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Prayer (salat) in Islam

By
Engineer Major ( r ) Javed Iqbal Rishi
#707, Street No: 4, DOHS-1, Malir Cantt, KARACHI
Tel: +92-21-34903583 Cell: +92-321-2504595
Email: jkconstructionad@hotmail.com
CNIC No: 42201-5573973-5
From dawn of history, man is puzzled by the three basic questions:
Who is the Creator of the world in which he finds himself ?
Initially how was this creation made when there was nothing ?
After death will man be re-born and answerable for his conduct in life ?

Science has not been able to provide answers to these questions. However, religion does provided some
answers. It assumes the following facts which are not acceptable to logic as under:
1. God is TIMELESS, that is He always existed and is eternal.
2. God has INFINITE capabilities, that is He is able to do anything just be wishing it.
3. God has pre-written the DESTINY of everything, including Man.
Man will be answerable to God on the Day of Judgment, but will be pardonable for his sins, if he
repents, and asks for forgiveness before his death. In all religions, people thank God for blessings and ask for
forgiveness, and help in overcoming the difficulties faced in life. With this end in view, Muslims pray (salat in
Arabic and namaz in Urdu) five times a day, observe fasting (rozas) and perform Haj in Mecca. Over 95% of
Muslim observe namaz which is preceded by ablution (wuzu ie, washing of face, hands and feet). The
procedure for offering namaz practiced by some sects in Islam differ in minor details.
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Surah Fatiya (first verse of Holy Quran) recitation is compulsory for all sects in every rakat. Prayer
(namaz) in congregation is recommended under a prayer leader (imam) and are classified into four categories
as under:
Compulsory (farz)
Recommended (wajib)
Practiced by Holy Prophet (sm) regularly (mukada) or non-regularly(ghair mukada) (Sunnat)
Voluntary (nafl).
TYPE OF PRAYERS (SALAT)
(See charts given below)
Compulsory (Farz)
These are five prayers spread all over the day. If there is a facility for Jumma prayers, then it is obligatory to
join it and this is conducted on Fridays. Compulsory namaz is always attached with pre or post rakats.
Recommended (Wajib)
Compulsory namaz is not excusable but its attachements are not punishable if missed.
Practiced by Holy Prophet (sm)
These are non-compulsory namaz which have been practiced by the Holy Prophet (sm) regularly and it is
advisable to say these rakats.
Voluntary (Nafl)
These are additional nafls to be said on various occasions like during sun or moon elipses, after wuzu, on
entering a mosque, at burial, taravi during Ramazan month, etc.


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COMPULSORY (FARZ) NAMAZ CHART
NAMAZ TYPE : SUNNAT MUKADA : SUNNAT GHAIR MUKADA : FARZ : SUNNAT MUKADA : NAFL : WATIR : TOTAL RAKAT
1. FAJR 2 - 2 - - - 4
2. ZUHR 4 - 4 2 2 - 12
3. ASR - 4 4 - - - 8
4. MAGHRIB - - 3 2 2 7
5. ISHA - 4 4 2 4 3 17
6. JUMMA 4 - 2 4+2 2 14
NOTE: Four Farz rakats of Zuhr, Asr and Isha should be reduced to 2 rahats during journey more than 48 miles and this is
applicable upto 19 days stay outstation. Also it is lawful to annex Zuhr with Asr and Maghrib during journey.

VOLUNTARY (NAFL) NAMAZ CHART
NAMAZ TYPE : TIME OF NAMAZ : RAKATS OF NAMAZ
1. TAHAJUD : Before sunrise and Fajr (suba sadiq) : Between 2 and 8 rakats
2. ISHARAK : After Fajr and 12 minutes after sunrise : Between 2 and 12 rakats
3. CHASHT : Between 10 to 12 am : 4, 8 or 12 rakat set
4. AWABAAN : After Maghrib : 3 two rakat sets
5. SALAT-O-TASBI : Before Jumma or Zuhr prayer : 4 rakats
6. ISTAKARA : After Isha : 2 rakats
7. HAJAT : Between Zuhr and Asr or after Isha : 2 or 4 rakats
8. TAHATUL WUZU : Immediately after wuzu : 2 rakats
9. TAHATUL MASJID : On entering a mosque : 2 rakats
10. TARAVI : In ramazan between Isha and Witr : 20 rakats
11. EIDAN : Between Fajr and Zuhr : 2 rakats
12. ISHTAKA : During dry spell (prayer for rain) : 2 rakats
13. KASOOF : During Sun or Moon elipse : 2 rakats
14. MUSAFIR : Before and after journey : 2 rakats
15. KABAR : After Isha (to ease the grave difficulty) : 2 rakats
16. SAWAB MAYAT : At funeral : 2 rakats
17. KAZA FARZ : Before or after Farz or Watir : As per Farz or Watir missed

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