Rak'ah

Q.   How should we sit between the two Sijdahs as well as during the recitation of TASHAH-HUD?

  Keep your right foot with all its toes pointing towards Qiblah. Place the instep of the left foot on the ground and sit on it. While sitting, keep both your palms on your knees.

Q.   Is there any difference between the Salats of an Imam (head of the prayer) on the one hand and those of a Muqtadi (follower) and an individual (Munfarid) on the other?

  Yes, there is some difference between the ways the Salat is performed by an Imam, a follower and an individual. One difference is that the Imam and the individuals recite THANA, TA’AW-WUZ, TASMIYAH, the Holy AL-FATIHA and some other SURAH in the first Rak'ah and BISMIL-LAH, the holy AL-FATIHA and any other SURAH in the second one. But the Muqtadi (follower) recites the THANA, TA’AW-WUZ, TASMIYAH, the Holy AL-FATIHA only, and stands quiet behind the Imam.

Q.   How to perform Salat if there are three or four Rak'ahs I it?

  Perform the first two Rak'ahs in the manner stated above. But no DURUD should be recited in sitting after AT-TAHIY-YAT and TASHAH-HUD. Instead, stand up erect as before, saying Takbir. If the Salat is Wajib (compulsory), Masnun (Prophet’s Precept) or Nafl, perform the remaining two Rak'ahs like the first two. If, however, it is a Fard (commanded) Salat, do not recite any Surah after the holy AL-FATIHA in the third and fourth Rak'ahs. The rest of the process tallies with that of the previous ones.

Q.   Is a Masnun or Nafl Salat offered in three Rak'ahs or four?

  A Masnun or Nafl Salat is never of three Rak'ahs. It is either of two Rak'ahs or four.

Q.   What is the right way to perform Ruku'?

  The Ruku' should be performed in such a way that the waist and head are level with each other. In other words, one should neither raise the head above the waist nor lower it below the same. Keep the two arms clear of the ribs. Grasp the knees firmly with your hands.

Q.   What is the right way to perform Sijdah?

  The Sijdah should be performed in this way:

Place the palms and fingers together on the ground. Keep the wrists and elbows raised a little above the ground. Keep the belly clear of the thighs and the arms of the ribs.