Isha Salaah
It is compulsory to perform Wudhu, prior to performing Salaah.
Wudhu is a ritual cleansing.
Before you begin your Salaah, you must make sure that you have a clean body, a clean place to pray, and that you are wearing clothing free of impurities. The minimum clothing required during Salaah is:
A. For males: Any clothing that covers from the navel to the knees. It is preferable to cover the shoulders.
B. For females: Any clothing that covers all of the body (including the head) except the face, hands
Please note that all the recitations during the prayer must be in Arabic.
Recommended acts before Salaah
Stand upright facing the Qiblah (direction of Mecca) and recite the Adhan, Dua after Adhan and Iqama.
How to Perform Isha Salaah
The Isha Salaah is the 4 raka’ah (unit of prayer) obligatory prayer of the five daily prayers
The First Rak`ah
1. Stand upright facing the direction of Al-Ka’bah. This position is called Qiyaam and the direction is called Qiblah in Arabic.
- Make Niyyah (solemn intention) in your heart and your mind: “I am offering Isha Salaah (night prayer), of four (4) rak`ah’s (units) seeking closeness to God”.
- Raise your hands to your ears and say: “ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ” (Allahu Akbar.) This means: “Allah is the Greatest”. This is called Takbiratul Ihram.
After this, bring your hands down and remain in the standing position (Males to stands with his feet apart from 4 to 8 inches; females to stand with her feet close to each other) while performing the recitations in the next step, Qira’ah. Recite Suratul Fatihah (the opening) of the Holy Qur’an: (Males will recite aloud while Females should recite in a soft voice.)
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِِ ○ الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ○ الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ ○ مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ ○ إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ ○ اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ ○ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ ○
Transliteration:
“Bismillahir rahmanir rahim Al hamdu lil lahi rabbil ‘alamin. Arrahmanir rahim. Maliki yawmiddin. Iyyaka na’budu wa iyyaka nasta’in. Ihdinas siratal mustaqim. Siratal ladhina an’amta’alaihim, ghairil maghdubi’alaihim wa lad dhallin.”
This means:
“In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. All praise is for Allah, the Lord of the worlds. The most Beneficent, the most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. You alone we worship, from You alone we seek help. Guide us on the straight path – the path of those upon whom You have favoured, not of those who earned Your anger or went astray.”
5. Now, recite any other complete Chapter of the Holy Qur’an. For example: Suratul Qadr (the destiny)
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ ○ إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ○ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ ○ لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ ○ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ ○ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ○
Transliteration:
Bismillahir rahmanir rahim. Innaa Anzalnaahu Fiy Laylatil Qadr. Wa Maa Adraaka Maa Laylatul Qadr. Laylatul Qadri Khayrum Min Alfi Shahr. Tanazzalul Malaaikatu War Ruuhu fiyhaa Bi Idhni Rabbihim Min Kulli Amr. Salaamun Hiya Hattaa Matla’Il Fajr.”
This means:
“In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful. Surely We revealed it on the night of power. And what will make you comprehend what the night of power ? The night of power is better than a thousand months. The angels and spirit descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace! it is till the break of dawn.”
- After completing the second chapter, raise your hands to your ears and say: “ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ” (Allahu Akbar.) This means: “Allah is the Greatest”. This is called Takbir.
7. Then bow down until the hands can be placed on the knees (females to keep on her thighs above the knees with fingers joined and back in an arch fashion). This position is called Rukoo’
The following dhikr (glorification) should be recited at least once in this position:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِحَمْدِه
“Subhaana rabbiy al-`azeemi wa bihamdih”
“Glory be to my Lord, the Great, and praise belongs to Him”
8. Stand up from the bowing position and recite:
سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَه
“Sami’Allahu liman hamidah”
“Allah hears those who praise Him”
9. Raise your hands to your ears and say: “ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ” (Allahu Akbar.) This means: “Allah is the Greatest”. This is called Takbir.
10. Go down for Sujood (prostration). This is the first Sujood. There should be seven (7) points of contact with the ground, your forehead, both the palms, both knees, and both the big toes. Put your head between your palms such that your thumbs are inline with your earlobes. The elbows should be raised away from the ground (For females recommended to keep their hands on the ground as close to the body as possible). Keep your arms away from the sides of the body and the ground. The following should be recited in Sujood at least once:
سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى وَبِحَمْدِه
“Subhaana rabbiy al-a`laa wa bihamdih”
“Glory be to my Exalted Lord, and praise belongs to Him”
11. After first sujood, raise the forehead and sit up with the ankle of the right foot in the sole of the left foot, with hands resting on the thighs.
Than say Takbir, optionally followed by:
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللّهَ رَبِّي وَأَتُوبُ إلَيْه
“Astaghfirullaaha rabbee wa atoobu ilayh”
“I ask forgiveness of God, my Lord, and turn towards him”
followed by Takbir again.
