The Islamic prayer, known as Salah (or Salat, in Arabic: الصلاة, Namaz in some regions), is the second and most vital pillar of Islam after the declaration of faith (Shahada). It is a direct spiritual connection between the servant and the Creator, Allah (God). For a prayer to be valid and acceptable, it must be performed correctly, adhering to a set of essential elements known as the Pillars of Salah.
These pillars, or Arkan as-Salah (أركان الصلاة), are actions and sayings that are integral to the very essence of the prayer. If a single pillar is omitted, whether intentionally or accidentally, the entire unit of prayer (Rakah) or the whole Salah becomes invalid, and it must be repeated. Understanding and observing these pillars is crucial for every Muslim seeking to perfect their worship.
The 14 Pillars of Salah in Islam
While different schools of thought (Madhahib) may vary slightly in their enumeration, the consensus based on the Hanbali school, widely cited, details fourteen essential pillars. These pillars are based on the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his command to “Pray as you have seen me praying.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).
I. Actions Performed While Standing
| # | Arabic Pillar | Transliteration | English Translation | Details and Significance |
| 1 | القيام مع القدرة | Al-Qiyam ma’ al-qudrah | Standing, if one is able | Necessary for obligatory prayers. If one cannot stand, they pray sitting, then lying on their side. |
| 2 | تكبيرة الإحرام | Takbirat al-Ihraam | The opening Takbir | Saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest) to commence the prayer, which forbids all worldly actions. |
| 3 | قراءة سورة الفاتحة | Qira’at Surah Al-Fatiha | Reciting Surah Al-Fatiha | The opening chapter of the Quran must be recited in every Rakah. |
| 4 | الركوع | Ar-Ruku’ | Bowing | Bending down from the waist, placing hands on the knees, with the back straight. |
| 5 | الرفع منه | Ar-Raf’u minhu | Rising from the bowing | Returning to the upright standing position. |
| 6 | الاعتدال قائما | Al-I’tidaal Qaa’iman | Standing upright after bowing | A brief, steady pause in the standing position. |
II. Actions Related to Prostration and Sitting
| # | Arabic Pillar | Transliteration | English Translation | Details and Significance |
| 7 | السجود | As-Sujood | Prostration (on seven limbs) | Placing the forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes firmly on the ground. Performed twice in every Rakah. |
| 8 | الرفع منه | Ar-Raf’u minhu | Rising from the first prostration | Returning to the sitting position. |
| 9 | الجلوس بين السجدتين | Al-Julooas bayn as-sajdatayn | Sitting between the two prostrations | A brief, tranquil sitting. |
| 10 | السجدة الثانية | As-Sajdat ath-thaniyah | The second prostration | Repeating the prostration, confirming humility to Allah. |
III. Concluding Actions and Tranquility
| # | Arabic Pillar | Transliteration | English Translation | Details and Significance |
| 11 | الطمأنينة | At-Tuma’ninah | Tranquility (in all physical actions) | A moment of stillness and settlement in the Ruku’, I’tidal, Sujood, and the sitting between the two prostrations. This is critical. |
| 12 | التشهد الأخير | At-Tashahhud Al-Akheer | The final Tashahhud | Reciting the specific supplications (attahiyyaat, etc.) in the last sitting of the prayer. |
| 13 | الجلوس للتشهد والتسليم | Al-Julooas li’t-Tashahhud wa’t-Taslim | Sitting for the final Tashahhud and the Salam | The physical act of sitting for the final verbal components. |
| 14 | التسليم | At-Taslim | The concluding Salam | Saying “As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah” (Peace and mercy of God be upon you) to the right and left to end the prayer. |
| 15 | الترتيب | At-Tarteeb | Maintaining the proper order | Performing all the pillars in the sequential order mentioned above. |
Note: Some scholars list At-Tarteeb (Maintaining the order) as a pillar, increasing the total to 15. The core principle remains that each step must follow the previous one in correct succession.
The Obligations of Salah (Waajibaat as-Salah – واجبات الصلاة)
Definition: These acts are mandatory, but their omission (if forgotten) can be compensated for by performing the Sujood as-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness) at the end of the prayer. If omitted intentionally, the prayer is invalid.
| # | Action (English) | Arabic Term | Transliteration | Location in Prayer |
| 1 | All Takbir other than the opening one | التكبيرات الانتقالية | At-Takbiraat al-Intiqaliyyah | Saying Allahu Akbar when moving between positions. |
| 2 | Saying: “Allah hears those who praise Him” | السمعلة | As-Sam’alah | Saying Sami’allahu liman hamidah (when rising from Ruku). |
| 3 | Saying: “Our Lord, and to You belongs the praise” | التحميد | At-Tahmeed | Saying Rabbanaa wa lakal-hamd (in the standing position after Ruku). |
| 4 | Saying Tasbeeh in Ruku | تسبيح الركوع | Tasbeeh ar-Ruku’ | Saying Subhaana Rabbiyal-Azim (at least once). |
| 5 | Saying Tasbeeh in Sujood | تسبيح السجود | Tasbeeh as-Sujood | Saying Subhaana Rabbiyal-A’la (at least once). |
| 6 | Saying: “My Lord, forgive me” (between Prostrations) | دعاء بين السجدتين | Du’a bayn as-Sajdatayn | Saying Rabbighfirlee (at least once). |
| 7 | The First Tashahhud | التشهد الأول | At-Tashahhud Al-Awwal | Reciting the specific wording in the first sitting (e.g., after Rakah 2 of a 3/4 unit prayer). |
| 8 | Sitting for the First Tashahhud | الجلوس للتشهد الأول | Al-Juloos li’t-Tashahhud Al-Awwal | The physical act of sitting for the first Tashahhud. |
The Recommended Acts of Salah (Sunan as-Salah – سنن الصلاة)
Definition: These are the optional, recommended actions. While they are not mandatory for the prayer’s validity, performing them increases the reward. If omitted, whether intentionally or accidentally, the prayer remains valid, and no compensation (Sujood as-Sahw) is required.
The Sunan are divided into Verbal Sunan (Sunan Qawliyyah) and Action Sunan (Sunan Fi’liyyah).
A. Verbal Sunan (Sunan Qawliyyah – سنن قولية)
| Action (English) | Arabic Term | Transliteration | Details |
| The Opening Supplication | دعاء الاستفتاح | Du’a al-Istiftaah | Recited after Takbirat al-Ihraam and before Al-Fatiha. |
| Seeking Refuge/Basmalah | الاستعاذة والبسملة | Al-Isti’adha wa’l-Basmalah | A’udhu billahi… (Seeking refuge) and Bismillah…. |
| Saying Ameen | التأمين | At-Ta’meen | Saying Ameen after reciting Al-Fatiha. |
| Reciting a Surah after Al-Fatiha | قراءة ما زاد على الفاتحة | Qira’at ma zaada ‘ala Al-Fatiha | Reciting any portion of the Quran after Al-Fatiha (in the first two Raka’at). |
| Additional Tasbeeh in Ruku and Sujood | زيادة التسبيح | Ziyadah at-Tasbeeh | Reciting the Tasbeeh more than once. |
| Sending Peace upon the Prophet (PBUH) | الصلاة الإبراهيمية | As-Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah | Reciting the full Salat on the Prophet (PBUH) after the final Tashahhud. |
| Supplications after the Final Tashahhud | الدعاء بعد التشهد | Ad-Du’a ba’d at-Tashahhud | Asking Allah for protection and well-being. |
B. Action Sunan (Sunan Fi’liyyah – سنن فعلية)
| Action (English) | Arabic Term | Transliteration | Details |
| Raising the Hands | رفع اليدين | Raf’ al-Yadayn | Raising hands at the Takbirat al-Ihraam, before and after Ruku, and when rising after the first Tashahhud. |
| Placing the Hands on the Chest | وضع اليدين على الصدر | Wad’ al-Yadayn ‘ala as-Sadr | Placing the right hand over the left while standing (Qiyam). |
| Looking at the Place of Prostration | النظر إلى موضع السجود | An-Nazr ila Mawdi’ as-Sujood | Maintaining focus during the prayer. |
| Spreading the fingers/toes during Ruku/Sujood | تفريج الأصابع | Tafreej al-Asaabi’ | Correct placement and spreading of hands and toes. |
| Iftirash and Tawarruk | الإفتراش والتورك | Al-Iftiraash wa’t-Tawarruk | Specific sitting postures for the first and final Tashahhud. |
Evidences from the Quran and Sunnah
The obligation to establish and observe the prayer is clearly commanded in the Quran and affirmed by the consistent practice (Sunnah) of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The specific pillars are derived from the detailed teachings and descriptions of the prayer.
1. The Obligation of Prayer and Tranquility
The general command to perform Salah is mentioned repeatedly in the Quran:
Arabic: حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ
Transliteration: Hafizoo ‘alal-salawaati was-salatil-wusta wa qoomoo lillahi qaaniteen
English Translation: “Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” – (Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 238)
The pillar of Tranquility (At-Tuma’ninah) is emphasized by the Prophet (PBUH) in the famous Hadith of the man who prayed badly (Musiee as-Salat):
Arabic:
إِنَّ أَحَدَكُمْ إِذَا قَامَ يُصَلِّي ، فَأَحْسَنَ الطُّهُورَ ، ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبَلَ الْقِبْلَةَ ، فَكَبَّرَ ، ثُمَّ قَرَأَ ، ثُمَّ رَكَعَ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَائِمًا ، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا ، ثُمَّ سَجَدَ حَتَّى تَطْمَئِنَّ مَفَاصِلُهُ ، ثُمَّ رَفَعَ حَتَّى يَسْتَوِيَ قَاعِدًا ، ثُمَّ صَلَّى صَلَاتَهُ كُلَّهَا
Transliteration: Inna ahadakum idha qaama yusalli, fa ahsanat-tuhoora, thumma istaqbalal-qiblah, fakabbara, thumma qara’a, thumma raka’a hatta tatma’inna mafaasilluhu, thumma rafa’a hatta yastawiya qaa’iman, thumma sajada hatta tatma’inna mafaasilluhu, thumma rafa’a hatta yastawiya qaa’idan, thumma sajada hatta tatma’inna mafaasilluhu, thumma rafa’a hatta yastawiya qaa’idan, thumma salla salatahu kullaha.
English Translation (Excerpt of the Instruction): “…Then bow until you are at ease in bowing. Then rise until you stand straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration. Then rise until you are at ease sitting. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration. Then rise until you are at ease sitting… Then pray the whole of your prayer likewise.” – (Sahih Ibn Hibbaan)
This Hadith directly establishes the pillars of Ruku, I’tidal, Sujood, sitting between prostrations, and Tuma’ninah (tranquility).
2. Recitation of Al-Fatiha
The recitation of Surah Al-Fatiha is explicitly made a pillar based on the saying of the Prophet (PBUH):
Arabic: لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَقْرَأْ بِفَاتِحَةِ الْكِتَابِ
Transliteration: Laa salaata liman lam yaqra’ bi faatihatil-kitab
English Translation: “There is no prayer for one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Surah Al-Fatiha).” – Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
3. Concluding the Prayer with Taslim
The prayer is finalized only by the act of Taslim, as confirmed in the Hadith:
Arabic: مِفْتَاحُ الصَّلَاةِ الطُّهُورُ ، وَتَحْرِيمُهَا التَّكْبِيرُ ، وَتَحْلِيلُهَا التَّسْلِيمُ
Transliteration: Miftaahus-salaati at-tuhoor, wa tahreemuhaa at-takbeer, wa tahleeluhaa at-tasleem
English Translation: “The key to the prayer is purification (Wudu), its ‘sanctification’ (making worldly matters forbidden) is the Takbir (at-Ihraam), and its ‘desanctification’ (making worldly matters permissible again) is the Taslim.” – (Sunan Abi Dawud, Sahih by Al-Albani)
4. Evidence for Obligations (Waajibaat):
The Prophet (PBUH) instituted the practice of Sujood as-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness) to compensate for missing an obligatory act out of forgetfulness.
