Types of Prayers (Salat) in Islam

Understanding Types of Prayers (Salat) in Islam ~ Hi all readers! In this article, I will explain the types of prayer in Islam. You must know that not all prayers can be done. There are several things that govern it. As Muslims, we must know about that.

In Islam there are five types of prayers (salat): prayers whose status is fardhu ‘ain, prayers whose status is fardhu kifayah, prayers whose status is sunnah, prayers whose status is makruh, prayers whose status is haram.

Do you understand? Not yet? Do not worry! I will explain it all.

Prayers whose status is fardhu ‘ain

What is meant by prayer whose status is fardhu ‘ain, is a prayer that must be performed by every Muslim. Basically, every Muslim must do that. If he doesn't do that, then he sins. But we must pay attention to the type and context.

Prayers whose status is fardhu ‘ain have eleven kinds;

Mandatory prayers must be performed by Muslim when he is not traveling.
Mandatory prayers must be performed by Muslim when he is traveling.
Prayers to replace mandatory prayers that have been left behind.
Prayers are performed to combine two prayers at once (jamak prayer).
Friday prayer. This prayer is for men.

You need to know that what is meant by obligatory prayer must be done by a Muslim when he is traveling or not (first point and second point) are Shubuh, Dhuhur, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha’. Basically, all Muslims who have fulfilled the conditions of prayer must do it all, unless he has reasons that can be justified by Islam.

In some conditions, the five prayers can be summarized. Dhuhr and Asr can be done at one time (at dhuhur prayer time or at Asr prayer time), Maghrib and Isha can be done at one time (at Maghrib prayer time or at Isha prayer time), but that cannot be done during the Shubuh prayer. In Islamic teachings, such prayer is called jamak prayer (fourth point).

As for what is meant by prayer which is done to replace the obligatory prayer that has been abandoned is, is a prayer that is indeed done to replace the prayer that is left behind. For example, this morning I did not perform Shubuh prayer because I woke up when the sun had risen. As a consequence, I have to replace the Shubuh prayer that I left behind. In Islamic teachings, such prayer is called qadla’ prayer (third point).

What is meant by Friday prayer (fifth point) is prayer that have two rakats performed by Muslim men instead of dhuhur prayer. The law to do this prayer is mandatory.

Prayers whose status is fardhu kifayah

As for what is meant by prayer, the status of fardlu kifayah is enough prayer to be performed by one person. That is, if there is already one person who does that, the other Muslims are not obliged to do so. There is one prayer whose status is fardlu kifayah; prayer janazah (janazah prayer).

Prayers whose status is sunnah (suggestion).

As for the prayer whose status is sunnah is a prayer that is better done than not done. People who do it get rewarded and people who don't do it don't get sin. There are many types of prayer whose status is recommended; qabliyah prayers, ba'diyah prayes, honoring mosque prayers, two 'Ids prayers), prayer due to solar eclipse, prayer due to a lunar eclipse, midnight prayer (tahajud prayer), dhuhah prayer, tasbih prayer, repentance prayer, prayer to ask for rain (istisqaa’), prayer for fear (khauf prayer ), prayer for being very afraid (syiddatu al-Khauf), and so on.

Prayers whose status is makruh

What is meant by prayer whose status is makruh is that prayer should not be carried out under certain conditions, such as in hunger condition, holding urine, holding back defecation, and so forth. That is because such conditions can damage a person's concentration when he is praying. If he prays in such conditions, his prayers are still valid, not broken, but it is better that he does not do so under these conditions. I have explained many explanations about that in a number of previous articles.

Prayers whose status is haram (illegitimate)

As for what is meant by prayer which is haram (illegitimate) is a prayer whose status is a sunnah (suggestion) that is carried out at certain times, times that should not be used for prayer, such as prayer after Shubuh prayer until sunrise, prayer when the sun is right above the head, prayer after Asr prayer until sunset, prayer when the imam is in the sermon during the Friday prayer time except prayer to honor the mosque. But prayers whose status is illegitimate are permissible if conditions require someone to do so.

All readers! That is a brief explanation of the types of prayers (Salat) in Islam. Indeed, there are several things that need to be explained. I will explain that in the next few articles, Allah willing.

I think that is enough for this article! May be useful! Amen!

See you again in the next article!