... DRAFT ...
Al-Kahf (18:28)
وَٱصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ وَلَا تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ تُرِيدُ زِينَةَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ۖ وَلَا تُطِعْ مَنْ أَغْفَلْنَا قَلْبَهُۥ عَن ذِكْرِنَا وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ وَكَانَ أَمْرُهُۥ فُرُطًا ٢٨
And keep yourself patient [by being] with those who call upon their Lord in the morning and the evening, seeking His face [i.e., acceptance]. And let not your eyes pass beyond them, desiring adornments of the worldly life, and do not obey one whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his desire and whose affair is ever [in] neglect.[1]
اور اپنے آپ کو روکے رکھیے ان لوگوں کے ساتھ جو اپنے رب کو پکارتے ہیں صبح وشام وہ اللہ کی رضا کے طالب ہیں اور آپ کی نگاہیں ان سے ہٹنے نہ پائیں (جس سے لوگوں کو یہ گمان ہونے لگے کہ) آپ دنیوی زندگی کی آرائش و زیبائش چاہتے ہیں اور مت کہنا مانیے ایسے شخص کا جس کا دل ہم نے اپنی یاد سے غافل کردیا ہے اور جو اپنی خواہشات کے پیچھے پڑا ہے اور اس کا معاملہ حد سے متجاوز ہوچکا ہے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
[https://quran.com/al-kahf/28]
An-Nisa (4:103)
فَإِذَا قَضَيْتُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قِيَـٰمًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِكُمْ ۚ فَإِذَا ٱطْمَأْنَنتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَـٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا ١٠٣
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allāh standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.
— Saheeh International
پھر جب تم (اس طریقے سے) نماز ادا کرلو تو پھر ذکر کرو اللہ کا کھڑے ہوئے بیٹھے ہوئے اور لیٹے ہوئے پھر جب تمہیں امن حاصل ہوجائے تو پھر نماز کو قائم کرو (تمام آداب و شرائط کے ساتھ) یقیناً نماز اہل ایمان پر فرض کی گئی ہے وقت کی پابندی کے ساتھ
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
[https://quran.com/an-nisa/103]
Salaat (Formal Prayers) have been prescribed, and made obligatory (Fard) upon Muslims at fixed times.
There are many positions, and recitations associated with each position.
Salaat was taught to Muslims by the Prophet ﷺ , and Muslims all over the world pray almost alike. There are five obligatory prayers: Fajr (Dawn prayer, before sunrise), Zuhr (immediately after noon prayer), Asr (late afternoon prayer), Magrib (immediately after sunset prayer), and Isha (night prayer). We are also encouraged to spend part of the night in extra prayers, but these extra prayers have not been made obligatory. The late night prayers are known as Tahajjud. There is great reward attached to the voluntary prayers. However, the obligatory prayers are on the critical path, and may not be missed. If missed, they need to be made up as soon as possible.
Moreover, the Muslims before the advent of Muhammad ﷺ , the Jews and the Christians, also prayed almost similarly, as prayed, taught, and enjoined by their prophets. Jews prayed obligatory prayers thrice daily, and Christians identify seven prayer times per day, but do not consider them obligatory.
The Quran quotes Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى commanding Moses (Musa عليه السلام) to establish prayer, at the very first time He Spoke, introducing Himself, to him:
Taha (20:14)
إِنَّنِىٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدْنِى وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ لِذِكْرِىٓ ١٤
Indeed, I am Allāh. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.
— Saheeh International
یقیناً میں ہی اللہ ہوں ! کوئی اور معبود نہیں سوائے میرے پس تم میری ہی بندگی کرو اور نماز قائم رکھو میری یاد کے لیے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى ordained the five obligatory prayers on Muslims when Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى spoke directly with Muhammad ﷺ , in the event famously known as Al-Isra wa al-Mairaaj (the night journey and ascension) to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى 's Presence. Surah al-Isra (also known as Surah Bani Israel) begins with the mention of this journey, and mentions the Obligatory and Voluntary prayers' timings in ayaat 78, 79 of the surah:
The following is an attempt to consolidate various learnings to help appreciate the comprehensiveness of Salaat. It is a brief outline of a set of two units (each unit is known as a rakat), and some links for pondering in-depth on the magnificence of the station of Salaat:
Takbeer
We say the takbeer (Allah o Akbar) at the beginning of the salah and every time we change position.
Allah o Akbar means that Allah is Greater. Akbar (Greater) is a comparative term. So, the declaration is meant to inspire the thought that anything that might keep us from prayer is lesser, and so, at the fixed times, it is important to leave everything else, and pray the obligatory prayer.
