There are different types of salat in Islam which has been prescribed for Muslims. There are two main types of salat, the obligatory and voluntary prayer. We have discussed them in the following:
a)
Fard or Obligatory Salat
Fard prayer is an obligatory
prayer. Every 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 fard 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)
Sunnat Mu’akkadah (compulsory)
That is those which are
emphasized by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and offered regularly by him before or
after the Fard 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.
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