Basics of Religious Education — Page 178
178 178 178 178 178 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION Intr Intr Intr Intr Introduction to oduction to oduction to oduction to oduction to Sala Sala Sala Sala Salat t t t t (Pr (Pr (Pr (Pr (Pra a a a ay y y y yer) er) er) er) er) There are four types of Prayers as follows: The Arabic word, Fard , means obligatory. Fard Prayer is performed in congregation behind an Imam preferably in a mosque. But when one is un- able to offer it in the Mosque or in congregation, one can offer it alone in one’s home or another place. There are five daily Fard Prayers. It is a very serious sin in the sight of Allah to intentionally miss a Fard Prayer. How- ever, if one happens to miss it unintentionally, one may offer it as a Qadaa Prayer, i. e. , a Missed Prayer. These Prayers are regarded as Waajib (necessary), but not obligatory. The Vitr, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adhiya Prayers are the Waajib Prayers. It is a sin to intentionally miss a Waajib Prayer, but if one happens to miss it unin- tentionally, he is not required to offer it as a Qadaa Prayer. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet of Islam sa to offer additional Prayers before and after Fard Prayers. These are called Sunnah Prayers. It is very rewarding to offer these Prayers, but to miss them intentionally is an act of disapproval in the sight of Allah. These additional but optional Prayers are preferably performed in one’s home, and in as many numbers as one likes. By offering them, one can achieve further blessings of Allah. Moreover, the Sunnah and Nawaafil Prayers make good any shortcomings in the performance of Fard Prayers. Tahajjud Prayer is among the Nawaafil Prayers (described later in this section). It is reported in Ahadith that our beloved Holy Prophet sa used to offer Nawaafil very frequently. They should be performed two raka`aat at a time. One can perform as many Nawaafil Prayers as one likes. Types of Prayers Fard Prayers Waajib Prayers Sunnah Prayers Nafl Prayers (Nawaafil) S S S S S ALAT ALAT ALAT ALAT ALAT — I — I — I — I — I NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION NTRODUCTION T O T O T O T O T O S S S S S ALAT ALAT ALAT ALAT ALAT 5. 2 5. 2 5. 2 5. 2 5. 2