The question is about how to perform the Prayer of Signs, specifically regarding the intention and the details of the prayer, as well as how to make up for missed prayers over the years.
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Sistani (may Allah protect him):
- The Prayer of Signs consists of two units (rak'ahs), each containing five bowings (rukus). After each bowing, the worshipper stands upright, followed by two prostrations (sajdahs) after the fifth bowing. The detailed procedure is as follows: Begin with the intention (niyyah) and the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar), just like in other prayers. Then recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah, followed by a bowing. After raising your head upright, recite Surah Al-Fatiha and another Surah again, then bow, and continue this until you complete five bowings. After the fifth bowing, stand upright and perform two prostrations, then stand up and repeat the same procedure as in the first unit, concluding with the testimony (tashahhud) and the salutation (salam).
- It is permissible to divide one Surah across the five bowings, meaning after reciting Al-Fatiha in the first standing position, you can read part of the Surah (preferably a complete sentence if not a complete verse), then bow. After raising your head, read another part from where you left off, and continue this until you complete the Surah before the fifth bowing. After the fifth bowing, perform the two prostrations, then stand up and repeat the same as in the first unit, ensuring you have recited Al-Fatiha and a complete Surah divided across the five bowings.
It is also permissible to perform the first unit in one way and the second unit in another way, or vice versa. You can divide the Surah into fewer than five bowings, but in the subsequent standing position, you must begin with Al-Fatiha and recite a complete Surah or part of a Surah. If you did not complete the Surah in the previous standing position, it is obligatory to refrain from reciting Al-Fatiha in the next position, and instead, continue from where you left off. However, if you did not complete the Surah in the fifth bowing, you must recite Al-Fatiha after standing for the second unit, followed by the Surah from where you left off, and you must recite a complete Surah in the remaining bowings.
For more information on how to make up for missed prayers and the intention, you can refer to Question 11977.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, How to Perform the Prayer of Signs
Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
The Prayer of Signs consists of two units, each containing five bowings and two prostrations. It can be performed in several ways:
• The first method: In each unit, recite Al-Fatiha and a complete Surah. After the intention and the opening takbir, recite Al-Fatiha and a complete Surah, then bow, and after raising your head from the bowing, recite Al-Fatiha and a complete Surah again, and continue this until you complete five bowings. After the fifth bowing, perform two prostrations, then stand up for the second unit in the same manner as the first, and after the two prostrations, conclude with the testimony and the salutation.
• The second method: In the first unit, recite Al-Fatiha and a complete Surah once, then divide the Surah into five parts. After the intention and the opening takbir, recite Al-Fatiha and a part of the Surah (a verse or less or more; if you read less than a verse, it is obligatory to ensure it is a complete sentence), then bow. After standing from the bowing, read another part of the Surah without reciting Al-Fatiha, and continue this until you read the last part of the Surah before the fifth bowing. After the fifth bowing, perform two prostrations, then stand up and perform the second unit in the same manner, concluding with the testimony and the salutation.
It is obligatory to avoid considering the basmala "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful" as part of the Surah and bowing after it.
For more information on how to make up for missed prayers and the intention, you can refer to Question 11977.
Source: A Treatise on Prayer and Fasting, Prayer, Prayer of Signs, How to Perform the Prayer of Signs + Special Inquiry.
May you be successful in all good.