What Are the Pillars (Arkan) of Salat Without Which It Is Invalid?
ما هي أركان الصلاة التي لا تصح الصلاة إلا بها؟
Standing in obligatory Salat (with ability to do that)
Initiating or the first Takbeer
Recitation of Al-Fatihah (for the Imam, the one who prays alone, and the follower in the silent prayers)
Bowing
Rising upright from bowing
Prostrating on the seven parts
Rising upright from prostrating
Sitting between the two prostrations
Serenity when performing every essential part of Salat, so that the limbs of the one praying settle in the part he is in.
Sitting for the final at-Tashahud
Reciting the final at-Tashahud
Reciting blessings on the Prophet ﷺ during the final at-Tashahud.
The two Tasleems (the saying of as-Salaamu’alaykum which marks the end of Salat)
Performing all of the above-mentioned essential parts in sequence
القيام مع القدرة
تكبيرة الإحرام
قراءة الفاتحة على الإمام والمنفرد والمأموم في الصلاة السرية
الركوع
الاعتدال عنه
السجود
الاعتدال عنه
الجلوس بين السجدتين
الطمأنينة بحيث تسكن أعضاء المصلي في الركن الذي هو فيه
التشهد الأخير
الجلوس له
الصلاة على النبي عليه السلام
التسليمتان
الترتيب
1. Serenity in Bowing and Prostration | لا تجزئ صلاة الرجل حتى يقيم ظهره
The Prophet said: A man’s prayer does not count until he straightens his back in bowing and prostration (Sunan Abi Dawud 855, graded sahih by al-Albani). This is the scholar’s serenity: each limb settles in its pillar before the next. The man who prayed without it was told to pray again, as explained in the obligatory parts of salat.
قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "لا تجزئ صلاة الرجل حتى يقيم ظهره في الركوع والسجود" (سنن أبي داود 855، وصححه الألباني).
2. The Final Tashahhud | التحيات لله
The Prophet said: Allah is as-Salam; when one of you prays, let him say: All greetings, prayers and good words are for Allah. Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings. Peace be upon us and upon the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger (Sahih al-Bukhari 831).
قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إن الله هو السلام، فإذا صلى أحدكم فليقل: التحيات لله، والصلوات والطيبات، السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاته، السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين، أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله، وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله" (صحيح البخاري 831).
3. Blessings on the Prophet | صلوا عليه وسلموا تسليما
Indeed, Allah showers His blessings upon the Prophet, and His angels pray for him. O believers! Invoke Allah’s blessings upon him, and salute him with worthy greetings of peace (33:56). The Companions said: We know how to greet you; how do we send blessings? He said: Say: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon the family of Ibrahim; You are Praiseworthy, Glorious (Sahih al-Bukhari 4797).
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا (سورة الأحزاب: 56)
قال تعالى: (إن الله وملائكته يصلون على النبي يا أيها الذين آمنوا صلوا عليه وسلموا تسليما) (الأحزاب 33: 56)، وقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: "قولوا: اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد، كما صليت على آل إبراهيم، إنك حميد مجيد" (صحيح البخاري 4797).
4. The Two Taslims | يسلم عن يمينه وعن يساره
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas said: I used to see the Messenger of Allah give the taslim to his right and to his left, until I could see the whiteness of his cheek (Sahih Muslim 582). The conditions that come before the prayer are explained in the requirements without which prayer is invalid.
قال سعد بن أبي وقاص رضي الله عنه: "كنت أرى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسلم عن يمينه وعن يساره حتى أرى بياض خده" (صحيح مسلم 582).
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
What are the pillars of prayer?
Standing, the opening takbir, al-Fatihah, bowing and rising, prostrating and rising, sitting between the prostrations, serenity, the final tashahhud and its sitting, blessings on the Prophet, the two taslims, and their order.
Must the follower recite al-Fatihah behind the imam?
The scholar counts it a pillar for the follower in the silent prayers, as for the imam and the one praying alone.
What is serenity in prayer?
That the limbs settle in each pillar before the next; a man’s prayer does not count until he straightens his back in bowing and prostration (Sunan Abi Dawud 855, graded sahih by al-Albani).
On which parts of the body does one prostrate?
Seven: the forehead with the nose, the two hands, the two knees and the ends of the two feet (Sahih al-Bukhari 812).