There are specific conditions (Shuroot) for prayer which must be met before we begin our prayer. If any of these is missing, then the prayer is invalid – even if the actions are performed perfectly.
You must clearly make an intention (Niyyat) for which specific prayer you are offering, so that it is clear in your heart and mind which act of worship you are committing to. This is for our own focus and sincerity, not to ‘inform’ or ‘announce’ it to Allah Almighty, Who is All Knowing and already aware of our thoughts, intentions, and actions.
Intention can be made in the made in the heart without saying it aloud, but it can also be said aloud for strength of clarity as you begin your prayer. Intention is very important for all actions, and it is reported in Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1907 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ
‘All actions are (judged) by intentions, and each person will be rewarded according to what they intended.’
A praying person’s clothing must be clean and modest, in order to be acceptable for prayer. It should not be form-fitting or attract attention to them by design.
Men and women must wear clothing that covers their Awrah (Private areas of physical form); for men, this is from the navel to the knees and for women this is from their heads to their feet, with only their hands, face and feet being permissible to show.
Praying in leather socks (Khuffayn) is permissible, and if it is not possible to remove shoes and they are clean, then it is permissible to pray wearing shoes. In most Masjids and indoor prayer areas, shoes are usually removed to keep the area clean.
Facing the Blessed Kaʿbah, which is the first Masjid that Allah Almighty had instructed Prophet Ibraheem (AS) and his son Prophet Ismaeel (AS) to build. This central point that all Muslims face when offering prayer unites Muslims worldwide in obedience to a Divine command. Allah Almighty tells us in the noble Quran at Surah Al Baqarah (2), Verse 144:
فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُ مَا كُنتُمْ فَوَلُّوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُۥ
So, turn your face towards the direction of Masjid Al Haram (Ka’bah in Makkah); and wherever you (O believers) are, so turn your faces in that direction
Salah is submission and worship of Allah Almighty; it is only appropriate to offer this worship and prayer in a clean place. Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has told us which places Allah Almighty has made pure for prayer and advised us to only pray in clean places that are distraction-free. It is reported in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 317 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
جُعِلَتْ لِيَ الأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورً
‘(Allah Almighty) made for me the whole Earth as a Masjid (place of prayer) and sanctified it; except graveyards and bathrooms.’
Bathrooms are ritually unclean places and therefore impermissible as a place of prayer. Graveyards and places where there are idols of false gods are also completely impermissible for this reason. It is not permissible to pray when facing images of living beings.
Ritual prayer has been instructed by Allah Almighty, the Creator, and He has appointed a fixed time period for each prayer. We pray within those times as obedience to Allah Almighty, and in recognition of the fact that this is in our best interest. Only through obedience to Him can we receive the wisdom and blessing that the Creator has instilled in each of those times. Allah Almighty tells us in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nisa (4), Verse 103 that:
إِنَّ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَٰبًا مَّوْقُوتًا
Indeed, for all believers, the (times) of the) ritual prayers have been prescribed (as obligatory) at specified times (of the day and night).
Just as there are appointed, beneficial times of prayer there are also forbidden, negative times when ritual prayers should not be offered. In these times, prayer is strictly forbidden and prayers should not be offered. These are:
Zikr (Remembrance of Allah Almighty) is permitted at all times so that a believer may benefit from protection, devotion and reverence for Allah Almighty.
Allah Almighty has taught us how to pray through His Beloved Last and Final Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, as the perfect example for how we should conduct ourselves in life and prayer. It is reported in Mishkat Al Masabeeh, Hadith 683 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
صَلُّوا كَمَا رَأَيْتُمُونِي أُصَلِّي
‘Pray (your ritual Salah) as you have seen me pray.’
