It is well known to every Muslim that sincerity to Allah and compliance with the Sunnah of the Prophet 
are the two conditions for the acceptance of deeds and that any deed that does not meet these two conditions is rejected. The Prophet said: "Whoever does something that does not belong to our matter (religion), it will be rejected." [Muslim]
Because of the importance of prayers and its great position in Islam and the fact that many people take them lightly and violate many of their rulings it was necessary to highlight important points regarding the mistakes that are made by some people while they are praying. Additionally, it is equally important to clarify the positions of the Imam with respect to the people who are praying behind him in congregational prayer.
These clarifications and highlights are vital in order that prayer is performed in a perfect way that frees one's liability and makes one gain its full reward, because many people violate the instructions regarding the manner in which to perform the prayers. The following are some such matters: [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
1. Hastening while going to the mosque or walking very quickly so as not to miss the prayers at the mosque or miss the Rukoo‘ (bowing). This makes the person lose tranquility and any respect for the prayers as well as disturb those who are praying. The Prophet said: "If the prayer is established, do not go to it while running; rather, go to it while walking with tranquility."
2. Using what causes a bad smell that people despise such as cigarettes, Hookah (sheesha) which are worse than leek, garlic or onion. Angels and people who are praying are harmed by such bad smells. Those going to attend a congregational prayer should go to the mosque with a good smell and purify themselves from these bad items.
3. Not raising the hands at the Takbeerat Al-Ihram (the initial ‘Allahu Akbar’) or at performing Rukoo‘ or after rising from Rukoo' and after standing up after performing the first Tashahhud (the first supplication said when sitting), which are all from the acts of Sunnah (recommendation) in prayers. Also, raising the hands when performing Takbeer at the Funeral Prayer, the ‘Eed and the Istisqaa’ (rain-seeking) prayers.
4. Many Imaams do not say the opening supplication in the prayer, or seek refuge with Allah from the devil or say the Basmalah (i.e., ‘Bismillahi Rahmanir'Raheem), or they might not say the Bismallah in the second Rak‘ah (unit) and the Rak‘ahs that follow, whereas all these matters are among the preferred acts in prayers.
5. Some late-joiners perform Takbeer while performing Rukoo‘ when they come while the Imam is performing Rukoo‘. In principle, however, Takbeerat Al-Ihram should be done while standing and then be followed by Rukoo‘. If one hastens and leaves this Takbeer for Rukoo', his prayer would nonetheless be valid and the Imam’s initial Takbeerat Al-Ihram (which he missed) will suffice him.
6. Some people raise their eyes towards the sky while praying or look to the left or right, which is what causes forgetfulness or self-whispering. People are ordered instead to lower their gaze and look at their place of prostration.
7. Some people move a lot while praying and do things such as interlocking their fingers, cleaning their nails, constantly move of the legs, adjust their headbands, look at their watch, button up, and so forth. These movements nullify the prayer or at least lessen its reward.
8. Some precede the Imam, move simultaneously with him or lag far behind him when performing prostration or Rukoo'.
9. Reading from the Mus’haf (printed Quran) during the prayer or following the recitation of the Imam by looking at the Mus’haf during the Taraweeh (Night prayers in Ramadan) Prayer and so forth without a need entails inattentiveness. If there is a need for reading from the Mus’haf, such us to correct the Imam’s recitation, there is no problem as far as necessity dictates.
10. Some curve the back or hang the head down while performing Rukoo'. It is reported that Muslims are forbidden from curving their backs, rather the back should be bent with the spine being at a right angle to the body (as far as possible) while performing Rukoo' with the head being aligned and neither raised nor lowered with respect to the head.
11. Some do not perform prostration perfectly by prostrating on the trim of the turban and without placing the forehead on the ground, or they place the forehead on the ground but raise the nose or the feet from the ground. One who does so does not prostrate on the seven organs that are required for perfecting the prostration as mentioned in the Hadeeth of the Prophet .
12.Some do not perform Tajafi during prostration. Tajafi means keeping the abdomen away from the thighs and the shoulders away from the sides as much as possible. The praying person should not annoy the people who pray beside him and should raise his arms away from the ground and put his palms parallel to his shoulders not his knees. The person should not exaggerate in performing Tajafi by stretching his body as if he is lying on his abdomen to the extent that his head may reach the row that is ahead of him.
13.Many Imams shorten the pillars of the prayers to the extent that the people praying behind them cannot catch up with them or say the obligatory Thikr (remembrances or mentionings of Allah). This contradicts the tranquility that the Prophet asked us to apply in prayers. The Imam should keep himself in the position of Rukoo‘ or prostration for a period of time that would allow the people who are praying behind him to glorify Allah three times slowly and carefully and not quickly or hastily.
