wherever we found it necessary, so that the reader may locate what he is looking for swiftly and without difficulty.

Finally, we would remind the reader that, because of the nature of this book and its division into concise texts and expansive annotations, we decided to gather the entire text in a special appendix placed immediately after the conclusion of the book, so that he may envision the Prophet’s prayer—peace and blessings be upon him—from the opening takbir to the closing salam. We had hoped to add to this volume the extra benefits found in the Shaykh’s booklet Abridged Description of the Prophet’s Prayer, especially the explicit rulings he stated concerning many of its individual issues, whether pillars, obligations, or sunnahs; but we only noticed this need in the final stages of our work, leaving us unable to incorporate those points in their proper places.

It will therefore suffice us here merely to recommend that the reader consult that booklet, for it is useful in its field and serves as a complement to both this principal work and its abridgment.

We also concluded our labor on this book by preparing scholarly indices, in the very manner that used to be produced during the Shaykh’s lifetime and under his direct supervision.

This is what Allah, exalted be He, enabled us to accomplish—by His grace and generosity. We ask Him to reward with the best recompense everyone who took part with us in the preparation, typesetting, proofreading, and verification of this book…

We beseech Him, Most High, to envelop our Shaykh, the author, in His mercy, to grant him His forgiveness, to benefit people through this book, and to make it one of those deeds whose reward will never cease for him, by Allah’s leave. He alone is the Patron of that, He is the One from Whom help is sought; He is our Lord, and upon Him we rely.

27 Ramadan 1424 AH
21 November 2003 CE
The Publisher