[https://expeditionthink.blogspot.com/2026/04/takbeer.html]
Qiyyam
Qiyyam means Standing. We begin salah by standing in prayer.
First, we recite some words of glorification. It is known as 'Sana'. It begins with 'Subhanaka Allahumma ...'
[Acknowledging the Perfection of our Lord]
Then, we seek the Protection of Allah from Satan. It is known as 'ta'awudh'
[Satan's Enmity: Origin & Objective]
Then, we begin with the name of Allah. It is known as 'tasmiyyah'.
The Opening Prayer
Then, we recite Surah alFateha. This prayer is recited in the every rakat of the salah, that is, every time we stand in prayer, we recite this prayer.
Q1:1 The 'tasmiyyah' is also the first ayat of Surah alFateha.
Q1:2 We praise the Sustainer of the worlds.
[The Sustainer of the Worlds (رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ)]
Q1:3 We acknowledge that He is arRahman arRaheem
[ArRahman: The Face and The Name]
Q1:4 We state that He is the Master of the Day of Judgment
[The Day of Judgement and The Fear of Accountability]
[To Forget the Meeting with Allah]
Q1:5 We profess that it is You who we worship and it is You whom we seek help from
[we will worship none but Allah]
Q1:6 We pray for guidance to the straight path
[The Straight Path (الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ)]
Q1:7 The path of those whom Allah blessed; not the path of those whom He became angry with, nor of those who went astray
[When the People of the Book Wronged]
...
Recitation from The Quran
Then, ayaat of The Quran are recited. Just one or few consecutive ayaat, or entire surahs can be recited. The Grand Quran is the response to alFateha, the opening prayer.
[]
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Then the Takbeer is pronounced while changing position.
...
Ruku
Ruku is the act of bowing.
Placing the palms on the knees, the worshipper bows down before Allah, and pronounces the tasbeeh:
[Bones]
...
Then the Takbeer is pronounced while standing up.
While in the standing position, we state that Allah listens to the one who praises Him. Our Lord, to You belongs all praise.
[]
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Then, the Takbeer is pronounced while going down in prostration.
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Sajdah
Sajdah (prostration) is the position of going down and placing the forehead on the ground, reciting the tasbeeh:
[The Flawless Perfection of The Names of Our Lord, Most High]
...
sit up after the first prostration, reciting the takbeer, as one changes position.
recite some istighfar (seek forgiveness) briefly, and go down again in prostration.
[Emotional Capacity & Endurance]
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Stand up after the first rakat, for a second rakat of qiyyam, ruku, and the set of two sujood.
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Jalsa
The sitting position in prayer is called Jalsa.
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After the second set of qiyyam, ruku and sujood, we sit and recite at-tahiyaat, It includes the Tashahhud.
After at-tahiyaat, the Durood e Ibrahim is recited.
[The Excellent Uswah in Prophet Muhammad ﷺ]
Thereafter, some personal prayers and requests may be put up.
Salam
Then, Salam is pronounced , once to the right, and once to the left.
With the salaams, the prayer is concluded.
[Salaam, The Significance of the Spoken Word!]
...
Hud (11:114-123)
11:114
وَأَقِمِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ طَرَفَىِ ٱلنَّهَارِ وَزُلَفًا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلْحَسَنَـٰتِ يُذْهِبْنَ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ذِكْرَىٰ لِلذَّٰكِرِينَ ١١٤
And establish prayer at the two ends of the day and at the approach of the night. Indeed, good deeds do away with misdeeds. That is a reminder for those who remember.
— Saheeh International
اور (اے نبی !) نماز کو قائم رکھیے دن کے دونوں سروں پر اور رات کی کچھ گھڑیوں میں یقیناً نیکیاں بدیوں کو دور کردیتی ہیں۔ یہ یاد دہانی ہے یاد رکھنے والوں کے لیے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:115
وَٱصْبِرْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُضِيعُ أَجْرَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ١١٥
And be patient, for indeed, Allāh does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.
— Saheeh International
اور صبر کیجیے یقیناً اللہ نیکی کرنے والوں کا اجر ضائع نہیں کرتا
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:116
فَلَوْلَا كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ أُو۟لُوا۟ بَقِيَّةٍ يَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ ٱلْفَسَادِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّمَّنْ أَنجَيْنَا مِنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱتَّبَعَ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ مَآ أُتْرِفُوا۟ فِيهِ وَكَانُوا۟ مُجْرِمِينَ ١١٦
So why were there not[1] among the generations before you those of enduring discrimination forbidding corruption on earth - except a few of those We saved from among them? But those who wronged pursued what luxury they were given therein, and they were criminals.