14.Some perform the Tawarruk (a seated position where the left leg is under the right shin) in the two-Rak‘ah prayers such as the Fajr, the Friday or the voluntary prayers, while not performing it in the four-Rak‘ah or three-Rak‘ah prayers during the last Tashahhud. It is permissible to either perform Tawarruk or not to perform it, but it is better to apply the Sunnah of the Prophet . The Sunnah is to perform Tawarruk during the last Tashahhud of the three-Rak‘ah or four-Rak‘ah prayer provided that the person will not annoy those who are beside him.
15.Constant moving of the index finger or any other finger during Tashahhud. This finger should be moved only once or twice when the Shahadah (the testimony of faith) or the name of Allah is mentioned, and so forth.
16. Some move their two palms when ending the prayer towards the right and the left. The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, would do this and the Prophet said: “Why do I see you raising your hands like the tails of the horses?” Thus, they quit doing this and turned their heads only. [Abu Dawood and An-Nasa'i]
17.Many people do not wear clothing that covers the body properly, but instead wear insufficient trousers and shirts such that when they perform Rukoo‘, the shirt moves and part of their back and buttocks get exposed and people who pray behind them see it. The exposure of any part of the ‘Awrah (part of the body that must be covered according to Islam) nullifies the prayer.
18.Many people, immediately after finishing the obligatory prayers, shake hands with the people next to them and say, “May Allah accept our and your prayer,” or, “May you get to pray at Al-Bayt Al-Haram (in Makkah)!” This is a religious innovation as it was not reported that the righteous predecessors did this.
19.Some people get up directly after ending the prayer without saying the supplications approved by the Sharee‘ah such as those glorifying Allah and praising Him and so forth. Shaykh Ibn Baz 
wrote a short treatise regarding the Athkar that should be said after the obligatory prayers which is very beneficial and which the reader may wish to consult.
20.Some people raise their hands and start supplicating to Allah after ending the prayer directly and thus do not say the Athkar that are approved by the Sharee‘ah, and this contradicts the Sunnah of the Prophet . Supplication should be said after finishing the Athkar as this makes the supplication worthier of acceptance. Supplication after voluntary prayers also is worthier of acceptance than others.
FAQs
What are the common mistakes in prayer? ›
Praying in rows that are interrupted. Leaving gaps in the rows. Standing a long time before the first takbeer. Mistakes made during prayer.
What does the Bible say about praying wrongly? ›James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” We don't get our prayers answered because our motives are impure and wrong.
What are the things that invalidate prayer? ›Things Which Invalidate The Prayer (Mubdilatu-Salaat)
Speaking or talking in the course of the prayer. Laughing in the course of the prayer. Eating while praying, even though what is eaten maybe as small as a piece of dates. Drinking while praying, even though what is drank maybe as small as taking only a mouthful.
- As long as your prayers are for selfish motives, driven by pride hidden in your heart, God will not answer them. - Other versions start this verse with “don't be anxious” in place of “Be careful…” - Once you know God has said yes, you know you will receive it.
What are the disliked acts in prayer? ›THINGS WHICH INVALIDATE THE PRAYER
Speaking or talking in the course of the prayer. Laughing in the course of the prayer. Eating while praying, even though what is eaten maybe as small as a piece of dates. Drinking while praying, even though what is drank maybe as small as taking only a mouthful.
Disliked elements of prayer: Looking around, lack of humility, prostrating over the head cover, looking at mobile phone during prayer, confusing other by reciting aloud, few movements during the prayer, moving ahead of the imam, crackling finger joints, Hadith: Ayesha(R.A) asked prophet (S.A.W) about one's looking here ...
Is there an incorrect way to pray? ›There is no right or wrong way to pray during Adoration. It may be helpful to use a prayer book, or read Scripture, or another spiritual book, or pray the rosary. But, as many people would recommend, avoid filling the entire prayer time with these things.
Is it a sin to fail to pray? ›As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Is it biblical to pray over someone? ›The Bible commands us to pray for one another, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16, ESV).
What is the prayer when humiliated? ›From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus. From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus. That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
How not to repeat prayer? ›
- Unselfish Prayers. Sometimes when we pray, I think we are selfish—just thinking of ourselves and what we want. ...
- Let the Holy Ghost Guide You. ...
- Reflect on Your Day. ...
- Pray Aloud. ...
- Pray and Then Listen. ...
- Pray for Specifics.
- Know to whom you are speaking. ...
- Thank him. ...
