The Obligatory Elements (Fard) of Prayer According to the Shafi'i School

Question: What are the obligatory (fard) elements of prayer according to the Shafi'i school of thought?

Answer

In the Shafi'i school, the obligatory elements (فروض) of prayer are thirteen (13) in total. These are divided into two categories:

1. Inside the prayer (inside the state of prayer) – 11 elements
2. Outside the prayer – 2 elements

The 13 Obligatory Elements (Fara'id) of Prayer

A. Elements Outside the Prayer (2)

1. Intention (النية) – The intention to perform the specific prayer, made in the heart at the time of the opening takbir (saying "Allahu Akbar"). The intention must specify which prayer is being performed (e.g., Fajr, Dhuhr) and whether it is obligatory or voluntary.

2. The Opening Takbir (تكبيرة الإحرام) – Saying "Allahu Akbar" while standing (if one is able) to enter the state of prayer.

B. Elements Inside the Prayer (11)

3. Standing (القيام) – Standing upright during the obligatory prayers for one who is able to do so.

4. Recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah (قراءة الفاتحة) – Reciting Surah Al-Fatihah in every unit (rak'ah) of every prayer, whether obligatory or voluntary.

5. Bowing (الركوع) – Bending forward with the hands placed on the knees, with the back and head level.

6. Rising from Bowing (الاعتدال من الركوع) – Returning to the standing position after bowing, and pausing briefly in that position.

7. Prostration (السجود) – Prostrating such that seven parts of the body touch the ground: the forehead (including the nose), both palms, both knees, and the toes of both feet.

8. Rising from Prostration (الرفع من السجود) – Sitting up between the two prostrations and pausing briefly.

9. Sitting Between the Two Prostrations (الجلسة بين السجدتين) – Sitting upright between the two prostrations.

10. Tranquility/Stillness (الطمأنينة) – Remaining still and calm in each of the physical postures of prayer (standing, bowing, prostration, sitting). This is a separate obligation in every posture.

11. The Final Sitting (التشهد الأخير) – Sitting for the duration of the final tashahhud (testification of faith).

12. Reciting the Final Tashahhud (قراءة التشهد الأخير) – Reciting the words of the tashahhud in the final sitting: "At-Tahiyyatu lillahi was-salawatu wat-tayyibat..."

13. The Two Salams (التسليمتان) – Saying "As-salamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullah" twice, once to the right and once to the left, to exit the prayer.

Important Notes from Shafi'i Scholars

1. The Position of the Opening Takbir

Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) states in Al-Majmu' that the opening takbir is a condition for entering the prayer and is considered one of the pillars (arkan) of prayer. It must be said while standing for those who are able.

2. The Recitation of Al-Fatihah

According to the Shafi'i school, reciting Surah Al-Fatihah is obligatory in every rak'ah of every prayer. This is based on the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:

"There is no prayer for the one who does not recite the Opening of the Book (Al-Fatihah)." — Sahih al-Bukhari (756) and Sahih Muslim (394)

Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) held that this applies to every rak'ah, whether one is an imam, a follower, or praying alone.

3. The Final Tashahhud

The final tashahhud is obligatory, but the salawat (sending blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ) after it is not obligatory in the Shafi'i school—it is a sunnah. However, it is highly recommended and should not be abandoned.

4. The Two Salams

The Shafi'i school requires two salams to exit the prayer. The first salam is obligatory, and the second is also obligatory according to the stronger opinion (al-ashah), as stated by Imam al-Nawawi in Al-Majmu'.

5. Tranquility (Tuma'ninah)

Imam al-Nawawi emphasizes in Al-Majmu' that tuma'ninah (stillness) is a separate pillar in every physical posture. This means one must pause long enough to say "Subhanallah" at minimum in each position.

What is NOT Fard (but is Sunnah)?

The following are sunnah (recommended) and not obligatory in the Shafi'i school:

• The adhan and iqamah (call to prayer)
• Raising the hands at the opening takbir
• Placing the right hand over the left on the chest
• The opening supplication (du'a al-istiftah)
• Seeking refuge in Allah (ta'awwudh) before recitation
• Saying "Amin" after Al-Fatihah
• Reciting additional surahs after Al-Fatihah
• The tashahhud in the first sitting (in prayers of 3 or 4 rak'ahs)
• The qunut in Fajr prayer
• The salawat (blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ) after the final tashahhud
• The second salam (according to some scholars, though the stronger opinion makes it obligatory)

Summary Table

| # | Obligatory Element | Category | |---|---|---| | 1 | Intention (Niyyah) | Outside prayer | | 2 | Opening Takbir | Outside prayer | | 3 | Standing (Qiyam) | Inside prayer | | 4 | Reciting Al-Fatihah | Inside prayer | | 5 | Bowing (Ruku') | Inside prayer | | 6 | Rising from Bowing | Inside prayer | | 7 | Prostration (Sujud) | Inside prayer | | 8 | Rising from Prostration | Inside prayer | | 9 | Sitting Between Prostrations | Inside prayer | | 10 | Tranquility (Tuma'ninah) | Inside prayer | | 11 | Final Sitting | Inside prayer | | 12 | Final Tashahhud | Inside prayer | | 13 | Two Salams | Inside prayer |

References from Shafi'i Sources

1. Imam al-Nawawi – Al-Majmu' Sharh al-Muhadhdhab (Vol. 3, Kitab al-Salah)
2. Imam al-Shafi'i – Al-Umm (Kitab al-Salah)
3. Imam al-Nawawi – Minhaj al-Talibin (Kitab al-Salah)
4. Zakariyya al-Ansari – Fath al-Wahhab and Asna al-Matalib
5. Ibn Hajar al-Haytami – Tuhfat al-Muhtaj (Vol. 2, Kitab al-Salah)
6. Imam al-Ramli – Nihayat al-Muhtaj (Vol. 2, Kitab al-Salah)

Conclusion

If any of these 13 obligatory elements is missed intentionally, the prayer is invalid and must be repeated. If missed unintentionally (out of forgetfulness), one must perform the prostration of forgetfulness (sujud al-sahw) at the end of the prayer, provided the missed element is not the intention or the opening takbir—in which case the prayer must be restarted entirely.

May Allah accept our prayers and grant us sincerity in worship. And Allah knows best.