Description of the Prayer from Its Beginning to Its End

The Imam continued by emphasizing that one should not come to prayer while full, lazy, tired, or hurried, but rather in a state of tranquility and reverence. When you enter the prayer, focus with humility and devotion, as Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says, "And they who are humbly submissive in their prayers" (Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:2) and "Indeed, it is a burden except for the humbly submissive" (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:45). Face the qibla and do not turn your face away from it, for doing so would invalidate your prayer. Stand upright, as the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "There is no prayer for one who does not straighten his back." Direct your gaze to the place of prostration and do not raise your eyes to the sky. Engage your heart in the prayer, as only the part of the prayer to which one is attentive with their heart is accepted. Sometimes only a quarter, a third, or half of the prayer is accepted, but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, completes it for the believer with voluntary acts of worship (nawafil). Stand in prayer as a humble servant stands before a great king. Remember that you stand before One who sees you, though you do not see Him. Pray as if it is your farewell prayer, as though you will not have the opportunity to pray again. Do not fidget with your beard, head, or hands. Avoid cracking your fingers or crossing one leg over the other. Maintain a modest stance, with your feet spaced about three fingers to a handspan apart. Do not stretch or yawn, and refrain from laughing, as excessive laughter invalidates the prayer. Do not rest your hands on your hips during the prayer, as this was practiced by the Magians (Zoroastrians). Let your hands rest naturally on your thighs near your knees, as this encourages attentiveness in prayer. Do not lean against a wall unless you are ill, and avoid turning your head to the sides. If you turn and see what is behind you, you must repeat your prayer. When a worshiper turns during prayer, Allah سبحانه وتعالى calls out, "To whom are you turning? To One better than Me?" If a person turns away three times, Allah سبحانه وتعالى turns His gaze away from them. Do not blow on the place of prostration; if you need to clear it, do so before entering prayer. Blowing during prostration or on food or drink that is hot is discouraged. Refrain from spitting or clearing your throat unnecessarily. One who restrains their saliva out of respect for Allah سبحانه وتعالى during prayer will be rewarded with lifelong health. Raise your hands in takbir (saying 'Allāhu Akbar') to your neck and do not go beyond your ears parallel to your cheeks, then spread them out and say three takbirs. Recite: "O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, You are the true and evident King. There is no god but You. Glory and praise be to You. I have done wrong and been unjust to myself; forgive me my sins, for none forgives sins except You." Then, perform two takbirs slowly, raising your hands, and say: "Labbayka wa Sa‘dayk (I respond to You and seek Your blessing), and goodness is in Your hands; evil is not from You; the guided is whom You have guided; Your servant and the son of Your servant stands before You. From You, through You, for You, and towards You; there is no refuge, escape, or deliverance from You except towards You. You are blessed and exalted. Glory be to You; how tender and merciful You are, glory be to You, Lord عز وجل of the Sacred House." Then, make two more takbirs and say: "I have turned my face towards the One who created the heavens and the earth, upon the creed of Ibrahim عليه السلام, the religion of Muhammad [peace and blessings be upon him and his family], and the way of ‘Ali, inclining towards monotheism, and I am not of the polytheists. Verily, my prayer, my worship, my life, and my death are for Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Lord عز وجل of the worlds. He has no partner, and with this I have been commanded, and I am among those who submit. I seek refuge in Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the All-Hearing, All-Knowing, from Satan, the accursed. In the Name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful." If you wish, you may perform seven uninterrupted takbirs; however, the aforementioned way of opening the prayer is an act of devotion. The practice of beginning prayer with seven takbirs was established based on what was narrated from Zurarah.