تو کیوں نہ ایسا ہوا کہ تم سے پہلے کی قوموں میں حق کے ایسے علمبردار ہوتے جو (اپنی اپنی قوموں کے لوگوں کو) روکتے زمین میں فساد مچانے سے مگر بہت تھوڑے لوگ ایسے تھے جنہیں ہم نے ان میں سے بچالیا اور پیچھے پڑے رہے وہ ظالم ان عیش و آرام کی چیزوں کے جو انہیں دی گئی تھیں اور وہ مجرم تھے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:117
وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ لِيُهْلِكَ ٱلْقُرَىٰ بِظُلْمٍ وَأَهْلُهَا مُصْلِحُونَ ١١٧
And your Lord would not have destroyed the cities unjustly while their people were reformers.
— Saheeh International
اور آپ کا رب ایسا نہیں کہ بستیوں کو ظلم کے ساتھ ہلاک کر دے جبکہ ان میں بسنے والے لوگ اصلاح کرنے والے ہوں
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:118
وَلَوْ شَآءَ رَبُّكَ لَجَعَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً ۖ وَلَا يَزَالُونَ مُخْتَلِفِينَ ١١٨
And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community; but they will not cease to differ,
— Saheeh International
اور اگر آپ کا رب چاہتا تو تمام نوع انسانی کو ایک ہی امت بنا دیتا لیکن وہ تو اختلاف کرتے ہی رہیں گے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:119
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ رَبُّكَ ۚ وَلِذَٰلِكَ خَلَقَهُمْ ۗ وَتَمَّتْ كَلِمَةُ رَبِّكَ لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ ١١٩
Except whom your Lord has given mercy, and for that He created them. But the word of your Lord is to be fulfilled that, "I will surely fill Hell with jinn and men all together."
— Saheeh International
سوائے اس کے کہ جس پر آپ کا رب رحم فرما دے۔ اور اسی لیے اس نے انہیں پیدا کیا ہے اور آپ کے رب کی یہ بات پوری ہو کر رہے گی کہ میں جہنم کو جنوں اور انسانوں سب سے بھر کر رہوں گا
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:120
وَكُلًّا نَّقُصُّ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ أَنۢبَآءِ ٱلرُّسُلِ مَا نُثَبِّتُ بِهِۦ فُؤَادَكَ ۚ وَجَآءَكَ فِى هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْحَقُّ وَمَوْعِظَةٌ وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ١٢٠
And each [story] We relate to you from the news of the messengers is that by which We make firm your heart. And there has come to you, in this, the truth and an instruction and a reminder for the believers.
— Saheeh International
اور (اے نبی !) ہم رسولوں کی خبروں میں سے ہر ایک آپ کو سنا رہے ہیں (تاکہ) مضبوط رکھیں ہم اس کے ساتھ آپ کا دل اور اس میں آپ کے پاس حق آیا ہے اور مؤمنین کے لیے اس میں نصیحت اور یاد دہانی ہے
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:121
وَقُل لِّلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ ٱعْمَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِكُمْ إِنَّا عَـٰمِلُونَ ١٢١
And say to those who do not believe, "Work according to your position; indeed, we are working.
— Saheeh International
اور کہہ دیجیے ان لوگوں سے جو ایمان نہیں لاتے کہ تم اپنی جگہ پر کرو (جو کرسکتے ہو) ہم بھی کر رہے ہیں (جو کچھ ہم کرسکتے ہیں)
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:122
وَٱنتَظِرُوٓا۟ إِنَّا مُنتَظِرُونَ ١٢٢
And wait; indeed, we are waiting."
— Saheeh International
اور تم بھی انتظار کرو ہم بھی منتظر ہیں
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
11:123
وَلِلَّهِ غَيْبُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُ ٱلْأَمْرُ كُلُّهُۥ فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَيْهِ ۚ وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَـٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ ١٢٣
And to Allāh belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it, so worship Him and rely upon Him. And your Lord is not unaware of that which you do.
— Saheeh International
اور اللہ ہی کے لیے ہیں آسمانوں اور زمین کی تمام چھپی چیزیں اور کل کا کل معاملہ اسی کی جانب لوٹا دیا جائے گا تو آپ اسی کی عبادت کریں اور اسی پر توکل کریں۔ اور یقیناً آپ کا رب غافل نہیں ہے اس سے جو تم لوگ کر رہے ہو
— بیان القرآن (ڈاکٹر اسرار احمد)
[https://quran.com/hud/114-123]
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Last updated on: October 15, 2026