Arabic: إِذَا نَسِيَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَسَجَدَ سَجْدَتَيْنِ
Transliteration: Idhaa nasiya ahadukum fasajada sajdatayn
English Translation (Meaning): “If any one of you forgets [something in the prayer], let him prostrate twice [Sujood as-Sahw].” (Part of a long Hadith in Sahih Muslim)
This indicates that forgetting an obligatory part requires compensation, distinguishing it from a Pillar (which requires repetition of the whole unit) and a Sunnah (which requires nothing).
5. Evidence for Sunan (Salat al-Ibrahimiyyah):
The specific wording for sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH) in the final sitting (Sunnah Qawliyyah):
Arabic:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، وَبَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Transliteration: Allahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammad, kamaa sallayta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa aali Ibraaheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed. Wa baarik ‘alaa Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammad, kamaa baarakta ‘alaa Ibraaheema wa ‘alaa aali Ibraaheem, innaka Hameedun Majeed.
English Translation: “O Allah, send prayers upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent prayers upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim. Verily, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari)
Understanding these categories ensures that your Salah is not only technically valid but also spiritually rich, following the complete tradition (Sunnah) of the Prophet (PBUH).
Pillars vs. Obligations (Waajibaat)
It is crucial to differentiate between the Pillars (Arkan) and the Obligatory Acts (Waajibaat) of Salah, as this impacts the validity of the prayer.
- Pillar (Rukn): If omitted, whether intentionally or by forgetfulness, the prayer is invalid unless the missing pillar is performed immediately. If one realizes the omission after moving to the next Rakah, they must go back and complete the missing Rakah.
- Obligatory Act (Wajib): If omitted by forgetfulness, it is compensated for by performing the Sujood as-Sahw (Prostration of Forgetfulness) at the end of the prayer. If omitted intentionally, the prayer is generally invalid and must be repeated. Examples of Obligatory Acts include saying Subhaana Rabbiyal-Azim in Ruku’ or the first Tashahhud.
Conclusion
Prayer is the first deed for which a servant will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment. By ensuring every Pillar of Salah is observed with sincerity (Ikhlas) and complete humility (Khushu), a believer secures the foundation of their faith and their connection to Allah. The physical movements and verbal recitations are not mere rituals; they are the required components of a valid act of worship.
FAQs:
What is a Pillar (Rukn) in Salah?
A Pillar is an essential, foundational action or saying in prayer; if omitted, the entire Salah is invalid and must be repeated.
How many Pillars are there?
Most scholars enumerate fourteen to fifteen Pillars, including core physical acts like standing, bowing, and prostrating.
What is the difference between a Pillar and an Obligation (Wajib)?
Forgetting a Pillar invalidates the prayer entirely, but forgetting an Obligation (Wajib) can be corrected with the Prostration of Forgetfulness (Sujood as-Sahw).
Is reciting Surah Al-Fatiha a Pillar?
Yes, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha (قراءة الفاتحة – Qira’at Al-Fatiha) in every unit (Rakah) is a crucial Pillar, as stated by the Prophet (PBUH).
What if I forget a Pillar, like the second Prostration?
If you miss a Pillar, you must go back and perform the missing action and everything that follows it; otherwise, the prayer is void.
What does At-Tuma’ninah (Tranquility) mean in prayer?
At-Tuma’ninah is the Pillar requiring a brief but complete moment of stillness and settlement during every physical transition, like bowing and prostrating.
