Question: What are the conditions before offering Salah?

Answer: There are many conditions before offering Salah, particularly, there are six/seven conditions, among them are few below:

(1) There is no Salah without being in the state of Wudhu. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who believe, when you rise for Salāh, (prayer) wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and make Masah (wiping over by hands) of your heads and (wash) your feet up to the ankles”. Surah Al-Maeda, Verse:6

Also in the Hadith the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: The prayer of none amongst you would be accepted in a state of impurity till he performs ablution (wodhu). References: [1] Bukhari:6954 [2] Muslim:225 [3] At-tirmidhi:76 [4] Sunan Abi Dawud:60

(2) Body, clothes and location of prayer must be Taahir (free from impurities). And purify your clothes.

References: [1] Surah Al-Muddathir V:4 [2] Surah Al-A’raf Verse:31

(3) Awrah (satr) of a man must be covered and the Awrah of a man is from the belly-button to the knees. It is Sunnah for men to cover their head while praying Salah. And as for woman, whole body must be covered except both hands up to the wrist and face. References: [1] Bukhari (Muallaq) [2] Sunan Dar Quni:1/231 [3] Sunan Al-kubra Bayhaqi: 3054 [4] kanz al-ummal:19102 [5] Abu Dawud (mursal):4104

(4) To perform Salah at correct time. One cannot offer Salah before its due time otherwise it will be invalid. Allah s.w.t says: “Surely prayer s a timed ordinance for the believers.” References: [1] Surah an-Nisa: verse:103 [2] Sahih Muslim, hadith no-1218

(5) A person must face the Qiblah (direction of Kaba’h) during Salah. References: [1] Surah Al-Baqarah:V-144 [2] Bukhari:639/640 [3] Muslim:1330

(6) Intention. Correct intention for which Salah, how many Rak’ah etc will be performed must be made.

References: [1] Surah Al-Bayyinah: V:5 [2] Bukhari:1 [3] Muslim:1907 also other sunans

[Note] that when praying in congregation it is necessary to make the intention of following the Imam also.

References: [1] Bukhari:689 [2] Muslim: 411