Glossary

The Islamic ritual prayer, performed five times daily. The second pillar of Islam.

A single unit of Salah, consisting of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting.

The standing position in Salah — the starting posture for each rak'ah.

Bowing from the waist with the back parallel to the ground.

Prostration — forehead, nose, both palms, both knees, and toes all on the ground.

The brief sitting between the two prostrations in each rak'ah.

The final sitting position, during which the Tashahhud and Salawat are recited.

The testimony of faith recited while seated in Qadah — At-Tahiyyatu...

The conclusion of Salah, turning the head right then left while saying As-salamu 'alaykum.

A school of Islamic jurisprudence. The four main Sunni madhabs are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.

One of the four major Sunni schools of Islamic jurisprudence, founded by Imam Abu Hanifa.

The direction of the Kaaba in Makkah — the direction Muslims face during Salah.

The intention in the heart before beginning Salah.

Ritual purification (ablution) performed before Salah — washing hands, face, arms, wiping head, washing feet.

The opening — referring to Takbir al-Iftitah (the opening Allahu Akbar) and the opening supplication (Thana).

Humility, focus, and presence of heart during Salah — the spiritual state of being fully present before Allah.