Conditions of Prayer
A ‘condition’ is defined as something whose absence results in the absence of the associated act, but its presence does not necessitate the act’s existence or non-existence. According to the Maliki school of thought, there are three main categories of conditions for prayer, which are outlined below:
- Conditions for Obligation and Validity
- The individual must receive the call of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- The prayer must be performed within its designated time; it is not obligatory before this time.
- The individual must possess sanity—prayer is not obligatory for the insane or the unconscious. However, if the insane person regains their sanity or if one who had fainted recovers before the time elapses, they must perform the prayer. For someone intoxicated, the obligation to pray remains at all times; they must make up any prayers missed during their state of intoxication.
- There must be no presence of menstrual blood or postpartum bleeding.
- There must be access to pure water or pure soil; in cases where water is unavailable or cannot be used due to legitimate reasons, soil or its equivalent can be utilized.
- The individual must not be heedless or sleeping—if they miss a prayer due to these states, they are required to make it up.
- Conditions for Obligation
- Attaining maturity is necessary; prayer is obligatory for the mature individual, who may be penalized for neglecting it. A minor, on the other hand, will be rewarded for their prayer but will not face punishment for not performing it.
- The absence of coercion is essential; if someone is forced to neglect prayer, it is not obligatory for them. However, if coercion is lifted, they must make up the missed prayers.
- Conditions for Validity
- Being a Muslim is considered a condition by some Maliki scholars, while others see it as both a condition of obligation and validity. If a Muslim misses a prayer, they must make it up; however, a non-Muslim who converts to Islam is not required to compensate for the prayers missed during their time of disbelief.
- Maintaining purification from major and minor impurities is necessary before and after entering into prayer. If one becomes ceremonially impure before or after starting the prayer and forgets, they are still required to make it up.
- Continuous cleanliness must be maintained; any impurity must be removed from the body, clothing, or the prayer space.
- The private parts must be adequately covered.
- The individual must face the Qibla (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca).
Essential Components of Prayer
An essential component is one that, if omitted by the individual praying, their prayer becomes invalid. The key components in the Maliki school are:
- The intention, which must coincide with the opening Takbir (the declaration of “Allahu Akbar”). If the intention is delayed or significantly advanced, the prayer is considered invalid unanimously. If the discrepancy is minor, opinions vary among scholars regarding its validity.
- The opening Takbir, which is expressed as “Allahu Akbar”.
- Standing for the opening Takbir is required for those capable.
- Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha is mandatory; those praying alone must recite it, while those praying behind an Imam may suffice with what the Imam recites aloud, and must recite it when the Imam prays silently.
- The bowing (Ruku), during which the individual must bend while ensuring their knees are upright and resting their hands on them, keeping their back and neck level.
- Rising from the bowing is essential; deliberately neglecting to do so results in the invalidation of the prayer.
- Prostration (Sujud) must involve the forehead touching the ground; some scholars regard prostrating on the nose as an optional practice, while others prefer it, which is the prevailing opinion.
- Rising from prostration is necessary to distinguish between the first and second prostrations, typically done by placing the hands flat on the thighs.
- The final sitting should last as long as it takes to say the Salutation.
- The Salutation marks the conclusion of the prayer, articulated as “Peace be upon you,” with some scholars debating the necessity of intending to exit the prayer, leaning towards the idea that it is not a requirement.
- Calmness must be observed in all components of the prayer, allowing for stability in bodily movements; there is no minimum limit, though complete calm is often considered to be about three phrases or more.
- Order of performance in prayer must be maintained.
Recommended Practices during Prayer
Recommended practices, the omission of which requires prostration for forgetfulness, include the following in the Maliki school:
- Alternating between audible and silent recitation as appropriate.
- Reciting additional verses following Surah Al-Fatiha.
- Making supplementary Takbir during transitions in prayer.
- Saying “Allah hears the one who praises Him” and “Our Lord, to You belongs all praise” upon rising from bowing.
- Engaging in glorification during bowing with “Glory be to my Lord, the Most Great.”
- Engaging in glorification during prostration with “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High.”
- Reciting both testifications (Tashahhud) and sitting for both.
- The follower’s response to the Imam’s peace is recommended.
- Reciting the final Salutation aloud.
- Exceeding the minimum for calmness.
- Sending prayers and peace upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the final sitting.