Page 127 - The Importance of the Ahl Al-Sunnah

ADNAN OKTAR

to be in a spirit of fear filled with respect. In order to be in
this spirit, the Prophet (saas) advised us: “When you pray,
pray like the one who says farewell to his lower self, his
desires and his life, and turns to his Lord.” (Ibn Majah)
Aisha (ra) relates how meticulous the Prophet (saas) was
about prayers:
“Allah’s Messenger (saas) talked to us and we talked to
him, we laughed and conversed. But when the time for
prayer came, presumably out of Divine majesty, he became
as if he did not know us and we did not know him.”

Timings of the Prayer
Prayer is performed at five specific times of day. In addition
to the daily ones, prayer is also performed in congregation
once each Friday and twice a year on the Islamic eids (feasts).
1. Salat al-fajr (morning prayer): a sunnah prayer consisting of
2 rak‘ahs and a fard prayer consisting of 2 rak‘ahs
2. Salat al-zuhr (noon prayer): a sunnah prayer consisting of 4
rak‘ahs, a fard prayer consisting of 4 rak‘ahs, and a final sunnah
prayer consisting of 2 rak‘ahs
3. Salat al-‘asr (afternoon prayer): a sunnah prayer consisting
of 4 rak‘ahs and a fard prayer consisting of 4 rak‘ahs
4. Salat al-maghrib (evening prayer): a fard prayer consisting
of 3 rak‘ahs and a sunnah prayer consisting of 2 rak‘ahs
5. Salat al-‘isha’ (night prayer): a sunnah prayer consisting of 4
rak‘ahs, a fard prayer consisting of 4 rak‘ahs, and a final sunnah
prayer consisting of 2 rak‘ahs (a witr prayer*)
* The witr prayer consists of three rak‘ahs and is performed
after the night prayer’s final sunnah. Its time ends with the end
of the night prayer’s time and the beginning of the morning

125