Section
Its obligatory elements are eight. Deliberately omitting any one of them invalidates the prayer, whereas forgetfulness or ignorance excuses the omission:
- Every takbīr other than the opening takbīr1—yet for the latecomer, the takbīr he utters after the opening takbīr is merely recommended;
- Saying, “Samiʿa Allāhu liman ḥamidah” (Allah hears whoever praises Him) for the imam and the person praying alone, not for the follower;
- Saying, “Rabbana wa laka-l-ḥamd” (Our Lord, to You belongs the praise) for everyone;
- Saying, “Subḥāna Rabbī al-ʿAẓīm” (Glory be to my Lord, the Majestic) once while bowing;
- Saying, “Subḥāna Rabbī al-Aʿlā” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) once while prostrating;
- Saying, “Rabbī ighfir lī” (My Lord, forgive me) between the two prostrations;
- The first tashahhud, except for the worshipper whose imam rises out of forgetfulness;
- Sitting for that tashahhud.
Its Sunnah elements consist of utterances and physical acts; the prayer is not invalidated by neglecting any of them, even on purpose, though it is permissible to perform the prostration of forgetfulness when they are missed.
The verbal Sunnahs are eleven2:
• After the opening takbīr, saying: “Subḥānaka Allāhumma wa bi-ḥamdika, tabāraka ismuka, taʿālā jadduka, wa lā ilāha ghayruk”3 (Glory be to You, O Allah, and with Your praise. Blessed is Your Name, exalted is Your majesty, and there is no deity besides You);
• Seeking refuge (taʿawwudh);
• The basmalah;
• Saying “Āmīn”;
• Reciting a sūrah4 after the Fātiḥah;
• Audible recitation by the imam5—it is disliked for the follower to raise his voice, while the individual praying may choose; and—for anyone other than the follower—saying, after