The Book of Prayer

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع عَنْ أَفْضَلِ مَا يَتَقَرَّبُ بِهِ الْعِبَادُ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ وَ أَحَبِّ ذَلِكَ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا هُوَ فَقَالَ مَا أَعْلَمُ شَيْئاً بَعْدَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ أَفْضَلَ مِنْ هَذِهِ الصَّلَاةِ أَ لَا تَرَى أَنَّ الْعَبْدَ الصَّالِحَ- عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ ع قَالَ‌ وَ أَوْصانِي بِالصَّلاةِ وَ الزَّكاةِ ما دُمْتُ حَيًّا[1].

“I asked Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), ’What is the best thing through which a servant of Allah may become closer to his Lord that is also most beloved to Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious?’ The Imam replied, 'I do not know anything after knowing (knowing Allah and His religion) more excellent than this prayer. Cons

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ الصَّلَاةُ وَ هِيَ آخِرُ وَصَايَا الْأَنْبِيَاءِ ع فَمَا أَحْسَنَ الرَّجُلَ يَغْتَسِلُ أَوْ يَتَوَضَّأُ فَيُسْبِغُ الْوُضُوءَ[2] ثُمَّ يَتَنَحَّى حَيْثُ لَا يَرَاهُ أَنِيسٌ فَيُشْرِفُ عَلَيْهِ وَ هُوَ رَاكِعٌ أَوْ سَاجِدٌ إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ إِذَا سَجَدَ فَأَطَالَ السُّجُودَ نَادَى إِبْلِيسُ يَا وَيْلَاهْ أَطَاعَ وَ عَصَيْتُ وَ سَجَدَ وَ أَبَيْتُ.

'The most beloved deed in the sight of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is Salah (prayer). Prayer is the last item in the wills of the prophets. How nice it is for a man who performs Ghusl or Wudu’ properly and then moves away where no one can notice his presence when he is in Ruku’ or Sajdah! When a servan

سَمِعْتُ الرِّضَا يَقُولُ‌ أَقْرَبُ مَا يَكُونُ الْعَبْدُ مِنَ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ وَ هُوَ سَاجِدٌ[1] وَ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ- وَ اسْجُدْ وَ اقْتَرِبْ‌[2].

“I heard al-Rida’ (a.s.), say, ’The condition wherein a servant of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, is nearest and closest to Him is in Sajdah. It is because of the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, “Prostrate (do Sajdah) and become close.’””

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع يَقُولُ‌ إِذَا قَامَ الْمُصَلِّي إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ نَزَلَتْ عَلَيْهِ الرَّحْمَةُ مِنْ أَعْنَانِ السَّمَاءِ إِلَى أَعْنَانِ الْأَرْضِ‌[3] وَ حَفَّتْ بِهِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَ نَادَاهُ مَلَكٌ لَوْ يَعْلَمُ هَذَا الْمُصَلِّي مَا فِي الصَّلَاةِ مَا انْفَتَلَ‌[4].

“I heard abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), say, ‘When a person praying stands up for Salah (prayer), mercy from the horizons of the sky descends upon him as well as from the horizons of earth, angels surround him and one angel says, “Had this person praying known what Salah (prayer) is he would not stop performing Salah (prayer).

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ إِذَا قَامَ الْعَبْدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ نَظَرَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ أَوْ قَالَ أَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى يَنْصَرِفَ وَ أَظَلَّتْهُ الرَّحْمَةُ مِنْ فَوْقِ رَأْسِهِ إِلَى أُفُقِ السَّمَاءِ وَ الْمَلَائِكَةُ تَحُفُّهُ مِنْ حَوْلِهِ إِلَى أُفُقِ السَّمَاءِ وَ وَكَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ مَلَكاً قَائِماً عَلَى رَأْسِهِ يَقُولُ لَهُ أَيُّهَا الْمُصَلِّي لَوْ تَعْلَمُ مَنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَيْكَ وَ

‘The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘When a believing servant of Allah stands up for Salah (prayer), Allah looks upon him - or he said that Allah turns toward him - as long as he is in his Salah (prayer). At such time, mercy covers him up to the horizons of the sky and angels surround him up to the horizons of the sky. A

الصَّلَاةُ قُرْبَانُ كُلِّ تَقِيٍّ.

