَا وَهُمۡ یَحۡسَبُونَ أَنَّهُمۡ یُحۡسِنُونَ صُنۡعًا

Say, ˹O Prophet˺, Shall we inform you of the greatest losers as to their deeds? "˹They are˺ those whose efforts are in vain in this worldly life, while they thought that they were acquiring good by their deeds."

{Al-Kahf: 103-104}

We ask ALLĀH to overlook our shortcomings in acts of worship and aid us in remembering HIM, thanking HIM, and worshipping HIM in the best manner. Aamin

Share: