Issue 739...

Issue 739: If a person begins offering Asr prayers forgetfully before Zuhr prayers and during the prayers he realises that he has committed a mistake, he should revert his Niyyat to Zuhr prayers i.e. he should intend that from now onwards till the end of the prayers, it would be Zuhr prayers. After completing the prayers, he will offer Asr prayers. Salat al-Jumuah Issue 740: * Friday prayers consists of 2 Rak'ats like Fajr prayers.

The difference between these two prayers is that Salat al-Jumuah has two sermons before it. Salat al-Jumuah is Wajib Takhyiri, which means that we have an option to offer Jumuah prayers, if its necessary conditions are fulfilled, or to offer Zuhr prayers. Hence, if Salat al-Jumuah is offered then it is not necessary to offer Zuhr prayer. The following conditions must be fulfilled for Jumuah prayers to become obligatory: • The time for Jumuah prayers should have set in.

And that means that the midday time should have begun to decline. The time for Salat al-Jumuah is the earliest part of Zuhr. If it is very much delayed, then Salat al-Jumuah time will be over, and Zuhr Salat will have to be prayed. • The number of persons joining Salat al-Jumuah should be at least five, including the Imam. If there are less than five people, Salat al-Jumuah would not become obligatory. • The Imam should fulfil the necessary conditions for leading the prayers.

These conditions include righteousness ('Adalat) and other qualities which are required of an Imam and which will be mentioned in connection with the congregational prayers. In absence of an Imam qualifying to lead, Salat al-Jumuah will not be obligatory. The following conditions should be fulfilled for the Salat al-Jumuah to be correct: • The prayers should be offered in congregation. Hence, Salat al-Jumuah cannot be prayed alone.

If a person joins Salat al-Jumuah before the Ruku of the second Rak'at his prayers will be valid and he will have to add another Rak'at to complete it. But, if he joins the Imam in the Ruku of the second Rak'at then the prayers may not suffice, and as a measure of precaution Zuhr Salat should be prayed. • Two sermons should be delivered before the prayers.

In the first sermon the preacher should praise Allah and exhort the people to observe piety, and then he should also recite a short chapter (Surah) from the holy Qur'an. Thereafter he should sit down for a while and then stand up again.