During Salah (prayer), many Muslims may unknowingly make mistakes. Salah is a crucial pillar of Islam and should be performed with great care and precision.
Allah Almighty has made Salah mandatory for all Muslims, who are required to pray five times a day and strive to do so perfectly, as it will be evaluated on the day of Resurrection.
Salah is a ritual prayer that has specific recommended conditions that must be met. However, we sometimes perform Salah out of habit or routine and must remember its fundamental essence, resulting in mistakes during prayer.
While offering Salah, many of us (Muslims) do not realize the mistakes we make in offering Salah. These are some of the 8 most common mistakes in prayer that we need to stop doing immediately:
- Delaying the Salah (Prayer) Intentionally:
One of the most prevalent mistakes made is being caught up in our daily tasks and then delaying our prayer from its preferred time. The Quran emphasizes the importance of protecting our Salah.
Muslims are not allowed to purposefully postpone a prayer until its designated time has passed. Anyone who does so without a valid reason is seen as forsaking the prayer, which is as sinful as breaking sacred rules and exceeding boundaries.
This remains true even if the prayer is performed after its designated time has elapsed.
{حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلَاةِ الْوُسْطَىٰ وَقُومُوا لِلَّهِ قَانِتِينَ}
(Interpretation of the meaning): [Guard strictly (five obligatory) As-Salawat (the prayers), especially the middle Salat (i.e., the best prayer – ‘Asr). And stand before Allah with obedience [and do not speak to others during the Salat (prayers)]
[Quran; 2:238]
- Performing the Salah (Prayer) Hastily:
Performing Rukoo'(bowing) or Sujood (prostration) is an essential aspect of Salat. It is crucial to perform these positions accurately by bowing and prostrating slowly.
Rushing through these movements or failing to meet their requirements may result in an invalid rakaa (portion of prayer) or prayer.
Abdullah ibn Mughafal reported the Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“Verily, the worst thieves among people are those who steal from their prayers.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, how do they steal from their prayers?” The Prophet said, “They do not complete its bowing or prostration. The most miserly of people are those who are miserly with the greeting of peace.”
[Ibn Hibbaan]
- Moving Around Too Much:
It is widely agreed among scholars that engaging in excessive and continuous movement can nullify one’s prayer.
Whether such movements are disliked or prohibited, they undoubtedly serve as distractions during prayer and can diminish one’s Khushoo’ (Concentration).
When performing the prayer, it is important to remember that you are standing before Allah. This understanding will place you in a humble, respectful, and devoted state of mind, magnifying His presence through your stillness and dignity.
Your heart should be fully engaged as you perform the prayer with attention to its boundaries and requirements.
- Gazing During the Prayer:
It is important to keep one’s eyes fixed on the place of sujood (prostration) during prayer and avoid looking around. This helps to maintain concentration and avoid distractions.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, cautioned against looking up during prayer and advised against this practice.
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:
“How is it that some people raise their eyes towards the sky during Salah (the prayer)?” He stressed (this point) and added, “People must refrain from raising their eyes towards heaven in Salah (prayer), or else their sights will certainly be snatched away.”
[Sahih Bukhari]
- Reciting the Holy Quran Fast in the Prayers:
The Sunnah is for the one who is reciting to recite at a measured pace (tarteel) and not to rush so that he may ponder and think about what he is reciting, whether it is al-Faatihah or something else.
The Sunnah is to ponder, think, and recite at a measured pace, not to rush. Allah Almighty says:
{أَوْ زِدْ عَلَيْهِ وَرَتِّلِ الْقُرْآنَ تَرْتِيلاً }
(Interpretation of the meaning): “And recite the Qur’an (aloud) in a slow, (pleasant tone and) style”
[Quran; 73:4]
- Preceding the Imam:
During a congregational prayer, the Imam is the leader and should be followed by everyone behind him.
It is important to avoid contesting with the Imam during prayer and wait for him to do the Rukoo’ or Sujood, and then you do it after him.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“The imam is appointed to be followed: so when he says the Takbeer, say the Takbeer; when he bows down for Rukoo‘ (the bowing), bow down for Rukoo‘; when he stands up from the Rukoo, ‘stand up from it; when he says: Sami‘Allahu liman hamidah (Allah listens to who praises Him), say: Rabanna lak-al-hamd (Our Lord, to you is Praise); and when he performs the Sujood (prostration), perform Sujood.”
[Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
- Performing Sujood Improperly:
One common mistake during prayers is resting only the tip of the head on the floor during Sujood.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, advised that seven bones must touch the ground during the Sujood: The face (forehead and nose), two hands, two knees, and two feet.
Therefore, lifting the feet into the air during prostration will invalidate the prayer.
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
“I was commanded to prostrate myself on the seven (bones) and forbidden to fold back hair and clothing. (The seven bones are): forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.”
[Muslim]
- Crossing in Front of a Person Offering Salah:
If you pass in front of someone praying, in the area between the spot where he puts his forehead when he prostrates and where he stands, this is haram (forbidden).
Abu Juhaim, may Allah be pleased with him said: the Prophet, peace be upon him said:
“If the person passing in front of someone praying knew the extent of the guilt he is incurring, he would prefer to stand for forty rather than pass in front of him.”
Abu An-Nadr said: “I am not sure if he said forty days, months, or years.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
