Salaah

“the key to
Jannah”
 What is Salaah?
Salaah, meaning "prayer" or
"invocation“, is the second of the Five
Pillars of Islam, and an obligatory
religious duty for every Muslim. It is a
physical, mental, and spiritual act of
worship that is observed five times
every day at prescribed times. While
facing towards
the Kaabah in Mecca, one stands, bows,
prostrates oneself, and concludes with
There are many verses in the Holy Quran
which Allah tells us about the importance
of prayer. Here are two such verses:
“But those who hold fast to the Book and
establish prayer – indeed, We will not
allow to be lost the reward of the pious.”
Qur'an - Chapter 7, Verse 170
“Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been
revealed to you of the Book and establish
prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits
immorality and wrongdoing, and the
remembrance of Allah is greater. And
Allah knows that which you do.”
 Why do muslims pray?
The reason why Muslims pray at all relates
to what Islam considers to be the purpose
of life – to worship Allah alone. Shortly
after Muhammad became a Prophet, the
performance of salaah (worship) was one
of the first commandments given to him
by Allah.
Allah Almighty tells us in the Holy Qur’an
that mankind was only created for one
reason: to worship Him.
“And I (Allah) created not the Jinns and
humans except they should worship Me
The salaah is the second pillar of Islam and it is
a critical part of a Muslim’s faith. One of the
biggest differences between a Muslim and a
non-Muslim is the salaah. Our beloved
Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Between a man and polytheism and disbelief
there stands his neglect of the prayer.”
 Obligation to offer prayer
 Prayer, in the prescribed manner, is obligatory upon
every adult Muslim of sound mind. As far as children
are concerned, it is not obligatory on them until they
come of age. However, it requires continuous effort
and persuasion to get them to the stage where they
start offering their Prayers regularly in the manner
prescribed for the Prayer. It is for this reason that the
Holy Prophet SAW has directed that when children
reach the age of seven, parents should urge them to
be regular in their Prayers and when they reach the
age of ten, they must be admonished if they fail to
offer their Prayers regularly.
 Once the children reach the age of
maturity, it becomes compulsory
for them to offer their Prayers. At
that stage, no individual or
Government has the right to force
them to offer their Prayers, as the
Salat offered under compulsion
does not mean anything. It ought
to be offered willingly. The matter
rests between the person and his
God. Therefore, it is the duty of
every and all Muslim parents to
 Why do muslims pray 5x a day?
 This question is quite common and
many people do not know the real
reason of where the number five came
from. When Muhammad (peace be
upon him) became a Prophet at the age
of forty one of the first things he was
taught was how to pray. Allah sent the
angel Gabriel (Jibreel) to teach him how
to make wudu and perform the salah.
 Some 11 years after the beginning of
prophethood a miraculous journey took
place in which the angel Gabriel took
Muhammad (peace be upon him) to the
first heaven. It was during this event that
Allah commanded him and the Muslims
to specifically pray five times a day. This
event was recorded in the Holy Qur’an
and we also have authentic narrations
from the Prophet (peace be upon him)
himself that he undertook this journey.
 Importance of Salaah
 Salat or the prescribed Prayer has been
mentioned in the Holy Quran as an
essential characteristic of a true
believer. The Holy Quran states:
“This is a perfect Book; there is no doubt in
it; it is a guidance for the righteous, Who
believe in the unseen and observe Prayer,
and spend out of what We have provided
for them;” (2:3-4)
 Prayer or Salat, helps us to get rid of sins;
inclines us more and more towards God and
goodly things and so gradually purifies us.
But this is not the end. Prayer does much
more than this. It brings man closer to his
Creator. The worshipper tries to imitate God
in His most excellent attributes and is
constantly transformed from a lowly and
worldly person to a highly noble and sublime
servant of God. The Holy Quran mentions
this distinctive quality of Salat by saying:
“Recite that which has been revealed to thee of
the Book, and observe Prayer. Surely, Prayer
restrains one from indecency and manifest evil,
and remembrance of Allah indeed is the greatest
 Prayer is indeed a sure and well-
tried prescription for purity of the
heart and the soul. It is through
Salat alone that we are able to
establish a living communion with
Allah. According to the Holy
Prophet SAW, Salat is the pinnacle
of the spiritual life of the believer. It
is the highest form of Divine
worship. It must be realised that
sincere prayer never goes in vain.
