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The Salah Handbook

Meadowvale Islamic Centre

Based on Four Khutbahs delivered by Imam Sarmad Sajid — July–August 2026

The Prayer We Will Be Asked About

Salah is not a minor detail of a Muslim's life. It is the first deed brought to account on the Day of Judgment, and its soundness reflects the state of the rest of our worship.

"The first matter that the slave will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is the Salah."
— At-Tirmidhi (Authentic)

Before the Prayer — Two Jumu'ah Reminders

When the Khutbah has begun: Remain silent and attentive. Even telling another person to be quiet was described by the Prophet ﷺ as laghw (idle speech).
— Bukhari & Muslim

When entering the Masjid: Do not sit until you have prayed two brief rak'ahs — even if the khutbah has already begun.
— Bukhari & Muslim

Important: Please shut down your cellphones in the Masjid.

"Successful indeed are the believers — those who are humble in their prayer."
— Surah Al-Mu'minun 23:1–2

Khutbah 01 — Common Mistakes in Salah

"Pecking" Through Sujud

Sujud should not resemble a bird rapidly pecking. Rushing through prostration robs the servant of stillness and closeness to Allah.

"The closest a servant is to his Lord is when he is prostrating."
— Muslim

Looking Around

The Mistake: Wandering eyes and turning attention around the masjid.

"It is a snatching by which Shaytan steals from a person's prayer."
— Bukhari

The Correction: Maintain a focused gaze and protect the heart from distraction.

Crooked Rows & Gaps

Shoulder to shoulder. Foot to foot with a moderate stance. Straighten. Come together. Do not exaggerate your stance.

"Straighten your rows, for straightening the rows is part of perfecting prayer."
— Abu Dawud

Guard the Time

"Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at specified times."
— An-Nisa 4:103

Among the most beloved deeds to Allah: prayer at its proper time.
— Bukhari & Muslim

Khutbah 02 — Common Mistakes in Salah: Part Two

Joining the Imam in Ruku'

Do NOT say your opening takbir while already bending into ruku. Stand upright, say Allahu Akbar for Takbirat Al-Ihram — that is what enters you into the prayer — then say the takbir for ruku.

"The key to the prayer is purification, its prohibition is the takbir, and its completion is the taslim."
— At-Tirmidhi (Authentic)

The Tashahhud

Use one index finger — not two. Right hand on thigh or knee; thumb and middle finger may form a ring; gaze directed toward the pointing finger according to the narration. Both hands resting on thighs or knees are established — both are Sunnah.

Pray Toward a Sutrah

A sutrah is something placed in front of you while you pray, beyond which you should not pass.

"When one of you prays, let him pray towards a sutrah and stay close to it."
— Abu Dawud

Examples of a Sutrah: Wall · Pillar · Chair
The Imam's sutrah is enough for the Jama'ah.

Khutbah 03 — Khushu' in Salah

What Is Khushu'?

Khushu' is the heart's humility before Allah — filled with awareness of His greatness — until that humility appears in the stillness and attentiveness of the body. A person may appear perfectly still in Salah, yet his heart may be elsewhere. Khushu' is of the heart, not merely the body.

"Establish prayer for My remembrance."
— Ta-Ha 20:14

Five Levels — Where Are You in Your Salah?

  1. Protects the prayer and fights distraction, continually bringing the heart back.
  2. The heart becomes immersed, focused on standing properly before Allah.
  3. Protects outward form, but the heart remains occupied with the world.
  4. Stands before Allah with love, awe and awareness as though seeing Him.
  5. Neglects both outward requirements and the prayer itself.

How to Build Khushu'

1. Remove Distractions. Patterned clothing distracted even the Prophet ﷺ. Protect your eyes so you can protect your heart.

2. Remember Who You Are Speaking To. "When one of you is in prayer, he is in intimate conversation with his Lord." — Bukhari. Understand what you are saying.

3. Remember That Allah Sees You. "Worship Allah as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, He sees you." — Muslim

'Ammar ibn Yasir (ra) said: A person may leave Salah with only one half of it, or one third, or one quarter, or even one tenth recorded for him — according to the presence he had within it. — Abu Dawud

Do NOT only complete your Salah. BE PRESENT IN IT.

Khutbah 04 — Conditions of Salah & Sajdah Sahw

The 8 Obligatory (Wajib) Parts

If omitted forgetfully, a wajib is repaired by Sajdah As-Sahw.

  1. All Takbeerat — every "Allahu Akbar" other than the opening takbir
  2. Sami'a Allahu liman hamidah — for Imam and one praying alone
  3. Rabbana wa laka'l-hamd — said after rising from bowing
  4. Subhana Rabbiyal-'Azeem — once while bowing (ruku')
  5. Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la — once while prostrating (sujud)
  6. Rabb ighfir li — between the two prostrations
  7. The First Tashahhud
  8. Sitting for the First Tashahhud

The 11 Verbal Sunnahs

A Sunnah perfects the prayer but its omission does NOT invalidate it.

  1. Opening Du'a
  2. Seeking Refuge
  3. Bismillah before recitation
  4. Ameen after Al-Fatihah
  5. Reciting another Surah after Al-Fatihah
  6. Reciting aloud where prescribed
  7. Extra Tasbeeh in Ruku'
  8. Additional praise after Rabbana wa laka'l-hamd
  9. Extra Tasbeeh in Sujud
  10. Rabb ighfir li more than once between two prostrations
  11. Salat & Du'a in the Final Tashahhud

The Prostration of Forgetfulness

BEFORE SALAM: Unsure of rak'ahs → build on certainty. Forgot a wajib → complete it, give salam, then two prostrations.

AFTER SALAM: Added something extra, or ended too early.

Guard your Salah with precision — and with presence of heart.

May Allah allow us to perfect our Salah like the Prophet ﷺ.
— Imam Sarmad Sajid
Ameen.

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