Voluntary Prayers

Discouraged Time of Prayers

(Namaz ka Makrooh waqt)

In waqton mein koi nafl namaz na padhi jaye

5 aur 6 bataye gaye waqton mein koi nafl namaz jayaz nahi hai aur nahi sajda e-tilawat-e-Quran karna durust hai. Is waqt mein farz namazon ki qaza padhi jaa sakti hai.

During the following times, it is discouraged to offer any voluntary prayers:

In the fifth and sixth mentioned times, it is not permissible to perform any voluntary prayers or prostrate for recitation of the Quran. However, it is permissible to make up missed (qaza) obligatory prayers during these times.

Voluntary Prayers

(Nafl namazein)

Ishraq Prayer

Huzure Aqdas (s.a.w) ne farmaya ke main aise jamaat ke saath baithoon jo subah ki namaz ke baad aftab nikalne tak Allah ta'ala ke zikr mein mashgool rahe wo mujhe zyaada pasand hai, badle ke main char arab ghulam azaad karoon. Aur hadees mein hai ke jo shakhs subah ki namaz jama'at ke saath padhe aur aftaab nikalne tak Allah ta'ala ke zikr mein mashgool rahe aur phir do raka'at nafl padhe, is ko aisa sawaab milega jaise kamil Hajj ur Umrah mein milta hai.

Tarika: Is namaz ko subh (sunrise) ke taqriban 45 minute (three-fourths) baad uthne ke baad ada ki jati hai (Hanafi mazhab ke mutabiq) ya subh ke 20 minute baad (Shafi'i mazhab ke mutabiq). Shakhs kam az kam 2 raka'atain namaz padhta hai aur raka'atoun ki tadad ko 2 ke zarb mein bada sakta hai."

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "I prefer to sit with a group of people who engage in the remembrance of Allah from the morning prayer until the sun rises, over freeing four thousand slaves. And it is mentioned in a hadith that whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation, engages in the remembrance of Allah until the sun rises, and then performs two units of voluntary prayer, they will be rewarded as if they have completed a perfect Hajj and Umrah." 

Procedure: This prayer is performed about 45 minutes (three quarters) after sunrise (according to the Hanafi school of thought) or 20 minutes after sunrise (according to the Shafi' school). A person prays minimum 2 units of prayers and can increase the count in multiples of 2.

Duha Prayer (Chast)

Huzure Aqdas (s.a.w) ne farmaya ke Chast ki do raka'at padhne ke sabab jism ke 360 jodon ki taraf se sadqa ada ho jata hai. 

Tarika: Isay subh ke bad jab suraj bulandi par pohanch jaye, din ka ek teesra hissa guzar jaye tak, ada kiya jata hai aur zawal tak jari rehti hai. Shakhs 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 ya 12 rakat nafl ada kar sakta hai."

The Noble Prophet (p.b.u.h) said that by performing two units of prayer at the time of Chast (forenoon), charity is given on behalf of all 360 joints of the body.

Procedure: It is performed after the sun has risen high in the morning, after about one-third of the day has passed and it lasts until zawal. One may perform 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 rakat of nafl.

Awabeen Prayer

Huzure Aqdas (s.a.w) ne farmaya ke jo koi Maghrib aur Isha ke darmiyan yeh namaz padhe to woh Allah ki taraf ruju karne walon ki namaz hai. Huzur ne farmaya ke Maghrib ke baad 6 raka'atain is tarah padhein ke in ke darmiyan koi buri baat na kahi, to yeh namaz is ke 12 saal ki ibadat ke barabar hogi.

Tarika: Maghrib ki farz aur sunnat namaz ke baad, 6 rakaat nafl namaz ada kar sakta hai, 2 rakaaton ki tadad mein." 

The Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) said that whoever performs this prayer between Maghrib and Isha, it is as if they have performed the prayer of those who seek nearness to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) further advised that after Maghrib prayer, one should perform six units of prayer in such a way that no evil or harmful words are spoken between them. By doing so, the reward of this prayer will be equivalent to twelve years of worship.

Procedure: After performing the Fardh and Sunnah of Maghrib, one may perform 6 rakat nafl, in sets of 2 units.

Tahajjud Prayer

Tamam nafl namazon mein se woh namaz jise raat ke darmiyan ada kiya jata hai, jise Tahajjud ya Salat al-Layl kehte hain, sab se zyada sawab dene wali aur faidemand hoti hai. Salat at-Tahajjud Isha namaz ke baad aur Fajr namaz se pehle ada ki jati hai. Rakaat ki tadad jod-tod mein even numbers mein ada ki jani chahiye.

Tarika: Huzoor Muhammad (s.a.w) 8 rakaat ada karte thay. Agar raat ko 6 hisson mein taqseem kiya jaye, toh chautha aur paanchwa hissa namaz ke liye sab se behtar hai. Agar adha hissa mein taqseem kiya jaye, toh doosra adha sab se behtar hai. Agar teesre hisse mein taqseem kiya jaye, toh darmiyan ka hissa sab se behtar hai. 

Of all the nafl prayers, that prayer which is offered in the middle of the night, known as Tahajjud or Salat al-Layl, is the most rewarding and beneficial. Salat at-Tahajjud is offered after Isha prayer but before Fajr prayer. 

Procedure: The number of rakat prayed should be offered in even numbers, in units of two Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) used to offer 8 units. If one divides the night into six parts, the fourth and fifth part are the best for prayer. If divided in half, the second half is best. If into thirds, the middle part is best.

Glorification Prayer (Salat ut-Tasbih)

Salat at-Tasbih ki riwayat ke mutabiq, jis shakhs ne bhi Salat at-Tasbih ada ki hai, uske pichle gunah maaf ho jayenge. Hanafi madhhab mein isko mustahabb samjha jata hai, jaisa ki Ibn Abidin ki Hashiya mein bhi zikr kiya gaya hai.

Tarika: Ye namaz 4 rakaat ki hoti hai aur namaz ka tarteeb thoda alag hota hai. Har rakaat mein neeche diye gaye tasbih ko 75 baar parha jata hai, jisse kul milakar 4 rakaaton mein 300 baar tasbih parhi jati hai.

 "سُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلا إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ"

Salat According to the narrations, whoever offers Salat at-Tasbih, his previous sins will be forgiven. In the Hanafi madhhab, it is recommended, as mentioned in the major texts, such as Ibn Abidin's Hashiya.

Procedure: Consisting of 4 units of prayer, the prayer format is slightly different. The following tasbih is recited 75 times in each Rakat, totalling 300 times in all 4 Rakats:

"Subhan Allahi wal hamdu-lillahi wala ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar"

Prayer for the fulfillment of a need (Salat al-Hajat)

Hazrat Abdullah ibne Auwfa (r.a) se riwayat hai ke Rasool paak (s.a.w) ne irshad farmaya ke Allah se koi hajat ho to wudu kar ke do raka'at namaz padh kar Allah ki tareef karein aur Nabi kareem (s.a.w) par durood shareef padhe aur phir Allah se yun mange:

لا إِلَهَ إلاَّ اللهُ الحَلِيمُ الكَرِيمُ، سُبْحَانَ اللهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ العَظِيمِ ، وَ الحَمْدُ لِلهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ ، أَسْأَلُكَ مُوجِبَاتِ رَحْمَتِكَ ، وَعَزَائِمَ مَغْفِرَتِكَ ، وَالْغَنِيمَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ بِرٍّ وَّالسَّلامَةَ مِنْ كُلِّ إِثْمٍ ،لاَ تَدَعْ لِيْ ذَنْباً إِلاَّ غَفَرْتَهُ، وَلاَ هَمَّاً إِلاَّ فَرَّجْتَهُ، وَلاَ حَاجَةً هِيَ لَكَ رِضاً إِلاَّ قَضَيتَهَا يَا أَرْحَمَ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

Tarika: Isme wudu karke dhyan se 2 rakaat namaz ada ki jati hai, phir ikhlas se dua ki jati hai jisme woh apne maqsad ko pura hone ki guzaarish karta hai aur Allah ki madad ki darkhwast karta hai.

It is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah ibn Aufa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "If you have any need from Allah, then perform ablution (wudu), offer two units of prayer (raka'at), praise Allah, send blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), and then make the following supplication to Allah:

Laaa i-la-ha il-lal-la-hul-Ha-leemul kareem. Sub-hanallahi rabbil `arshil `azeem. Wal-Hamdu-lil-la-hi rabbil-`Alameen. As’aluka muji-bati rah-ma-tik, wa `a-zaaa ‘i-ma mag-fira-tik, wal gha-nee-mata min kul-li birr, was-sa-la-mata min kul-li ithm. La ta-da` li dhan-ban il-la gha-far-tah, wala ham-man il-la far-raj-tah, wala hajatan he-ya laka ri-dan il-la qa-day-taha yaaa ar-ha-mar-ra-he-meen.

Procedure: It consists of a an ablution done carefully, followed by a calm 2 units of prayer, then a sincere supplication that states what one wishes to be accomplished and requesting Allah's help in its accomplishment.

Prayer for Repentance (Salat at-Tauba)

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (r.a.) famatein hai ke Nabi (s.a.w) ka irshaad hai ke jab koi aadmi gunah karta hai aur gunah ke baad fouran wudu kar ke 2 raka'at padh leta hai aur taubah karta hai to Allah ta'ala is shaks ke tamam gunah muaf kar dete hain.

Tarika: Sahih wudu ya ghusl ada karen, phir do rakaat namaz ada karen aur Allah Ta'ala se maghfirat ki darkhwast karen.

Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that when a person commits a sin and immediately performs ablution (wudu) and offers two units of prayer (raka'at) and sincerely repents, then Allah Almighty forgives all the sins of that person.

Procedure: Make the appropriate minor or major ablution, offer a prayer of two rak‘ats, and ask for Allah's forgiveness.

Journey Prayer (Salat as-Safar)

Kaha jata hai ki safar par nikalne se pehle (Salat al-khuruj ila's-safar) aur safar se wapas aane par (Salat al-'awda) 2 rakaat namaz ada ki jaani chahiye.

It is said that one should offer 2 units of prayer before departing on a journey (Salat al-khuruj ila’s-safar), and upon return from the journey (Salat al-‘awda).

Prayer for asking for Guidance/Advice (Salat al-Istikhara)

Jab kisi kaam ke karne ka qasad kare to Allah Ta'ala se salah le le, is salah lene ko istikhara kehte hai. Hadees mein is ki bahut targeebh aai hai. Aqaid madni janab Rasool Allah (s.a.w) ne farmaya ke Allah Ta'ala se na lena aur Istikhara na karna, bad bakhti aur bad nasibi ki baat hai. Jab koi aham kaam pesh aaye, jaise shaadi, ya safar, ya aur koi kaam kare to bagair Istikhara ke na kare. To Insha Allah kabhi apne kiye par mayoosi nahi hogi.

Tarika: Namaz-e-Istikhara ka tareeka yeh hai ke pehle do raka'at nafl namaz padhe fir uske baad yeh dua padhe:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَسْتَقْدِرُكَ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ الْعَظِيمِ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْدِرُ وَلَا أَقْدِرُ، وَتَعْلَمُ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ، وَأَنْتَ عَلَّامُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ خَيْرٌ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، فَاقْدُرْهُ لِي وَيَسِّرْهُ لِي ثُمَّ بَارِكْ لِي فِيهِ، وَإِنْ كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُ أَنَّ هَذَا الْأَمْرَ شَرٌّ لِي فِي دِينِي وَمَعَاشِي وَعَاقِبَةِ أَمْرِي، عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ، فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَاصْرِفْنِي عَنْهُ وَاقْدُرْ لِيَ الْخَيْرَ حَيْثُ كَانَ، ثُمَّ أَرْضِنِي بِهِ.

When one intends to undertake a particular task, it is recommended to seek guidance from Allah Almighty through a prayer called Istikhara. There are numerous narrations that emphasize the importance of Istikhara. The beloved Prophet (peace be upon him) has said that not seeking Allah's guidance and not performing Istikhara is a sign of hastiness and ill fortune. When an important matter arises, such as marriage, travel, or any other significant decision, one should not proceed without performing Istikhara. By the will of Allah, you will never be disappointed in your actions.

Procedure: The method of performing Istikhara is to first offer two units of voluntary (nafl) prayer, and then recite the following supplication:


Allaahumma 'innee 'astakheeruka bi'ilmika, wa 'astaqdiruka biqudratika, wa 'as'aluka min fadhtikal-'Adheemi, fa'innaka taqdiru wa laa 'aqdiru, wa ta'lamu, wa laa 'a'lamu, wa 'Anta 'Allaamul-Ghuyoobi, Allaahumma 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra-[then mention the thing to be decided] Khayrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Faqdurhu lee wa yassirhu lee thumma baarik lee feehi, wa 'in kunta ta'lamu 'anna haathal-'amra sharrun lee fee deenee wa ma'aashee wa 'aaqibati 'amree - [or say] 'Aajilihi wa 'aajilihi - Fasrifhu 'annee wasrifnee 'anhu waqdur liyal-khayra haythu kaana thumma 'ardhinee bihi

Prayer for Rain (Salat al-Istisqa)

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid (r.a) se riwayat hai ke janaab Rasool Allah (s.a.w) ne namaz-e-Istisqa ke liye, logon ko saath lekar EidGah tashreef le gaye aur AAP (s.a.w) ne do raka'atein padhi aur qirat buland awaaz ke saath ki aur Qible rukh hokar aur haath utha kar dua ki aur jaise hi Aap (s.a.w) ne Qible ki taraf apna rukh kiya us waqt apni chadar ko ulta.

