An obligatory act is one that cannot be left out from Prayer, as it renders the Prayer void. There is no expiation for forgetting an obligatory act. The only solution is to offer the entire Prayer again.
There are seven Obligations in Prayer:
The “Takbeer-e-Tahreemah” i.e. pronouncing "Allahu Akbar" (Allah is the Greatest). This is in fact one of the conditions of Prayer, but it has such a close relation with the actions of Prayer that it is also considered one of the Obligations of Prayer. If any of the conditions of Prayer are absent at the time of pronouncing “Takbeer-e-Tahreemah”, the Prayer will become void. If the Follower (Muqtadi) pronounces "Allah" along with the “Imaam”, but finishes saying "Akbar" before the “Imaam” does, then his Prayer will be void. If the follower finds the “Imaam” in bowing position, he must first say the “Takbeer-e-Tahreemah”, then again pronounce “Takbeer” and join the “Imaam” in bow. If a person secures the bow in the first “Rakaat”, he will get the reward of the “Takbeer Oola”.
Qiyaam (standing upright) is obligatory in Prayer. The person must remain standing as long as the Quran is being recited. Qiyaam will only be excused if the person cannot stand, or is unable to prostrate, or the illness may get aggravated or if the pain is unbearable. It is not permitted to forego standing due to ordinary fever or bearable pain. Its importance can be understood from the fact that if the patient can stand in Prayer with the help of a stick, or a servant or by leaning next to a wall, it becomes obligatory to do so. Further, if the patient can stand for a little while it becomes obligatory to stand and say "Allahu Akbar" and then complete the rest of the Prayer while seated.
Recitation of Quran. It is obligatory to properly pronounce each alphabet and vowel in such a manner that each one becomes distinct from another, and to recite it in such a way that the reciter can hear it. Just moving the lips does not suffice for recitation. Recitation means to recite with a voice loud enough to be heard at least by oneself. If there is no noise around (such as rain, moving machinery) and yet one cannot hear one's own recitation, then it will make the Prayer void. It is obligatory to recite one complete verse in the first two Cycles (Rakaats) of Obligatory (Farz) Prayer, and in every Rakaat of Witr and Voluntary (Nafil) Prayers. Since the recitation by the “Imaam” suffices for all, it is prohibited for the follower to recite behind the “Imaam”, whether the “Imaam” is reciting audibly or softly (inaudible to others).
Ruku or bowing. The minimum requirement for Ruku is to bend at least to the extent that if one extends the hands they would reach the knees. The best is to straighten the back horizontally to the ground with the head in line, and the hands holding the knees.
Sujood i.e two prostrations in each “Rakaat”. The essence of prostration is that the forehead and the nose bone must touch the ground. Keeping the under portion of one toe of each foot upon the ground is a condition in prostration. If the feet are lifted from the ground or if only the tip of the toes touch the ground during the entire prostration, the Prayer will become void.
Qaadah Akhirah or the Last Sitting Position. It is obligatory to sit in this position after completing all Cycles (Rakaats) for a period during which one can recite the entire “Tashahhud”. If one offers Sajdah Sahv (the prostrations upon forgetting an Essential act) it becomes obligatory to again remain seated for the same length of time in which one can recite the entire “Tashahhud”.
Khurooj bisun'ihi - that is to proclaim "Salaam" (peace) towards both sides, to end and exit from Prayer.
It is obligatory to maintain the chronological order in offering Qiyam, Ruku, Sujood, Qirat, and Qaadah Akhirah. Further it is obligatory to follow the “Imaam” in all obligatory matters.
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