jj_salah_and_hajj

Salah

  • Salah is the second pillar of Islam.
  • Five obligatory prayers a day.
  • Fajr: the prayer that starts out the day with remembrance of Allah. The prayer is before sunrise.
  • Dhuhr: after a person’s day has begun, he/she breaks shortly to remember Allah again. This is at noon (early afternoon).
  • Asr: In the late afternoon, people are usually busy wrapping up the day's work, getting kids home from school, etc. It is an important time to take a few minutes to remember God and the greater meaning of our lives.
  • Maghrib: This prayer is just after the sun sets, we remember Allah again as the day comes to a close.
  • Isha: Before ending the day by going to sleep we remember God’s presence, guidance, mercy, and forgiveness by praying at the night.

Performance of Salah

  • The first step in prayer is called QIYAM and the direction that we face is towards the Qiblah
  • Allahu Akbar: Allah is greater
  • Surat Al-Fatiha must be recited once every time we are in the position of Qiyam. This surah is the opening chapter of the Quran. Without Surah Al Fatiha, the prayer is not complete.
  • After reciting Al-Fatiha we recite any surah from Quran.
  • Every time we move from one position to another we say Allahu Akhbar
  • The second step is bending to our knees and you say "Subhana Rabbiyal Adhim." (repeat 3 times) which means “How perfect is my Lord, the Supreme”. This position is called RUKOO.
  • The third step we rise back up with hands by our side and recite "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah; Rabbana lakal hamd.” which means “Allah hears those who praise him; our lord praise to be you”
  • The fourth step is when we you go all the way down with your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, your knees, and toes all touching the floor.
  • When bent down you say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la." (Repeat 3 times) which means “How perfect is my lord, the highest”. This position is called SUJOOD.
  • After you have said it three times you say “Allahu Akhbar” and then sit up and say.“Rabbighfir li.” And after that you go back into sujood
  • Once you have done this one time, you do it again and in the second rakah after the Sujood you sit up and read Ata’hiyat and Tashahhud.
  • After you have completed a certain # of rakahs (depending on the prayer) you turn to your right angel (right shoulder) and left angel (left shoulder) and say "Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah" which means peace and the mercy of Allah be on you.

Number of Fard Rakahs in each Salah:

Fajr: 2, Zhur: 4, Asr: 4, Maghrib: 3 and Isha: 4

HAJJ

  • Hajj( pilgrimage) is the fifth pillar of Islam.
  • Days of Hajj are 8th,9th and 10th of dul hajj.
  • There are specific months called “Months of Pilgrimage”
  • The three Islamic months are called Shawwal, Zul Qa’d, and Dul-Hajj
  • During these three months one prepares for the pilgrimage, attains good morals, and completes other physical conditions for the pilgrimage.
  • It is suggested that a person should perform hajj as soon as they are physically and financially able to do so.

Ihraam (Clothing)

  • Two white un-stitched, cloth sheets that men wear. One is wrapped around the upper body and the other is wrapped around the lower body.
  • Women can perform Hajj in the clothes they are wearing.
  • Miqaat is the place where a person can start the Ihraam and becomes Muhrim. Muhrim is the person that is about to perform hajj.
  • When in condition of Ihraam, it is important to make the intention of hajj/umrah before you begin anything.
  • After making the intention, he/she should recite talbiyyah which is as follows: "Labbayka-Allahummma labbayk, Labbayka laa shareeka laka labbayk. Innal-Hamda wanni'mata laka wal-Mulk, laa shareeka lak!"

Tawaaf

  • The action when a person circulates the ka’bah 7 times in an anti-clockwise direction.

Sa’ee between as-Safah and al-Marwa

  • Sa’ee is to walk between the two mountains, Safa and Marwa back and forth to dedicate an act of obedience towards Allah.

Mina

  • On 8th day of dulhajj, pilgrims arrive at Mina early in the morning.They camp there for night.

Arafah

  • This is the main step, this is what counts as Hajj.
  • The pilgrim must be at 'Arafaat on the ninth of dhil Hijjah after Dhuhr time. Anyone, who misses Arafaat day, his, or her, Hajj will not count.

Muzdalfa

  • One reaches Muzdalifa in the evening of 9th dulhajj and spend the night there.
  • On 10th of dulhajj pilgrims offer fajr prayer and leave for Mina.
  • After arriving at Mina,pilgrims throw seven stones at Jumrat. This is known as Rami.
  • A pilgrim then sacrifices an animal after Rami.
  • On 12th or 13th of dulhajj, pilgrims perform the Farewell Tawaf or Tawaf al Wida.