PRAYER

PRAYER - the Shafii Guide

Prayer - the second of the 5 Islamic Pillars . The account of your prayer will be the first to be questioned on the day of judgement

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You must be in a " purified state " i.e you must have done your WUDU ( or GHUSL if needed ). And your attire must be Najis free.
See relevant section for details.

You must know which actions / recitations are fardh / integral , & which one is sunnat / recommended only .And you must know the invalidators.
The ' Reliance of the traveller " translated by Nuh Keller is a detail reference .
The translation of " Al Maqasid " is good with an online audio of the relevant recitations available at :

RECORDED SUPPLICATIONS

The prayer begins with the first Allahu Akbar ( takbiratul ihram ) and ends with the Salam . The first Salam is fard . The second Salam is sunnat .

The NIAT / INTENTION must be " thought of " ( not verbalize ) during the first Allahu Akbar. This Takhbiratul Ihram must be said fluently without unnecessary prolongation ; in fact it must not exceed the time needed to say 7 Aliphs.

The essentials of the Niat for the 5 daily prayers is only 3 ; ( that one is praying ) I intend to pray , ( that this prayer is an obligation ) Fard , ( the specific prayer ) e g Fajr

For the sunnat prayers . also specify before or after the relevant obligatory prayers.

The folded arms can be place between the umbilicus and the chest ; this is sunnat.

Place your gaze on the prostrating site; except during Ruku - at your toes , & during the Tashahhud - initially at the prostrating site amd then at the pointing index finger when saying " except Allah " ( illah ).

Reading of the Fatiha is obligatory in every rakaat ; even when praying behind the Imam.

Pause during Ruku ; duration of pause is duration of saying " subhanallah " . It's sunnat here to say the dhikr subhanallah rabbiyal azhim 3x.

Do not prolong standing position ( I'tidal ) after Ruku longer than the duration of saying the Fatiha in Qiyam above; except in the last rakaat. Same apply to sitting in between the two prostrations.

For online details with graphics to the Islamic prayer as interpreted by the Shafii school , check out the links below