Physical / Spiritual

Benefits of Prayers
 (Salaat) Prayer is at once an external and an internal practice :
a set of physical exercises, and the richest spiritual nourishment.
The prayer is done by assuming eight separate positions
of the body and reciting various Qur’anic verses with each posture.

The postures are illustrated in turn, and a brief description

is given of the benefits ascribed to each.
Posture 1 – After Niyaat (intention) : Bring hands, palm
open, up to ears, and place thumbs behind earlobes, as “Allah
Akbar” (Allah is the Greatest) is uttered.

Beneficial Effects : Body feels relieved of weight owing to

even distribution on both feet. Straightening back improves
posture. Mind is brought under control of intellect. Vision is
sharpened by focusing upon the floor, where head will
prostrate. Muscles of upper and lower back are loosened.
Higher and lower centers of brain are united to form
singleness of purpose.
Posture 2 : Qiyam (standing) : Place hands, right over left.
Then Recite first chapter of the Qur’an and a short chapter of
at least three verses should be recited from the Holy Qur’an.

Beneficial Effects : Extends concentration, causes further

relaxation of legs and back, generates feelings of humility,
modesty and piety. In the recital of the verses from the
Qur’an, virtually the sounds that occur in Arabic are uttered,
stimulating dispersal of all of the ninety-nine Divine
attributes in perfectly controlled degrees through the body,
mind and soul. The sound vibrations of the long vowels ‘a, I
and u’ stimulate the heart, thyroid, pineal gland, pituitary,
adrenal glands and lungs, purifying and uplifting them all.
Posture 3 : Ruku (Bowing) : Bend at waist,
placing palms on knees with fingers spread. Back
is parallel to ground, such that if a glass were on
the back, it would not spill. Eyes are looking down,
directly ahead. Do not bend the knees.

While bending at the waist, recite Allah Akbar,

then, Subhana Rabbi Al Azim.

Beneficial Effects : Fully stretches the muscles

of the lower back, thighs and calves. Blood is
pumped into upper torso. Tones muscles of
stomach, abdomen and kidneys. Over time, this
posture improves the personality, generating
sweet kindness and inner harmony.
Posture 4 : Qauma (Straight standing) : While rising
from the bending position of ruku, recite Sami Allahu
Li-man Hamidah, Rabbana wa lakal Hamd. Then
return to standing position, arms at side.

Beneficial Effects : The fresh blood moved up into

torso in previous posture returns to its original state,
carrying away toxins. Body regains relaxation and
releases tension.
Posture 5 : Sajdah (Prostration) : Place both hands on knees and lower yourself slowly
and easily into a kneeling position. Then touch the head and hands to the ground. The
following seven body parts should be in contact with the ground : forehead, two palms,
two knees and toes of both feet. Recite Allah Akbar while going down and then,
Subhana Rabiil al-Ala.

Beneficial Effects : Knees forming a right angle allow stomach muscles to develop
and prevents growth of flabbiness in midsection. Increases flow of blood into upper
regions of body, especially the head
(including eyes, ears and nose) and
lungs ; allows mental toxins to be
cleansed by blood. Maintains proper
position of fetus in pregnant women.
Reduces high blood pressure. Increases
elasticity of joints. Annihilates egotism and
vanity. Increases patience and reliance
upon Allah Almighty. Increases spiritual
stations and produces high psychic energy throughout body. This posture of supreme
submission and humility is the essence of worship.
Posture 6 : Sitting : Reciting Allah Akbar, rise from posture 5 and assume the sitting
Posture.

Beneficial Effects : For men, the heel of the

right foot is curled up and the weight of the
leg and part of the body rests upon it. This
aids detoxification of the liver and stimulates
peristaltic actions of the large intestine.
Women keep both soles up, underneath their
bodies. The body returns to even greater
relaxation, and the posture assists digestion
by forcing the contents of the stomach down
ward.
Posture 7 : Sajdah (prostration) : Repetition of posture 5 exactly.

Beneficial Effects : Repetition of the deep

prostration within a few seconds cleanses
the respiratory circulatory, and nervous
system. Gives experience of lightness of
body and emotional happiness.
Oxygenation of entire body is
accomplished. Balances sympathetic and
parasympathetic nervous systems.
Posture 8 : Standing / Sitting : From
posture 5, with head in prostration, lift the
head away from the floor and bring the
torso backward. Placing the hands on
knees, reverse the procedure for going
down, and while again reciting Allah
Akbar, return to the standing position
(posture 2).

In case this is the even number of rakat,

return to the sitting position and recite
relevant verses and complete the prayer.