Basics of Religious Education — Page 179
179 179 179 179 179 B ASICS OF R ELIGIOUS E DUCATION - F IFTH E DITION A raka`ah is one whole series of postures which starts from standing and ends with prostration. If we stand twice it means we have prayed two raka`aat. If the Prayer is composed of four raka`aat, we have to sit down after two raka`aat and recite at-tashahhad and then stand up without ending our Prayer and complete our four raka`aat by saying two more raka`aat. The table of raka`aat for various Prayers is as follows: Table of Raka`aat There are five daily Prayers, each of which should be performed at its own appointed time. But in exceptional circumstances, when Prayer at five sepa- rate times is not practicable, the midday (Zuhr) and afternoon (`Asr) Prayers can be joined together. Similarly, after sunset, Maghrib and Ishaa' Prayers can also be joined. The timings are as follows: 1. Fajr — from dawn (first light of day) to just before sunrise. 2. Zuhr — from the decline of the sun to the start of the time of `Asr Prayer 3. `Asr — from mid-afternoon to quite some time before sunset, when the sunlight has paled. 4. Maghrib — immediately after sunset and continues till dusk (i. e. , just before it gets quite dark). 5. Ishaa' — starts at nightfall and continues up to midnight. It is forbidden to perform Salat or Nawaafil at the following times: • When the sun is rising, setting or at its zenith • After `Asr Prayer till sunset. • After Fajr Prayer till sunrise. Timings 5. 2 5. 2 5. 2 5. 2 5. 2 S S S S S A L A T A L A T A L A T A L A T A L A T — 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 A L A T A L A T A L A T A L A T A L A T (Nafl) (Nafl) (4) (2) (2) (2) Note: (Nafl) = Optional Prayer; Total Raka‘at does not include Nafl count.