6. Abu Dawud has narrated from al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Muhammad ibn al-Fudayl who has said the following: “Abu al-Hassan al-Rida (a.s.), has said, ‘Salah (prayer) is a means for every pious person to getting nearer to Allah.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ صَلَاةٌ فَرِيضَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ‌ عِشْرِينَ حَجَّةً وَ حَجَّةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ بَيْتٍ مَمْلُوءٍ ذَهَباً يُتَصَدَّقُ مِنْهُ حَتَّى يَفْنَى.

“Abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ’Performing an obligatory Salah (prayer) is more virtuous than performing one Hajj. Performing one Hajj is more virtuous than giving in charity one whole house full of gold.’”

مَرَّ بِالنَّبِيِّ ص رَجُلٌ وَ هُوَ يُعَالِجُ بَعْضَ حُجُرَاتِهِ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَ لَا أَكْفِيكَ فَقَالَ شَأْنَكَ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ قَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص حَاجَتُكَ قَالَ الْجَنَّةُ فَأَطْرَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص ثُمَّ قَالَ نَعَمْ فَلَمَّا وَلَّى قَالَ لَهُ يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ أَعِنَّا بِطُولِ السُّجُودِ[2].

“Abu ’Abdillah (a.s.) has said that once a man passed by the Prophet (sw) while he was doing some work around one of his rooms. He asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, can I help you?’ He replied, ‘As you wish.’ When the work finished, the Messenger of Allah (sw) asked, ’Can I do anything for you?’ The man pleaded, ’(I want)

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ مَثَلُ الصَّلَاةِ مَثَلُ عَمُودِ الْفُسْطَاطِ إِذَا ثَبَتَ الْعَمُودُ نَفَعَتِ الْأَطْنَابُ وَ الْأَوْتَادُ وَ الْغِشَاءُ وَ إِذَا انْكَسَرَ الْعَمُودُ لَمْ يَنْفَعْ طُنُبٌ وَ لَا وَتِدٌ وَ لَا غِشَاءٌ.

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Salah (prayer) is like the poles of a tent. If the poles are established then the ropes, pegs and the covering work, but if the poles break, none of the ropes, pegs and covering work.

صَلَاةُ الْمُؤْمِنِ بِاللَّيْلِ تَذْهَبُ بِمَا عَمِلَ مِنْ ذَنْبٍ بِالنَّهَارِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, ‘Good deeds eliminate bad deeds 5 (11:116) has said, ‘It is a reference to the Salah (prayer) of a believing person during the night that eliminate his bad deeds he has done during the day.

مَنْ قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ وَ مَنْ قَبِلَ مِنْهُ حَسَنَةً لَمْ يُعَذِّبْهُ.

“Whoever Allah accepts even a single prayer from, He will not punish them, and whoever Allah accepts even one good deed from, He will not punish them.”

مَنْ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ يَعْلَمُ مَا يَقُولُ فِيهِمَا انْصَرَفَ وَ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَ بَيْنَ اللَّهِ ذَنْبٌ.

‘Whoever performs a Salah (prayer) of two Rak’ah in which he is aware of what he says, when he finishes them no sin remains upon him before Allah.

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ الصَّلَاةُ مِيزَانٌ مَنْ وَفَّى اسْتَوْفَى‌[1].

“The Messenger of Allah (sw) said, ‘Salah (prayer) is a balance. Whoever maintains it balanced receives his part properly balanced.

كُنْتُ صَلَّيْتُ خَلْفَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع بِالْمُزْدَلِفَةِ[2] فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَانُ الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ الْمَفْرُوضَاتُ مَنْ أَقَامَ حُدُودَهُنَّ وَ حَافَظَ عَلَى مَوَاقِيتِهِنَّ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ لَهُ عِنْدَهُ عَهْدٌ يُدْخِلُهُ بِهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُقِمْ حُدُودَهُنَّ وَ لَمْ يُحَافِظْ عَلَى مَوَاقِيتِهِنَّ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ وَ لَا عَهْدَ لَهُ إِنْ

“Once I performed Salah (prayer) with Abi 'Abdillah (al-Sadiq) (as) in Muzdalifah (a place in Makkah). When he completed his Salah, he turned to me and said, ‘O Aban, the five daily prayers are obligatory. Those who observe their duties regarding them, and are careful of their timings, will meet Allah on the day of Jud

صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع الْمَغْرِبَ بِالْمُزْدَلِفَةِ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ أَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَ صَلَّى الْعِشَاءَ الْآخِرَةَ لَمْ يَرْكَعْ بَيْنَهُمَا[3] ثُمَّ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ بِسَنَةٍ فَصَلَّى الْمَغْرِبَ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَتَنَفَّلَ بِأَرْبَعِ رَكَعَاتٍ ثُمَّ أَقَامَ فَصَلَّى الْعِشَاءَ الْآخِرَةَ ثُمَّ الْتَفَتَ إِلَيَّ فَقَالَ يَا أَبَانُ هَذِهِ الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ الْمَفْرُوضَاتُ- مَنْ

I prayed with Abā ʿAbdillah al-Sadiq (as) the Maghrib prayer at al-Muzdalifah. When he finished, he established the prayer and prayed the last night prayer without offering a unit of prayer between them. Then I prayed with him after that for a year. He prayed Maghrib and then stood up and offered four units of prayer.

قِيلَ لَهُ وَ أَنَا حَاضِرٌ الرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي صَلَاتِهِ خَالِياً فَيَدْخُلُهُ الْعُجْبُ فَقَالَ إِذَا كَانَ أَوَّلَ صَلَاتِهِ بِنِيَّةٍ يُرِيدُ بِهَا رَبَّهُ فَلَا يَضُرُّهُ مَا دَخَلَهُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ فَلْيَمْضِ فِي صَلَاتِهِ وَ لْيَخْسَأِ الشَّيْطَانَ‌[1].

“Someone asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), while I was present, ‘What is the rule about a man who is in Salah (prayer) free of negative feelings but then he feels self-importance?’ Imam replied, ‘If in the beginning his intention was only for his Lord, then such feeling does not affect his prayer negatively, he should conti

سَمِعْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع يَقُولُ‌ كُلُّ سَهْوٍ فِي الصَّلَاةِ[2] يُطْرَحُ مِنْهَا غَيْرَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يُتِمُّ بِالنَّوَافِلِ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا يُحَاسَبُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ الصَّلَاةُ فَإِنْ قُبِلَتْ قُبِلَ مَا سِوَاهَا إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ إِذَا ارْتَفَعَتْ فِي أَوَّلِ وَقْتِهَا رَجَعَتْ إِلَى صَاحِبِهَا وَ هِيَ بَيْضَاءُ مُشْرِقَةٌ تَقُولُ حَفِظْتَنِي حَفِظَكَ اللَّهُ وَ إِذَا ارْتَفَعَتْ فِي غَيْرِ وَقْتِهَا بِغ

“I heard abu Ja’far (a.s.), say, ‘Every mistake in Salah (prayer) is dropped thereby except that Allah, the Most High, completes it with optional prayers. The first item of deeds with which one is judged is Salah (prayer). If Salah (prayer) is accepted, other deeds are also accepted. If Salah (prayer) is raised in the

سَأَلْتُ عَبْداً صَالِحاً ع عَنْ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلاتِهِمْ ساهُونَ‌[3] قَالَ هُوَ التَّضْيِيعُ.

“I asked a pious servant (Imam Sadiq (AS)) about the words of Allah, the Most Majestic and Most Glorious, ‘Those who are unmindful of their prayers.’ (107:5) He replied, ‘It means loss (of prayer).’”

بَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص جَالِسٌ فِي الْمَسْجِدِ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ فَقَامَ يُصَلِّي فَلَمْ يُتِمَّ رُكُوعَهُ وَ لَا سُجُودَهُ فَقَالَ ص نَقَرَ كَنَقْرِ الْغُرَابِ لَئِنْ مَاتَ هَذَا وَ هَكَذَا صَلَاتُهُ- لَيَمُوتَنَّ عَلَى غَيْرِ دِينِي.[4]

‘He acted like a crow picking up grain from the ground. If he dies with his Salah (prayer) of such condition he dies in a religion other than my religion.’”

قَالَ: لَا تَتَهَاوَنْ بِصَلَاتِكَ فَإِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ص قَالَ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ لَيْسَ مِنِّي مَنِ اسْتَخَفَّ بِصَلَاتِهِ لَيْسَ مِنِّي مَنْ شَرِبَ مُسْكِراً لَا يَرِدُ عَلَيَّ الْحَوْضَ لَا وَ اللَّهِ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not consider your Salah (prayer) insignificant; the Holy Prophet said when he was about to pass away, “Those who consider their Salah (prayer) insignificant are not of my people, as well as those who drink intoxicating liquor. They will not be able to come to me at the pond of al

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لَا يَزَالُ الشَّيْطَانُ ذَعِراً[1] مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِ مَا حَافَظَ عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ فَإِذَا ضَيَّعَهُنَّ تَجَرَّأَ عَلَيْهِ فَأَدْخَلَهُ فِي الْعَظَائِمِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Satan continues to be afraid of a believing person as long as he protects his five times daily Salah (prayers), but when he loses them, Satan becomes daring, then he takes him into great sins.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ لَيَأْتِي عَلَى الرَّجُلِ خَمْسُونَ سَنَةً وَ مَا قَبِلَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً فَأَيُّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَشَدُّ مِنْ هَذَا وَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَعْرِفُونَ مِنْ جِيرَانِكُمْ وَ أَصْحَابِكُمْ مَنْ لَوْ كَانَ يُصَلِّي لِبَعْضِكُمْ مَا قَبِلَهَا مِنْهُ لِاسْتِخْفَافِهِ بِهَا إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ لَا يَقْبَلُ إِلَّا الْحَسَنَ فَكَيْفَ يَقْبَلُ مَا يُسْتَخَفُّ ب

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘A man may become fifty years old, but Allah has accepted not even one Salah (prayer) from him. What can be more serious than this? By Allah, you may also find someone in your neighborhood who performs Salah (prayer) with you, but is not accepted from him due to his considering it insi

إِذَا قَامَ الْعَبْدُ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَخَفَّفَ صَلَاتَهُ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى لِمَلَائِكَتِهِ أَ مَا تَرَوْنَ إِلَى عَبْدِي كَأَنَّهُ يَرَى أَنَّ قَضَاءَ حَوَائِجِهِ بِيَدِ غَيْرِي أَ مَا يَعْلَمُ أَنَّ قَضَاءَ حَوَائِجِهِ بِيَدِي.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that when a man stands up for Salah (prayer) but considers it insignificant, Allah, the Most Holy, the Most High, says to His angels, ‘Look at this servant of Mine. It seems as if he thinks someone other than Me is a person in charge of fulfilling his needs. Does he not know that I am t

إِذَا مَا أَدَّى الرَّجُلُ صَلَاةً وَاحِدَةً تَامَّةً قُبِلَتْ جَمِيعُ صَلَاتِهِ وَ إِنْ كُنَّ غَيْرَ تَامَّاتٍ وَ إِنْ أَفْسَدَهَا كُلَّهَا لَمْ يُقْبَلْ مِنْهُ شَيْ‌ءٌ مِنْهَا وَ لَمْ يُحْسَبْ لَهُ نَافِلَةٌ وَ لَا فَرِيضَةٌ وَ إِنَّمَا تُقْبَلُ النَّافِلَةُ بَعْدَ قَبُولِ الْفَرِيضَةِ وَ إِذَا لَمْ يُؤَدِّ الرَّجُلُ الْفَرِيضَةَ لَمْ يُقْبَلْ مِنْهُ النَّافِلَةُ وَ إِنَّمَا جُعِلَتِ النَّافِلَةُ لِيَتِمَّ بِهَا مَ

