perform the prayer at the beginning of its time with dry ablution, because praying in congregation is obligatory.

Its manner is that one forms the intention, then says the basmalah, and strikes the soil with both hands …

His statement, “Its manner,” means: the manner of dry ablution. Scholars mention the manner of acts of worship because acts of worship are not complete except through sincerity to Allah Most High and following the Prophet ﷺ. Such following is not realized unless the act of worship conforms to the Sacred Law in six respects.

An act of worship is therefore not accepted unless its manner conforms to what has been reported from the Prophet ﷺ. This is why scholars need to explain the manner of acts of worship, such as ablution, prayer, fasting, and others.

His statement, “that one forms the intention”: intention is only described as part of its manner figuratively, since its place is in the heart. The discussion of intention has already preceded (1).

His statement, “then says the basmalah,” means that he says: “In the name of Allah.”

The ruling concerning the basmalah here is, in terms of the scholarly disagreement and the established legal school, the same as its ruling in ablution (2), because dry ablution is a substitute, and a substitute takes the ruling of that which it substitutes.

His statement, “and strikes the soil with both hands”: he did not say, “the ground,” because they stipulate soil. The correct wording, however, is: “and strikes the ground,” whether it is soil, sand, or stone.