In Islam, every Muslim is obliged to pray five times a day, one of the five obligatory prayers is the evening prayer. On this occasion, we will discuss more deeply about the evening prayer, starting from the intention of the evening prayer to its virtues. So, read this article to the end, Sinaumed’s.
Meaning of Isha Prayer
Islam is the religion of rahmatan lil alamin. The meaning of ” Islam Rahmatan lil ‘Alamin ” is Islam whose presence in the midst of people’s lives is able to create peace and compassion for humans and the universe.
Islam has a sharia foundation that must be followed by every member of the community. One of the foundations is prayer. Therefore, prayer is often referred to as a pillar of the Islamic religion that Muslims cannot leave behind, especially fardhu prayer. Prayer is our obligation as a good Muslim. There are two types of prayer based on the law, namely obligatory prayer and sunnah prayer.
There are two types of prayer based on how to pray, namely prayer alone and prayer in congregation. For anyone who prays in congregation, it will get extraordinary advantages compared to praying alone. In addition, if we pray in congregation, then we will be much more solemn than praying alone.
Therefore, for those of you who are used to praying alone at home, there is nothing wrong with occasionally praying in congregation with other family members or coming to the mosque or prayer room.
There are five obligatory prayers, namely dawn, midday, asr, maghrib and evening prayers. The Isya prayer is the last prayer in a day because it is at night and is usually done before someone goes to bed.
The Isha prayer is held from the time the sun disappears until the sun rises. The Isya prayer has many virtues especially when it is done in congregation. The Isya prayer consists of four cycles and one greeting.
The Most Important Time to Establish Isha Prayer
The scholars agree that the main time for carrying out the procedure for the Isha prayer is when it enters the third of the night. This is based on the following hadith:
“From Abu Hurairah RA that Rasulullah SAW said, ‘If I don’t burden my people, I order them to end/postpone the Isha prayer until 1/3 of the night or half of it .” (Narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi)
Apart from that, there are also hadiths from other narrations which explain the most important time to establish the Isha prayer.
From AIsyah RA, “Rasulullah SAW ended the Isya prayer one night until it was late and the people of Medina fell asleep. Then he came out and he said, ‘This is the time (Isha), if it does not burden my people.” (Narrated by Muslim and Nasai)
The scholars then concluded that indeed the Isha prayer does not have to be done at the beginning of time. However, this prayer must still be held at the mosque in congregation, not praying individually at home.
The Virtue of the Isha Prayer
Among the virtues of the Isha prayer in congregation, besides getting the priority and reward of twenty-seven degrees, it will also distinguish whether a person is a hypocrite or not.
From Abu Hurairah, he said that Rasulullah SAW said:
إِنَّ أَثْقَلَ صَلَاةٍ عَلَى الْمُنَافِ Wh there is
Meaning: “Indeed, the most difficult prayers carried out by hypocrites are the Isya prayer and the Fajr prayer. If they knew the virtues of both of them, they would come to him even if they had to crawl.” (HR Bukhari and Muslim).
Every time you perform a prayer, including the Isya prayer, make sure that during prayer your eyes look at the place of prostration, and pray in an orderly manner according to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
According to the jumhur scholars of Imam Ahmad, Imam Malik, and Imam Abu Hanifah, there is no specific word for the intention of praying. In addition, there is no hadith saying that if you are going to pray, you must read the intention.
This obligatory worship also has a number of virtues that are important for Muslims to know. The virtues of the evening prayer are as follows:
1. Getting Good News
Every Muslim who performs the evening prayer will get good news from Allah SWT. In addition, that person will also be surrounded by light within himself, both in this world and in the hereafter. Of course, this priority can be obtained for those who are solemn and persistent in performing the obligatory worship.
This is as stated in one hadith:
Meaning: “Give good news to those who walk to pray in the dark of the night, that he will be given perfect light in this world and in the hereafter.” (Hadith History of Abu Daud No. 561 and Tirmidhi No. 223).
2. Removing Sin
The virtue of the next Isha prayer is that it can erase sins. Every Muslim who performs this worship, his sins will be forgiven and erased by Allah SWT.
This is as stated in one hadith:
Meaning: “Not a Muslim when it is time for the obligatory prayers, he makes his ablution better, then is humble in his prayer, and perfects his bowing. Rather, it will erase all his sins, as long as he does not commit major sins.” (HR. Muslim no. 228).
The intention of the Isya prayer
Among followers of the Shafi’i school of thought, reciting the intention to pray is sunnah. Because it is very helpful for someone’s solemnity in prayer. The intention at each obligatory prayer time is different.
