In Need of Teaching wrote:
View original post
Yes. There are a couple of tips for you to keep in mind:
- The "Fiqh" in Islam is extremely diversified and adaptive. The advantage is it that it makes it flexible but the disadvantage (to a new comer) is that you will find books, videos, blogs which may teach you prayers in different ways. Don't get confused and stick to one way and know that there are other ways.
- The "Hanafi Madhab" is the most popular and over 20+ years of experience with New-Muslims has taught me that it is also the simplest to learn with ready access to information, books, videos etc.
- This video here teaches you prayer according to "Hanafi Madhab"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Q39_NH274A
If you have a book which teaches you a different way, get it verified and then follow it (exclusively) but don't MixNMatch!
Secondly, practise postures first and then add the reading to it. Basically prayer has four postures:
- Standing: Stand with eyes focused on where your forehead will touch the ground. In the entire prayer your eyes will ALWAYS focus on the place where your forehead will touch the ground.
- Bowing: Bend fully so your back is straight and this time you look directly straight down
- Prostration: During prostration, (both) palms, (both) knees, (both) sets of toes, nose, forehead all touch the ground. Your elbows do not.
- Sitting: Sit with your palms lightly resting on your laps and your eyes on your lap
You need to work on the focus on your eyes and these postures.
How do you go from standing to Prostrating?
Just like how you pass out and collapse on the floor
- Knees touch the ground
- Then your palms
- Then your nose
- Then your forehead
Getting up:
- Forehead leaves the ground
- Then your nose
- Then your palms
- Then your knees and stand
You can use arms to support yourself while going up or down
In each posture (until you learn what to say) recite Allah 5 times. This will make you hold the posture and also get used to reciting.
Then you learn the Arabic slowly and add to your prayer. Within a week or so you will be praying and Arabic gets added slowly Insha'Allah.