What are the obligatory parts of Salat?

ماهى فرائض الصلاة ؟

The obligatory parts of Salat (Arkan) are the foundational pillars that construct the prayer itself. These include the opening Takbeer, standing, reciting Al-Fatihah, bowing, prostrating, the final sitting, the Tasleem, and performing them all in the correct sequence.

فرائض الصلاة (الأركان) هي الأسس التي تبنى عليها الصلاة ذاتها. وتشمل تكبيرة الإحرام، والقيام، وقراءة الفاتحة، والركوع، والسجود، والجلوس الأخير، والسلام، وأداء كل ذلك بالترتيب الصحيح.

The obligatory parts of Salat, also known as the pillars of prayer, are the essential actions and statements that constitute the prayer itself. They are as follows:

فرائض الصلاة، وتسمى أيضاً بأركان الصلاة، هي الأفعال والأقوال الأساسية التي تتكون منها الصلاة، وهي كالتالي:

The Pillars of Prayer | أركان الصلاة

1. The Opening Takbeer
Initiating or the first Takbeer.
1. تكبيرة البدء
تكبيرة الإحرام.

2. Standing
Standing in the obligatory Salat (with ability to do that).
2. القيام
القيام لمن قدر عليه فى صلاة الفريضة.

3. Reciting the Opening Chapter
Recitation of Al-Fatihah.
3. قراءة سورة الفاتحة
قراءة الفاتحة.

4. Bowing
Bowing.
4. الركوع
الركوع.

5. Rising from Bowing
Rising upright from bowing.
5. الرفع من الركوع
الرفع من الركوع.

6. Prostration
Prostrating twice.
6. السجود
السجود مرتين.

7. The Final Sitting
Sitting for the final at-Tashahud.
7. الجلوس الأخير
القعود الأخير.

8. The Concluding Salutation
At-Tasleem (the saying of as-Salaamu’alaykum which marks the end of Salat).
8. التسليم
السلام.

9. Maintaining the Sequence
Performing all of the above-mentioned essential parts in sequence.
9. الترتيب
الترتيب وفق ماتقدم.

Scholarly Insight: In the terminology of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh), these obligatory parts are classified as Arkan (pillars, singular: Rukn). A pillar is an intrinsic, inseparable part of the act of worship. Unlike the prerequisites or conditions (Shurut) which must be established before starting the prayer, the Arkan are the actual physical and verbal components of the prayer itself. If a person intentionally or forgetfully omits any of these pillars, that specific unit of prayer (Rak'ah) or the entire prayer becomes invalid and must be compensated for correctly. Furthermore, the requirement of sequence (Tarteeb) ensures the physical and spiritual flow of submission, moving from standing in awe, to bowing in reverence, and finally prostrating in absolute humility before Allah.

Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة

Is standing required in all prayers for everyone?

Standing is an obligatory part of the obligatory Salat, but it is required only for those who have the physical ability to do so.

What is the very first obligatory action to initiate the prayer?

The prayer must be initiated with the first Takbeer, commonly known as the opening Takbeer or Takbeerat al-Ihram.

How does a Muslim conclude their obligatory prayer?

The prayer is concluded with At-Tasleem, which is the saying of "as-Salaamu'alaykum", marking the official end of the Salat.

Chapter 3.4 - Performing Salah (Prayers)

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