How to Perform Salah According to the Hanafi School of Thought (Hanafi Maslak)
The Hanafi school of thought is one of the four major Sunni Islamic schools, and it provides specific guidelines for performing Salah (prayer). Here is a simple step-by-step guide on how to perform Salah according to the Hanafi way:
- Make Niyyah (Intention)
- Before starting the prayer, make the intention in your heart for which prayer you are going to offer (e.g., Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, etc.). The intention is not said aloud, but it should be clear in your heart.
- Saying “Allahu Akbar” (Takbir al-Ihram)
- Stand facing the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba in Makkah).
- Raise your hands to shoulder level and say “Allahu Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest). This marks the beginning of the prayer.
- Qiyam (Standing) and Recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha
- While standing, place your right hand over your left hand on your chest or just above the navel.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha (The Opening) aloud if you are praying alone or in congregation, and silently if praying behind an Imam.
- Surah Al-Fatiha: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help. Guide us on the Straight Path, the path of those who have received Your grace, not the path of those who have brought down wrath upon themselves, nor of those who have gone astray.”
- After reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, recite another Surah from the Qur’an (such as Surah Al-Ikhlas, Surah Al-Falaq, or Surah An-Nas).
- Ruku (Bowing)
- After reciting, bow down by placing your hands on your knees, keeping your back and head level and parallel to the ground.
- In Ruku, say “Subhana Rabbiyal Azeem” (Glory be to my Lord, the Almighty) three times (or more).
- Your fingers should be spread, and your back should be straight in this position.
- Standing Up from Ruku (I’tidal)
- Stand up straight from the bowing position. While doing so, say “Sami’ Allahu liman Hamidah” (Allah hears the one who praises Him), and then “Rabbana lakal hamd” (Our Lord, to You is due all praise).
- Your hands should be placed at the sides while standing straight.
- Sujood (Prostration)
- Move to the ground and perform Sujood (prostration). In this position, your forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet should touch the ground.
- While in Sujood, say “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times (or more).
- In this position, your elbows should be raised, and your thighs should not touch your stomach.
- Sitting Between Two Sujoods (Jalsa)
- After the first Sujood, sit on your legs with your hands on your thighs and knees.
- In this sitting position, say “Rabbighfir li” (My Lord, forgive me) and remain in this position briefly.
- Second Sujood (Prostration)
- Perform the second Sujood in the same manner as the first one, saying “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” three times.
- Tashahhud (Testification)
- After the second Sujood, sit for the Tashahhud (testification). This is done in the final sitting of the prayer.
- In this sitting, recite:
“At-tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayibatu, assalamu ‘alayka ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, assalamu ‘alayna wa ‘ala ibadillahi as-salihin, ashhadu alla ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhoo wa rasooluh.”- Translation: “All greetings, blessings, and good acts are for Allah. Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you, O Prophet, and His blessings. Peace be upon us and on the righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, He is One, and He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His servant and Messenger.”
- Final Tashahhud and Salaam (Salam)
- After completing the final Tashahhud, if it is a two-unit prayer (e.g., Fajr), end the prayer by turning your head to the right and saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you).
- If it is a prayer with more than two units (e.g., Zuhr, Asr, etc.), after the second or third unit, perform the same steps until the final sitting, and then turn your head to the right and left, saying “Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of Allah be upon you) on both sides.
- After Salah
- After finishing the prayer, you can make Dua (supplication) and ask Allah for what you need.
Summary of Key Points in Hanafi Prayer:
- Niyyah (Intention) is made before starting the prayer.
- Raise hands to say Allahu Akbar.
- Recite Surah Al-Fatiha aloud, followed by another Surah.
- Perform Ruku, Sujood, and I’tidal with specific supplications.
- After the second prostration, sit for Tashahhud and then say Salam to end the prayer.
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