The 5 Daily Fard Prayers

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Number of Rakaats for Prayers

Prayer      Sunnahs before the Fard      Fard         Sunnah after the Fard

Fajr.                            2.                                    2.                           0
Dhuhr.                        2+2.                               4.                           2
Asr.                             2+2.                               4.                            0
Maghrib.                   2.                                    3.                            2
Isha.                           2.                                    4.                       2 plus 3 Witr
 

The Above are the Number of Rakaahs that are performed in the 5 Daily prayers. The Fard Rakaahs are compulsory whereas the Sunnah Rakaahs are optional.

For those who are very new to praying they may need to start of by just performing the Fard prayers and as they advance they can add the 2 rakkahs of sunnah  before the 2rakkahs of Fard of the fajr and also the 3 rakkahs of Witr after the Isha prayer.

When they Advance even furthur they may wish to include all or as many sunnahs as possible.

 Jummah (Friday prayer)

2 Rakkah salutation for the Masjid. One must prayer these before sitting down in Masjid

Before Fard

2   (if praying Sunnah at home

or  2 +2)   ( if praying Sunnah in Masjid

Note. When you are in the Masjid for prayer. If the Iqamah for prayer has started one must stop praying his Sunnah prayers immediately and join the congregation for the Fard prayers.

Some brothers and sisters when they arrive in the Masjid  and see the congregation praying they do not join the congregation but they start trying to perform the sunnah rakkahs.

This is wrong and against the Prophet 's peace be upon him teachings others keep of praying their sunnahs even when the iqamah has gone and this is also against the teachings of the Prophet peace be upon him

 

Note for the Jummah prayer. When one arrives in the Masjid he should offer 2 rakaahs prayers for salutation for the Masjid before he sits down. If the Khutbah (sermon) is being performed he should still do his 2 rakkahs and then sit down and quietly listen to the sermon. However if the Friday prayer has started he does not do the 2 rakkahs salutation but rather he must join the congregation.

IMPORTANCE OF SUNNAH PRAYERS

The mother of the faithfull Umm Habibah Ramilah bint Abu Sufyan Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that she heard the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam saying: “A house will be built in paradise for every Muslim who offers twelve Rak’ah of optional salah other than the obligatory salah in day and night, to seek pleasure of Allah.” Narrated by Muslim.
According to Imam Nisaai and Imam Tirmidhi these 12 rakkahs are:

2 Before Fard of Fajr

4 Before Fard of  Dhuhr and 2 After the Fard

2 After Fard of  Mahgrib

and 2 After Fard of Isha

Importance of Prayer 2 Rakaats when entering the Masjid

 Abu Qatada Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “If any one of you enters a mosque, he should pray two raka’ats before sitting.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Importance of the 2 Sunnahs of Fajr

 Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “The two rakaats before dawn (fajr) prayer are better than the word and all that it contains.” Narrated by Muslim.

Aisha radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam was never more regular and strict in offering any Nawafil than the two rakaats (sunnah before) dawn (fajr) prayer. Narrated by Al-Bukhari

Importance of Sunnah of Dhuhr

Umm Habiba radhiyallahu ‘anha narrated that the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Whoever, observes the practice of offering four rak’ahs before Duhr prayer and four rak’ahs after it. Allah will shield him against the fire of hell.” Narrated bay Abu Daud and At-Tirmithi
Importance of Witr prayer

Abdullah bin Umar Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated thet the Prophet Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said : “Make Witr as your last salah (prayer) at night.” Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

Importance of Praying 2 Rakaats after wudhu

Abu Huraira Radhiallahu ‘anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger Shalallahu ‘alaihi wa Salam said to Bilal Radhiallahu ‘anhu “Tell me about the most hopeful act (i.e one which you deem the most rewarding with Allah) you have done since your acceptance of Islam because I heard the sound of the steps of your shoes in front of me in paradise.” Bilal said : “I do not consider any act more hopeful than that whenever I make ablution (wudoo) at any time of night or day, I offer salah (prayer) for as long as was destined for me to offer.” Narrated by Al-bukhari and Muslim

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