- Ask for God's will. ...
- Say what you need. ...
- Ask for forgiveness. ...
- Pray with a friend. ...
- Pray the Word. ...
- Memorize Scripture.
The overarching purpose of all that God does—including His no to many of our most heartfelt prayers—is the praise of His glorious name (Isa 48:11). [2] God will not grant our prayers if they will detract from His glory. Jesus delayed so that His Father might receive maximum praise.
Why is God slow to answer prayers? ›The Lord may delay His answer so He can prompt us to confess our sin and turn back to Him. Waiting on the Lord isn't easy—faith and trust are needed (Hebrews 11:1). If His answer is delayed, check that 1) your focus is on Him, 2) your motive for asking is God-honoring, and 3) you aren't practicing habitual sin.
Do all prayers get answered? ›God hears all your prayers (Psalm 139:4, 1 John 5:14–15, 1 Peter 3:12) and, in one sense, he answers all your prayers. But we do not always receive what we ask for. When we ask God for something, the response will be 'Yes' or 'No' or 'Wait'.
What is the greatest hindrance to prayer? ›1. Ignoring God's Word. If someone, even a professed believer, refuses to hear and heed God's discipline and guidance, their prayers become detestable to the Lord. This includes a rejection of the Bible's authority as God's revealed Word.
What is the hypocrites prayer? ›"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.
What is the most important element of prayer? ›Praise, pardon, and petition are three essential elements of prayer that we will encounter in our journey through the Lord's Prayer.
What are the 5 elements of prayer? ›The Prayer Hand is an easy way to remember five essential aspects of prayer: confession, petition, intercession, thanksgiving and praise. Use this helpful diagram in your personal prayer life or when teaching about prayer to others.
What are the voluntary and disliked elements of prayer? ›Obligatory: Al Fatihah, Bowing & Two Prostrations. Voluntary: reading extra Surah after AlFatihah, reading aloud in Fajr, Mughrib, Esha and reading slowly in Thur and Asr. Disliked elements: moving or looking around.
How did Jesus say not to pray? ›
Jesus began his teaching on prayer here by saying how not to pray: Don't show off. Synagogues were places of worship where many people gathered to pray. Jesus spoke against those who prayed loudly just so they could be seen and praised by others.
What sin is not forgivable by God? ›The unpardonable sin is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Blasphemy includes ridicule and attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to the devil.
What prayer has never failed? ›In the Lord's prayer in Matthew 6, this is encouraged in another way: “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth [in the same way] as it is [being done right now] in heaven.” God delights to answer this prayer, and the results are stunning. It is the prayer that never fails.
What sin will not be forgiven by God? ›Graham: Only one sin that can't be forgiven is on God's list — and that is the sin of rejecting Him and refusing His offer of forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. This alone is the unforgivable sin, because it means we are saying that the Holy Spirit's witness about Jesus is a lie (see Luke 12:10).
Can you pray too much for one thing? ›Is it possible that God would get angry with us because we pray too much about a particular problem? I worry about bothering Him too much with my problems. ANSWER: Absolutely not! The Bible tells us to persist in prayer and to pray about everything.
What happens when you pray over someone? ›When we pray for someone else it draws us closer in relationships. Praying for your spouse, child, or friend helps them to see how much you love them. Almost no one you meet will decline being prayed over. Offering to pray for someone is a free and powerful gift you can give to anyone you meet.
What is the most powerful prayer in the Bible? ›The most famous example—for good reason—is the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:5–15, Luke 11:1–4), in which Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.
Is it okay to pray even when you are angry? ›It's okay to pray about your anger. Like David and other psalmists, you might even sing it (using a loud electric guitar, perhaps). And you'll probably find, when you've thoroughly expressed what you're feeling, you'll be in a better place to pray the things you know to be true.
What is angry prayer? ›Prayer To Remove The Spirit Of Anger
Lord, forgive me for the times I have given in to anger, malice, wrath or fury. For when I have let my emotions get the better of me and lost control.
Father, I abandon myself into your hands, do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you: I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me and in all your creatures.
Does God get tired of hearing the same prayers? ›
Jesus said, absolutely not. Our heavenly Father is nothing like the judge in the parable (Luke 18:6-8). God never grows weary of listening to his children. In fact, Jesus told us to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking (Matthew 7:7, AMP).
Is it OK to pause in prayer? ›Pausing helps us center on God. We must slow down if we want to enjoy God's presence. Richard Foster, in Prayer: Finding the Hearts True Home, writes, “Prayer is nothing more than an ongoing and growing love relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
How often should you pray for something? ›Jesus emphasized the need to persevere in prayer, and by this, He meant that Christians ought to pray for at least two set times per day, during the day and at night. Notice in the following parable what the text says in verse 1 of Luke 18. He tells them how they should always pray.
