Prayer

قَالَ: يَا زُرَارَةُ تَفْتَتِحُ الْأَذَانَ بِأَرْبَعِ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ وَ تَخْتِمُهُ بِتَكْبِيرَتَيْنِ وَ تَهْلِيلَتَيْنِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), once said, ‘O Zurarah, begin Adhan with four Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and end it with two Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and two Tahlil, (no one deserves worship except Allah).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ التَّثْوِيبِ فِي الْأَذَانِ وَ الْإِقَامَةِ فَقَالَ مَا نَعْرِفُهُ‌[1].

“I once asked abu ‘Abdillah (a.s.) about tathweeb in the Adhan and ‘Iqamah. He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is unknown to us.”’

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ إِذَا أَذَّنْتَ فَأَفْصِحْ بِالْأَلِفِ وَ الْهَاءِ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ كُلَّمَا ذَكَرْتَهُ أَوْ ذَكَرَهُ ذَاكِرٌ فِي أَذَانٍ وَ غَيْرِهِ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you say Adhan say Alif and al-Ha’ (two letters of Arabic alphabet) clearly and say O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause whenever you mention his name or someone else mentions his name in Adhan or in other expressions.’”

إِذَا أَذَّنْتَ وَ أَقَمْتَ صَلَّى خَلْفَكَ صَفَّانِ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ وَ إِذَا أَقَمْتَ صَلَّى خَلْفَكَ صَفٌّ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that if you recite both Adhan and Iqamah, two rows of angels perform Salah (prayer) behind you. If you recite just Iqamah, only one row of angels performs Salah (prayer) behind you.” (Ahadith 3- 8 are best express in the form of fatwa.)

سَأَلْتُهُ أَ يُجْزِئُ أَذَانٌ وَاحِدٌ قَالَ إِنْ صَلَّيْتَ جَمَاعَةً لَمْ يُجْزِئْ إِلَّا أَذَانٌ وَ إِقَامَةٌ وَ إِنْ كُنْتَ وَحْدَكَ تُبَادِرُ أَمْراً تَخَافُ أَنْ يَفُوتَكَ يُجْزِئُكَ إِقَامَةٌ إِلَّا الْفَجْرَ وَ الْمَغْرِبَ فَإِنَّهُ يَنْبَغِي أَنْ تُؤَذِّنَ فِيهِمَا وَ تُقِيمَ مِنْ أَجْلِ أَنَّهُ لَا يَقْصُرُ فِيهِمَا كَمَا يَقْصُرُ فِي سَائِرِ الصَّلَوَاتِ.

“I once asked one of the two Imam (a.s.), ‘Is one Adhan sufficient? He (the Imam) said, ‘If you perform Salah (prayer) in congregation, there is one Adhan and one ‘Iqamah. If you are alone and you are in a hurry so you do not lose something, then one ‘Iqamah is sufficient, except the morning Salah (prayer) and al-Maghr

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ يَتَكَلَّمُ الرَّجُلُ فِي الْأَذَانِ قَالَ لَا بَأْسَ قُلْتُ فِي الْإِقَامَةِ قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), “Can a man speak during Adhan?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ I then asked, about ‘Iqamah. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, it is not acceptable.’”

لَا بَأْسَ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ الرَّجُلُ مِنْ غَيْرِ وُضُوءٍ وَ لَا يُقِيمُ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ عَلَى وُضُوءٍ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘It is not harmful if a man says Adhan without Wudu’ but he does not say ‘Iqamah without it.’”

سَأَلْتُهُ‌[2] عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يَنْتَهِي إِلَى الْإِمَامِ حِينَ يُسَلِّمُ قَالَ لَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ أَنْ يُعِيدَ الْأَذَانَ فَلْيَدْخُلْ مَعَهُمْ فِي أَذَانِهِمْ فَإِنْ وَجَدَهُمْ قَدْ تَفَرَّقُوا أَعَادَ الْأَذَانَ.

from who has said the following: “I once asked him (the Imam) (a.s.), about a man who joins an Imam when he is saying Salam. He (the Imam) said, ‘He is not required to repeat Adhan. He can join them with their Adhan, however if he finds them leaving, he then repeats Adhan.’”

سُئِلَ عَنِ الْأَذَانِ هَلْ يَجُوزُ أَنْ يَكُونَ مِنْ غَيْرِ عَارِفٍ قَالَ لَا يَسْتَقِيمُ الْأَذَانُ وَ لَا يَجُوزُ أَنْ يُؤَذِّنَ بِهِ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ مُسْلِمٌ عَارِفٌ‌[3] فَإِنْ عَلِمَ الْأَذَانَ فَأَذَّنَ بِهِ وَ إِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ عَارِفاً لَمْ يُجْزِ أَذَانُهُ وَ لَا إِقَامَتُهُ وَ لَا يُقْتَدَى بِهِ‌[4] وَ سُئِلَ عَنِ الرَّجُلِ يُؤَذِّنُ وَ يُقِيمُ‌[5] لِيُصَلِّيَ وَحْدَهُ فَيَجِي‌ءُ رَجُلٌ آخَرُ فَيَقُولُ لَهُ نُ

“Once abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about Adhan if one who is not well versed can say Adhan. He (the Imam) said, ‘Adhan does not come right and it is not permissible to say Adhan unless one is a Muslim man and knowledgeable. If he knows Adhan he says it, if he is not well versed it is not permissible for him to say

فِي الرَّجُلِ يَنْسَى الْأَذَانَ وَ الْإِقَامَةَ حَتَّى يَدْخُلَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ قَالَ إِنْ كَانَ ذَكَرَ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْرَأَ فَلْيُصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ لْيُقِمْ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ قَرَأَ فَلْيُتِمَّ صَلَاتَهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If a man forgets Adhan and ‘Iqamah until he is in Salah (prayer), if he remembers before recitation he says O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause and says ‘Iqamah but if he has done the recitation he completes Salah (prayer).”

مَنْ سَهَا فِي الْأَذَانِ فَقَدَّمَ أَوْ أَخَّرَ عَادَ عَلَى الْأَوَّلِ الَّذِي أَخَّرَهُ حَتَّى يَمْضِيَ عَلَى آخِرِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If one by mistake, mixes up Adhan he repeats to correct the mix up all the way to the end.’”

يُؤَذِّنُ الرَّجُلُ وَ هُوَ جَالِسٌ وَ لَا يُقِمْ إِلَّا وَ هُوَ قَائِمٌ وَ تُؤَذِّنُ وَ أَنْتَ رَاكِبٌ وَ لَا تُقِمْ إِلَّا وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘A man says Adhan when sitting but does not say ‘Iqamah unless he is standing. You can say Adhan when riding but do not say ‘Iqamah unless you are on the ground.’”

قُلْتُ لَهُ يُؤَذِّنُ الرَّجُلُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى غَيْرِ الْقِبْلَةِ قَالَ إِذَا كَانَ التَّشَهُّدُ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ[1] فَلَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Can a man say Adhan without facing al-Qiblah (al- Ka‘bah)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If during saying the testimonies he faces al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah), then it is not harmful.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْمَرْأَةِ عَلَيْهَا أَذَانٌ وَ إِقَامَةٌ[2] قَالَ لَا.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), if a woman is required to say Adhan and ‘Iqamah. He (the Imam) said, ‘No, she is not required.’”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِقَامَةُ الْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تُكَبِّرَ وَ تَشْهَدَ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ.

‘Women for ‘Iqamah only say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and the two testimonies; (I testify that only Allah deserves worship, He is one and has no partners and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger).”’

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ يَا أَبَا هَارُونَ الْإِقَامَةُ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ فَإِذَا أَقَمْتَهُ‌[1] فَلَا تَتَكَلَّمْ وَ لَا تُومِ بِيَدِكَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘O abu Harun, ‘Iqamah is part of Salah (prayer). When you say it do not speak or point with your hands.’”

لَا يُقِمْ أَحَدُكُمُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ هُوَ مَاشٍ وَ لَا رَاكِبٌ وَ لَا مُضْطَجِعٌ إِلَّا أَنْ يَكُونَ مَرِيضاً وَ لْيَتَمَكَّنْ فِي الْإِقَامَةِ كَمَا يَتَمَكَّنُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَإِنَّهُ إِذَا أَخَذَ فِي الْإِقَامَةِ فَهُوَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘No one among you says ‘Iqamah for Salah (prayer) when walking, riding or resting unless one is ill. One remains well placed during ‘Iqamah like in Salah (prayer). In ‘Iqamah one is in Salah (prayer).’”

إِذَا دَخَلَ الرَّجُلُ الْمَسْجِدَ وَ هُوَ لَا يَأْتَمُّ بِصَاحِبِهِ وَ قَدْ بَقِيَ عَلَى الْإِمَامِ آيَةٌ أَوْ آيَتَانِ فَخَشِيَ إِنْ هُوَ أَذَّنَ وَ أَقَامَ أَنْ يَرْكَعَ فَلْيَقُلْ قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ قَدْ قَامَتِ الصَّلَاةُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ اللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ لْيَدْخُلْ فِي الصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man may enter a Masjid and is not following his companion in Salah (prayer). He finds the Imam has only one verse to recite or two verses. He is afraid of not being able to join the Imam in Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) if he says Adhan or ‘Iqamah. He can say, ‘Salah (prayer) h

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنِ الْأَذَانِ قَبْلَ الْفَجْرِ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَلَا وَ إِذَا كَانَ وَحْدَهُ فَلَا بَأْسَ.

about Adhan before dawn. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is for congregation, it is not acceptable, but if one is alone, then it is not harmful.’”

الْقُعُودُ بَيْنَ الْأَذَانِ وَ الْإِقَامَةِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ كُلِّهَا إِذَا لَمْ يَكُنْ قَبْلَ الْإِقَامَةِ صَلَاةٌ يُصَلِّيهَا.

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ‘There is sitting between Adhan and ‘Iqamah for all Salah (prayer) if before ‘Iqamah, other Salah (prayer) is not performed.’”

كَانَ يُقِيمُ وَ قَدْ أَذَّنَ غَيْرُهُ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say Adhan and someone else would say ‘Iqamah.’ He (the narrator) has said that Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), would say ‘Iqamah and someone else would say Adhan.’”

الْأَذَانُ تَرْتِيلٌ وَ الْإِقَامَةُ حَدْرٌ[2].

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Adhan is said with Tartil (articulation slowly) and ‘Iqamah is said quickly.’”

قَالَ‌[1]: ثَلَاثَةٌ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ عَلَى كُثْبَانِ‌[2] الْمِسْكِ أَحَدُهُمْ مُؤَذِّنٌ أَذَّنَ احْتِسَاباً.

“Three things on the Day of Judgment are on sands of musk. One of them is one who says Adhan just for the sake of Allah.”

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ الْمُؤَذِّنُ يُغْفَرُ لَهُ مَدَى صَوْتِهِ‌[3] وَ يَشْهَدُ لَهُ كُلُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ سَمِعَهُ.

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘One who recites Adhan receives forgiveness for the sins as big as the space his voice fills and everything hearing him bears witness to this fact.’” (Ahadith 9-28 are best expressed in the form of fatwa.)

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص إِذَا سَمِعَ الْمُؤَذِّنَ يُؤَذِّنُ قَالَ مِثْلَ مَا يَقُولُهُ فِي كُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When someone recited Adhan, the Messenger of Allah on hearing him would say everything the person reciting Adhan would say.”

مَنْ سَمِعَ الْمُؤَذِّنَ يَقُولُ- أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ مُصَدِّقاً مُحْتَسِباً وَ أَنَا أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص وَ أَكْتَفِي بِهِمَا عَمَّنْ أَبَى وَ جَحَدَ وَ أُعِينُ بِهِمَا مَنْ أَقَرَّ وَ شَهِدَ كَانَ لَهُ مِنَ الْأَجْرِ عَدَدُ مَنْ أَنْكَرَ وَ جَحَدَ وَ مِثْلُ عَدَدِ مَنْ أَقَرَّ

30. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from ibn Mahbub from Jamil ibn Salih from al-Harith ibn al-Mughirah al-Nadriy who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that one may hear someone recite Adhan and say, ‘I testify that no one deserves to be worshipped except Allah and I

كَانَ طُولُ حَائِطِ مَسْجِدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص قَامَةً فَكَانَ يَقُولُ ص لِبِلَالٍ إِذَا دَخَلَ الْوَقْتُ يَا بِلَالُ اعْلُ فَوْقَ الْجِدَارِ وَ ارْفَعْ صَوْتَكَ بِالْأَذَانِ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ وَكَّلَ بِالْأَذَانِ رِيحاً تَرْفَعُهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَ إِنَّ الْمَلَائِكَةَ إِذَا سَمِعُوا الْأَذَانَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْأَرْضِ قَالُوا هَذِهِ أَصْوَاتُ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ ص بِتَوْحِيدِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ يَسْتَغْفِرُو

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the height of the wall of the Masjid of the Messenger of Allah was equal to the height of a man. He, the Messenger of Allah would say to Bilal, ‘When time comes, O Bilal, climb on the wall and raise your voice with Adhan. Allah has assigned a wind to raise Adhan to the heaven and t

الرَّجُلُ إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنَ الْأَذَانِ وَ جَلَسَ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ قَلْبِي بَارّاً وَ عَيْشِي قَارّاً وَ رِزْقِي دَارّاً وَ اجْعَلْ لِي عِنْدَ قَبْرِ نَبِيِّكَ ص قَرَاراً وَ مُسْتَقَرّاً[2].

‘When one completes reciting Adhan and sits down he should say, “O Lord, make my heart virtuous, my livelihood constant, my sustenance to come continuously and assign for me a place near the grave of your prophet to rest and dwell.’”

فَفَعَلْتُ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي سُقْمِي وَ كَثُرَ وُلْدِي قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَاشِدٍ وَ كُنْتُ دَائِمَ الْعِلَّةِ مَا أَنْفَكُّ مِنْهَا فِي نَفْسِي وَ جَمَاعَةِ خَدَمِي وَ عِيَالِي فَلَمَّا سَمِعْتُ ذَلِكَ مِنْ هِشَامٍ عَمِلْتُ بِهِ فَأَذْهَبَ اللَّهُ عَنِّي وَ عَنْ عِيَالِيَ الْعِلَلَ.

“I complained before abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), against an illness and that I do not have any child. He commanded me, ‘Recite Adhan in your home loudly.’ I followed his instruction. The illness was gone and my children became numerous.” Muhammad ibn Rashid has said, ‘I was always ill, myself, a group of my servants

لَوْ أَنَّ مُؤَذِّناً أَعَادَ فِي الشَّهَادَةِ وَ فِي حَيَّ عَلَى الصَّلَاةِ أَوْ حَيَّ عَلَى الْفَلَاحِ الْمَرَّتَيْنِ وَ الثَّلَاثَ وَ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ إِذَا كَانَ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ بِهِ جَمَاعَةَ الْقَوْمِ لِيَجْمَعَهُمْ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِهِ بَأْسٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If when saying Adhan one repeats the phrases of the ‘testimonies’ or ‘come to Salah (prayer)’ or ‘to salvation’ three times or more with the intention of calling people to come together, it is not harmful.’”

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَذِّنْ فِي بَيْتِكَ فَإِنَّهُ يَطْرُدُ الشَّيْطَانَ وَ يُسْتَحَبُّ مِنْ أَجْلِ الصِّبْيَانِ‌[3].

’Recite the Adhan in your house, for it repels Satan and it is a beloved thing to do for the sake of children.’”

الْفَضْلُ فِي دُخُولِ الْمَسْجِدِ أَنْ تَبْدَأَ بِرِجْلِكَ الْيُمْنَى إِذَا دَخَلْتَ وَ بِالْيُسْرَى إِذَا خَرَجْتَ.

When entering a Masjid, it is better to step in with the right foot and to step out with left foot when leaving a Masjid.”

إِذَا دَخَلْتَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ص وَ إِذَا خَرَجْتَ فَافْعَلْ ذَلِكَ.

2. Ali has narrated from his father from ’Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from ’Abd Allah ibn Sinan who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when entering and leaving a Masjid say, ‘Allahumma Salli ‘Ala Muhammad wa ‘Ali Muhammad (O Allah grant Muhammad and his family a compensation worthy of their se

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ إِذَا قُمْتَ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أُقَدِّمُ إِلَيْكَ مُحَمَّداً ص بَيْنَ يَدَيْ حَاجَتِي وَ أَتَوَجَّهُ بِهِ إِلَيْكَ فَاجْعَلْنِي بِهِ وَجِيهاً عِنْدَكَ‌ فِي الدُّنْيا وَ الْآخِرَةِ وَ مِنَ الْمُقَرَّبِينَ‌ اجْعَلْ صَلَاتِي بِهِ مَقْبُولَةً وَ ذَنْبِي بِهِ مَغْفُوراً وَ دُعَائِي بِهِ مُسْتَجَاباً إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ.

3. It is a narration from him (narrator of previous Hadith) by his father from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from Fadalah from Aban and Mu‘awiyah ibn Wahab who have said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said that when you stand up for Salah (prayer), say this: ‘O Allah, I consider Muhammad, O Allah grant com

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا صَلَّى أَحَدُكُمُ الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَ خَرَجَ مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ فَلْيَقِفْ بِبَابِ الْمَسْجِدِ ثُمَّ لْيَقُلِ- اللَّهُمَّ دَعَوْتَنِي فَأَجَبْتُ دَعْوَتَكَ وَ صَلَّيْتُ مَكْتُوبَتَكَ وَ انْتَشَرْتُ فِي أَرْضِكَ كَمَا أَمَرْتَنِي فَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَمَلَ بِطَاعَتِكَ وَ اجْتِنَابَ سَخَطِكَ وَ الْكَفَافَ مِنَ الرِّزْقِ بِرَحْمَتِكَ.

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, “When any one of you after completing an obligatory Salah (prayer), wants to leave a Masjid he should stand at the door and say, ‘O Lord You called me and I answered Your call. I performed my obligatory Salah (prayer). I want to move in Your land as You have commanded me. Now I ask You

تَرْفَعُ يَدَيْكَ فِي افْتِتَاحِ الصَّلَاةِ قُبَالَةَ وَجْهِكَ وَ لَا تَرْفَعْهُمَا كُلَّ ذَلِكَ.

‘Raise your hands when commencing Salah (prayer) on the sides of your face and do not raise them all the way farther.’”

إِذَا قُمْتَ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَكَبَّرْتَ فَارْفَعْ يَدَيْكَ وَ لَا تُجَاوِزْ بِكَفَّيْكَ أُذُنَيْكَ أَيْ حِيَالَ خَدَّيْكَ‌[1].

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When you stand up for Salah (prayer) say Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) and raise your hands. Do not allow your palms (hands) to rise higher than your ears. Keep them on the sides of your face.’”

أَدْنَى مَا يُجْزِئُ مِنَ التَّكْبِيرِ فِي التَّوَجُّهِ تَكْبِيرَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ وَ ثَلَاثُ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ أَحْسَنُ وَ سَبْعٌ أَفْضَلُ.

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘The least for Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) facing (al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah)) is to say it once. Three times is good and seven times is better.”’

إِذَا كُنْتَ إِمَاماً أَجْزَأَتْكَ تَكْبِيرَةٌ وَاحِدَةٌ لِأَنَّ مَعَكَ ذَا الْحَاجَةِ وَ الضَّعِيفَ وَ الْكَبِيرَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you are leading others in Salah (prayer) one Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) is sufficient; with you there can be people who need to go after their needs, weak people and the old ones.’”

التَّكْبِيرُ فِي صَلَاةِ الْفَرْضِ الْخَمْسِ الصَّلَوَاتِ خَمْسٌ وَ تِسْعُونَ تَكْبِيرَةً مِنْهَا تَكْبِيرَاتُ الْقُنُوتِ خَمْسَةٌ.

The number of Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) in all five obligatory Salah (prayer) is ninety-five of which are Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) during five Qunut.’”

وَ رَوَاهُ أَيْضاً- عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَ فَسَّرَهُنَّ فِي الظُّهْرِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ فِي الْعَصْرِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ فِي الْمَغْرِبِ سِتَّ عَشْرَةَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ فِي الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ إِحْدَى وَ عِشْرِينَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ فِي الْفَجْرِ إِحْدَى عَشْرَةَ تَكْبِيرَةً وَ خَمْسَ تَكْبِيرَاتِ الْقُنُوتِ فِي خَمْسِ صَلَوَاتٍ.

In explaining he has said that in al-Dhuhr there are twenty-one, in al-‘Asr twenty-one, in al-Maghrib sixteen, in al-‘Isha’ al-Akhirah twenty-one and in the morning Salah (prayer) there are eleven and in the five Qunut there are five Takbir (Allah is great beyond description).

إِذَا افْتَتَحْتَ الصَّلَاةَ فَارْفَعْ كَفَّيْكَ ثُمَّ ابْسُطْهُمَا بَسْطاً ثُمَّ كَبِّرْ ثَلَاثَ تَكْبِيرَاتٍ ثُمَّ قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ الْمَلِكُ الْحَقُّ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذَنْبِي إِنَّهُ لَا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ ثُمَّ تُكَبِّرُ تَكْبِيرَتَيْنِ ثُمَّ قُلْ لَبَّيْكَ وَ سَعْدَيْكَ وَ الْخَيْرُ فِي يَدَيْكَ وَ الشَّرُّ لَيْسَ إِلَيْكَ وَ الْمَهْد

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that as introduction for prayer raise your hands and open them, then say three times, ‘Allah is great and then say, ‘O Lord, You are the true owner. No one other than You deserves to be worshipped. You are free of all defects. I have wronged myself so forgive my sins; no one other than

قَالَ لِي أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَوْماً يَا حَمَّادُ تُحْسِنُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ قَالَ فَقُلْتُ يَا سَيِّدِي أَنَا أَحْفَظُ كِتَابَ حَرِيزٍ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ لَا عَلَيْكَ يَا حَمَّادُ[1] قُمْ فَصَلِّ قَالَ فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ مُتَوَجِّهاً إِلَى الْقِبْلَةِ فَاسْتَفْتَحْتُ الصَّلَاةَ فَرَكَعْتُ وَ سَجَدْتُ فَقَالَ يَا حَمَّادُ لَا تُحْسِنُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ مَا أَقْبَحَ بِالرَّجُلِ مِنْكُمْ يَأْتِي عَلَيْهِ سِتُّو

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), one day asked me, ‘Do you know how to perform Salah (prayer) properly?’ I said, ‘I keep the book of Hariz with me in Salah (prayer).’ The Imam said, ‘Nevermind, O Hammad. Stand up and perform Salah (prayer).’ The narrator has said, ‘I then stood up in his presence, facing the direction of Qiblah

