HOW TO PERFORM SALAH ACCORDING TO THE MALIKI SCHOOL OF THOUGHT

NIYYAH

• Make Niyyat (Intention) of whichever Salah one wishes to perform.

TAKBEER TAHREEMA

After making NIYYAH, lift the two hands up to the shoulders in such a manner that both palms face towards the Qibla.

Then say ALLAHU AKBAR and hands should be left hanging at the sides.

Imam Malik’s more popular opinion as related by Ibn al-Qasim, is that the hands should be left hanging at the sides. A second view of his, related by Ibn al-Mundhir, is that the hands should be clasped together and not left to hang at the side. The great Maliki scholar Ibn Abd al-Barr states regarding this:

There is nothing reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) which contradicts this [majority opinion], and this is the unanimous view of all the Companions and Followers [tabi’in] (Awjaz al-Masalik 2:116).

The scholars state that there are no authentic hadiths that substantiate Imam Malik’s opinion of leaving the hands at the sides. Some have mentioned the reason for it to be profound fear, awe and reverence for Almighty Allah; that once a person is standing before Him, he forgets to bring his hands together and they are left to hang at the sides. Whatever the case maybe, there are reports to be found of some Companions praying with their hands on their sides [see Musannaf Ibn Abi Shayba 2:391].

Then:

Recite Surah al-Fatiha

NOTE: According to Imam Malik it is makrooh to recite Bismillah in Salah

After reciting Surah al-Fatiha say AAMEEN.

The Imam should say ameen silently during all prayers (silent prayers and audible).

The Muqtadees should say ameen silently during all prayers (silent prayers and audible).

NOTE: It is mustahab (preferable) for the muqtadees to recite Surat al-Fatiha in the non-audible prayers and it is mubah (permissible) to recite behind the Imam in the audible prayers.

Then recite any Surah thereafter. To say Bismillah is makrooh.

Then say Allahu Akbar and go into RUKU and say ????? ??? ?????? three times.

It is sunna and more preferable NOT to raise the hands before and after Ruku. Imam Malik based his opinion on the conduct [ta’amul] of the people of Madinah Munawwara, who did not observe the practice of raising the hands. Hence, he was of the opinion that one should not raise the hands anywhere after the opening takbir. It states in al-Mudawwana:

Imam Malik said, “I do not consider the raising of the hands to be part of any takbir of the prayer, neither of any descending or ascending motion, except at the beginning of prayer.” Ibn al-Qasim states, “Raising the hands [at any point] was considered a weak practice according to Imam Malik” (al-Mudawwana al-kubra 1:71).

NOTE: It is sunna to say Allahu Akbar when lowering or raising from one posture to another with the exception of rising from Ruku.

Now stand up straight from RUKU and whilst coming up say:

??? ???? ??? ????

Then in the upright position say:

???? ?? ?????

• FIRST SAJDAH (prostration)

Now saying ALLAHU AKBAR go into Sajdah

When going into Sajdah first place the HANDS on the ground, then the KNEES.

Ones hands should be parallel to shoulders in Sajdah.

The ARMS should not touch the sides of the BODY nor the ground. The STOMACH should be away from the THIGHS.

• In Sajdah one may recite any dua.

JALSA (To sit between two Sajdahs)

Saying ALLAHU AKBAR sit up straight, do not sit with the back crooked or stooped.

One should sit in the tawarruk position in Jalsa (i.e. when a person sits with his left posterior on the ground; his right foot placed vertically with toes pointing towards the qibla; and the left foot on its side emerging from under the right foot).

SECOND SAJDAH

The second Sajdah is performed as the first one, i.e. going into Sajdah saying ALLAHU AKBAR and reciting any dua in Sajdah.

ONE RAKAAT IS NOW COMPLETE

SECOND RAK’AH

Say ALLAHU AKBAR and stand up for the second Rak’ah.

When getting up from Sajdah first lift the FOREHEAD, then the NOSE and then the KNEES. Ensure that the HANDS are on the KNEES and not on the ground for support, except for a valid reason.

Once stood up recite SURAH Al-FATIHA and another Surah then COMPLETE THE SECOND RAK’AH IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE FIRST ONE

• FIRST QA’DAH

After completing the Second Sajdah of the second Rak’ah say ALLAHU AKBAR and sit up for Qa’dah.

One should sit in the position of tawarruk in all sittings.

TASHAHHUD:

Once sat in the posture of Qa’dah one should recite the tashahhud:

??????? ??? ???????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ? ???? ???? ? ?????? ?????? ????? ? ??? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ??? ???? ? ???? ?? ????? ???? ? ????? 

This tashahhud is from the narration of Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).

NOTE: It is wajib to recite the tashahhud in both sittings (???? ???? ) and(???? ?????).

THIRD AND FOURTH RAK’AHS

If one wishes to perform 3 or 4 Rak’ahs one should not read anything more than the TASHAHHUD, then say ALLAHU AKBAR stand up and perform the remaining Rak’ahs.

• SECOND QA’DAH

In the second Qa’dah after the Tashahhud read DUROODE IBRAHIM:

????? ?? ??? ???? ? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????

 ????? ???? ??? ???? ? ??? ?? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ? ??? ?? ??????? ??? ???? ????

THE DU’AS AFTER DUROOD

After the Durood recite this Du’aa:

????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????? ? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ??? ??? ?????? ??????

SALAAM

According to the Maliki school of thought only one Salaam facing forward is necessary for the Imam or one praying individually, however, the follower (muqtadi) must do 3 Salaams one to the right, one facing forward and one to the left.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Molana Yusuf Zaman

Checked and Approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham