Kayfiyat Salat al-Nabi

Kayfiyat Salat al-Nabi (The Manner of the Prophet's Prayer) is a concise instructional treatise on the performance of Islamic prayer according to the prophetic Sunnah, written by the Saudi scholar Ibn Baz (d. 1420 AH / 1999 CE) Risalatan fi al-Salah+1.

Purpose and Scope

Ibn Baz composed the treatise as a succinct guide addressed to Muslim men and women, aiming to help worshippers emulate the Prophet Muhammad's manner of prayer in accordance with the prophetic narration: «صلوا كما رأيتموني أصلي» ("Pray as you have seen me pray") al-Majmu al-Mufid al-Mumt…+1. The work focuses on practical guidance supported by scriptural evidence from the Quran and authentic hadith collections, outlining the ritual actions and supplications from preparation to conclusion Risalatan fi al-Salah+1.

Content and Structure

The treatise outlines the sequence of prayer in numbered, systematic steps:

• Purification and Facing the Qiblah: The guide begins with performing complete ablution (isbagh al-wudu) as commanded in يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ (al-Ma'idah: 6) and the hadith «لا تقبل صلاة بغير طهور» ("No prayer is accepted without purification") Risalatan fi al-Salah+1. The worshipper faces the Kaaba (al-qiblah) with the whole body while forming the intention (niyyah) internally in the heart, cautioning against uttering the intention verbally as an unlegislated religious innovation (bid'ah) Risalatan fi al-Salah+1. It also recommends placing a barrier (sutrah) in front of the worshipper when leading prayer or praying individually Risalatan fi al-Salah+1.
• Opening Takbir and Posture: The worshipper utters the opening magnification (takbirat al-ihram), saying الله أكبر (Allahu Akbar) while directing the gaze toward the place of prostration Risalatan fi al-Salah+1. The hands are raised level with the shoulders or the ears, then placed upon the chest with the right hand over the left wrist and forearm, citing narrations from Wa'il ibn Hujr and Qabisah ibn Hulb al-Ta'i Maraqi al-Izza wa Muqawwi…+1.
• Recitations and Movements: The text details reciting an opening supplication (du'a al-istiftah), such as اللهم باعد بيني وبين خطاياي كما باعدت بين المشرق والمغرب... or سبحانك اللهم وبحمدك وتبارك اسمك وتعالى جدك ولا إله غيرك , followed by seeking refuge from Satan, reciting Surah al-Fatihah, and additional Quranic passages Majmu Fatawa wa Maqalat M…+1. It subsequently guides the reader through bowing (ruku'), rising, prostrating (sujud), sitting between prostrations, reciting the tashahhud and invoking blessings upon the Prophet, and concluding with the greeting of peace (taslim) Fatawa al-Shabaka al-Isla…+1.

Publication and Reception

The treatise has been widely printed and distributed as an independent tract as well as in composite editions, such as Risalatan fi al-Salat and Thalath Rasa'il fi al-Salat, where it appears alongside Ibn Baz's treatise on the obligation of congregational prayer (Wujub Ada' al-Salat fi al-Jama'ah) Risalatan fi al-Salah+1. It is also included in his major collected works, such as Majmu' Fatawa wa-Maqalat Mutanawwi'ah and al-Majmu' al-Mufid al-Mumtaz al-Majmu al-Mufid al-Mumt…+1. Notable printings include an edition published in Riyadh by the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta (1411 AH) through Dar al-Huda Maraqi al-Izza wa Muqawwi…. Due to its clarity and brevity, scholars have noted it among the most accessible summaries on the topic, and it has been translated into multiple languages, including French Maraqi al-Izza wa Muqawwi…+1.