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘When a man completes one Salah (prayer) properly, all of his other prayers are accepted; even though they may not be complete. If he loses them, altogether, none of his Salah (prayer) is accepted, and not even his optional or obligatory prayers are counted. Optional Salah (prayer) are acc

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنْ‌ قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلى‌ صَلَواتِهِمْ يُحافِظُونَ‌[1] قَالَ هِيَ الْفَرِيضَةُ قُلْتُ‌ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلى‌ صَلاتِهِمْ دائِمُونَ‌[2] قَالَ هِيَ النَّافِلَةُ.

It means obligatory prayer.’ I then asked about, ‘Those who are ever observing their prayer’ (70:23). The Imam said, It means optional prayers.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع قَوْلُهُ تَعَالَى‌ إِنَّ الصَّلاةَ كانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتاباً مَوْقُوتاً[3] قَالَ كِتَاباً ثَابِتاً وَ لَيْسَ إِنْ عَجَّلْتَ قَلِيلًا أَوْ أَخَّرْتَ قَلِيلًا بِالَّذِي يَضُرُّكَ مَا لَمْ تُضَيِّعْ تِلْكَ الْإِضَاعَةَ[4] فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَقُولُ لِقَوْمٍ‌ أَضاعُوا الصَّلاةَ وَ اتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَواتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا[5].

It is an established obligation. If you performed earlier or delayed a little, it is not harmful as long as you did not lose them altogether. Allah, the Most Majestic, the Most Glorious, says about a people, “They lost Salah (prayer) and followed their lustful desires so they face deviation” (19:60).’”

أَيُّمَا مُؤْمِنٍ حَافَظَ عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ الْمَفْرُوضَةِ فَصَلَّاهَا لِوَقْتِهَا فَلَيْسَ هَذَا مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘Whoever of the believers preserves his obligatory Salah (prayers) and performs them in time, he is not of the neglectful people.’”

قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ الْأَوَّلُ ع‌ إِنَّهُ لَمَّا حَضَرَ أَبِيَ الْوَفَاةُ قَالَ لِي يَا بُنَيَّ إِنَّهُ لَا يَنَالُ شَفَاعَتَنَا مَنِ اسْتَخَفَّ بِالصَّلَاةِ.

“Abu al-Hassan the first (a.s.), has said, ‘When my father was about to pass away he said, “My son, those who consider Salah (prayers) insignificant will not be able to benefit from our intercession.’””

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص‌ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ وَجْهٌ وَ وَجْهُ دِينِكُمُ الصَّلَاةُ فَلَا يَشِينَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ وَجْهَ دِينِهِ وَ لِكُلِّ شَيْ‌ءٍ أَنْفٌ وَ أَنْفُ الصَّلَاةِ التَّكْبِيرُ[6].

“The Messenger of Allah has said, ‘Everything has a face. The face of your religion is Salah (prayer), no one of you, therefore, must deface his religion. Everything has a nose. The nose of Salah (prayer) is al-Takbir (saying, “Allah is greater than can be described”).”’

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَمَّا فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ خَمْسُ صَلَوَاتٍ فِي اللَّيْلِ وَ النَّهَارِ فَقُلْتُ فَهَلْ سَمَّاهُنَّ وَ بَيَّنَهُنَّ فِي كِتَابِهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى لِنَبِيِّهِ ص- أَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ‌ إِلى‌ غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ‌[1] وَ دُلُوكُهَا زَوَالُهَا فَفِيمَا بَيْنَ دُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى غَسَقِ اللَّيْلِ أَرْبَعُ صَلَوَاتٍ سَمَّاهُنَّ ا

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about how much of Salah (prayer) Allah, the most Majestic and Glorious, has made obligatory. He (the Imam) said, ‘During one day and night five prayers are made obligatory.’ I then asked, ‘Has He named and explained them in His book?’ He replied, ‘Yes, Allah, the most High, has said to

كَانَ الَّذِي فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَى الْعِبَادِ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ عَشْرَ رَكَعَاتٍ وَ فِيهِنَّ الْقِرَاءَةُ وَ لَيْسَ فِيهِنَّ وَهْمٌ يَعْنِي سَهْواً فَزَادَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص سَبْعاً وَ فِيهِنَّ الْوَهْمُ وَ لَيْسَ فِيهِنَّ قِرَاءَةٌ.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Of Salah (prayer) Allah has made ten Rak‘at obligatory on His servants. In such Salah (prayer) there are the recitations; thus, conjectures, mistakes in such Salah (prayer) are not acceptable. The Messenger of Allah added seven Rak‘ats in which conjectures, mistakes are dealt with accordi

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ الصَّلَاةَ وَ سَنَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ص عَشَرَةَ أَوْجُهٍ صَلَاةَ الْحَضَرِ وَ السَّفَرِ وَ صَلَاةَ الْخَوْفِ عَلَى ثَلَاثَةِ أَوْجُهٍ وَ صَلَاةَ كُسُوفِ الشَّمْسِ وَ الْقَمَرِ وَ صَلَاةَ الْعِيدَيْنِ وَ صَلَاةَ الِاسْتِسْقَاءِ وَ الصَّلَاةَ عَلَى الْمَيِّتِ.

3. Through the chain of his narrators Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah who has said the following: “‘Abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, has said, ‘Allah has made Salah (prayer) obligatory. The Messenger of Allah has established ten kinds of traditions in Salah (prayer): Salah (prayer) at home and during a journey

فِي قَوْلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ إِنَّ الصَّلاةَ كانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتاباً مَوْقُوتاً أَيْ مَوْجُوباً.

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘Salah (prayer) in Mawqut (with certain timing) form was written on believers’ abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘it means obligatory.’”

سَأَلْتُ أَبَا جَعْفَرٍ ع عَنِ الْفَرْضِ فِي الصَّلَاةِ فَقَالَ الْوَقْتُ وَ الطَّهُورُ وَ الْقِبْلَةُ وَ التَّوَجُّهُ وَ الرُّكُوعُ وَ السُّجُودُ وَ الدُّعَاءُ قُلْتُ مَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ قَالَ سُنَّةٌ فِي فَرِيضَةٍ.

5. Hammad has narrated from Hariz from Zurarah from who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far, ‘Alayhi al-Salam, about what is obligatory in Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘Time, al-Tahur (cleansing), facing al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah), paying attention, al-Ruku‘, al-Sujud and praying. The rest are optional i

لِلصَّلَاةِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ حَدٍّ. - وَ فِي رِوَايَةٍ أُخْرَى‌ لِلصَّلَاةِ أَرْبَعَةُ آلَافِ بَابٍ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Salah (prayer) has four thousand limits (rules).”’ “In another Hadith it is said that in Salah (prayer) there are four thousand doors (chapters).”

عَشْرُ رَكَعَاتٍ رَكْعَتَانِ مِنَ الظُّهْرِ وَ رَكْعَتَانِ مِنَ الْعَصْرِ وَ رَكْعَتَا الصُّبْحِ وَ رَكْعَتَا الْمَغْرِبِ وَ رَكْعَتَا الْعِشَاءِ الْآخِرَةِ لَا يَجُوزُ الْوَهْمُ فِيهِنَّ وَ مَنْ وَهَمَ فِي شَيْ‌ءٍ مِنْهُنَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ الصَّلَاةَ اسْتِقْبَالًا وَ هِيَ الصَّلَاةُ الَّتِي فَرَضَهَا اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ وَ فَوَّضَ إِلَى مُحَمَّدٍ ص فَزَادَ النَّبِيُّ ص فِي الصَّلَا

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘There are ten Rak‘at in Salah (prayer). There are two for al- Dhuhr, two for al-‘Asr, two Rak‘at of Morning, two Rak‘at of al-Maghrib and two Rak‘at of al-‘Isha’ al-Akhirah. In these many of Salah (prayer) conjectures (mistakes) are not acceptable. If one faces conjectures in such Salah (

الصَّلَاةُ ثَلَاثَةُ أَثْلَاثٍ ثُلُثٌ طَهُورٌ وَ ثُلُثٌ رُكُوعٌ وَ ثُلُثٌ سُجُودٌ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Acts of Salah (prayer) fall in three categories; They are Tahur (cleansing), Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees), and Sujud (prostration).”’

كُنْتُ قَاعِداً عِنْدَ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَنَا وَ حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ فَقَالَ لَهُ حُمْرَانُ مَا تَقُولُ فِيمَا يَقُولُ زُرَارَةُ وَ قَدْ خَالَفْتُهُ فِيهِ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَا هُوَ قَالَ يَزْعُمُ أَنَّ مَوَاقِيتَ الصَّلَاةِ كَانَتْ مُفَوَّضَةً إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ص هُوَ الَّذِي وَضَعَهَا فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع فَمَا تَقُولُ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ إِنَّ جَبْرَئِيلَ ع أَتَاهُ فِي الْيَوْمِ الْأ

“I once was sitting in the presence of abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), and Humran ibn ’A‘yan was also present. Humran asked him (the Imam), ‘What do you say about the words of Zurarah with which I do not agree?’ Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), asked, ‘What are they?’ Humran said, ‘Zurarah says that the time for Salah (prayer) was delega

إِنَّ مِنَ الْأَشْيَاءِ أَشْيَاءَ مُوَسَّعَةً وَ أَشْيَاءَ مُضَيَّقَةً فَالصَّلَاةُ[2] مِمَّا وُسِّعَ فِيهِ تُقَدَّمُ مَرَّةً وَ تُؤَخَّرُ أُخْرَى وَ الْجُمُعَةُ مِمَّا ضُيِّقَ فِيهَا فَإِنَّ وَقْتَهَا يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ سَاعَةُ تَزُولُ وَ وَقْتَ الْعَصْرِ فِيهَا وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ فِي غَيْرِهَا.

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘Of the things certain ones are of a longer timing and others are of shorter timing. Salah (prayer) is of longer timing. It can be performed earlier and later. Friday Salah (prayer) is of a short timing. On Friday its time is a Sa‘ah which then vanish. The time for al-‘Asr Salah (prayer) o

سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُ‌ لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ وَقْتَانِ وَ أَوَّلُ الْوَقْتِ أَفْضَلُهُ وَ لَيْسَ لِأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَجْعَلَ آخِرَ الْوَقْتَيْنِ وَقْتاً إِلَّا فِي عُذْرٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ عِلَّةٍ.

‘For every Salah (prayer) there are two kinds of timings; the beginning of time is the outstanding one, and no one has the right to call the end of two kinds of timings as a time, without good reason, and for no reason.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ وَقْتَانِ أَوَّلُ الْوَقْتِ أَفْضَلُهُمَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘For every Salah (prayer) there are two kinds of timings and the outstanding one is the beginning of time.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي جَعْفَرٍ ع أَصْلَحَكَ اللَّهُ وَقْتُ كُلِّ صَلَاةٍ أَوَّلُ الْوَقْتِ أَفْضَلُ أَوْ أَوْسَطُهُ أَوْ آخِرُهُ فَقَالَ أَوَّلُهُ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ص قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يُحِبُّ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ مَا يُعَجَّلُ.

“I once said to abu Ja‘far (a.s.), ‘I pray to Allah to keep you well, of the timing for Salah (prayer), what portion is better? Is it the beginning, the middle or the end of time?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is the beginning of it; the Messenger of Allah has said, “Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, loves of good things

إِنَّ فَضْلَ الْوَقْتِ الْأَوَّلِ عَلَى الْآخِرِ كَفَضْلِ الْآخِرَةِ عَلَى الدُّنْيَا.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The outstanding quality of the beginning of the time for Salah (prayer) is like the outstanding quality of the next life compared to the worldly life.’”

قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع‌ لَفَضْلُ الْوَقْتِ الْأَوَّلِ عَلَى الْأَخِيرِ خَيْرٌ لِلرَّجُلِ مِنْ وَلَدِهِ وَ مَالِهِ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘The outstanding quality of the beginning of time for Salah (prayer) compared with the end of time for Salah (prayer) is better for a man than his children and belongings.’”

قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ ع‌ اعْلَمْ أَنَّ أَوَّلَ الْوَقْتِ أَبَداً أَفْضَلُ فَعَجِّلْ بِالْخَيْرِ مَا اسْتَطَعْتَ وَ أَحَبُ‌ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا دَاوَمَ الْعَبْدُ عَلَيْهِ وَ إِنْ قَلَّ.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said, ‘You must note that the beginning of time always is better, so act faster for the good as much as you can. The most beloved of deeds in the sight of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, is that which a servant continues even if it is very little.’”

قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْحُسَيْنِ ص‌ مَنِ اهْتَمَّ بِمَوَاقِيتِ الصَّلَاةِ لَمْ يَسْتَكْمِلْ لَذَّةَ الدُّنْيَا.

The one who is attentive with the timings of the prayer, would never indulge into the pleasures of the world.'

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ حَنْظَلَةَ أَتَانَا عَنْكَ بِوَقْتٍ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع إِذاً لَا يَكْذِبُ عَلَيْنَا قُلْتُ ذَكَرَ أَنَّكَ قُلْتَ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ صَلَاةٍ افْتَرَضَهَا اللَّهُ عَلَى نَبِيِّهِ ص الظُّهْرُ وَ هُوَ قَوْلُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَ‌ أَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ لِدُلُوكِ الشَّمْسِ‌ فَإِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ لَمْ يَمْنَعْكَ إِلَّا سُبْحَتُكَ‌[1] ثُمَّ لَا تَزَالُ فِي وَقْتٍ إِلَى

‘The first Salah (prayer) that Allah made obligatory on His Holy prophet was al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer). Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, has said, “Perform Salah (prayer) from the time of declining of the sun toward the west at noontime” (17:78), so when the sun declines toward the west at noontime, there is no other

إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ إِلَّا أَنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا سُبْحَةً وَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْكَ إِنْ شِئْتَ طَوَّلْتَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ قَصَّرْتَ.

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘When the sun declines toward the west at noontime, it is time for al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer) except that there is Nafl (optional Salah (prayer) before al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer). It is up to you to spend a longer time for it or a short one.’”

قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع مَتَى أُصَلِّي الظُّهْرَ فَقَالَ صَلِّ الزَّوَالَ ثَمَانِيَةً ثُمَّ صَلِّ الظُّهْرَ ثُمَّ صَلِّ سُبْحَتَكَ طَالَتْ أَوْ قَصُرَتْ ثُمَّ صَلِّ الْعَصْرَ.

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), ‘When can I perform al-Dhuhr Salah (prayer)?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘Perform the eight Rak‘at (the optional Salah (prayer) when the sun declines (toward the west at noontime), then perform al-Dhuhr. Thereafter perform your optional Salah (prayer) for a longer or short time, then perfo

أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ع أَ لَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ بِأَبْيَنَ مِنْ هَذَا إِذَا زَالَتِ الشَّمْسُ فَقَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ الظُّهْرِ إِلَّا أَنَّ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهَا سُبْحَةً وَ ذَلِكَ إِلَيْكَ إِنْ شِئْتَ طَوَّلْتَ وَ إِنْ شِئْتَ قَصَّرْتَ. - وَ رَوَى سَعْدٌ عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ اللُّؤْلُؤِيِّ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ النَّضْرِيِّ وَ عُمَرَ بْنِ حَنْظَلَةَ

‘It is up to you to make the optional one light thereafter, or make it longer, thereafter is the time (for al-Dhuhr).”’