Bahaar-e-Shariat Volume 3 (Salaah)

This volume details the laws of Salaah (prayer) and the prerequisites for its validity according to the Hanafi school of jurisprudence. It establishes the foundational importance of Fiqh as the mechanism for understanding the Qur’an and Sunnah, emphasizing that the study of jurisprudence is a necessary obligation for every Muslim to distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful. The work provides comprehensive instructions on the timings of the five daily prayers, the requirements for purification (Tahaarat), the rules for covering the Satr-e-Awrat (nakedness), and the specific methodology for performing the prayer, from the Takbeer-e-Tahreema to the final Salaam. It further addresses the complexities of congregational prayer (Jama’at), the qualifications and selection of an Imam, and the etiquette required within the Masjid.

Fiqh and Jurisprudence

• Definition of Fiqh — the work defines it as the explanation of the Shariah in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah ▸page 11.
• Obligation of knowledge — it holds that acquiring enough knowledge to differentiate between Fard (obligatory) and Waajib (necessary) acts is Fard-e-Ain (an individual obligation) upon every Muslim ▸page 13.
• Status of the Faqih — the text cites the Prophet Muhammad — ﷺ — stating that one Faqih is more powerful against Shaitaan than a thousand worshippers ▸page 14.
• Imam Azam Abu Hanifa — the work affirms his status as a Taabi’ee who met at least 26 Companions of the Prophet Muhammad — ﷺ — and cites his designation as the "Lamp of the Ummah" (▸page 16, ▸page 17).

Prerequisites of Salaah

• Six conditions for validity — the work lists these as Tahaarat (purification), Satr-e-Awrat (covering nakedness), Istiqbaal-e-Qibla (facing the Qibla), Waqt (time), Niyyat (intention), and Takbeer-e-Tahreema ([page 1, Part 1 Digest]).
• Satr-e-Awrat for men — the area from the navel to the knees must be covered; the work warns against tight or thin clothing that reveals the skin color ([page 1, Part 1 Digest]).
• Satr-e-Awrat for women — the entire body must be covered except for the face, palms, and soles of the feet ([page 1, Part 1 Digest]).
• Istiqbaal-e-Qibla — the work permits a 45-degree margin of error for those who cannot determine the exact direction of the Kaaba ([page 2, Part 2 Digest]).

Method of Salaah

• Seven Fard actions — the work identifies these as Takbeer-e-Tahreema, Qiyaam (standing), Qira’at (recitation), Ruku (bowing), Sujood (prostration), Qa’da-e-Aakhira (final sitting), and Khurooj Bi Sunoo’i (exiting by one's own action) ([page 2, Part 2 Digest]).
• Sujood requirements — the forehead and nose must touch the ground, and at least one toe of each foot must remain in contact with the ground during the prostration ([page 2, Part 2 Digest]).
• Sajdah-e-Sahw — the work prescribes this prostration for errors or omissions of Waajib acts during the prayer ([page 2, Part 2 Digest]).

Congregational Prayer and Imamat

• Virtues of Jama’at — the work cites the 27-fold reward for congregational prayer and notes the severity of missing it without a valid excuse ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).
• Selection of an Imam — the most deserving candidate is one with the best knowledge of Tajweed (recitation), followed by piety, age, and lineage ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).
• Invalidation of prayer — the prayer of the congregation is invalidated if the Imam’s own prayer is found to be invalid, such as due to a lack of Wudu ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).
• Bina (Continuing prayer) — the work outlines 13 conditions under which a person may continue their prayer if their Wudu breaks, provided they do not speak or perform excessive movement ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).

Masjid Etiquette and Prohibitions

• Prohibited actions — the work forbids trade, raising voices, searching for lost items, and spitting within the Masjid ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).
• Sutrah — a partition of at least one hand-length in height is required for a person praying alone to prevent others from passing in front of them ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).
• Pictures and adornments — the work prohibits the presence of pictures of living things in the Masjid and forbids gold-water engravings on the Qibla wall ([page 3, Part 3 Digest]).