What are the 3 powerful prayers? ›These three powerful morning prayers are the prayers of thanksgiving, the Lord's Prayer, and the prayer of Jabez. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, the Bible tells us to enter his gates with thanksgiving, and Jabez prayed to God and God granted him his request.
What is the first thing to say when praying? ›Begin your prayer
A good way to start is to address God by name. You can try “Dear God,” “Dear Heavenly Father,” “Our Father which art in heaven,” or simply “God.”
John presents three key thoughts to effective prayer in 1 John 5:14-15. We need to (1) ask in prayer, (2) pray according to His will and (3) pray in faith.
Does God hear me when I pray in my mind? ›Through the scriptures, we are taught that God will always hear our prayers and will answer them if we address Him with faith and real intent. In our hearts we will feel the confirmation that He does hear us, a feeling of peace and calm.
Does God listen to everyone's prayers? ›The simple answer is yes, God hears your prayers. An ever-present, all-knowing God will hear every word from your mouth, thought in your mind and whisper of your heart. But there are some things that might affect whether He answers.
Can you pray without praying to God? ›One does not need to believe in God for prayer to work. Despite being an atheist, Sam Harris has unapologetically spent time meditating with and learning from Hindus and Buddhists. This makes sense because you do not need to subscribe to any particular religion or believe in any God to meditate.
When you feel God doesn't hear your prayers? ›So when you feel like God isn't hearing your prayers, keep praying. When you aren't feeling spiritually filled during worship, keep attending. When you “aren't getting anything out of” your devotion, keep reading. “The one who prays is never forgotten.”
How do we know God hears our prayers? ›
We know that God hears our prayers because of the prayer accounts presented in the Bible. People tell the story of God answering their prayers, how they prayed, and what they prayed about. The aforementioned example of Jesus in Matthew 6 is just one account of many.
What makes God answer prayers fast? ›Fasting is a powerful tool to receive answers to prayer. To fast is to go without food or water for a certain amount of time. This shows God your humility and your willingness to sacrifice in order to receive blessings.
How to hear God's voice? ›- Position yourself close to God. ...
- Find a place of regular service to God. ...
- Listen for God's voice. ...
- When God calls, respond eagerly. ...
- When God speaks, obey Him. ...
- Read and study the Word of God.
Adoration: Give God praise and honor for who he is as Lord over all. Confession: Honestly deal with the sin in your prayer life. Thanksgiving: Verbalize what you're grateful for in your life and in the world around you. Supplication: Pray for the needs of others and yourself.
What is perhaps the most neglected prayer? ›Perhaps the most neglected type of prayer is a prayer of thanksgiving. While praying “Grace” before meals is a good example of a prayer of thanksgiving, we should get into the habit of thanking God throughout the day for all the good things that happen to us and others.
What are the three principal difficulties we encounter in prayer? ›Pope Francis continued with this teaching series on prayer at the May 19 general audience, taking up three of the common difficulties we find in prayer, and how to overcome them. Distractions, times of barrenness, and the sin of sloth, are the three common challenges that the pope addressed.
Why do people turn away from faith? ›Many reasons
Atrophy: We lose faith when we are inconsistent or insincere in our prayers, study and other spiritually strengthening activities. Lack of personal investment: As has been said, people fall out of the church for the same reason they fall out of bed: They were never in far enough.
- Tip #1: Prayers are a matter of the heart. (Matthew 7:7-8.)
- Tip #2: God is a Father.
- Tip #3: Be you.
- Tip #4: Don't limit your prayers.
- Tip #5: Prayers touch heaven.
They are based on a well-known format: A.C.T.S. = adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication.
What Scripture says never stop praying? ›Yet Scripture reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Always be joyful and never stop praying.” Never stop praying even when you're weary, disappointed, and disillusioned.
When God doesn't answer a prayer? ›
Your prayers do not align with God's will.
Simply put, sometimes God doesn't answer our prayers because we are praying for the wrong things. And we may not be doing this out of malice, either, so much as out of ignorance. Perhaps we don't know enough of God's Word to know his will.
Psalm 91:1 The one who lives under the protection of the Most High dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you.
Is it OK to pray written prayers? ›Written prayers help you convey exactly what you want to say and can diminish distractions from poor wording and mental lapses. By prayerfully considering what to pray for ahead of time in a corporate worship service, we are able to pray for things we might otherwise forget to pray for.