ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS

Simple explanation of RAKAT and SUNNAH for beginners

We’ve already talked about the significance of namaz. To be able to perform prayer we have to understand what is rakat, how we perform one unit of rakat, and what the sunnah is. It might seems like a lot to take on board but only because you probably haven’t heard about it before, I felt like that. But I promise you it is actually easier than it looks. By the end of this article, you will be confident about how to do it.

Understanding Rakats

A rakat is a unit of Namaz. Each prayer consists of a specific number of rakats. The number of rakats varies depending on the type of prayer. Let’s take a look at the picture below on the total rakat so you can understand better. The Fajr prayer consists of a total of four rakats, while the Zuhr prayer has total of 12 rakats, Asr eight rakats, maghrib prayer seven rakats and Isha prayer 17 rakats. The order of rakat (fard, nafl, etc..) CAN NOT be mixed up. You can see in the picture their order.

Now, to understand all of it we need to know meaning of the few words:

  • Fard – Fard prayers are those that are mandatory for every Muslim to perform. Failure to perform them without a valid reason is considered a sin.
  • Nafl – Nafl prayers are those that are not mandatory but highly recommended. Performing them is considered a good deed and can increase one’s reward in the afterlife.
  • Witr – Witr is a special type of Nafl prayer that is performed at night. It involves an odd number of rakats (units) of prayer.
  • Sunnah Ghayr Muakkadah – These are Sunnah prayers, While they are recommended, their absence is not considered a major sin. Our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) would miss them on rare occasions.
  • Sunnah Muakkadah – These are Sunnah prayers that are strongly emphasized in the Islam. They have been performed by our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and never missed. Their absence is considered a minor sin.

The structure of a RAKAT

A rakat typically involves the following steps:

  1. Takbir (Opening): Raising your hands to your ears (for men), raising hands to shoulder with elbows kept tide to body (for women) and saying “Allahu Akbar” (God is the greatest).
  2. Recitation: Reciting the Surah al-Fatihah (the opening chapter of the Quran) and another Surah or a few verses.
  3. Ruku (Bowing): Bending your waist at a 90-degree angle, placing your hands on your knees reciting 3x times “Subhana Rabbiy-al-‘Adheem”
  4. I’tidal (Standing up): Straightening your back and saying “Sami’allahu liman hamida” (God has heard those who praise Him).
  5. Going from standing up to Sujud recite – ‘Rabanaa lakal hamd’.
  6. Sujud (Prostration): Touching the ground with your forehead, nose, hands, forearms (for women only), and legs. And recite at least 3x times “Subhana Rabbiyal A’la” (“How Perfect is my Lord, the Highest”).
  7. Jalsa (Sitting): Sitting up on your heels (for men). Sitting up on your legs, with your legs slightly to the right side so your bottom touches the ground (for women). Both hands placed on knees.
  8. Second Sujud (Prostration): Performing a second prostration. Repeating the steps 6 and 7.
  9. Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat” prayer.
    This step is performed ONLY in second rakat of any namaz. Look at the picture again. For example: Zuhr fard prayer consists of 4 rakats so you recite the ”At-tahiyyat” in your second rakat before you start your 3rd rakat.
  10. Tashriq (Sitting): sit and recite the “At-Tahiyyat” and ”Durood Shareef”.
    This step is performed ONLY and ALWAYS in the last rakat.
  11. Salam (Greeting): When you finish step 10 you turn your head to the right and say “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” and then turn your head to the left and say the same “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu” (Peace be upon you and the mercy of God and His blessings)

    WITR NAMAZ which consists of 3 rakats, has last, 3rd rakat, performed slightly differently with extra dua ”Qunoot” to recite. Which I’ll mention another time as it is quite long and hard to memorize at the beginning.

Your namaz is done, in practice, one rakat doesn’t take you more than one minute. I promise you it is not that hard how it looks. I will tell you more about “At-Tahiyyat” and ”Durood Shareef” later on because it takes a little bit longer to memorise them.

SUNNAH

Sunnah refers to the actions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that are considered to be a model for Muslims to follow. It is a crucial source of guidance in Islam, alongside the Quran.

Benefits of Performing Sunnah Rakats

Performing Sunnah rakats can bring several benefits, including:

  • Increased Reward: Sunnah rakats are rewarded generously by Allah swt.
  • Spiritual Growth: They can help you deepen your connection with Allah swt and develop a stronger faith.
  • Completeness of Worship: Sunnah rakats can make your worship more complete and fulfilling.

Tips for New Muslims

  • Start Slowly: Perform all the prayers to the best ability. Start with the obligatory and sunnah namaz, then gradually incorporate nafl prayers as you become more comfortable.
  • Seek Guidance: Consult with experienced Muslims or Islamic scholars who can provide guidance and answer your questions.
  • Use Resources: There are many online resources and mobile apps available to help you learn Namaz.
  • Be Patient: Learning Namaz takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and don’t get discouraged by setbacks.

Conclusion

Namaz is a beautiful and essential part of the Islamic faith. By understanding the concept of rakats and Sunnah prayers, you can perform Namaz with more confidence and appreciation. Remember, the most important thing is to have a sincere intention and a desire to connect with Allah swt.