Types of Salah
a) Fardh or obligatory prayer – Fardh prayer is an obligatory prayer. [very believer is ordered by Allah to offer five obligatory prayers in a day. Failure to observe any one of the five obligatory prayers is a serious and punishable sin.
b) Nafl Prayer – This is a voluntary prayer which the Prophet (S.A.W) observed before or after Fardh at special and isolated occasions. It also includes those which he encouraged Muslims to pray.
The Nafl Prayer can be divided into three categories:
(i) Sunnah Mu’akkadah (compulsory) – That is those which are emphasised by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and offered regularly by him before or after the Fardh prayer.
(ii) Ghair Mu’akkadah (optional) – That is those offered only occasionally by Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W
(iii) Nafl Prayer (Extra) – This is an extra prayer. There is a reward for praying it and no sin for leaving it. It can be offered at any isolated instance according to the time and capacity of the believer. Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) encouraged the believers to pray Nafl to help make up for any minor omissions or other defects in the obligatory prayer
| Fajr | Dhuhr | Asr | Maghrib | Isha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah 2 rakats Fardh | 4 rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah 4 rakats Fardh 2 rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah 2 rakats Nafl (Optional) | 4 rakats Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Optional) 4 rakats Fardh | 3 rakats Fardh 2 rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah 2 rakats Nafl (Optional) | 4 rakats Sunnah Ghair Mu’akkadah (Optional) 4 rakats Fardh 2 rakats Sunnah Mu’akkadah 2 rakats Nafl (Optional) 3 rakats Witr 2 rakats Nafl (Optional) |
Fajr – Morning prayer – starts at dawn and ends at sunrise.
Dhuhr – Midday or afternoon prayer.
Asr – Late afternoon prayer and ends just before sunset.
Maghrib – Sunset prayer: starts just after sunset and ends when twilight has disappeared.
Isha – Night prayer: starts from the disappearance of twilight and ends just before midnight. It is preferable to offer this prayer before midnight but it can be offered right up to the break of dawn.
An-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
The Sunnah is to recite out loud in the (first) two rakats of Fajr, Maghrib and ‘Isha’, and in Jummah, and to recite quietly in Zuhr and ‘Asr, and the third rakat of Maghrib, and the third and fourth rakats of ‘Isha’. All of this is according to the consensus of the Muslims, in addition to the saheeh hadiths that all indicate that.
This table provides a clear overview of when to recite out loud and when to recite quietly in each of the daily obligatory (fardh) prayers and the Friday congregational prayer (Jummah).
| Prayer | Rakats | Recitation |
|---|---|---|
| Fajr | First 2 rakats | Recite out loud |
| Dhuhr (Zuhr) | All rakats | Recite quietly |
| Asr | All rakats | Recite quietly |
| Maghrib | First 2 rakats | Recite out loud |
| Third rakat | Recite quietly | |
| Isha | First 2 rakats | Recite out loud |
| Third and fourth rakats | Recite quietly | |
| Friday (Jummah) | Both rakats | Recite out loud |
Guidelines for Joining a Congregational Prayer After Missing One or More Rakats
Here are the specific guidelines for joining a congregational prayer that has already begun and the individual has missed the first rakat:
- Intention (Niyyah): Make the intention to join the congregation for the particular prayer with the intention solely for the sake of Allah and to follow the congregation.
- Joining Position: Quietly join the rows behind the imam without disrupting the prayer, aligning with the rest of the congregation.
- Timing: Wait until the imam completes the prayer by offering the Salam (concluding greetings) to both sides.
- Standing Up: After the imam gives the Salam, stand up to perform the missed rakats, marking the beginning of your own prayer.
- Recitation of Missed Rakats: Perform the remaining rakats independently, following the usual prayer sequence but without the congregation.
- Offering Individual Salam: After completing the missed rakats, offer your own concluding greetings (Salam) to end your prayer.
Following these guidelines ensures that the individual can still benefit from the congregational prayer and fulfill their obligation to pray in congregation while completing the missed rakats independently and without disrupting the congregation.
| Arabic | Transliteration | English | |
| Niyyah (Intention) | إِنِّي وَجَّهْتُ وَجْهِيَ لِلَّذِي فَطَرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ حَنِيفًا وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ | Inni wajjahtu wajhiya lilladhi fataras-samawati wal arda hanifan wama ana minal mushrikeen | I have turned my full attention towards the Supreme Being, Who has created the heavens and the earth, and I am not one of those who associate partners with Him. |
| Takbeer | اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is The Greatest |
| Thana | سُبْحَاْنَكَ اَلْلّٰھُمَّ وَبِحَمدِكَ وَتَبَارَكَ اسْمُكَ وَتَعَالٰی جَدُّكَ وَلَا اِلٰه غَیْرِكَ | SubhanaK Allahumma wa bihamdi-ka, wa tabaarakasmuka wa ta’ala jadduka wa la ilaha ghayruk. | Glory is to You O Allah, and praise. Blessed is Your Name and Exalted is Your Majesty. There is none worthy of worship but You. |
| Ta’awwuz | أَعُوْذُ بِاللهِ مِنَ الشَّـيْطٰنِ الرَّجِيْمِ | A’auodo billahi minash-shaytaanir-rajeem | I seek refuge with Allah from Satan. |
| Tasmiyah | بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ | Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem | In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful. |
| Al-Fatiha | الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ الرَّحْمـنِ الرَّحِيمِ مَـالِكِ يَوْمِ الدِّينِ إِيَّاك نَعْبُدُ وإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ اهدِنَــــا الصِّرَاطَ المُستَقِيمَ صِرَاطَ الَّذِينَ أَنعَمتَ عَلَيهِمْ غَيرِ المَغضُوبِ عَلَيهِمْ وَلاَ الضَّالِّينَ | AlHamdu lillaahi Rabbil-‘Aalameen. ‘Ar-Rahmanir-Raheem. Maaliki Yaumid Deen. ‘Iyyaka na-budu wa iyyaka nasta-een. Ihdina-sirat al-Mustaqueem. Siratal-lazeena ‘an-‘amta ‘alai-him, Ghairil maghdubi ‘alai-him wa laddaalleen | All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful; Master of Day of Judgement. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us along the right path, the path of those whom Thou has bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. |
| Any Surah e.g. Surah Al Fil | أَلَمْ تَرَ كَيْفَ فَعَلَ رَبُّكَ بِأَصْحَابِ الْفِيلِ أَلَمْ يَجْعَلْ كَيْدَهُمْ فِي تَضْلِيلٍ وَأَرْسَلَ عَلَيْهِمْ طَيْرًا أَبَابِيلَ تَرْمِيهِم بِحِجَارَةٍ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ فَجَعَلَهُمْ كَعَصْفٍ مَّأْكُولٍ | Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem. Alam tara kaifa fa’ala rabbuka bi ashaabil feel Alam yajAAal kaydahum fee tadleel Wa arsala ‘alaihim tairan abaabeel Tarmeehim bihijaratin minsijjeel Faja ‘alahum ka’asfim m’akool | Have you not considered, [O Muhammad], how your Lord dealt with the companions of the elephant? Did He not make their plan into misguidance? And He sent against them birds in flocks, Striking them with stones of hard clay, And He made them like eaten straw. |
| Say Takbeer and Go Down to Ruku (Bowing) | اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is The Greatest |
| During Ruku (Bowing) | سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ | Subhana Rabbiy al-Azeem (x3) | Glory be to My Lord, The Greatest |
| While Rising From Ruku | سَمِعَ اللَّهُ لِمَنْ حَمِدَهُ | Sami Allahu liman hamidah | Allah listens to him who praises Him. |
| While in Standing Position | رَبَّنَا وَلَكَ الْحَمْد | Rabbana wa Lakal Hamd | Our Lord, all praises are for You |
| Say Takbeer and Go Down For Sajdah (prostration) | اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is The Greatest |
| During First Sajdah | سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى | Subhana Rab-bi yal A’ala (x3) | Glory to my Lord, the Most High. |
| Say Takbeer and recite the Dua in sitting position | اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is The Greatest |