Sometimes, the deep spiritual
 Sometimes, a milder pleasure of
love fills the heart with sublime
happiness. These experiences are
signs of the Prayer being alive,
meaningful and fruitful. Otherwise,
just a performance of formality is
not enough to benefit man. That
would be obeying an order without
one’s heart being in it. That is why
it is highly essential that every
beginner should keep this noble
objective before him and always
 Rewards/Benefits of
Salaah:
1.Connection. Maintain connection through Allah
throughout the day.
2.Reward. The reward for 1 prayer counts as 10
prayers.
3.Forgiveness. Sins are washed away and forgiven.
4.Good behavior. Keeps you away from
immorality and evil deeds.
5.Remembrance. Helps you grow and maintain
remembrance of Allah- God conciousness.
 There are plenty of rewards and benefits to the
prayer that were not listed in the graphic.
It strengthens your faith and influences you to do
more good deeds. It creates strong bonds of
unity among the Muslims, especially when the
prayer is performed as a congregation at a
masjid. It also serves as an excellent relief for
stress and worry.

“Most surely, in the remembrance of Allah do

hearts find solace.Qur'an” - Chapter 13, Verse 28
CONDITIONS FOR PRAYER:
 One should be clean in body and, as far as
possible, in mind and spirit also. Cleanliness
here is a term which means:
a. The body should be clean from all filth.
b. If one has answered the call of nature and
has been to the toilet, one should wash
oneself properly so that all remnants of
faeces or urine have been properly washed
away.
c. After conjugation, whether ejaculation has taken
place or not or when, in whatever manner,
ejaculation has taken place, for instance during
sleep, cleanliness would mean not just washing
oneself partially, but a full bath becomes essential.
d. A full bath is also essential for women after
menstruation, and after post-parturition bleeding
(bleeding following childbirth).
The place and mat of Prayer must be neat and
clean.
 The body must be properly covered during the
Prayer.
 Qiblah or Direction: All Muslims must face towards
All Muslims throughout the world should always
face the general direction of the Ka‘bah during
every Prayer. However, during a journey and when
travelling, if one fails to determine the direction
properly or when one is unable to face towards the
Ka‘bah because of illness, for it is beyond one’s
capacity to do so, then one is not obliged to face
towards the Qiblah.
Also, when on a journey, riding on a mount, train,
boat or plane, one should say one’s Prayers facing in
the same direction towards which one is moving, or
indeed any convenient position will be acceptable.
 BATH
Taking a bath is always encouraged and
promoted in Islam. Islam emphasize not
only the cleanliness of the soul but also
that of the body. In some situations
however, it has been made a prerequisite
to the offering of any formal Prayer. The
following are the conditions which
necessitate taking a bath and where
ablution alone is not enough.
1. In Case of Women
a. After each menstruation when the flow
of blood has completely stopped.
b. After childbirth when the bleeding has
finally stopped.
Note: During these bleeding periods,
women are not required to perform formal
Prayers.
2. In Case of Men and Women

a. After seminal ejaculation or orgasm, whether

resulting from conjugation or from any other
cause. The same applies to night discharges
during sleep.
b. b. Sexual contact between man and woman,
even without ejaculation and however brief it
may be.
c. c. All non-Muslims who become Muslims are also
obliged to take a bath and start a new, fresh life
as a Muslim.
ADDITIONAL SITUATIONS WHERE A
BATH IS ESSENTIAL
Every new born child must be bathed, and also the
body of every person who has died should be
bathed before the Janazah Prayer. However, for
those who are martyred or killed during war or
murdered in any way, an exception is made and
they are not bathed.
Apart from the occasions when bathing becomes
necessary, the taking of a bath every Friday, on the
celebrations of ‘Id and just before performing Hajj
were strongly emphasized by the Holy
the Prophet SAW used to take a bath in the
following manner:
 He would start bathing by performing
Wudu’, i.e. ablution, but not including
washing of the feet which he would do at the
end. Then he would pour water at least three
times on the right side of his body, followed
by three times on the left. He bathed so
meticulously that every pore of every part of
his body was washed thoroughly.
 In all such conditions where bathing
becomes obligatory, one can neither
perform Prayer without bathing nor enter
the mosque, nor recite the Holy Quran.
Exception is made for women during their
periods as far as the reading of the Holy
Quran is concerned. They can read the
Holy Quran but are advised not to touch it
with their bare hands.
 How to
prepare and
perform
Salaah
 ABLUTION
 The word ablution applies
to washing some parts of
the body preparatory to the
performance of Prayer. This
is a prerequisite which must
be fulfilled, otherwise the
Prayer will not be
considered valid.
STEPS:
It is essential that the following prescribed prayer
be recited for ablution:
'Ash-hadu 'an laa 'ilaaha 'illallaahu wahdahu laa
shareeka lahu wa 'ash-hadu 'anna Muhammadan
'abduhu wa Rasooluhu. Allahummaj‘alni minat-
tawwabina waj‘alni minal mutatahhirin.
Translation:
I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped
but Allah alone, Who has no partner; and I bear witness
that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger. O
Allah make me of those who seek forgiveness and
make me of those who are cleansed.
 FACTORS WHICH RENDER AN ABLUTION
INEFFECTIVE:
a. Passing wind.
b. Urination even if a drop has passed out.
c. Passing stool in however small quantity.
d. Sleeping, dozing off to the degree that if
one were without a support, one would
not be able to keep balance.
e. Menstruation and ejaculation
f. Bleeding and vomitting
 ADHAN
 Azan or Adhan is the Islamic call to prayer, recited
by the mu'azzin at prescribed times of the day.
THE METHOD OF SAYING THE ADHAN:
 The Mu’adhdhin should stand in a prominent
position with his face turned towards the Qiblah.
These days a loudspeaker system is also used to
say the Adhan. The Mu’adhdhin should touch his
ears with his index fingers, right finger touching
the right ear and the left finger touching the left,
and recite the Adhan in a loud voice.
 He should turn his face towards the right when
saying the words, Hayya ‘alas-Salah and turn his
face to the left while reciting the words Hayya ‘alal-
Falah.
 When the Mu’adhdhin says the words Hayya ‘alas-
Salah and Hayya ‘alal-Falah, the person hearing
the Adhan should say La haula wala quwwata illa
billa-hil ‘aliyyul ‘Azim which means: There is
neither might nor any power except with Allah. If
the congregational Prayer is offered in the open,
i.e. outside the mosque, even then, Adhan should
be recited before the Prayer.
 IQAMAT (IQAMAH)
 When the Prayer is about to commence, Iqamah is
recited. This is an indication that the Imam has
taken his place facing towards the Ka‘bah and is
ready to begin the Prayer.
NIYYAT (NIYYAH)
 Niyyah means the intention to perform a Prayer
and is an essential part of it.
 It is not necessary to make Niyyah by saying the
words aloud.
METHOD OF OFFERING PRAYER
 Normally, Salat should be offered in congregation
in a mosque, a place dedicated to Divine worship
but it may be held anywhere, the only requirement
being that the place chosen should be clean.
 He should perform Wudu’ and then stand in a row
along with other worshippers behind the Imam,
facing the Kaabah.
 The rows must be perfectly straight and the
worshippers should stand shoulder to shoulder but
in no way in a position to interfere with each
other’s Prayer
 Stand upright facing the direction of Al-Ka'bah.
This position is called Qiyaam and the direction
is called Qiblah in Arabic
 Make Niyyah (intention) in your heart
for the prayer you want to pray.
 Raise your hands to your ears and
say: "Allahu Akbar.”
This is called Takbiratul Ihram
 After saying Takbir-i-Tahrimah,
the following glorification
called Thana is recited
Individually in silence
After saying Takbir-i-Tahrimah, the following
glorification called Thana’ is recited individually in
silence:
“Subhanakallah-humma wa bihamdika wa
tabarakasmuka wa ta‘ala jadduka wala ilaha
ghairuk.”
Translation:
Holy art Thou, O Allah, and all praise is Thine;
blessed is Thy name, and exalted is Thy state. There
is none worthy of worship except Thee alone.
 After this, recite Suratul Fatihah (the opening
chapter) of the Noble Qur'an.
Recite any other passage from the Noble Qur'an.
 Now bow down saying: "Allahu Akbar" and place
your hands on your knees and say silently: "Subhana
Rabbiyal Adhim.“
 Stand up from the bowing position
saying: "Sami'Allahu liman hamidah" (Allah hears
those who praise Him)
"Rabbana lakal hamd."
(Our Lord, praise
be to You).
 Prostrate on the floor saying: "Allahu Akbar" with
your forehead, nose, palms of both hands, your
knees, and toes all touching the floor. Then recite
silently: "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la."
(How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest) three times.
This position is called Sujood.
 Sit up from the floor saying Allahu Akbar. Sit
upright with your knees bent and palms placed on
them and say: “Rabbighfir li.”

1 2 3
 This completes the first Rak'ah or unit of Salah.
Now stand up for the second Rak'ah and
perform it in the same way, except that you do
not recite Subhanaka at the beginning, and after
the second Sujood (prostration) you sit on the
left leg while keeping the right foot upright and
put your right hand on the right thigh, with all
fingers together in a fist except the index finger.
Stick the index finger straight out. Put your left
hand on the left thigh. Now
recite Tashahhud silently:
"At-Tahiyyatu lillahi This means: “Greetings, prayers a
was- Salawatu wat-Tayyibatu. goodness belong to Allah.
As-Salamu ' alaika Peace be on you,
ayyuhannabiyyu O Prophet
wa rahmatullahi and the mercy of Allah
wa barakatuhu. and His blessings.
Assalamu 'alaina wa’ala Peace be on us and on
ibadil-Lahis -Salihin the righteous servants of Alla
ash hadu al-La ilaha I bear witness that
il-Lal lahu there is no god but Allah,
wa ash hadu anna and bear witness that
Muhammadan abduhu Muhammad is His
wa rasuluhu." servant and Messenger.”
In a three-Rak'ah Salah (as in Maghrib) or a four-
Rak'ah Salah (Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha) you stand up
for the remaining Rak'ah(s) after you have
done Tashahhud. For a two-Rak'ah Salah you
remain seated after Tashahhud and then recite
silently Assalatul-Ibrahimiyah:
"Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin Wa 'ala ali
Muhammadin Kama sallaita 'ala
Ibrahima wa 'ala ali Ibrahima wa barik 'ala
Muhammadin wa 'ala ali Muhammadin
Kama barakta ' ala Ibrahima Wa ' ala ali Ibrahima
Fil a'lamina Innaka hamidun
Majid."
 Now turn your face to the right
saying: "Assalamu alaikum wa
rahmatullah" (peace and the mercy
of Allah be on you) and then to the left
repeating the same words.
 INDIVIDUAL PRAYER
• Even if Prayer is not offered in congregation
but offered individually, it is offered exactly in
the same way as when led by an Imam, except
that whatever the Imam recites loudly, is not
recited loudly by the individual worshipper.
He recites everything silently, without raising
his voice. For example, when he recites Surah
Al-Fatihah, or says Allahu Akbar, Sami‘allahu
liman Hamidah and Assalamu ‘Alaikum, he
recites all of these silently.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
• Every Muslim is required to offer the Fard part of his
Prayers in congregation. Mosques are built for the
purpose of congregational Prayers. A Hadith tells us
that the reward of a Prayer offered in congregation is
twenty-seven times more than that offered
individually.
• Woman should be protected and concealed from
men as much as her guardian can do that. The
Messenger (peace be upon him) preferred for
women to pray in their houses and said that their
reward for doing so is greater than their reward for
Abd al-‘Azeem Abaadi said:
• The reason why their praying in their homes is
better is because it is safer from fitnah or
temptation. This was later borne out by the way
in which women began to make a wanton
display of their adornments, hence ‘Aa’ishah
said what she said. (‘Awn al-Ma’bood, 2/193).
• Hence women should be careful when praying in
public places, or go far away from where men
can see them, and should not pray in a public
place when the time of prayer comes, unless she
has no other place in which to pray.
Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah al-Jibreen said:
• With regard to women, their houses are better for
them. If they need to pray in the marketplace and
there is a place that is screened off, there is nothing
wrong with them praying there, in sha Allah.
• But what some of the common people say, that a
woman’s prayer is invalidated just because a man
happens to see her, has no basis in sharee’ah at all.
The women used to pray at the time of the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in one
mosque and he (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) did not rule their prayer to be invalid.
• If, at the prescribed time for any Prayer, two
or more men are present away from a
mosque, they are required to observe the
prayer in congregation. When only two
males come together for Prayers, one of
them should lead the Prayer. They should
stand together so that the 2nd person
stands on the right side of the Imam.
• If a man performs his Prayer at home and a
female member of the family like to join him,
then, she should stand on his left. In the case
where two men are already offering their prayer
in congregation, and worshippers arrive, they
should arrange themselves in a row so that the
Imam remains in the middle. In normal cases
when three or more persons offer their prayer in
congregation, the Imam should stand in front, all
facing towards the Ka‘bah. In exceptional cases
however, the Imam can also stand in the middle
of the first row along with other worshippers.
SOME OTHER POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED

• The Prophet SAW instructed that a new row

should not be started until the previous one
is fully filled.
• Standing in the row is obligatory. If a person
comes and the row is full, he should pray
with the congregation behind the row, and
not go forward to stand beside the imam or
pull someone out to stand beside him, nor
should he abandon the prayer in
congregation.
• If the Prayer has already started, the latecomer
should join in the congregation in the position in
which he finds them. For example, if they are in
the Standing position, he should start his Prayer in
standing position but if they are prostrating, he
should join the congregation in prostration.
• When the Imam ends the congregational Prayer by
saying the Salutation, i.e. Assalamu ‘Alaikum wa
Rahmatullah and turning his face towards the right
and towards the left, the person who joined the
Prayer later should go into Qiyam position and
complete the remaining Rak‘at of his Prayer
individually.
Each unit or Rak‘at consists of the following
essential component parts:
i. The posture of standing called Qiyam.
ii. The posture of Bowing down with the hands on
one’s knees called Ruku‘.
iii. The position of Standing erect again with arms
on the sides called Qaumah.
iv. The position of Prostration called Sajdah. There
are two Prostrations in one Rak‘at.
v. Jilsah: The position of sitting in between the
two Prostrations.
vii. Qa‘dah: The position of sitting after the
two Prostrations. If a latecomer joins the
congregation before or during the Ruku‘, then
it is deemed that he had offered that Rak‘at
and he does not have to offer it again at the
end of the Prayer. If he misses both the initial
Standing position (Qiyam) and the Bowing
position (Ruku‘) and joins later in that Rak‘at
he has to offer the whole Rak‘at again at the
end of the Prayer when the Imam has done
both salutations.
• Once the congregational Prayer has begun, one
should not commence with Sunnat and Nafl Prayer.
• If someone is already engaged in Sunnat Prayer
when the Imam starts the Prayer, and he finds
himself in the middle of a row formed for the
congregational Prayer, he should terminate his
Prayer immediately and join in the congregation.
• If he is offering his Sunnat or Nafl Prayer away from
the Prayer Service and he thinks that he can join in
the congregation without losing much of the first
Rak‘at, he may complete his Prayer; otherwise he
should terminate his Prayer and join in the
congregation.
• Women need not say Adhan for their
congregational Prayers. The female Imam
stands in the middle of the first row,
according to common practice, and not
ahead of the congregation as in the case of a
male Imam.
• A woman cannot lead a congregation of men,
but can lead a congregation of women. This
means that she can lead a congregation
consisting of children of either sex among
the worshippers, but not adult men.
• If the Imam commits a mistake while
leading the congregation, the following
method is adopted to point it out to him:
i. If the mistake is an incorrect recitation
of the Holy Quran, or the Imam has
forgotten a verse of the Holy Quran,
anyone in the congregation who clearly
remembers the correct wording, should
remind the Imam by reciting the correct
verse in a clear and audible voice.
ii. If the Imam commits any other mistake, a
member of the congregation should draw his
attention to it by saying Subhanallah.
Subhanallah means 'Allah is free from all
faults.' It gives a cue to the Imam that he may
have committed a mistake. If so, the Imam
should rectify his mistake.
iii. If he does not correct his error, the
congregation has to follow him and no one
has the right to differ with him during the
Prayer. They must follow the Imam even in his
mistake. However, he should be told of his
mistake after the Prayer.
iv. Then he should lead the congregation to
two additional Prostrations by way of
condoning the mistake before turning his
face to right and left and again repeating
Assalamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullah.
Theseare called Sujud-us-Sahv or the
Prostrations of condonement.
v. If a woman wants to draw the attention
of the Imam to a mistake which he had
committed, she is not allowed to say
Subhanallah aloud; instead, she should
vi. In the case where a female Imam
commits a mistake during Prayer,
her followers may draw her attention
to it by either reciting the verse
correctly or by saying Subhanallah,
as the case may be.
 TYPES
OF
PRAYERS
FARD PRAYERS
• Fard is an Arabic word which means
compulsory or obligatory. There are five
obligatory Prayers everyday:
- Fajr (2 rakaats)
- Zuhr (4 rakaats)
- ‘Asr (4 rakaats)
- Maghrib (3 rakaats)
- ‘Isha’ (4 rakaats)
• It is sinful to leave out a Fard Prayer
intentionally, but if such a Prayer is
missed through forgetfulness or due to
unavoidable circumstances, then this
mistake can be rectified by offering the
missed Prayer as soon as one
remembers, or whenever possible.
WAJIB PRAYERS
• The following Prayers are regarded
as Wajib (necessary) Prayers:
- Three Rak‘at of Witr.
- Two Rak‘at of ‘Idul-Fitr and two
Rak‘at of ‘IdulAdha.
- 3 Two Rak‘at offered while performing
the Tawaf of the Ka‘bah
• If a person misses these Prayers
intentionally, he is deemed to have
committed a sin. However, if he
misses a Wajib Prayer unintentionally,
he is not required to offer it as a Qada
Prayer. Qada means offering of a
missed Prayer.
SALATUL-WITR
• Vitr literally means odd. There are three
Rak‘at in this Prayer. It is offered after the
‘Isha’ Prayer. It is preferable to recite
Surah Al-A‘la, Surah Al-Kafirun and Surah
Al-Ikhlas respectively in these Rak‘at.
However, this is not necessary. Any Surah
or verses of the Holy Quran can be
recited. In the third Rak‘at of Vitr, after
performing the Ruku‘, Du‘a’i Qunut should
be recited
• It starts when a person has prayed ‘Isha’,
even if it is joined to Maghrib at the time of
Maghrib, and lasts until dawn begins,
because the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has
prescribed for you a prayer (by which He
may increase your reward), which is Witr;
Allaah has enjoined it for you during the
time between ‘Isha’ prayer until dawn
begins.” Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 425; classed
as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-
Tirmidhi.
