Covering the body in prayers

796. While offering prayers, a man should cover his private parts even if no one is looking at him, and preference is that he should cover his body from the navel up to the knee.

Rules of Qibla

784. Our Qibla is the holy Ka’bah, which is situated in Makkah. Qibla is from the core of the earth to the heavens and one should offer his prayers facing it. However, a person who is far, would stand in such a manner that people would say that he is praying facing the Qibla that would suffice. This also applies to other acts which should be performed facing the Qibla like, while slaughtering an animal etc.

Ghufayla prayers

783. Ghufayla prayers is one of the Mustahab prayers which is offered between Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers. In its first Rak’at after Surah Al – Hamd, instead of any other Surah, the following verses should be recited: Wa zannooni iz zahaba mughaziban fazanna an lan naqdira 'alayhi fanada fiz zulumati an la ilaha illa anta subhanaka inni kuntu minazzalimin fastajabna lahu wa najjaynahu minal ghammi wa kazalika nunjil mu'minin.

The timings of daily Nafilah prayers

Mustahab prayers

772. There are many Mustahab prayers which are generally called Nafilah, but more stress has been laid on the daily Mustahab prayers. The number of the Rak’ats everyday excluding Friday, is 34. It is as follows:

• 8 Rak’ats Nafilah for Zuhr
• 8 Rak’ats Nafilah for ‘Asr
• 4 Rak’ats Nafilah for Maghrib
• 2 Rak’ats Nafilah for ‘Isha
• 11 Rak’ats Nafilah for Tahajjud (Namaz – e – Shab)

2 Rak’ats Nafilah for Fajr

The prayers which should be performed in sequence

763. One should always offer ‘Asr prayers after the Zuhr prayers, and the ‘Isha prayers after the Maghrib prayers. If one intentionally offers ‘Asr prayers before Zuhr prayers, or ‘Isha prayers before Maghrib prayers, one's prayers would be void.

Rules regarding Namaz times

750. A person can start offering prayers only when he becomes certain that the time has set in or can rely on the Adhaan of a person who knows the timings and is reliable, or when two just (Aadil) persons inform that the time has set in.

Time for Fajr prayer

749. Just before dawn a column of whiteness rises upwards from the east. It is called the first dawn (Fajr). When this whiteness spreads, it is called the second dawn, and the Prime time for Fajr prayers, and the time of offering the Fajr prayer lasts till sunrise.

Time for Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers

743. The time for Maghrib sets in when the redness in the eastern sky – which appears after sunset – passes overhead.

744. According to view of Mashhoor (famous) scholars, there are specific timings and common timings for offering both Namaz – e – Maghrib and ‘Isha:

Time for Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers