A Textbook on the Prayer Description of the Prophet's Prayer By Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Pray as you have seen me pray." That statement is the foundation and the challenge: to pray as he prayed requires knowing exactly how he prayed — what he did, what he said, in what order, and with what evidence. Imam al-Albani dedicated years to compiling exactly this from the authenticated books of Sunnah, and the result is one of the most important books on salah in the English language.

A Textbook on the Prayer: Description of the Prophet's Prayer by Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani presents a complete, evidenced account of the Prophet's prayer from beginning to end — covering every position, every recitation, and every movement with the specific hadith that establishes it. Where the scholars of hadith have differed, al-Albani notes the strongest position and explains why.

What This Book Covers

From the Opening Takbeer to the Tasleem

Every element of the prayer is covered in sequence: the intention, the opening takbeer and its manner, the opening supplication (istiftah), the recitation of al-Fatihah and its obligation, what follows it in each rak'ah, the descriptions of ruku' and the tasbihat within it, the rising from ruku' and the supplication at that point, the sujood and its conditions and descriptions, the sitting between prostrations, the tashahhud and its wording, the salah upon the Prophet, the final supplication before tasleem, and the tasleem itself.

Variant Narrations and Sunnah Practices

Al-Albani documents the variant authentic narrations for each element — different opening supplications, different positions for the hands, different wordings of tasbihat — so the reader understands what is established by the Sunnah and what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sometimes did differently for variety.

Common Errors Addressed

The textbook format means al-Albani also addresses errors and misunderstandings directly, comparing what is established by the Sunnah with common practices that lack evidence.

About the Author

Shaykh Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani (1914–1999) was the foremost hadith scholar of the twentieth century, known for his meticulous authentication work and his commitment to returning the ummah's practice to the authenticated Sunnah. Published by Dar as-Sunnah Publishers.

Who This Book Is For

Every Muslim who wants to verify that their prayer matches the Prophet's prayer with evidence in hand. Essential for students of fiqh and hadith, for anyone who has questions about specific elements of salah and wants to know what al-Albani authenticated as established from the Sunnah, and for those teaching Islamic practice and needing a reliable, evidenced reference.