• The Sunnah indicates that if a person thinks he will
be able to get up at the end of the night, it is better
to delay it, because prayer at the end of the night
is better and is witnessed (by the angels). But
whoever fears that he will not get up at the end of
the night should pray Witr before he goes to sleep,
because of the hadeeth of Jaabir (may Allaah be
pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of
Allaah (be upon him) said: “Whoever fears that he
will not get up at the end of the night, let him pray
Witr at the beginning of the night, but whoever
thinks that he will be able to get up at the end of
the night, let him pray Witr at the end of the night,
for prayer at the end of the night is witnessed (by
the angels) and that is better.” Narrated by Muslim,
If a person prays three rak’ahs of Witr this
may be done in two ways, both of which
are prescribed in sharee’ah:
1. To pray them one after another, with one
tashahhud, because of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah
(may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) used not to say the tasleem in the (first)
two rakahs of Witr. According to another
version: “He used to pray Witr with three
rak'ahs and he did not sit except in the last of
them
2. Saying the tasleem after two rak'ahs, then
praying one rak’ah on its own, because of
the report narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may
Allaah be pleased with him), that he used
to separate the two rak'ahs from the
single rak'ah with a tasleem, and he said
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) used to do that.
Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan (2435); Ibn Hajar
said in al-Fath (2/482): its isnaad is qawiy
(strong).
• But if he prays Witr with five or seven
rak’ahs, then they should be continuous, and
he should only recite one tashahhud in the
last of them and say the tasleem, because of
the report narrated by ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah
be pleased with her) who said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) used to pray thirteen
rak’ahs at night, praying five rak’ahs of Witr,
in which he would not sit except in the last
rak’ah. Narrated by Muslim, 737.
• If he prays Witr with nine rak’ahs, then they
should be continuous and he should sit to
recite the tashahhud in the eighth rak'ah,
then stand up and not say the tasleem,
then he should recite the tashahhud in the
ninth rak’ah and then say the tasleem.
• If he prayed Witr with eleven rak’ahs, he
would say the tasleem after each two
rak’ahs, then pray one rak’ah at the end.
 SUNNAT PRAYERS
• The Holy Prophet(sa) of Islam offered extra
Rak‘at of Prayer in addition to those of Fard
Prayers. These Prayers are called Sunnat
Prayers. Offering Sunnat Prayers is
considered to be necessary by all jurists.
The wilful neglect of Sunnat Prayers is
censurable in the sight of Allah.
• The Sunnah prayers are normally offered
individually and no Adhan or Iqamah is
needed for those extra prayers.
Sunnat Prayers are:
1. Two Rak‘at before the Fard Prayer of Fajr;
but if a person joins the congregation without
having offered two Rak‘at of Sunnat due to
some unavoidable circumstances, he can
offer them after the congregational lead
Prayer.
2. Four Rak‘at before Fard and two Rak‘at after
Fard in Zuhr Prayer. In case one has not
performed the four Rak‘at of Sunnat before
the congregational four Rak‘at due to
unavoidable circumstances, one should do
3. Two Rak‘at of Sunnat after the Fard
of Maghrib Prayer.
4. Two Rak‘at of Sunnat after the Fard
Rak‘at of ‘Isha’ Prayer.
NAWAFIL PRAYERS
• Muslims also offer additional Rak‘at of
Prayer apart from Fard and Sunnat
Rak‘at. These are called Nawafil
Prayers or Nafl.
• These are optional Prayers. Those
who voluntarily offer Nawafil Prayers
reap the benefits of Allah’s favours.
1. Eight Rak‘at of Tahajjud.
2. Two Rak‘at after the two Rak‘at of Sunnat at the
end of Zuhr Prayer.
3. Four Rak‘at before Fard of ‘Asr Prayer.
4. Two Rak‘at after the two Rak‘at of Sunnat in
Maghrib Prayer.
5. Four Rak‘at of Ishraq Prayer.
6. Two Rak‘at offered when one enters a mosque.
7. Two Rak‘at offered when seeking blessings from
God Almighty.
8. Two Rak‘at offered as Salat-i-Hajjat.
9. Two Rak‘at offered as a Thanksgiving Prayer.
• One may offer as many Nawafil Prayers as
one wishes. However, Nawafil should not be
offered during the forbidden times for
Prayers. For example, they should not be
offered between ‘Asr Prayer and Maghrib
Prayer. It is preferable to offer Nawafil
Prayers at home rather than in a mosque
except for those which have been
mentioned to be offered in a mosque.
