How to Pray Isha Salat

The night prayer, known as Yatsı Namazı, holds a very special place in the life of a Muslim. Performed after sunset, it is an opportunity to cleanse the heart, soothe the soul, and strengthen one’s connection with Allah. The prayer’s obligatory parts, its recommended practices, the number of rak’ahs (units), and every movement have been meticulously detailed in authentic traditions and classical sources. In this guide, we will explore the proper method of performing the night prayer, starting from the intention and standing (Qiyam), through bowing (Ruku), prostration (Sujood), and sitting (Tashahhud), with the inclusion of supplications and Quranic recitations.

The Importance Of The Night Prayer

The night prayer is one of the five essential pillars of Islam. Praying after the day’s activities, it provides a moment of spiritual renewal and a way to leave behind the fatigue of the day. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the prayer as a light that illuminates the heart, revives the soul, and prepares the believer for the Hereafter (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim). This prayer not only reinforces the individual’s relationship with Allah but also fosters a sense of community and unity when performed in congregation.

Intention

As with all acts of worship, beginning the night prayer with the correct intention (niyyah) is fundamental. The intention is made within the heart and does not need to be spoken aloud. However, one must have the inner resolve: “I intend to perform the obligatory night prayer solely for the sake of Allah.” This sincere intention elevates every movement and recitation, ensuring that the prayer is performed with utmost devotion.

Example Intention:

“I intend to perform the obligatory night prayer solely for the sake of Allah.”

Standing (Qiyam)

Before beginning the prayer, one must ensure that they have performed ablution (wudu) properly. After ablution and making the intention, the prayer starts by standing upright.

Standing Position (Qiyam):

• Stand upright with the body straight and eyes directed toward the place of prostration.
• The hands are typically placed either below the navel or on the chest, depending on the school of thought.
• At the beginning of each rak’ah, proclaim “Allāhu Akbar” (الله أكبر).

Takbir:

Arabic: الله أكبر

Transliteration: Allāhu Akbar

Meaning: Allah is the Greatest

The standing position symbolizes readiness and attentiveness to the Divine, setting the tone for the prayer.

Bowing (Ruku)

After standing, the next step is to bow (Ruku). This posture expresses humility and submission to Allah.

Bowing Position (Ruku):

• From the standing position, bend forward until the hands reach the knees while keeping the back straight.
• In Ruku, the heart is fully devoted to Allah, and it is recommended to recite “Subḥāna Rabbiyal ‘Azīm” at least three times.

Supplication During Ruku:

Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ

Transliteration: Subḥāna Rabbiyal ‘Azīm

Meaning: I glorify my Lord, the Most Great

This posture represents the believer’s humble acknowledgment of Allah’s greatness and mercy.

Prostration (Sujood)

One of the most blessed moments in the prayer is the prostration. In Sujood, the worshiper completely submits to Allah by placing their forehead, nose, hands, knees, and the tips of the feet on the ground.

Prostration Position (Sujood):

• Lower yourself so that your forehead, nose, hands, knees, and toes touch the ground.
• During Sujood, recite “Subḥāna Rabbiyal A‘lā” three times with full sincerity and concentration.

Supplication During Sujood:

Arabic: سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى

Transliteration: Subḥāna Rabbiyal A‘lā

Meaning: I glorify my Lord, the Most High

Sujood is the moment when the heart is at its lowest, expressing complete submission and servitude to Allah.

Sitting And Tahiyyat

After the first Sujood, a brief sitting (Tashahhud) is performed before proceeding to the next rak’ah. This sitting period is an opportunity for reflection, supplication, and the recitation of the Tashahhud.

Sitting Position (Tashahhud):

• Sit on your legs with the back kept straight.
• While sitting, recite the Tashahhud: “At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi was-salawātu wat-tayyibātu” with full concentration.

Tashahhud Recitation:

Arabic: التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلَّهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ

Transliteration: At-taḥiyyātu lillāhi was-salawātu wat-tayyibātu

Meaning: All greetings, prayers, and pure words belong only to Allah

This sitting phase offers a moment to gather one’s thoughts and prepare for the continuation of the prayer.

Second Rak’ah And The Remaining Steps

The night prayer is generally performed as four rak’ahs of obligatory prayer. Each rak’ah is performed with similar movements, and here is a detailed breakdown:

1. First Rak’ah:
   • Standing (Qiyam): Stand upright with the hands placed in the proper position.
   • Recitation: Begin by reciting Surah Al-Fātiḥah. Surah Al-Fātiḥah
     • Arabic:
       الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
       الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
       مَالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ
       إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ
       اهْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِيمَ
       صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ
       غَيْرِ الْمَغْضُوبِ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا الضَّالِّينَ
     • Transliteration:
       Alhamdu lillāhi rabbil ‘ālemīn
       Ar-raḥmānir-raḥīm
       Māliki yawmid-dīn
       Iyyāka na‘budu wa iyyāka nasta‘īn
       Ihdinā ṣ-ṣirāṭal mustaqīm
       Ṣirāṭal laḏīna an‘amta ‘alayhim
       Ġayril mağḍūbi ‘alayhim wa laḏ-ḏālīn
     • Meaning:
       Praise be to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.
       The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
       Master of the Day of Judgment.
       You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help.
       Guide us on the Straight Path,
       The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor,
       Not of those who have earned Your anger nor of those who go astray.
   • Bowing (Ruku): Proceed to Ruku and recite “Subḥāna Rabbiyal ‘Azīm” as described above.
   • Prostration (Sujood): Perform Sujood, repeating “Subḥāna Rabbiyal A‘lā.”
   • Sitting (Tashahhud): End the first rak’ah with a brief sitting and recite the Tashahhud.
2. Second Rak’ah:
   • The actions of the first rak’ah are repeated exactly.
   • At the end of the second rak’ah, during the sitting phase, recite the full Tashahhud along with sending blessings (salawat) on the Prophet and additional supplications before proceeding.
3. Third Rak’ah (Obligatory):
   • Begin again in the standing position (Qiyam).
   • After reciting Surah Al-Fātiḥah, a short surah may be recited; commonly, Surah Al-Ikhlās is chosen. Surah Al-Ikhlās
     • Arabic:
       قُلْ هُوَ اللَّهُ أَحَدٌ
       اللَّهُ الصَّمَدُ
       لَمْ يَلِدْ وَلَمْ يُولَدْ
       وَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُ كُفُوًا أَحَدٌ
     • Transliteration:
       Qul huwa llāhu aḥad
       Allāhu ṣ-ṣamad
       Lam yalid wa lam yūlad
       Wa lam yakun lahu kufuwan aḥad
     • Meaning:
       Say, “He is Allah, [Who is] One,
       Allah, the Eternal Refuge.
       He neither begets nor is born,
       Nor is there to Him any equivalent.”
   • Follow this by performing Ruku and Sujood as before.
   • A brief sitting is observed at the end of the third rak’ah in preparation for the final unit.
4. Fourth Rak’ah (Obligatory):
   • The fourth rak’ah is performed similarly to the third.
   • In the final sitting, recite the complete Tashahhud, offer salawat, and make any additional supplications.
   • Conclude the prayer by turning the head to the right and then to the left, saying “Assalāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh.”

Salutations And The Conclusion Of The Prayer

At the end of the prayer, whether performed individually or in congregation, the concluding step is to give the final salutations. Turn your head first to the right and then to the left while saying:

Arabic: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ

Transliteration: Essalāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāh

Meaning: May peace and Allah’s mercy be upon you

This final act of sending salutations symbolizes the end of the prayer and the sharing of peace and blessings among the worshippers.

Supplications And Remembrance

Throughout the prayer, especially during Sujood, heartfelt supplications and dhikr (remembrance of Allah) are recited. These moments of personal prayer are when the heart is closest to Allah, and sincere invocations are believed to be more readily accepted. After completing the prayer, additional supplications can further enhance spiritual protection and gratitude.

• Ayat al-Kursi: Arabic: اللَّهُ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُTransliteration: Allāhu lā ilāha illā huwa al-ḥayyu al-qayyūmMeaning: There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence.
  (Reciting Ayat al-Kursi after the prayer is recommended for protection and blessings.)
• Additional Dhikr:
  Repeating phrases such as “Subḥāna Allāh,” “Alhamdulillāh,” and “Allāhu Akbar” after the prayer helps purify the heart and refresh the spirit.

Additional Information And Recommendations

When performing the night prayer, certain key points should be observed:

• Perform Ablution Properly:
  The state of purity is essential for the prayer. Ablution cleanses both the body and the spirit, preparing one for worship (as emphasized in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim).
• Focus Of The Heart And Mind:
  Prayer is not solely a series of physical movements. Directing your heart entirely towards Allah, free from worldly distractions, deepens the spiritual experience (as highlighted in Riyad-us-Salihin).
• Consistency In Supplication And Remembrance:
  Repeating your supplications sincerely, especially during Sujood, strengthens your spiritual connection and enriches the prayer’s impact. This practice is supported by numerous authentic narrations in classical Islamic literature.
• Praying In Congregation:
  While individual prayer is valuable, praying in congregation fosters a sense of brotherhood and unity among the believers, enhancing both social and spiritual bonds.
• Maintaining Concentration:
  Avoid distractions during the prayer. Focusing solely on your worship and the words you recite ensures that you maintain the humility and concentration that the prayer demands.

The Spiritual Depth Of The Night Prayer

The night prayer is far more than a mere physical ritual—it is a time when the believer opens their heart to Allah. Each rak’ah serves as a moment to draw closer to the Divine, to reflect on the day, and to find solace in the remembrance of Allah. As Imam Ghazali explains in his renowned work, Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, the prayer is a spiritual revival that rejuvenates the heart and soul. It is in these sacred moments that one finds true peace and clarity away from the distractions of the worldly life.

Additional Supplications And Remembrance

Beyond the prescribed recitations, the night prayer offers a chance to engage in further supplication and dhikr. Among these:

• Salawat: Arabic: اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَىٰ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍTransliteration: Allāhumma sallī ‘alā Muḥammadin wa ‘alā āli MuḥammadMeaning: O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad.
  Sending blessings on the Prophet is a profound expression of love and respect, commonly recited after the prayer.
• Personal Duas:
  During or after the prayer, one is encouraged to make personal supplications, asking Allah for forgiveness, guidance, and blessings. This is a moment when the heart speaks directly to its Creator.

Classical Sources And Methodology

The method of performing the night prayer has been established through authentic hadiths, scholarly consensus (ijma’), and analogy (qiyas) as preserved by generations of Muslim scholars. The following classical works have been referenced in compiling this guide:

• Sahih Bukhari, by Ibn Hibban – Classical Hadith Collection
• Sahih Muslim, by Imam Muslim – Classical Hadith Collection
• Riyad-us-Salihin, by Imam Nawawi – Classical Islamic Literature
• Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, by Imam Ghazali – Classical Islamic Sciences
• Al-Mukhtasar fi Fiqh, by Imam Nawawi – Classical Islamic Jurisprudence

These sources provide detailed explanations of each movement and supplication, ensuring that every aspect of the prayer is performed in accordance with the authentic teachings of Islam.

Social And Personal Aspects

The night prayer also carries significant social benefits. When performed in congregation, it strengthens the bonds among believers, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual support. On a personal level, the prayer offers a unique moment of retreat from daily stresses, allowing the individual to renew their spirit, cleanse their heart, and emerge with a sense of inner peace and purpose.

Final Words

The night prayer is a cherished act of worship that forms a cornerstone of both personal spirituality and communal life. It is a time when every movement—standing, bowing, prostration, and sitting—merges with heartfelt supplications and the remembrance of Allah to create a profound spiritual experience. May your prayer be accepted, your heart be filled with tranquility, and may this sacred practice bring you ever closer to the mercy and blessings of Allah.

References

• Sahih Bukhari, Ibn Hibban, Classical Hadith Collection
• Sahih Muslim, Imam Muslim, Classical Hadith Collection
• Riyad-us-Salihin, Imam Nawawi, Classical Islamic Literature
• Ihya’ Ulum al-Din, Imam Ghazali, Classical Islamic Sciences
• Al-Mukhtasar fi Fiqh, Imam Nawawi, Classical Islamic Jurisprudence

Views: 0