12. Repeat the Sujood again. This is the second Sujood. (In the same method as step No.10 above)
13. Sit up for a moment (position of step No.11 above). This completes the first Rak’ah or unit of Salaah.
14.You now have to rise into a standing position for the second Rak’ah or unit of Salaah while (optionally) reciting:
بِحَوْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ قُـوَّتِهِ أَقُومُ وَ أَقْـعُدُ
“Bihawlillaahi wa quwwatihi aqoomu wa aq`ud”
“With God’s help and through His power I stand and sit”
The Second Rak`ah
15. After regaining the upright posture, recite Surah al-Fatiha and another complete Surah of the Holy Qur’an followed by Takbir in the same way as the first rak`ah. (The same method as step No.4 to No.6 above)
16.While still standing, raise your hands in front of your face, turning the palms facing upwards, and keeping both the hands and the fingers close together. This is known as Qunut. [Note: Qunut is not compulsory but highly recommended. You may ask Allah for anything (Dua). It is recommended to read a dua from the Holy Quran.]
You may recite the following :
رَبَّنَآ ءَاتِنَا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةًۭ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ حَسَنَةًۭ وَقِنَا عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ
“Rabbanaa aatinaa fi’d-dunyaa hasanatan wa fi’l-aakhirati hasanatan wa qinaa `adhaab an-naar”
“O our Lord! Bestow upon us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the fire”
[Qur’an, chapter 2, verse 201]
17. Say Takbir, followed by the ruku`, then the two sujud, as described for the first rak`ah. (In the same method as step No.6 to step No.12 above)
18. After the second sujood, resume the sitting position and recite the Tashahud:
أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِیكَ لَه. وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ. اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
“Ash hadu al laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluh Allaahumma salli `alaa Muhammadin wa Aali Muhammad”
“I bear witness that there is no god apart from Allah, Who is unique and without partners. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Prophet. O God, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad.”
This completes the second Rak’ah or unit of Salaah.
19. You now have to rise into a standing position for the third Rak’ah or unit of Salaah while (optionally) reciting:
بِحَوْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ قُـوَّتِهِ أَقُومُ وَ أَقْـعُدُ
“Bihawlillaahi wa quwwatihi aqoomu wa aq`ud”
“With God’s help and through His power I stand and sit”
The Third Rak`ah
20. After regaining the upright posture, recite al-Tasbihat al-Arba`ah three times (x3), as follows:
سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَ الْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ وَ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَ اللهُ أَکْبَـرُ
“Subhaanallaahi wa’l hamdu lillaahi wa laa ilaaha illallaahu wallaahu akbar”
“Glory be to God, and praise be to God; there is no god but Allah, and Allah is Greater”
21. Recite the Takbir, followed by the ruku`, then the two sujood, as described for the first rak`ah. (In the same method as step No.6 to step No.12 above)
22. Sit up for a moment (position of step No.11 above). This completes the third Rak’ah or unit of Salaah.
23. You now have to rise into a standing position for the fourth Rak’ah or unit of Salaah while (optionally) reciting:
بِحَوْلِ اللّٰهِ وَ قُـوَّتِهِ أَقُومُ وَ أَقْـعُدُ
“Bihawlillaahi wa quwwatihi aqoomu wa aq`ud”
“With God’s help and through His power I stand and sit”
The Fourth Rak`ah
24. This is identical to the third rak`ah. (In the same method as step No.20 and No. 21 above)
25. After the second sujood (prostration), resume the sitting position and recite the Tashahud (as you did at the end of the second rak`ah – in step 18):
أَشْهَدُ أَن لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِیكَ لَه. وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ. اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
“Ash hadu al laa ilaaha illallaahu wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluh Allaahumma salli `alaa Muhammadin wa Aali Muhammad”
“I bear witness that there is no god apart from Allah, Who is unique and without partners. I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and His Prophet. O God, bless Muhammad and the progeny of Muhammad.”
26. After reciting the Tashahhud recite the Taslim (Salutation) which completes your prayer:
اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَیْكَ أَيُّـهَا النَّبِيُّ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَـرَکَاتُهُ. اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَیْنَا وَ عَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِینَ. اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَیْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَ بَـرَکَاتُهُ
“Assalaamu `alayka ayyuhan nabiyyu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Assalamu `alaynaa wa `alaa `ibaadillaahis saaliheen Assalamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh”
“Peace be upon you, O Prophet, and God’s mercy and blessing. Peace be upon us, and upon the righteous servants of God. Peace be upon you [all], and God’s mercy and blessing”
27. It is recommended to say Takbir three times thereafter (optional).