The following are some common errors committed by Muslims in their salaat. These errors must be avoided hoping that Allah would accept this act or worship and reward us for it.
Consuming food of bad smell such as garlic or onion, or smoking before coming to prayer. Angels and the praying people are bothered by offensive smell. On the contrary, one should wear perfume, if available before coming to the mosques. Jabir (RA) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said:
"Whoever eats (from) this plant (he meant garlic) should keep away from our mosque." (Bukhari)
Proceeding to mosque for prayer with brisk walk, or, even running for fear of missing part of the prayer. This may disturb those who are already in prayer. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"When prayer has already started, do not walk quickly to join in. Proceed clamly and reposefully; then join in whichever part you catch up, and complete whichever part you missed (i.e. soon after the imaam)" (Bukhari)
Saying Takbeer al-Ihram while in rukoo': Many of those who come late to the mosque and join in prayer which is already in progress, rush to take the same posture, while people are in rukoo' and say takbeeratul- Ihram, (the opening takbeer of prayer) while bowing for fear of missing that rak 'ah. Takbeer al-lhram is to be pronounced when one is standing upright, only. Mumbling the niyyah or intention, and uttering it in a low audible voice: The heart is the place of intention.
Mumbling words such as "I intend to pray such prayer or such number of rak'aat, or I intend to fast, or do such act or worship or another," just before starting prayer was neither practiced by the Prophet (PBUH) nor his companions, nor by their followers. Uttering the above words of niyyah allows Shaytaan to put irrelevant words in the mouth of the person who utters the niyyah. Do you remember at one time or another that once you stood up for dhuhr prayer and discovered yourself saying, "I intend to pray four rak'aat of Isha, " or when you were standing for Asr prayer you made your intention to prayfajr instead? This confusion is from Shay tan. Had you kept silent, Shaytan would not have confused you.
Neglecting raising the hands in the opening takbeer of salah and before and after rukoo', and upon standing up for the third rak'ah . Abdullah bin Umar said:
"I saw the Prophet (PBUH) raising his hands to the level of his shoulders, upon starting prayer, and before bending for rukoo' and when he stood up again." (Bukhari)
Raising hands with every takbeer subsequent to the first takbeer in janazah, Eed or rain prayers is not recommended. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to put his hands on his chest (while standing in prayer).
Reluctance to stand in the front line in congregational payer. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Were people to realize the value of making adhan (the call for prayer), and the great reward (for doing so) and the virtue of standing in the first line (in congregational prayer), and had no choice but to make a draw (to decide who makes adhan or stands in the first line) they would have justifiably done so. And were people to know the significance of coming early to (congregational) prayer, they would have raced with one another (to reach the mosque first). And if they were to know the great reward (for corning to mosque) for Isha' and Fajr Prayers, they would have come even if they had to crawl (i.e. even if they were disabled, they would have come crawling for fear ofmissing its great reward). (Bukhari).
Gazing upward during prayer, or looking at the imam, right or left: This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded' to lower our gaze, and look at the point at which the head would rest during sujood. The Prophet (PBUH) warned:
"Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so or else their sights would not return to them. (i.e. lose their eyesight)." (Muslim)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited