Mistakes made by people while praying - II

The following are states and positions of the Imam and his followers in congregational prayer:

The first state: Preceding the Imam

This means that the follower precedes the Imam in performing Takbeer (i.e., saying, ‘Allaahu Akbar’) Rukoo‘(bowing), prostration or ending the prayer and this is impermissible as the Prophet, , warned us against it, saying: “Is not the one who raises his head before the Imam afraid that Allah may transform his head into that of a donkey or his figure (face) into that of a donkey?”[Al-Jamaa‘ah] 

The Imam is the leader, so it is impermissible to precede him. The Prophet, , said: “The Imam should perform Rukoo‘ before you and get up before you.” [Muslim] The Prophet, , also said: “Do not precede me in Rukoo‘, prostration, getting up, sitting or leaving.” [Muslim and Ahmad] 

It is agreed upon that preceding the Imam intentionally invalidates the prayer. Imam Ahmad  quoted Ibn Mas‘ood  as saying to the one who preceded his Imam, “You neither prayed alone nor followed your Imam.” Ibn ‘Umar  narrated that Ibn Mas‘ood  said to this man, “You have not prayed alone or with your Imam. ”Then, he struck him and ordered him to repeat his prayer.

If preceding the Imam was done unintentionally and in performing a Rukoo ‘or prostration before the Imam, the follower should return and perform Rukoo ‘after his Imam performs it. If the follower did this intentionally, his prayer would be invalid, but if he forgot to do this or was ignorant regarding this, he would be excused according to the opinion of the majority of scholars who stated that the prayer would be correct as he is excused for his ignorance and forgetfulness, and they obliged him to follow his Imam. However, Imam Ahmad  said that his prayer is invalid even if this was done out of forgetfulness because of the general indication of the Hadith. 

The second state: coincidence

This means that the movement of the Imam and the follower takes place at the same time when they are performing Rukoo‘, prostrating themselves and so forth. This is incorrect as the Imam should be followed. The Prophet, , said: “The Imam is to be followed, so when he performs Takbeer, you should perform Takbeer and when he performs Rukoo‘, you should perform Rukoo’ - and do not perform Rukoo‘ before he does…” [Ahmad and Abu Dawood] 

If the follower performed Takbeerah Al-Ihram (the opening, ‘Allaahu Akbar’) at the same time as the Imam or before the Imam finishes his Takbeer, his prayer would be invalid regardless of whether this was done intentionally of out of forgetfulness. If the follower did this in any other Takbeer, his prayer would be correct, but with an unfavorable act and an improper following of the Imam. Muslims should avoid any thing that makes their prayer incomplete or invalidates it. 

The third state: following

This is what the follower in prayer should do as it achieves the required following in prayer. This is achieved when the follower does all the movements immediately after the movement of the Imam as the Prophet, , ordered us to do this by saying: “When the Imam performs Takbeer, perform Takbeer; when the Imam performs Rukoo‘, perform Rukoo‘; when the Imam raises his head and says: ‘Sami ‘a Allaahu va liman Hamidah’ (Allah hears he who praises him), raise your head and say: ‘Rabbana wa laka Al-Hamd’ (O Allah, praise be to you). When the Imam prostrates himself, prostrate yourselves.” [Muslim] This Hadith means that the followers should wait for the Imam until he performs the Takbeer and finishes it, then perform the Takbeer after him. The Imam should not prolong his Takbeer as the one who is praying after him may hasten and perform the Takbeer before him, thus invalidating his prayer. 

Thus, the follower should keep standing until his Imam performs Rukoo ‘and finishes the Takbeer of Rukoo‘, then he should perform Rukoo ‘and keep in his Rukoo ‘until his Imam gets up and says, “Sami ‘a Allaahu va liman Hamidah,” then he should get up and keep standing until the Imam says the Takbeer and puts his face on the ground, then prostrate himself after his Imam does. This applies to all the acts of prayer. Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib  said, “When the Prophet  would bend to perform prostration, none of us would bend his back until the Prophet would place his forehead on the ground.”[Muslim] This is the true following with which the prayer is perfected. 

The fourth state: lagging

This means that the follower lags behind his Imam. Scholars considered this state just like preceding the Imam as it also entails negligence in the required immediate following of the Imam. If the follower lags behind intentionally until the Imam performs Rukoo ‘and gets up, his prayer would be invalid, but if there is a reason such as drowsiness, forgetfulness or because of the quickness of the Imam, then he should perform Rukoo ‘after the Imam and his prayer will be valid. If the person lags behind on purpose until the Imam performs Rukoo‘, gets up and prostrates himself, then his prayer would be invalid. If this is done out of forgetfulness or ignorance, he should repeat this Rak’ahs during which he did not follow his Imam. 

