P.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Hughes, Thomas Patrick
When the sun has well risen.
Ṣalātu ʾl-ʿIshrāq.
Namāz-i-ʿIshrāq.
ʿIshrāq Kī Namāz.
About 11 o’clock A.M.
Ṣalātu ʾẓ-Ẓuḥā.
Namāz-i-Chast.
Ẓuḥā Kī Namāz.
After midnight.
Ṣalātu ʾt-Tahajjud.
Namāz-i-Tahajjud.
Tahajjud Kī Namāz.
According to the above table, a devout Muslim recites the same form of prayer at least seventy-five times in the day.
ʿAbdu ʾllāh ibn ʿUmar relates that the Prophet said, “The time for Z̤uhr prayers begins from the inclination of the sun towards the west and closes at the time when the shadow of a person shall be the length of his own stature, which time marks the beginning of the ʿAṣr prayers, and the time of the ʿAṣr prayers is from that time till the sun assumes a yellow appearance. The time of Mag͟hrib prayers is from sunset as long as the red appearance in the horizon remains. The time of ʿIshāʾ prayers is from that time till midnight. And the time of the Fajr prayers is from the break of day till the sun rises. Therefore, when the sun has risen you must not recite the morning prayer, for the sun rises between the horns of the devil.” (Mishkāt, book iv. ch. ii.)
It is the ordinary custom of Muslims to say their prayers with their feet uncovered, but strictly according to the Traditions it is lawful to cover the feet with boots or shoes during prayer, provided they are free from impurity.
Shaddād ibn Aus relates that Muḥammad said, “Act the reverse of the Jews in your prayer, for they do not pray in boots and shoes.”
Abū Saʿīd al-K͟hudrī relates that “the Prophet said prayers with his companions, and all on a sudden took off his shoes, and put them down on his left side, and when the people observed it, they took off theirs also; and when the Prophet had finished the prayers, he said, ‘What caused you to take off your shoes?’ They replied, ‘We did so in order to follow your example.’ And the Prophet said, ‘Verily Gabriel came to me and told me there was a little filth upon my shoes; therefore, when any one of you goes into a Masjid, look well at your shoes first; and if you perceive any dirt, wipe it off, and then say your prayers in them.’ ” (Mishkāt, book iv. ch. ix. pt. 2.)
Any wandering of the eyes, or of the mind, a coughing or the like, answering a question, or any action not prescribed to be performed, must be strictly avoided (unless it is between the Sunnah prayers and the farẓ, or be difficult to avoid; for it is held allowable to make three slight irregular motions, or deviations from correct deportment); otherwise, the worshipper must begin again and recite his prayers with due reverence.
If a person arrive late, he merely recites the Nīyah and Takbīr, and then joins the congregation in that part of the service in which they are engaged.
The Muslim may say his five daily prayers in his home, or shop, or in the street or road, but there are said to be special blessings attending prayer recited in a congregation.
In addition to the daily prayers, the following are special services for special occasions:—
Ṣalātu ʾl-Jumʿah.—“The Friday Prayer.” It consists of two rakʿahs after the daily meridian prayer.
Ṣalātu ʾl-Musāfir.—“Prayers for a traveller.” Two rakʿahs instead of the usual number at the meridian, afternoon, and night prayers.
Ṣalātu ʾl-K͟hauf.—“The prayers of fear.” Said in time of war. They are two rakʿahs recited first by one regiment or company and then by the other.
Ṣalātu ʾl-Tarāwīḥ.—Twenty rakʿahs recited every evening during the Ramaẓān, immediately after the fifth daily prayer.
Ṣalātu ʾl-Istik͟hārah.—Prayers for success or guidance. The person who is about to undertake any special business performs two rakʿah prayers and then goes to sleep. During his slumbers he may expect to have “ilhām,” or inspiration, as to the undertaking for which he seeks guidance!
Ṣalātu ʾl-K͟husūf.—Two rakʿahs said at the time of an eclipse of the moon.
Ṣalātu ʾl-Kusūf.—Two rakʿahs said at the time of an eclipse of the sun.
Ṣalātu ʾl-Istisqāʾ.—Prayer in time of drought, consisting of two rakʿahs.
Ṣalātu ʾl-Janāzah.—Prayers at a funeral. [JANAZAH.]
The liturgical service of the Muslim is not given in the Qurʾān, but is founded upon very minute instructions given by the Prophet, and which are recorded in the Traditions, and for which the Arabic scholar can refer to Ṣaḥīḥu ʾl-Buk͟hārī, vol. i. p. 50; Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, vol. i. p. 164; Sunanu ʾt-Tirmiẕī, p. 22; Sunanu Abū Dāʾūd, p. 56; Sunanu Muwat̤t̤aʾ, p. 50; and the English reader to Matthew’s Mishkāt, book iv.
The following are selections from the sayings of Muḥammad with reference to the Liturgical prayers (vide Mishkāt, book iv.):—
“That which leads a creature into infidelity is neglect of prayers.”
“Not one of you must say your prayers in a garment without covering your whole body.”