One of them, the reading of the intention of the Isha prayer for the priest and the congregation as compiled by Muhammad Masrur in the book Understanding the Meaning of Prayer Readings , is quoted as follows:
The intention read by the Imam
أُصَلِّي فَرْضَ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ أَدَاءً إِمَامًا لِلهِ تَعَالَى
Ushalli fardhal-isya’I arba’a raka’atin mustaqbilal-qiblati adaa’an priesthood lillahi ta’ala
Meaning: “I intend to pray fardhu Isya four rak’ahs facing the Qiblah because of Allah Ta’ala.”
Makmum’s intention to read
أُصَلِّي فَرْضَ الْعِشَاءِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ أَدَاءً مَأْمُوْمًا لِلهِ تَعَالَِ
Ushalli fardhal-isya’I arba’a raka’atin mustaqbilal-qiblati adaa-an makmuman lillahi ta’ala
Meaning: “I intend to pray fardhu Isha four cycles facing the Qibla as a makmum because of Allah Ta’ala.”
The intention to read when praying alone
أُصَلِّى فَرْضَ العِشَاء ِأَرْبَعَ رَكَعاَتٍ مُسْتَقْبِلَ الْقِبْلَةِ أَدَاءً لله تَعَالَى
Ushalli fardhal Isha’i arba’a raka’aatin mustaqbilal qiblati adaa’an lilaahi ta’aalaa
Meaning: “I (intend) to perform the obligatory Isya’ prayer of four cycles facing the Qiblah, because of Allah Ta’ala.”
Procedure for the Isya Prayer
1. Takbiratul Ihram
When doing this, all the fingers are brought together facing forward and raising both hands, the tips of the fingers are parallel to the shoulders or ears but not too close while saying ‘Allahu Akbar’.
In addition, the eyes look at the place of prostration. Then, bring both hands together with the position of the right hand over the left hand and hold the left wrist bone with the right hand.
2. Read the Iftitah Prayer
After takbiratul ihram, the procedure for the next Isya prayer is to recite the iftitah prayer. Reading this prayer is actually a sunnah law, so if you don’t read it doesn’t matter either.
Reading the iftitah prayer is done after takbiratul ihram. Then the hands are clasped in front of the chest and then recite the iftitah prayer. Many hadiths regarding Iftitah prayer. Iftitah prayer readings that are often used by Indonesian people are:
Allaahu Akbaru kabiiraw-walhamdu lillaahi katsiiran, wa subhaanallaahi bukratan-wa ashiilaa. wajjahtu wajhiya lilladzii fatharas-samaawaati wal ardha hanifam-muslimaw-wama ana minal musyrikiina. Inna shalaatii wa nusukii wa mahyaaya wa mamaatii lillaahi Rabbil ‘aalamiina. Laa syariikalahu wa bidzaalika umirtu wa anaa minal muslimiin.
Meaning: “Allah is the Greatest with the greatest. All praise is due to Allah. Glory be to Allah in the morning and evening. I turn my face to God who has created the heavens and the earth with all obedience and submission and I am not one of those who associate partners with Him. Verily, my prayer, my worship, my life and my death belong only to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, with whom He has no partner. With all that I was ordered and I am among those who surrender (Muslims).”
3. Read Surah Al Fatihah
Without reading Al-Fatihah, prayer is invalid. Surah Al-Fatihah is one of the pillars of prayer which if it is not read then the prayer is invalid because it leaves the pillars of prayer.
4. Reading Surahs or Verses from the Al-Quran
People who pray can read a whole letter or a fragment of a verse from the Koran after reading the letter of Al Fatihah.
5. Ruku
The way to do bowing is to raise your hands to ear level and recite ‘Allahu Akbar’, then bend your body, both hands clasping your knees, eyes looking at the place of prostration, back and head flat. After that read the prayer ‘Subhaana rabbiyal azhiimi wa bi hamdih’ ( Glory be to my Lord, the Most High and with all praise be to Him) three times) .
6. I’tidal
This is the standing position from bowing to standing straight, by raising both hands to the level of the ears and saying: ‘Sami’allahu liman hamidah’ ( Allah hears those who praise Him ).
During i’tidal, the eyes look at the place of prostration and recite the i’tidal prayer: ‘Rabbana lakal hamdu’ ( O Allah, our Lord, to You be all praise ).
7. Bow down
Then proceed with making prostrations and reading ‘Allahu Akbar’ with both knees first, then the forehead and nose, palms, knees and feet against the floor and read:
Subhaana rabbiyal a’la wabihamdihi
Meaning: “Glory be to my Lord, the Most High, and with all praise be to Him three times.”
8. Iftirasy (Sitting Between Two Prostrations)
After prostration, it is followed by getting up while saying ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is Greatest). Then sit between two prostrations or sit iftirasy. The sitting position is by sitting on the left foot, with the sole of the right foot standing and the finger on the base while facing the Qiblah, then recite:
Rabbighfirlii warhamnii wajburnii warfa’nii warzuqnii wahdinii wa ‘aafinii wa’fu ‘annii
Meaning: “O Allah, forgive me, have mercy on me, suffice me, raise my rank, give me sustenance, guide me, give me health and forgive me”.
9. Bow down
From a sitting position, then return to do the second prostration and say ‘Allahu Akbar’ , and read ‘Rabbiyal a’la wabihamdihi’ ( Glory be to my Lord, Most High, and with all praise be to Him ) three times. For the 2nd cycle, do it like the movements and readings in the first cycle, but do it without the Iftitah prayer.
10. Early Tahiyat
After the second prostration, then do the initial tahiyat prayer by sitting in the Iftirasy position. You do this with the left hand placed on the left thigh with the position of the fingers extended.
Many Muslims in Indonesia straighten their index finger when they start reading the sentence asyhadu an laa ilaaha illallah. There is also another opinion that moves the index finger starting from the beginning of tasyahud (Tahiyat), by reading:
At-tahiyaatul mubarak atush-shalawaatu wath-thayyibaatu lillaah i. Assalaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa Rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. Assalaamu ‘alainaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahish-shaalihiina. Asyhadu an laa ilaaha illallaahu wa asyhadu anna Muhammadar Rasuulullaahi. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin.
Meaning: ” All honor, blessings, mercy and safety (shalawat), as well as goodness belongs only to Allah. Salvation, mercy and blessings from Allah may continue to be upon you, O Prophet (Muhammad). Safety, mercy, and blessings from Allah may also be poured out on us, and also on all the pious servants of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. O Allah, bestow mercy and safety (Shalawat) on the Prophet Muhammad.”
Then stand up straight and read ‘Allahu Akbar’ , followed by crossing your arms.
For the third rak’ah, do the movement and reading in the first cycle, but without the Iftitah prayer and go straight to the bowing movement after reading Al Fatihah.
For the fourth cycle, it is carried out like the movement and reading in the first cycle but without the Iftitah prayer and goes straight to the bowing movement after reading Al Fatihah.
11. Final Tasyahud
After the last or second prostration position, then recite the final tahiyat prayer by sitting in the final tasyahhud (tahiyat). How to sit on the left groin with the position of the left foot coming out from the bottom, while the sole of the right foot is in an upright position.
Then, the left hand is placed on the left thigh with the fingers spread out, and many Muslims in Indonesia straighten their index finger when they start reading the sentence asyhadu an laa ilaaha illallah, there is another opinion that explains moving the index finger starting from the beginning of tasyahud (Tahiyat). Then read:
Attahiyyaatul mubaarakaatush shalawatuth thayyibaatu lillaah. Assalaamu ‘alaika ayyuhan-nabiyyu wa Rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuhu. Assalaamu ‘alainaa wa ‘alaa ‘ibaadillaahish-shaalihiina. Asyhadu an laa ilaaha illallaahu wa asyhadu anna Muhammadar Rasuulullaahi. Allaahumma salli ‘alaa Muhammadin. Wa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin kamaa shallaita ‘alaa Ibraahiim, wa ‘alaa aali Ibraahiim, wa barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘alaa aali Muhammadin, kamaa baarakta ‘alaa Ibraahiim wa ‘alaa aali Ibraahiim, fil ‘aalamiina innaka hamiidun majiidun.
Meaning: “All honor, blessings, mercy and safety (shalawat), as well as goodness belongs only to Allah. Salvation, mercy and blessings from Allah may continue to be upon you, O Prophet (Muhammad). Safety, mercy and blessings from Allah may also be showered on us, and also on all the pious servants of Allah. I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. O Allah, bestow mercy and safety (Shalawat) on the Prophet Muhammad.
And also bestow mercy and safety (shalawat) on the family of Muhammad, as You have bestowed mercy and safety (shalawat) on Abraham and on the family of Abraham. Bestow blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You have bestowed blessings on Abraham and on the family of Abraham. In the entire universe, You are indeed the Most Praised, the Most Great (Glorious).”
12. Greetings
After reading the tahiyat, proceed with saying the greeting (assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullaah), followed by turning your face to the right when saying the first greeting and looking to the left when saying the second greeting.
Thus the discussion about the intention of the evening prayer to the procedure. Hopefully all the discussion above is useful for Sinaumed’s. If you want to get more knowledge about prayer by reading books available at sinaumedia.com .
As #FriendsWithoutLimits we always try to give the best. Reading lots of books and articles will never hurt you, because Sinaumed’s will get #MoreWithReading information and knowledge.
Author: Yufi Cantika Sukma Divine