بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

STEP BY STEP GUIDE FOR SHALAH

Shalah is one of the pillars of Islam and is obligatory,  such as the five daily prayers. Additionally, there are shalah sunnah (voluntary prayers), such as tahajjud, witr, duha, and others. This section will discuss procedure of performing salah. 

Salah, as non Muslim often referred to as prayer, holds a central place in Islam, serving as a direct connection between the believer and Allah SWT. It's not just about going through the motions; it's a profound act of devotion and submission (more complete information in detail about shalah can you find in E-book "Mualaf Basic Guide").

Shalah Procedure (according Mazhab Imam Syafi'i/Syafi'i School)

It's important to note that every act of ibadah (worship) has its requirements. The same goes for prayer. Requirements in shalah (prayer) refer to the conditions that determine the validity of prayer but are not part of the prayer itself. This is different from pillars, which are integral parts of prayer.

The conditions for shalah (prayer) fall into two categories: obligatory conditions and valid conditions. Obligatory conditions mean a person isn't obliged to pray if any of these conditions aren't met. 

There are six parts to this. Among them are :

1. Being a Muslim;

2. Reaching puberty;

3. Being of sound mind;

4. Not menstruating or in postpartum bleeding;

5. Having access to information about Islamic teachings (This is hardly found nowadays); and

6. Having normal sight and hearing (As a result, prayer isn't obligatory for the blind and deaf since birth. Because they can't receive instruction on prayer either through signs or words.

Valid conditions, on the other hand, are what determine whether a prayer is valid or not. Meaning, if these aren't met, it affects the validity of the prayer. In this regard, there are several valid conditions for prayer. Here's the breakdown:

1. 1. Being a discerning Muslim (this condition excludes the insane and young children who don't understand anything);

   2. Praying within the prayer time;

   3. Knowing the obligatory parts of prayer and not mistaking any obligatory part for a voluntary act;

   4. Being free from minor and major ritual impurities;

   5. Being free from impurities, whether on clothing, body, or prayer place;

   6. Covering the awrah (with certain limits for both men and women);

   7. Facing the qibla (except for travelers performing voluntary prayers, people in the midst of battle, and those who are unable to ascertain the direction of the qibla);

   8. Not speaking except for the recitation of the prayer;

   9. Not moving excessively apart from the movements of the prayer;

   10. Not eating or drinking;

   11. Not being uncertain whether takbiratul ihram has been performed or not;

   12. Not intending to break the prayer or being uncertain about breaking it;

   13. Not making the nullification of the prayer dependent on anything.

In a hadith, Rasulullah Muhammad SAW said, 

"Pray as you have seen me praying." (Narrated Bukhari)

This authentic hadith narrated by al-Bukhari teaches us that there's no way to pray other than how Rasulullah Muhammad SAW did it, as reported by his companions.

Regarding the pillars of prayer, ulama have outlined the obligatory or essential elements of prayer as follows:

1. Standing, if able and intention (according Mazhab Syafi'i\Syafi’i School)

2. Saying the opening Takbir (Takbiratul Ihram).

Forming the intention simultaneously with the opening Takbir ( according mazhab Syafi’i).

3. Reciting du’a Iftitah and Surah al-Fatihah (If unable, recite any other known verse. If still unable, engage in remembrance or supplication, and as a last resort, remain silent for the duration of reciting Surah al-Fatihah)

4. Bowing (Ruku).

5. Standing upright after bowing (I'tidal).

6. Prostration (Sujud).

7. Sitting between the two prostrations.

8. Serenity (Thuma'ninah) in the first four pillars (bowing, standing upright after bowing, prostration, and sitting between the two prostrations)

9. Sitting for the first Tashahhud and reciting the first Tashahhud.

10. Sitting for the final Tashahhud and reciting the final Tashahhud.

11. Sending blessings upon the Prophet during the final Tashahhud.

12. The first Salam.

13. Performing all the above pillars in sequence.

Things that Invalidate Shalah (Prayer)

A person's prayer will be null and void if they do any of the following:

1. Losing one of the obligatory conditions or prerequisites for prayer;

2. Missing out on any of the essential elements of prayer;

3. Speaking outside of the prayer recitation, including laughing loudly. Scholars draw the line at laughter or loud sounds exceeding two syllables, which would invalidate the prayer;

4. Moving outside the prayer movements; Scholars set a limit that two steps taken by someone praying are not considered nullifying, as they are deemed minimal. However, the third step would invalidate the prayer, as three is a considerable number. Similarly, for other movements, if repeated three times in succession, it would nullify the prayer. Or what's meant is frequent and repetitive movements; the standard for that is al-'urf. Al-'Urf means the customary practice within society. If a movement during prayer is considered outside the prayer context within the community, then that movement invalidates the prayer. Conversely, if the community's custom considers the movement within the prayer category, then the prayer isn't nullified;

5. Eating and drinking intentionally;

6. Preceding the imam's movements in congregational prayer with actions that are essential acts of worship by two consecutive acts, or opposing the imam's actions by two acts without a valid excuse; and

7. Finding water for those who performed tayammum due to unavailability of water.

Shalah Guide according Mazhab Hanafi, Maliki and Hambali

How to resolve differences of opinion from 4 Mazhab Fikh in ibadah (worship) ???

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Jazakumullah Khairan Katsiran

(May ALLAH reward you with much goodness)