The Prophet's Prayer From The beginning To The End As Though ...

does not look away 86 , and he also said about looking here and there, "it is a snatching away which
the devil steals from the slave during prayer." 87
He (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) also said: Allaah does not cease to turn to a slave in his prayer as
long as he is not looking around; when he turns his face away, Allaah turns away from him 88 ; he
"forbade three things: pecking like a hen, squatting (iq'aa'), like a dog and looking around like a
fox" 89 ; he also used to say, Pray a farewell prayer as if you see Him, but if you do not see Him, surely
He sees you 90 ; and, Any person who, when an obligatory prayer is due, excels in its ablution,
humility and bowings, will have it as a remission for his previous minor sins as long as he does not
commit a major sin, and this (opportunity) is for all times. 91
Once he (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam), prayed in a khameesah 92 and (during the prayer) he looked at
its marks. So when he finished, he said: Take this khameesah of mine to Abu Jahm and bring me his
anbijaaniyyah 93 , for it has diverted my attention from the prayer (in one narration: for I have looked
at its marks during the prayer and it almost put me to trial). 94 Also "'Aaishah had a cloth with
pictures spread towards a sahwah 95 , towards which the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam)
prayed and then said: Take it away from me [for its pictures did not cease to thwart me in my
prayer]. 96
He would also say: Prayer is not valid when the food has been served, nor when it is time to relieve
oneself of the two filths. 97
Opening Supplications (Du'aa's)
Next, he (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would commence his recitation with many kinds of
supplications in which he would praise Allaah the Exalted, and glorify and extol Him. He in fact
ordered "the man who prayed badly" to do so, saying to him: No person's prayer is complete unless
he says takbeer, praises Allaah the Mighty and Sublime and extols Him, recites of the Qur'aan what
is easy for him ... 98
He would say any one of the following supplications: -
1. O Allaah! Separate me (far) from my sins as you have separated (far) the East and West. O
Allaah! Cleanse me of my sins as white cloth is cleansed from dirt. O Allaah! Wash me of my
sins with water, ice and snow.
He used to say this in obligatory prayers. 99
2. I have set my face towards the Originator of the heavens and the earth sincerely [in Islam] and
I am not among the Mushrikeen. Indeed my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are
for Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds: no partner has He. With this I have been commanded, and
I am the first of the Muslims (those who submit to Him). 100 O Allaah! You are the King, none
has the right to br worshipped but You, [You are the Most Perfect & all Praise is for You] You
are my Lord and I am Your slave 101 . I have wronged myself, and have acknowledged my sins,
so forgive all my sins, for no-one forgives sins except You. Guide me to the best of characters,
to which no- one can guide except You, and save me from the worst of characters, from which
no-one can save except You. I am here and happy to serve you 102 . All good is in your Hands,
and evil is not from You. 103 [The guided one is he who is guided by you.] I exist by your will
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