What are the actual pillars of prayer?
The jurists differed regarding the pillars of prayer. The majority of jurists (Malikis, Shafi'is, and Hanbalis) held that the pillars are: intention, the opening takbir, standing, reciting Al-Fatiha, bowing, rising from bowing, prostrating, sitting between the two prostrations, sitting for the final tashahhud, the final tashahhud (except for the Malikis), the salutation, maintaining the proper order, and طمأنينة (tranquility/composure). The Malikis added rising from bowing and prostration. As for the Hanafis, they held that the pillars are: standing, bowing, prostrating, reciting, the last sitting for the duration of the tashahhud, maintaining the proper order of pillars, completing the prayer, and transitioning from one pillar to another. They considered intention and the tahrimah (opening takbir) to be conditions, not pillars.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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