It is not obligatory for a man to cover his shoulders or shoulder blades when praying and his prayer is valid, but it is recommended to do so as an adornment and out of respect for the prayer and the fact that he is standing before his Lord, may He be Glorified and Exalted; but if he prays with his shoulders or shoulder blade bare.

• The majority of Hanafis, Malikis and Shafi`is view that the Takbirs of movement and saying “Rabb ighfir li (Lord forgive me)” between the two prostrations are Sunnahs of prayer not obligatory. The Hanbalis maintain that they are obligatory parts of the prayer. • With regard to the Du`a between the two prostrations, the opinion of the majority is that it is recommended. This is more likely the correct view, because there is no evidence to clearly indicate that it is obligatory.

There is nothing wrong with one who is offering an obligatory prayer to pray behind one who is offering an optional prayer. Also, there is nothing wrong with a person starting his prayer alone and then becoming an Imam when someone else joins him.

Weeping during prayer is one of the outcomes of humble submission (khushu‘) in prayer. As for making oneself weep, there is a da‘if (weak) hadith that has been narrated concerning it; if it is sahih, what is meant is bringing sorrow into the heart and focusing, not making sounds by weeping artificially.

If a person fears immense hardship or worsening of the sickness etc., or if a passenger in a boat fears that he may drown or become dizzy, he may pray sitting down, and he does not have to repeat the prayer.

There is nothing wrong with reading Quran from the Mus-haf (Quran Book) in Sunnah prayers such as Qiyam Al-layl. In obligatory prayers, it is disliked to read from the Mus-haf, but if there is a need, then there is nothing wrong with reading from the Mus-haf.

Prophet Muhammad used to raise his hands to shoulder level when 1- he started to pray, 2- when he said “Allahu akbar” before bowing in Ruku`, 3- and when he raised his head from Ruku`, and 4- when standing up after the first Tashahhud for the third Rak`ah.

It is recommended for the one who is late for the congregational prayer to come to the mosque in a calm and dignified manner. The one who was late for the prayer is not regarded as having caught up with the prayer in congregation unless he caught up with at least one Rak`ah of the prayer.