TERM 2 - FIQH ii - CLASS 8
WITR & SALATUL EID
The Witr (Odd Number) Prayer
The "Witr" (Odd Number Prayer) is a voluntary prayer traditionally practiced by the Prophet (peace be upon him) regularly whether he was present at his home place as a resident, or was on a journey. Such was the importance attached to this prayer by the Prophet (peace be upon him), that some Muslim jurists and scholars are of the opinion that it is a necessary prayer. The Prophet (peace be upon him) exhorting the Ummah (Muslim Nation) to the importance of the Witr prayer says: “Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) is One and loves Witr, therefore O people who believe in the Qur'an perform Witr prayers!” (Reported by Imams Dawood and Tirmidhi).
The time for the Witr Prayer begins from the end of Isha (Evening) prayer and continues until the Fajr (Dawn) prayer and is performed as the last prayer of the night. Preference is given to its performance in the later part of the night as can be noted from what has been confirmed by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to offer Witr prayers in all the later part of the night such that his Witr prayers used to be finished by about dawn” (Reported by Imam Bukhari).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “Make the Witr prayer your last prayer of the night” (Reported by Imam Bukhari).
It is known as Witr (Odd Number) prayer because of its nature, in that, it is completed in units (rakaats) of odd numbers, thus, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The minimum number of rakaats in the Witr Prayer is one and the maximum which the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to perform was eleven.
However, Muslims largely performed this prayer in three units (rakaats) which may be performed in either of the following methods:
The worshipper may perform two rakaats (similar to the Fajr prayer). In doing so, may go for the short and/or medium passages of the Holy Qur'an preferably chapter 87
"Sabihisma Rabbikal A'Alaa" - (Glorify the name of the Lord, Most High) which maybe recited in the first rakaat, while, chapter 109 "Al- Kafiruun" (The non-believers) maybe recited in the second rakaat as that was the Sunnah. As usual, the words of witness are recited at the end of the two rakaats followed by the Tasleem to conclude these first two rakaats. The person then stands up to perform a third rakaat on its own. Chapter 112 "Al-lklas" of the Holy Qur'an maybe recited in this unit. It is the practice to recite a supplication of obedience to Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) known as "Qunuut" in this last rakaat and if a person wishes to recite this supplication, he may do so upon resuming standing from the Rukuu position and after saying: "SAMI'A ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDA" followed by "RABBANA WA LAKAL HAMD". The QUNUUT goes as follows:
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنِي فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنِي فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنِي فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لِي فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنِي شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
"ALLAHUMMA AHDINII FIMAN HADEYTA, WA'AFINII FIMAN 'AFEYTA, WATAWALANII FIMAN TAWALEYTA, WABARIKLII FIMA A'DEYTA, WAQINII SHARA MAA QADHEYTA, FA INNAKA TAQDII WALAA YUQDAA ALEYK, INNAHU LAA YADDILU MAN WALEYTA WALAA YA'IZU MAN A'ADEYTA, TABARAKTA RABBANA - WATA'ALEYTA"
which means: "O Lord, lead me to true faith with those You have guided, pardon me with those You have pardoned, protect me with those You have protected, bless for me what You have given me, keep me safe from evils. You have ordained. It is You Who decrees and it is not decreed upon You, no one under Your care is brought down and no one to whom You show enmity can be exalted, O Lord, You are the Most Praised, Most Sublime".
Or, the person may recite any of other supplications of obedience (Qunuut) which the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say in his prayers. It is also permissible to recite any other supplications but not Qur’anic Verses as commonly practiced. Also note that reciting Qunoot is not obligatory and the Witr in which Qunoot is not recited is also correct.
Upon completing the recitation of this supplication of obedience, the person would say "ALLAHU AKBAR" and then, proceed to prostration, thereafter, sits up for the recitation of (At-Tashahud) and concludes the prayer as usual with the (Tasleem). And thus, is the Witr Prayer done.
Alternatively, the person may perform the Witr prayer by praying all the three rakaats continuously without break (ie not sitting for Tashahud for the Second Rakah). After rukuu in the third rakaat, the person would recite the Qunuut supplication as discussed above and would then proceed to prostration, then recites At- Tashahud and concludes the prayer with the Tasleem.
Note: We have to differentiate between the Witr & Maghrib Prayers so what is seen in the Sub-continent and other places of praying Witr like Maghirb is incorrect.
