Lesson 24

HOW GHUSL IS PERFORMED

Both the essential and voluntary acts are now integrated here below to demonstrate how the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to perform the ghusl:

A. Intend by heart to perform ghusl -and say Bismillah.

B. Wash both hands up to the wrists three times.

C. Wash one’s sex organs.

D. Perform wudhu as usual in the manner already prescribed, except that the washing of feet would be delayed until later, when the rest of the body is bathed.

E. Pour water over the head three times, massaging the hair to allow the water to reach its roots.

F. Pour water liberally over the entire body, starting with the right side and then the left, ensuring that no part of the body is left untouched by water, including armpits, inside the earlobes, inside the navel, between fingers and toes etc.,

NOTES:

1. A woman performs ghusl just as the man does, except that if she has plaited hair, she need not undo it. She only needs to throw three handfuls of water over her head.

2. After completing the ghusl a person may recite the supplication for concluding the ghusl, which should be recited outside the bathroom/ toilet, the same supplication recited after completing wudhu.

3. When water is just nearby, but the person could not fetch it due to fear for his/ her life, family and wealth (e. g. danger from beasts or lawless human beings in the vicinity) then, Tayammum can be performed.

4. When there is not enough water and one is forced to save what is available for drinking and/ or cooking, then Tayammum is allowed.

Lesson 25PILLARS OF SALAAT (ARKANUS-SALAT)

The prayer has obligatory pillars which must be fulfilled for its validity, and these are as follows:

1. Al-Qiyaam -prayer is to be performed in a standing position if a person is physically capable.

2. Takbeerat-ul-Ihraam, that is saying “ALLAHU AKBAR”, at the commencement of the prayer.

3. Al-Fatihah – The recital of the opening chapter of the Holy Quran in every Raka’a.

4. Rukuu’ -this is the bowing posture wherein the head and back are positioned on the same level and both hands are rested on the knees with the fingers spread apart.

5. Raising up from rukuu’ position.

6. It is required to stand up from the rukuu’ position in such a way that the person feels that all his/ her backbones are straightened.

7. Sujuud -Prostrating oneself in such a way that the following seven parts of the body are firmly placed on the ground. i. e. forehead together with the tip of the nose, both palms, both knees, the bottom surface of toes of both feet.

8. Raising the head from the Sujuud position.

9. It is required to sit upright during the pause between the two prostrations.

10. Taking a sitting position for the recitation of “At-Tashahud”.

11. Recitation of “At-Tashahud” -words of witness.

12. Reciting the words of supplication for the Prophet (Peace be upon him)

13. Conclude the prayer with the words of peace “Tasleem”. i. e. “Assalamu Aleykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuhu.”

14. While fulfilling the above pillars of salaat, the person should be in a state of tranquillity. The aforementioned factors are the pillars of the prayer, wherein if any of them is missed, it is required to repeat the whole Raka’ah (Unit) in which the pillar was omitted. But if the Takbeerat-ul-Ihraam -(the first Takbeer that initiates you to the prayer), is omitted, then it becomes necessary to repeat the whole salaat.