Regarding This Selection
Quite a few of the brothers from the Jama`at asked me to put together for them a compendium regarding the prayer in accordance with the madh’hab of Imam Malik ibn Anas, may Allah be pleased with him; and which was in harmony with what we are upon in the minhaj of the Jama`at of Shehu Uthman ibn Fuduye`, may Allah ta`ala be merciful to him.
Therefore, I discovered this blessed text by Shaykh Uthman ibn Is’haq, may Allah be merciful to him to be the answer to their inquiries, since it is the most excellent abridgment on the pillars of the prayer in accordance with the madh’hab of Imam Malik composed, and the most comprehensive work for its size ever authored.
It was with the help of Allah ta`ala and the best of His assistance that I transcribed the text, annotated it, and made small commentary upon on it. It goes without saying that the first of the obligations in the prayer is to have knowledge of its pillars because the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace said:
“Knowledge is the Imam and actions are its followers.”
For, establishing the prayer is not permissible except by putting forward knowledge of it. It is therefore obligatory to know the pillars of the prayer, its obligations, its Sunnan, its merits, what is reprehensible in it, what invalidates it, how to make it up, and what to do when one forgets something in it.
For this reason the SIIASI presents this blessed text called Sullam al-Hudaat Fee Ma`rifat Arkaan as-Salaat of the jurist and gnostic Shaykh Uthman ibn Is’haq, may the mercy of Allah ta`ala be upon him.
This text will prove beneficial, Allah willing, in teaching the family, students and children what is incumbent upon them to know in this matter. We ask Allah ta`ala that He make it purely for His Generous Sake, and make it beneficial to us, our wives, children, jama`at and the remainder of the Muslims, by sanctity of the Best of creation, our master Muhammad, upon him from Allah be the best blessings and most perfect peace.
Shaykh Muhammad Shareef
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Sullam al-Hudaat