The follower should be alert and should concentrate on what he says and does so that he would achieve following his Imam - something which is required for the perfection of the prayer.

Mistakes made by people while praying - I

It is well known to every Muslim that sincerity to Allah and compliance with the Sunnah of the Prophet are the two conditions for the acceptance of deeds and that any deed that does not meet these two conditions is rejected. The Prophet  said: "Whoever does something that does not belong to our matter (religion), it will be rejected." [Muslim]

Because of the importance of prayers and its great position in Islam and the fact that many people take them lightly and violate many of their rulings it was necessary to highlight important points regarding the mistakes that are made by some people while they are praying. Additionally, it is equally important to clarify the positions of the Imam with respect to the people who are praying behind him in congregational prayer.

These clarifications and highlights are vital in order that prayer is performed in a perfect way that frees one's liability and makes one gain its full reward, because many people violate the instructions regarding the manner in which to perform the prayers. The following are some such matters: [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]

1.     Hastening while going to the mosque or walking very quickly so as not to miss the prayers at the mosque or miss the Rukoo‘ (bowing). This makes the person lose tranquility and any respect for the prayers as well as disturb those who are praying. The Prophet  said: "If the prayer is established, do not go to it while running; rather, go to it while walking with tranquility."

 2.     Using what causes a bad smell that people despise such as cigarettes, Hookah (sheesha) which are worse than leek, garlic or onion. Angels and people who are praying are harmed by such bad smells. Those going to attend a congregational prayer should go to the mosque with a good smell and purify themselves from these bad items. 

3.     Not raising the hands at the Takbeerah Al-Ihram (the initial ‘Allaahu Akbar’) or at performing Rukoo‘ or after rising from Rukoo‘ and after standing up after performing the first Tashahhud (the first supplication said when sitting), which are all from the acts of Sunnah (recommendation) in prayers. Also, raising the hands when performing Takbeer at the Funeral Prayer, the ‘Eid and the Istisqaa’ (rain-seeking) prayers.

4.     Many Imams do not say the opening supplication in the prayer, or seek refuge with Allah from the devil or say the Bismilah (i.e., ‘Bismillaah’i-Rahmaan’i-Raheem), or they might not say the Bismilah in the second Rak’ahs (unit) and the Rak‘ahs that follow, whereas all these matters are among the preferred acts in prayers. 

5.     Some late-joiners perform Takbeer while performing Rukoo‘ when they come while the Imam is performing Rukoo‘. In principle, however, Takbeerah Al-Ihram should be done while standing and then be followed by Rukoo‘. If one hastens and leaves this Takbeer for Rukoo', his prayer would nonetheless be valid and the Imam’s initial Takbeerah Al-Ihram (which he missed) will suffice him. 

6.     Some people raise their eyes towards the sky while praying or look to the left or right, which is what causes forgetfulness or self-whispering. People are ordered instead to lower their gaze and look at their place of prostration. 

7.     Some people move a lot while praying and do things such as interlocking their fingers, cleaning their nails, constantly move of the legs, adjust their headbands, look at their watch, button up, and so forth. These movements nullify the prayer or at least lessen its reward. 

8.     Some precede the Imam, move simultaneously with him or lag far behind him when performing prostration or Rukoo'. 

9.     Reading from the Mus’haf (printed Quran) during the prayer or following the recitation of the Imam by looking at the Mus’haf during the Taraaweeh (Night prayers in Ramadan) Prayer and so forth without a need entails inattentiveness. If there is a need for reading from the Mus’haf, such us to correct the Imam’s recitation, there is no problem as far as necessity dictates. 

10.  Some curve the back or hang the head down while performing Rukoo'. It is reported that Muslims are forbidden from curving their backs, rather the back should be bent with the spine being at a right angle to the body (as far as possible) while performing Rukoo' with the head being aligned and neither raised nor lowered with respect to the head. 

11.  Some do not perform prostration perfectly by prostrating on the trim of the turban and without placing the forehead on the ground, or they place the forehead on the ground but raise the nose or the feet from the ground. One who does so does not prostrate on the seven organs that are required for perfecting the prostration as mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet . 

12.  Some do not perform Tajaafi during prostration. Tajaafi means keeping the abdomen away from the thighs and the shoulders away from the sides as much as possible. The praying person should not annoy the people who pray beside him and should raise his arms away from the ground and put his palms parallel to his shoulders not his knees. The person should not exaggerate in performing Tajaafi by stretching his body as if he is lying on his abdomen to the extent that his head may reach the row that is ahead of him. 

13.  Many Imams shorten the pillars of the prayers to the extent that the people praying behind them cannot catch up with them or say the obligatory Thikr (remembrances or mentioning’s of Allah). This contradicts the tranquility that the Prophet  asked us to apply in prayers. The Imam should keep himself in the position of Rukoo‘ or prostration for a period of time that would allow the people who are praying behind him to glorify Allah three times slowly and carefully and not quickly or hastily. 

14.  Some perform the Tawarruk (a seated position where the left leg is under the right shin) in the two-Rak’ahs prayers such as the Fajr, the Friday or the voluntary prayers, while not performing it in the four-Rak’ahs or three-Rak’ahs prayers during the last Tashahhud. It is permissible to either perform Tawarruk or not to perform it, but it is better to apply the Sunnah of the Prophet . The Sunnah is to perform Tawarruk during the last Tashahhud of the three-Rak’ahs or four-Rak’ahs prayer provided that the person will not annoy those who are beside him. 

15.  Constant moving of the index finger or any other finger during Tashahhud. This finger should be moved only once or twice when the Shahada (the testimony of faith) or the name of Allah is mentioned, and so forth. 

16.  Some move their two palms when ending the prayer towards the right and the left. The Companions  would do this and the Prophet  said: “Why do I see you raising your hands like the tails of the horses?” Thus, they quit doing this and turned their heads only. [Abu Dawood and An-Nasaa’i] 

17.  Many people do not wear clothing that covers the body properly, but instead wear insufficient trousers and shirts such that when they perform Rukoo‘, the shirt moves and part of their back and buttocks get exposed and people who pray behind them see it. The exposure of any part of the ‘Awrah (part of the body that must be covered according to Islam) nullifies the prayer. 

18.  Many people, immediately after finishing the obligatory prayers, shake hands with the people next to them and say, “May Allah accept our and your prayer,” or, “May you get to pray at Al-Bayt Al-Haraam (in Makah)!” This is a religious innovation as it was not reported that the righteous predecessors did this. 

19.  Some people get up directly after ending the prayer without saying the supplications approved by the Shari’a such as those glorifying Allah and praising Him and so forth. Sheikh Ibn Baaz  wrote a short treatise regarding the Athkaar that should be said after the obligatory prayers which is very beneficial and which the reader may wish to consult. 

20. Some people raise their hands and start supplicating to Allah after ending the prayer directly and thus do not say the Athkaar that are approved by the Shari’a, and this contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet . Supplication should be said after finishing the Athkaar as this makes the supplication worthier of acceptance. Supplication after voluntary prayers also is worthier of acceptance than others.

Mistakes made by people while praying - II

Common mistakes made during Jumu'ah

Many of us go to the mosque on Friday as a matter of tradition and habit, without making the intention of worship, whereas an intention is a precondition for the Jumu'ah prayer and all other acts of worship. Increasingly, we see people staying up late, which causes them to miss Fajr prayer, leaving them to start their day having committed a great major sin, while the Prophet, , said: “The best prayer in the sight of Allah is the congregational Fajr prayer on Friday."

People might commit mistakes out of ignorance or negligence, among which are the following:

Slighting the attendance of the Jumu'ah sermon; some people arrive during the sermon and others arrive while people are praying.

Abandoning or slighting praying the Jumu'ah prayer. The Prophet said: “Let those who abandon attending the Jumu'ah prayer refrain from doing so, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will become heedless."[Muslim].

Neglecting bathing, perfuming, wearing ones best clothing and using the Siwaak.

Shopping or engaging in trade after the Athan (call for prayer) has been called for the Jumu'ah sermon, while Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {"O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaat (prayer) on Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu’ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know."}[Quran, 62:9].Ibn 'Abbas,  said, "It is forbidden to buy or sell at that time."

Some people commit certain sins while thinking they doing something praiseworthy, such as those who shave their beards on Friday because it looks "cleaner ".

Sitting in the courtyard of the mosque while there is space for inside.

Making people move and sitting in their place. Jabir, narrated that the Prophet, , said: "Let no one move his brother on the day of Jumu'ah and sit in his place, instead he should say: 'make space.'"[Muslim].

Passing over people's shoulders, forcefully separating people in order to sit between them, and harming people by forcing them into cramped spaces. The Prophet,  said to a man who was passing over people's shoulders during the Jumu'ah sermon: "Sit down, because you have harmed people."

Talking or reciting the Quran in a loud voice and thereby disturbing others who are praying or reciting the Quran.

Leaving the mosque after the Athan has been called without a valid excuse.

Not paying attention to what the Khateeb is saying during the sermon.