However, it is a matter of personal choice
and there is no compulsion in this matter.
SALATUL-JUMU‘AH or FRIDAY PRAYER
• Salatul-Jumu‘ah or Friday Prayer is offered in
congregation. It is offered in place of Zuhr Prayer.
• The Holy Quran and the Hadith speak highly of
the blessings of Jumu‘ah Prayer. If a Muslim
spends Friday in the remembrance of God
Almighty, supplicating before his Lord, he is
abundantly rewarded by Allah.
• It gives the Imam a chance to advise all Muslims
at the same time on urgent matters that face
them.
• It gives the Imam a chance to advise all Muslims
at the same time on urgent matters that face
them.
• Friday Prayer is an obligatory Prayer for every
adult male Muslim. However, those who are sick,
blind or disabled, those on a journey, and women,
are exempt from the obligation of attending the
Prayer at the mosque. They can join in the Prayer
if they so wish, but if they cannot attend the
Friday Prayer, they have to offer Zuhr Prayer
instead, as the Friday Prayer is offered in place of
Zuhr Prayer.
• There are two Adhans for Friday Prayer. The
first Adhan is recited when the sun begins to
decline and the second is recited just before
the Imam stands up before the congregation
to deliver his sermon.
• Muslims are required to listen to the sermon
attentively. Any type of conversation during
the sermon is prohibited. After the Imam has
delivered the sermon, the Iqamah is recited
and the Imam leads the congregational two
Rak‘at of Jumu‘ah Prayer.
• The Holy Prophet (sa) of Islam did not approve
of a person telling others to refrain from
conversation while the Imam is delivering his
Sermon. In unavoidable circumstances, a
gesture by hand or with a finger can be made to
draw the attention of someone to stop talking.
In case the Imam asks something during the
sermon, then he should be replied to.
• The two Rak‘at of Sunnat Prayer to be offered
before the Fard are compulsory and are not
dropped
• If a person is late for Friday Prayer
and joins the congregation in the
final Qa‘dah, he should complete his
Prayer individually after the Imam
has finished leading the Prayer. If,
however, he misses the
congregational Prayer completely,
such a person should offer Zuhr
Prayer instead.
 IDUL-FITR AND ‘IDUL-ADHA FESTIVALS
• There are two ‘Id festivals in a year. One is called
‘Idul-Fitr and the other, which comes about 10
weeks later is called ‘Idul-Adha.
• ‘Idul-Fitr is celebrated at the end of the month of
fasting. On this day, Muslims rejoice for having
been given the strength to fulfill their obligation
of fasting
• ‘Idul-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of the month
of Dhul-Hajj to commemorate the obedience of
Hadrat Ibrahimas (Abraham) and his son Hadrat
Ishmaelas (Isma’il). .
• All Muslims, men, women, and children, join in the
congregational two Rak‘at Prayer held in the open
outside a village or town, if possible, on both
‘IdulFitr and ‘Idul-Adha occasions.
• On the occasion of ‘Idul-Fitr, One should have a full
breakfast before proceeding to the ‘Id-gah, the
place where ‘Id Prayer is offered.
• On the occasion of ‘Idul-Adha, it is reported that the
Holy Prophet(sa) preferred not to eat anything until
he slaughtered his own animal for sacrifice.
• As was the practice of the Holy Prophetsa Muslims
generally go to the ‘Id-gah by one route and return
by another route.
• The time for ‘Id Prayer is before noon. Like Friday
Prayer, ‘Id Prayer is always offered in congregation.
No Adhan or Iqamah is called for ‘Id Prayers.
• After the ‘Id Prayer, the Imam delivers a sermon.
• After the two Rak‘at of ‘Idul-Adha Prayer, the Imam
and the congregation recite the following words of
glorification of God in an audible voice:
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallahu wallahu
akbar Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd”
Note: To recite the above-mentioned verses while
going to the ‘Id-gah and while coming back, is to
follow the practice of the Holy Prophet(sa) of Islam.