Comprehensive Guide and Practice Review for the Dhuhr Prayer

Structure and Rak'ah Count of Dhuhr Prayer

• Total Rak'ah Framework:
  • The Dhuhr prayer (the obligatory midday prayer) consists of a total of $4$ rak'ahs (units of prayer).
  • All $4$ rak'ahs are performed sequentially in a single continuous prayer session, divided into two halves by an intermediate sitting.

Commencement and Opening Recitations

• The Opening Takbir:

  • The prayer officially commences with the recitation of the Takbir: Allahu Akbar (God is the Greatest).
  • This verbal declaration initiates the state of prayer, invalidating external actions and focusing intention purely on worship.

• Sequential Sequence After Opening Takbir in the First Rak'ah:

  • Ta'awwudh (Seeking Refuge): Immediately following the opening takbir, the worshipper recites: A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem ("I seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the accursed").
  • Basmalah: Following the formula of refuge, the worshipper recites: Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem ("In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful").
  • Opening Chapter Recitation: Following the Basmalah, the recitation continues directly with Al-Fatihah (the Opening Surah of the Qur'an).

Recitation Protocols Across Rak'ahs

• Universal Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah:

  • Surah Al-Fatihah is an obligatory component recited in every single rak'ah of the prayer (rak'ahs $1$, $2$, $3$, and $4$).

• Recitation in Rak'ahs $1$ and $2$:

  • In addition to Surah Al-Fatihah, an additional surah is recited in the first two rak'ahs.
  • The specific additional surah designated for practice in these first two rak'ahs is Surah Al-Ikhlas.

• Recitation in Rak'ahs $3$ and $4$:

  • In accordance with common Sunni practice, the recitation in the third and fourth rak'ahs ($3$ and $4$) consists of Surah Al-Fatihah alone, without any additional surah.

Bowing (Ruku') and Associated Invocations

• Invocation in Ruku' (Bowing):

  • While bowed at the waist with hands resting upon the knees, the worshipper recites: Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adheem ("Glory be to my Lord, the Magnificent").
  • This remembrance is commonly recited $3$ times.

• Rising and Standing Transitions from Ruku':

  • As the worshipper rises from the bowing posture back to an upright standing posture, the designated phrase recited is: Sami'Allahu liman hamidah ("Allah hears whoever praises Him").
  • Upon fully straightening into the standing position, the worshipper follows with the praise: Rabbana wa lakal-hamd ("Our Lord, and to You belongs all praise").

Prostration (Sujood) and Intermediate Sitting

• Invocation in Sujood (Prostration):

  • During prostration on the ground, touching forehead, nose, palms, knees, and toes to the floor, the worshipper recites: Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la ("Glory be to my Lord, the Most High").
  • This formula of glorification is commonly recited $3$ times.

• Supplication Between the Two Prostrations:

  • In each rak'ah, two prostrations are performed; during the seated posture between these two prostrations, the worshipper recites: Rabbighfir li ("My Lord, forgive me").

Intermediate and Final Sittings (Tashahhud and Supplications)

• Timing and Structure of the First Tashahhud:

  • The first sitting occurs immediately after concluding the second prostration of the second rak'ah ($2\text{nd}$ rak'ah).
  • During this intermediate sitting, the worshipper sits to recite the initial Tashahhud before rising for the third rak'ah.

• Components of the Final Sitting:

  • The final sitting takes place at the conclusion of the fourth rak'ah ($4\text{th}$ rak'ah).
  • In this final sitting, the worshipper recites three distinct liturgical segments in order:
  • Tashahhud (the testimony of faith and salutations upon the Prophet and righteous servants).
  • Salat Ibrahimiyya (the Abrahamic prayer invoking blessings and peace upon the Prophet Muhammad and his family, just as was done for Ibrahim and his family).
  • Supplication (a concluding personal or established du'a seeking protection and mercy prior to ending the prayer).

Conclusion of the Prayer (Tasleem)

• Method of Ending the Prayer:
  • The prayer is brought to a formal conclusion through the Tasleem (words of peace).
  • The worshipper recites: Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah ("May the peace and mercy of Allah be upon you").
  • This statement is uttered while turning the head to the right, and is then repeated while turning the head to the left.

Questions & Discussion

• Question 1: How many rak'ahs are in Dhuhr?

  • Response: $4$ rak'ahs.

• Question 2: What do you say to begin the prayer?

  • Response: Allahu Akbar.

• Question 3: What comes after the opening takbir in the first rak'ah, in the method we discussed?

  • Response: A'udhu billahi min ash-shaytan ir-rajeem, then Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem, followed by Al-Fatihah.

• Question 4: Which surah do you recite in every rak'ah?

  • Response: Surah Al-Fatihah.

• Question 5: Which additional surah have you been practicing in the first two rak'ahs?

  • Response: Surah Al-Ikhlas.

• Question 6: What is the common Sunni practice for recitation in rak'ahs $3$ and $4$ of Dhuhr?

  • Response: Surah Al-Fatihah alone.

• Question 7: What do you say in ruku, while bowing?

  • Response: Subhana Rabbiyal-'Adheem (commonly said $3$ times).

• Question 8: What do you say when rising from ruku?

  • Response: Sami'Allahu liman hamidah, then Rabbana wa lakal-hamd.

• Question 9: What do you say in sujood?

  • Response: Subhana Rabbiyal-A'la (commonly said $3$ times).

• Question 10: What do you say while sitting between the two prostrations?

  • Response: Rabbighfir li.

• Question 11: When do you sit for the first Tashahhud?

  • Response: After the second rak'ah.

• Question 12: What do you recite in the final sitting?

  • Response: Tashahhud, Salat Ibrahimiyya, and a supplication.

• Question 13: How do you end the prayer?

  • Response: Say Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah while turning to the right, then to the left.