The Prayers Of The Two Feasts
These are:
The prayer of the Feast of Breaking the Fasting of the month of Ramadan (known as 'Idul-Fitr Prayer).
The prayer of the Feast of Immolation (known as 'Idul-Al-Adha Prayer).
We shall now discuss the mode of performing each of these prayers.
Idul-Fitr Prayer
Upon completion of the obligatory fasting of the blessed month of "Ramadan", Muslims celebrate the occasion of breaking the Fast by festive celebration which last for three days. The Muslims welcome the feast with prayer and private supplications and by giving praise to Almighty Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). This prayer is performed as follows:
On the first day of Shawwal (the month that follows Ramadan) the person goes to the 'id Mosque or praying ground having undertaken the following recommended acts:
1. Taken total ablution (Ghusl).
2. Dressed in the best of clothes (preferably new clothing).
3. Assumed a breaking of the Fast by eating at least a few pieces of dates. This is in accordance with the tradition of the Prophet (peace be upon him), and an odd number is preferred i.e. 3, 5, 7, 9 and so on.
4. It is the practice (Sunnah) to head to the 'id praying center by walking. Upon arrival at the place of prayer the person sits and waits for the prayer to begin.
5. After about 20 minutes from clear sun rise, the imam stands up for the prayer and loudly signifies the entering into prayer by reciting the "Takbiiratil lhraam" that is "ALLAHU AKBAR". The whole congregation also follows suit by reciting the "Takbiiratil-lhraam".
6. As usual, with any other prayer, the person thereafter comes up with the opening supplication known as "DUA AL ISTIFTAAH".
7. After that, the Imam says "ALLAHU AKBAR" 6 more times and the congregation would follow likewise.
8. After completing the recitations of the words of greatness which total up to seven, the Imam would then seek the protection of Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala) from the cursed satan in a low voice by saying "AUTHU B'LJBILLAHI MINASH SHAYTANIRRRAJIIM". He would thereafter silently invoke Allah's name by saying: "BISMILLAHIR- RAHMANI-R--RAHIIM" and then recite "AL FATIHAH" (the opening chapter of the Holy Qur'an) in a loud voice. The followers (congregation) would then say "Ameen" together loudly after the Imam completes reciting the "Al Fatihah". Each follower would then recite "Al-Fatihah" silently. It is recommended that the Imam thereafter recites the whole of chapter 87 of the Holy Qur'an i.e. "SA BIHISMA " (Glorified be the name of thy Lord, the Most high). The followers are required to listen to the Imam's recitation.
9. The Imam then raises his hands up to the level of his shoulders or ears performs "Rukuu" saying "ALLAHU AKBAR." 'Thereafter he raises his head up from bowing saying "SAMI'A ALLAHU LIMAN HAMIDA" followed by the congregation saying "RABBANNA WALAKAL HAMD". The Imam and the congregation thereafter proceed to prostration saying "ALLAHU AKBAR".
10. After the prostration, the Imam would resume the standing position for the second rakaat and the congregation would follow him up accordingly.
11. Thereafter, the Imam would say "ALLAHU AKBAR" 5 times and the congregation would perform likewise..
12. Then, the Imam recites "AL-FATIHAH" and for this second rakaat it is preferred that he thereafter recites the whole of chapter 88 of the Holy Qur'an i.e. "Al Ghasiya", (The Disaster) and the congregation would listen attentively.
13. Thereafter, the Imam completes the Rukuu (bowing) and Sujuud (prostration) positions in the manner already discussed and sits back for the words of witness "At-Tashahud". Then, the Imam concludes the prayer with the words of peace i.e. "ASSALAMU ALEYKUM WA RAHMATULLAH" and of course, the entire congregation would follow the Imam in all these acts as is the custom in all prayers.
14. After concluding the prayer, the Imam would climb the pulpit to deliver the 'Festival Sermon', and starts the same with nine recitations of "ALLAHU AKBAR" with the congregation saying after him the same. After listening to the sermon, the congregation disperses. Listening to the sermon is not obligatory but is recommended.
Idul-Adha Prayer
"IDUL ADHA", (Feast of Immolation) prayer is performed on the 10th day of the 12th month of Islamic "Hijra" Calendar and is performed exactly in the same manner as enumerated and discussed above for the 'Idul Fitr Prayer
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