The most important pillar of prayer that the Muslim has to take care of is tranquility and submissiveness in the Rukoo’, Sujood, standing and sitting postures. Unfortunately, many people perform the prayer absently, forgetting that contemplation and tranquility in prayer are essential and their absence invalidates the prayer. When the Prophet bowed, he used to lean his hands on his knees and straighten his back. He bowed, he used to be straight, his head neither up nor down (with respect to his hips), and he used to place his hands on his knees as if he was holding them. He used to keep his head bowed until every bone returned to its normal place. When the Prophet raised his head from the Rukoo‘, he used to stand up until every bone returned to its normal place. When he sat in between the Sujoods, he used to be straight until every bone returned to its normal place.

Once, the Prophet saw a man performing his prayer hastily and he ordered him to pray again, and said: “When you go to pray, say Takbeer, then recite whatever you can of the Quran. Then bow until you are at ease in bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then sit up until you are at ease in sitting. Then do that throughout the entire prayer.” [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]

This Saheeh Hadeeth proves that the Muslim has to revere prayer and take care of it, and perform it attentively until he performs it as legislated by Allah The Almighty and His Messenger . Prayer should be a source of delight and tranquility for the believer, as the Prophet said: “The delight of my heart is in prayer.”

Performing prayer in congregation is one of the most important obligations of prayer, because this is an Islamic rite, and it was commanded by Allah The Almighty and His Messenger . Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

     *  {And establish prayer and give Zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience].} [Quran 2:43]

     *  {And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms….} [Quran 4:102]

The last verse speaks about the obligation of the congregational prayer during wartime, which means that it is even more obligatory to perform it in times of peace. This verse also proves the obligation of preparing for the enemy and of being wary of conspiracies.

Islam is the religion of dignity and power, as well as vigilance and true Jihaad. It is also the religion of mercy, benevolence, and good morals. When our righteous predecessors combined all these traits, Allah The Almighty enabled them on earth, honored them and made them dominant over their enemies and they assumed the leadership of the whole world. However, when the later generations changed, Allah The Almighty deprived them of these blessings. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.} [Quran 13:11]

It was authentically narrated that the Prophet said: “I was about to order the Iqaamah for prayer to be established, then tell a man to lead the people in prayer, and set out with men carrying bundles of firewood, and go to people who do not attend the prayer and burn their houses down on them.” [Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Abu Daawood and this is his wording]

A blind man came to the Messenger of Allah and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I have no one to guide me to the mosque.” He, therefore, sought his permission to perform prayer in his house. The Messenger of Allah said: “Do you hear the Athaan (call to prayer)?"He replied in the affirmative. The Messenger of Allah then ordered him to respond to it.” [Muslim]

It is better for women to perform prayer inside their houses as the Prophet told us, because the woman is ‘Awrah and may cause temptation. However, they should not be prevented from going to the mosque if they ask to, as the Prophet said: “Do not prevent the female slaves of Allah from going to the mosques of Allah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

The Quranic verses and authentic Ahadeeth of the Prophet proved that they must stay away from men and refrain from exposing their adornment. The Prophet also warned women against applying perfume when they go out, because this may cause temptation. Hence, the Prophet said: “They should go out without applying any perfume (so as not to fascinate men).”

The Prophet said: “Any woman who applies incense should not attend the ‘Ishaa’ Prayer with us.” [Muslim]

‘Aa’ishah said, “If the Messenger of Allah had seen what women have introduced after he died, he would have forbidden them from going out.”

Hence, women have to fear Allah The Almighty and keep away from Fitnah and temptation by showing their adornment, applying perfume, or exposing parts of the body such as the hands or legs when they meet men or go shopping. This also applies at the time of Sa‘y and Tawaaf. Needless to say, it is prohibited for the woman to uncover her head, wear short clothing, because this is one of the strongest causes of temptation. That is why Allah The Exalted Says (what means):

     *  {And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance….} [Quran 33:33]

     *  {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments….} [Quran 33:59]

The garment here means the dress that covers the head, face, chest, and the whole body of the woman. ‘Ali ibn Abu Talhah narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas said, “Allah commanded the believing women, if they go out of their houses for some need, to cover their faces from the top of their heads with their garments, and to leave one eye showing.” Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {And when you ask of them any goods, ask of them from behind a curtain…} [Quran 33:53]

The Prophet said: “There are two types of the people of Hell whom I have not seen yet: men with whips like the tails of cows, with which they strike the people, and women who are clothed yet naked (because their clothes are short, transparent, tight, etc.), walking with an enticing gait, with something on their heads that looks like the humps of camels, leaning to one side. They will never enter Paradise or even smell its fragrance, although its fragrance can be detected from such-and-such a distance.” [Ahmad and Muslim]

Certainly, this Hadeeth should urge women to abide by the Hijaab and adhere to the Sharee‘ah-approved dress code to avoid the causes of the Anger and Wrath of our Lord.

Recommendations to Pilgrims and Visitors of the Holy Mosque - III