The stations of prayer
What should happen in the heart during each part of the ṣalāh.
About 30 minutes of listening
Book 4: The Book of Prayer
Imam al-Ghazali · Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Din
The fourth book of the Ihya explores the inner dimensions of Salah — the conditions, pillars, and spiritual realities of Islamic prayer, guiding the believer toward presence of heart and sincerity before Allah.
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From The Book of Prayer.
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"Learning the lunar phases is important for understanding the measures of time at night and at dawn. The time for these two rak'ahs ends with the expiration of the obligatory Fajr prayer time, which is at sunrise. However, the Sunnah is to perform them before the obligatory prayer. If one enters the mosque and the obligatory prayer has begun, one should engage in the prescribed prayer because the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "When the prescribed prayer begins, there is no other prayer but the prescribed one."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer
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"This also includes outward cleanliness from impurities and uncleanliness, which only he is aware of. If he remembers an impurity during his prayer or passes gas, he should not be embarrassed; rather, he should take the hand of someone nearby and appoint him as his successor. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, once remembered a state of major ritual impurity during prayer, appointed a successor, performed ghusl, then returned and completed the prayer."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer
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"If he begins with the afternoon prayer, it suffices, but he neglects the preferred order and enters the realm of differing opinions. If he finds an imam, he should pray the afternoon prayer first, then follow it with the midday prayer, for the congregation-by-adequacy is preferred. If he prays alone at the beginning of the time, then catches a congregation, he should join the congregation with the intention for the current prayer, and Allah counts whichever He wills."
— Imam al-Ghazali, Book 4: The Book of Prayer