| Dua in Jalsa (the sitting position between the two prostrations). | رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لِي | Rabbighfir li (x2) | My Lord, forgive me |
| Say Takbeer and Return to Sajdah | اَللهُ أَكْبَرْ | Allahu Akbar | Allah is The Greatest |
| During Second Sajdah | سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الأَعْلَى | Subhana Rab-bi yal A’ala (x3) | Glory to my Lord, the Most High. |
| Jalsa (Sitting) – Tashahhud | التَّحِيَّاتُ لِلّٰهِ وَالصَّلَوَاتُ وَالطَّيِّبَاتُ، اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْكَ أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ، اَلسَّلَامُ عَلَيْنَا وَ عَلَىٰ عِبَادِ اللهِ الصَّالِحِينَ، أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ | At-tahiyyatu lillahi-was-salawaatu wat-tayyibatu Assalamo alaika ayyuhan Nabiyyo wa-rahmat-ullahi wa-barakatuho. Assalamo alaina wa’ala ‘ibadillahis saliheen. Ash-hado alla ilaaha illallaho wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasuluhu | All Salutation is due to Allah and all Prayer and every thing pure. Peace be upon thee, O Prophet, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings; and peace be on us and on all righteous servants of Allah. I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. |
| Durood Shareef (Salawat) | اَللّٰھُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلٰٓی اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ کَمَا صَلَّیْتَ عَلٰٓی اِبْرَاھِیْمَ وَعَلٰٓی اٰلِ اِبْرَاھِیْمَ اِنَّکَ حَمِیْدٌ مَّجِیْدٌ اَللّٰھُمَّ بَارِکْ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلٰٓی اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ کَمَا بَارَکْتَ عَلٰٓی اِبْرَاھِیْمَ وَعَلٰٓی اٰلِ اِبْرَاھِیْمَ اِنَّکَ حَمِیْدٌ مَّجِیْدٌ | Allahumma Salli ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin, kama sallaita ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hamidum-Majeed. Allahumma barik ‘ala Muhammadin wa ‘ala aali Muhammadin kama barakta ‘ala Ibrahima wa ‘ala aali Ibrahima innaka Hameedum-Majeed | Bless, O Allah, Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as Thou didst bless Abraham and the people of Abraham. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. Prosper, O Allah, Muhammad and the people of Muhammad, as Thou didst prosper Abraham and the people of Abraham. Thou art indeed the Praiseworthy, the Glorious. |
| Recommended Sunnah Dua | اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ عَذَابِ جَهَنَّمَ، وَمِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ، وَمِنْ فِتْنَةِ الْمَحْيَا وَالْمَمَاتِ، وَمِنْ شَرِّ فِتْنَةِ الْمَسِيحِ الدَّجَّالِ | Allahumma inni a’udhu bika min ‘adhabi jahannam, wa min ‘adhabi al-qabr, wa min fitnati al-mahya wa’l-mamat, wa min sharri fitnati al-masih al-dajjal. | O Allah, I seek refuge with You from the punishment of Hell, the punishment of the grave, the trials of life and death, and the evil of the trial of the Dajjal. |
| Personal Dua e.g. Rabbij Alni | رَبِّ ٱجْعَلْنِى مُقِيمَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِى ۚ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ رَبَّنَا ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَلِوَٰلِدَىَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَوْمَ يَقُومُ ٱلْحِسَابُ | Rabbij alni muqeemas salati wa min zurriyati Rabbana wa taqabbal du’a Rabbanagh fir lee waliwalidayya wa lil mumineena Yawma yaqoomul hisaab | My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and [many] from my descendants. Our Lord, and accept my supplication. Our Lord, forgive me and my parents and the believers the Day the account is established |
| Salaam Towards the Right | السلام عليكم ورحمة الله | Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah | Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah |
| Salaam Towards the Left | السلام عليكم ورحمة الله | Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah | Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah |
