The word in Islam for intentions is Niyyah. The Niyyah belongs in one’s heart and it is the intention to do an action for the sake of Allah.
Your intention for Salat – Prayer
When you are ready to pray:
In your mind and heart, tell yourself why you are coming to the Pray. Are you praying Fair, Dhur, Asr, Maghrib, or Ishaa? Are you making a Sunnah Salat?
Prepare your prayer space. Make sure it is a clean and comfortable space facing the Qiblah – the Kaba in Mekkah
Make Wudu – the purification before Salat
Make sure you are dressed appropriately. For women that means you are covered from head to toe. Only your hands and feet may show.
There are several discussions on the proper dress for the Muslim woman and I have based this on what you see in most Prayer Outfits you find on the internet. For more informations, I suggest reading this article from WikiHow: 3 Ways to Dress Modestly as a Muslim Woman.
More notes on Intentions
The Muslim may have multiple intentions for every action to gain maximum benefits.
The Sahabah and Scholars would carry multiple intentions for every action so they could maximize reward with Allah.
“The intention reaches further than the action” Ibn Kathir.
In the Book of Intentions by Habib Muhammad bin ‘Alai Al Aydarus, the author wrote lists of intentions for different actions.
An Example: Praying a Sunnah Salat
Intentions: To follow the Sunnah of the Prophet, swa. To worship and please Allah. So Allah will come to your assistance and fulfill your needs. To ask for forgiveness and make du’a. To find tranquility and center yourself.
So make as many intentions as you can and pair them with your goals and actions.
Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad, swa, said that, “Each man will have what he intended for.”
For the believer, any good that is done for the sake of Allah, regardless of its quantity, will be rewarded. Keep your intentions put and sincere.
A Pillar of Salat is an act if intentionally dropped, the Salat becomes invalid, and if forgotten, the Salat must be redone. This is called Rukn.
An Obligation of Salat is an act if intentionally dropped, the Salat becomes invalid, but if forgotten, it can be made up by a special sujuud know as the Sujuud of Forgetfulness. This is Waajib.
A Voluntary act which if dropped intentionally, the Salat is still valid, but if forgotten, there is no need to make up the Salat. This is Sunnah.
Rukn – Pillars of Salat
Praying while standing facing the Qiblah (although excepting for sitting and laying down are made for the ill).
Initial Takbeer
Reciting Fatihah
Making Rukuu – bowing
Rising from Rukuu
Performing Sujuud – prostration
Sitting after 1st Sujuud
Performing 2nd Sujuud
Sitting for the 2nd Tashahuud
Reciting the 2nd Tashahuud
Reciting Salams upon the Prophet, swa
Performing first Tasliimah – wishing Salams
Performing the steps in order
Paying attention to every steps
From this list, you can see most of the Rukn are in regards to the physical motions made during Salat. Except the reciting Fatihah and the 2nd Tashahuud with Salams upon the Prophet. Also Salat does not begin without the initial Takbeer nor ends without the Tasliimah.
Wajib – Obligations in Salat
Announcing Takbeer for Rukuu
Saying “Subhana rabbiya al’Adheem” once
Saying “Sami a’llahu liman hamidah” + “rabbana walaka al’hamd”
Announcing Takbeer for Sujuud
Saying “Subhana rabiya al’Alaa”
Announcing Takbeer to rise from Sujuud
Takbeer for the 2nd Sujuud
Saying “Subhana rabiya al’Alaa”
Performing Takbeer for transition to the 2nd Rak’ah
Sitting for the 1st Tashahuud
Reciting the Tashahuud
Remember, if any of these acts are missed, the Sujuud of Forgetfulness must be performed for the Salat to be valid.
Sunnah
The Sunnah are too many to be listed here. But the general rule of Sunnah is that: whatever is not a Pillar or an Obligation is considered a Sunnah.
How to add Daily Du’a and Dhikr into your daily routine. This is a way to remember Allah, subhana watala throughout the entire day and how to take advantage time you think is being wasted.
Tools Needed:
Fortress of the Muslim – This is a book you should own.
Fortress of a Muslim complied by Sa’id bin Wahf Al-Qahtani
Darussalam Edition
Praise be to Allah who fives us life after He has caused us to die and unto Him is the return.
There is none worthy of worship but Allah alone, Who has no partner. His is the dominion and to Him belongs all praise, and He is Able to do all things. Glory be unto Allah. Praise be to Allah. There is none worthy of worship but Allah. Allah is the Greatest. There is no might and no power except by Allah’s leave, the Exalted, the Mighty. My Lord, forgive me.
Praise be to Allah Who gave strength to my body and returned my soul to me and permitted me to remember Him.
1. Be awake and aware. Have a snack and/or a drink before hand.
2. Have the needed supplies. Make sure you have plenty of paper, extra pens, and a recording devise if needed.
3. Be in the right state of mind. Do not try and take notes while managing other responsibilities.
When taking notes
1. Listen for important clues
Does the speaker use the word topic?
Does the speaker give a number of things he/she would like you to take from the lecture?
Does the speaker ask questions about what he/she is talking about…even if they are rhetorical?
Does the speaker repeat something?
If the answer is Yes to any of these, then you should definitely write it down!
2. Look for import clues
If the speaker has slides, what is on the slides is important.
If the speaker writes it down, it is important.
If the speaker becomes more excited/animated, write it down.
Note Taking Types
Here are four note taking types that I find the most effective.
There are other methods, and I do suggest you do your research and find the method that works best for you.
Don’t be afraid to doodle on your notes, and if a speaker provides printable slides, try and print those out as well. They are excellent for writing notes on.
Sisters Share 