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذَا قُمْتُ لِلصَّلَاةِ أَقْرَأُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‌ فِي فَاتِحَةِ الْقُرْآنِ- قَالَ نَعَمْ قُلْتُ فَإِذَا قَرَأْتُ فَاتِحَةَ الْقُرْآنِ أَقْرَأُ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‌ مَعَ السُّورَةِ قَالَ نَعَمْ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’When I stand up for Salah (prayer) can I read, “In the name of Allah, most Beneficent, most Merciful” in the beginning of the recitation?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, you can do so.’ I then asked, ‘When I complete reading al-Fatihah can I read “In the name of Allah, most Beneficent,

كَتَبْتُ إِلَى أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع‌[1] جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ مَا تَقُولُ فِي رَجُلٍ ابْتَدَأَ بِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- فِي صَلَاتِهِ وَحْدَهُ فِي أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ فَلَمَّا صَارَ إِلَى غَيْرِ أُمِّ الْكِتَابِ مِنَ السُّورَةِ تَرَكَهَا فَقَالَ الْعَبَّاسِيُّ لَيْسَ بِذَلِكَ بَأْسٌ فَكَتَبَ بِخَطِّهِ يُعِيدُهَا مَرَّتَيْنِ عَلَى رَغْمِ أَنْفِهِ يَعْنِي الْعَبَّاسِيَ‌[2].

“I once wrote to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), and asked. ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, what do you say about a man who says “In the name of Allah, most Beneficent, most Merciful” in the beginning of ‘Umm al-Kitab, when performing Salah (prayer) alone. After completing ‘Umm al-Kitab he does not say i

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَوَّلُ كُلِّ كِتَابٍ نَزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- فَلَا تُبَالِي أَلَّا تَسْتَعِيذَ وَ إِذَا قَرَأْتَ‌ بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ- سَتَرَتْكَ فِيمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْأَرْضِ.

“I heard abu Ja‘far (a.s.), say, ‘Every book that has come from the heavens begins with “In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.’” When you read, ‘In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful’ it is then not an offense not to read: ‘I seek refuge with Allah against Satan, the condemned one.’ When you

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْقِرَاءَةُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فِيهَا شَيْ‌ءٌ مُوَقَّتٌ قَالَ لَا إِلَّا الْجُمُعَةَ تَقْرَأُ فِيهَا الْجُمُعَةَ وَ الْمُنَافِقِينَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Is there any temporary recitation in Salah (prayer)? He (the Imam) replied, ‘No, except Friday in which you recite al-Jumu‘ah, and al-Munafiqun, (Chapters 62 and 63).’”

إِذَا كُنْتَ خَلْفَ إِمَامٍ فَقَرَأَ الْحَمْدَ وَ فَرَغَ مِنْ قِرَاءَتِهَا فَقُلْ أَنْتَ‌ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعالَمِينَ* وَ لَا تَقُلْ آمِينَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘If you are behind an Imam when he completes reading al-Hamd you say, ‘all praise belongs to Allah, Cherisher of the worlds,’ and do not say ‘Amen.’” (Ahadith 4-5 are best explained in the form of fatwa.)

لَا يُكْتَبُ مِنَ الْقِرَاءَةِ وَ الدُّعَاءِ إِلَّا مَا أَسْمَعَ نَفْسَهُ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Of recitations and prayers, only such recitations and prayers are counted which one has made his own self to hear.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ يُجْزِئُ عَنِّي أَنْ أَقْرَأَ فِي الْفَرِيضَةِ- فَاتِحَةَ الْكِتَابِ وَحْدَهَا إِذَا كُنْتُ مُسْتَعْجِلًا أَوْ أَعْجَلَنِي شَيْ‌ءٌ فَقَالَ لَا بَأْسَ.

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘Is it sufficient for me to read just al-Fatihah in an obligatory Salah (prayer) if I am in a hurry or something causes me to move quickly?’ He (the Imam) replied, ’It is not harmful.’”