Praying two Rak’ahs (units of prayer) between the two sermons, whereas the Sunnah is to supplicate and seek forgiveness until the Imam stands up to deliver the second sermon.

Unnecessary movements during prayer, hastening to leave the mosque immediately after praying and pushing people at the door to leave without finishing the prescribed supplications after praying.

Mistakes of Imams:

Making the sermon long and shortening the prayer. 

'Ammar, narrated that he heard the Prophet,  saying: “The lengthening of the prayer (by the Imam) and the shortness of the Khutbah (sermon) is the sign of his understanding (of faith), so prolong your prayers and shorten your speech; indeed some Khutbah have the effect of magic (i.e., they are very powerful).” [Muslim].

Not being well prepared for the sermon and not choosing the correct topic that addresses people's concerns.

Having numerous linguistic errors in the Khutbah.

Using narrations that are weak or fabricated, and quoting disliked opinions without denouncing them.

Limiting the second sermon to contain supplications only.

Not using any verses from the Quran during the sermon, which opposes the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition).

Failing to deliver a stirring sermon, while it is reported by Jabir ,when he described the Prophet, , he said, "Whenever the Prophet used to deliver the Jumu'ah sermon, he would raise his voice; his eyes would become red and he would become excited as though he was warning people against a conquering army which was just about to attack them." [Muslim].

Recommended actions on the day of Jumu'ah

Praying the congregational prayer of Jumu'ah is an obligation upon every male, free, resident Muslim who has reached the age of puberty. It is not compulsory upon travelers, slaves or women but will still count (in reward) for anyone of those who attend it; Jumu'ah is also waved for people with excuses, such as sickness or fear.

Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Prophet  said: "On the day of Jumu'ah angels stand at the entrance of the mosque to record people's entrance in the order in which they arrive. The one who arrives first is rewarded as though he sacrificed a camel, the next one is as one who sacrificed a cow, the next as one who sacrificed a goat, the next as one who sacrificed a chicken, and the next as one who sacrificed an egg. As soon as the Imam climbs the Minbar (pulpit) they (i.e., the angels) fold their records and sit to listen.”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].

Thus, it is recommended to go early for congregational Jumu'ah prayers in accordance with the Prophetic tradition. Here are a few other recommended actions on Friday:

The Imam leads the Fajr (Dawn) prayer reciting the chapters As-Sajdah and Al-Insaan completely, and not merely portions, as this was the practice of the Prophet .

It is recommended that one increases his Salaah upon the Prophet (i.e., asking Allah The Almighty to send peace upon him and exalt his mention).

Perform Ghusl (ritual bath), wear perfume and use the Siwaak (i.e., the twig toothbrush). The Messenger of Allah  said: “Ghusl is mandatory upon every Muslim who has reached puberty; and use Siwaak during Jumu'ah and perfume if available.”[Muslim].

It is recommended that a Muslim uses his time to pray, mention the names of Allah The Almighty (Athkaar) and recite the Quran until the Imam arrives.

One must listen closely and pay attention to the Imam, as Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Prophet  said: “When the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then, no doubt you have spoken (i.e., you have spoiled your Jumu'ah)”[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] and in another narration: “Whoever speaks during the Khutbah while the Imam is talking will gain no reward from this Jumu'ah."[Ahmad].

It is recommended to recite the chapter Al-Kahf from the Quran on that day. Abu Saeed Al-Khudri  narrated that the Prophet  said: “The recite of Surat al-Kahf on Jumu’ah will be blessed with a light between that Jumu’ah (and the next) Jumu’ah.”[Al-Hakim and Al-Bayhaqi].

When it is time for the Jumu'ah prayer, it is permitted for someone who must pray the Jumu'ah prayer, to travel.

It is disliked to single out Friday for fasting or night prayers as Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Prophet  said: “Do not distinguish Friday night for prayers or its day for fasting unless it falls on a day where one of you usually fasts.” [Muslim].

One who wishes to fast on a Friday should fast in addition to it the day before it, or the day after it, as Abu Hurayrah  narrated that the Prophet  said: “Do not fast on a Friday unless you fast a day before it or a day after it (in addition).” [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim].

It is reported that, "The Prophet  used to pray two Rak’ahs after the Jumu'ah prayer" [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim] also: "He  recommended people to pray four Rak’ahs after it." [Muslim].

It is recommended to pray two Rak’ahs whenever one enters the mosque. The Prophet  said: “When one of you enters the mosque while the Imam is speaking, let him pray two Rak’ahs before he sits down.” [Muslim].

It is recommended that the Imam recite the chapters Al-Jumu'ah and Al-Munaafiqoon during the Jumu'ah prayer as this was the practice of the Prophet . [Imam Muslim.]