Jab baarish ki shadeed zarurat ho aur paani na barsta ho to logon ko chahiye ke Allah Tabarak Wa Ta'ala ki taraf mutwajjah ho kar baarish ki dua karein.

It is narrated by Hazrat Abdullah bin Zaid (r.a) that the Messenger of Allah (p.b.u.h) led the people in the prayer of Istisqa (prayer for rain). He took them to the EidGah (place of prayer) and offered two units of prayer, reciting aloud. He faced the Qibla (direction of the Kaaba) and raised his hands in supplication. As soon as he turned towards the Qibla, he turned his cloak inside out.

When there is a severe need for rain and it is not raining, it is advised for people to turn their attention towards Allah Almighty and make supplications for rain.

Prayer Solar & Lunar Eclipse (Salat al-Kasauf wa Khasauf)

Suraj grahan ki namaz ko kasauf aur chand grahan ko khasauf kehte hain. Dono namazon ki tadad do raka'atein hai.

Namaz-e-Kasauf ba jama'at Masjid mein padhni chahiye. Imam buland awaaz mein qirat kare aur namaz ke baad us waqt tak dua karte rahe, jab tak suraj roshan na ho jaye. Agar kisi farz namaz ka waqt ho jaye to dua chodh kar namaz padhni chahiye.

Namaz Khasauf apne gharon mein alag alag padhi jaye. Masjid mein ja kar jama'at ke saath padhna masnoon nahi hai.

The prayer performed during a solar eclipse is called Salat al-Kasauf, and the prayer during a lunar eclipse is called Salat al-Khasauf. Both prayers consist of two units each.

Salat al-Kasauf should be offered in congregation at the mosque. The imam should recite the Quran aloud, and after the prayer, they should continue supplicating until the sun reappears. If the time for an obligatory prayer arrives, one should leave the supplication and perform the obligatory prayer.

Salat al-Khasauf is to be individually performed in one's own homes. It is not recommended to gather at the mosque for this prayer.

Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha

(Eidein)

Ramzan sharif ke baad jo Eid aati hai, use Eid ul-Fitr kehte hain aur Dhul Hijja ki dasvi (10) tareekh ko jo Eid aati hai, use Eid ul-Adha kehte hain. In dono Eid ki namaz wajib hai aur in ka waqt suraj ke acchi tarah nikalne ke baad shuru hota hai aur zawal aftaab tak rehta hai. Jin logon par Juma'a ki namaz farz hai aur jo shartein jumaa ki namaz ki hai, unhe Eid ki namaz bhi padhni chahiye. Magar Eid ki namazon mein khutbaa namaz se pehle padhne ki bajaye namaz ke baad padha jaata hai aur Eid ke khutbe ka sunna Juma'a ki khutbe ki tarah wajib hai.

After the holy month of Ramadan, the celebration known as Eid ul-Fitr takes place, and on the 10th of Dhul Hijja, another Eid known as Eid ul-Adha is celebrated. Both of these Eids have obligatory prayers associated with them. The timing for these prayers starts after the sun has risen sufficiently and continues until midday. Those individuals who are obligated to perform the Juma'a (Friday) prayer and meet its requirements should also offer the Eid prayers. However, in the Eid prayers, the sermon (khutba) is delivered after the prayer, unlike the Friday prayer where the sermon is delivered before the prayer. It is obligatory to listen to the sermon of Eid, similar to the obligation of listening to the Friday sermon.

Recommended actions (sunnah) on the days of Eid 

Eidein ke din ki sunnatein

Method of Eid Prayers

(Eidein ki namaz ka tarika)

Eid ki namaz do rak'atein hai. Inn dono namazon ke liye adhan ya koi aur takbeer ada nahi ki jati hai. Eid ki namaz ada karne ka tareeqa is tarah hai:

The prayer of Eid consists of two units (raka'at). For both of these prayers, there is no adhan (call to prayer) or additional takbeer (saying Allahu Akbar) recited. The method of performing the Eid prayer is as follows: