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prayers and to understand or at least grasp the meanings of the words to be recited.
However, when it comes to prayers they are required to recite the prayer in Arabic.
Allah revealed His Message choosing the Arabic language which means that His
Message (Words) must only be read in its original form especially when we consider
that Arabic words have no exact equivalents in any language
The Fard Prayer is much more preferable when offered in a congregation (Jama’ ah)
led by an Imam. The congregation is best when it is held in a mosque, but it may be
held in other places. Those who arrive at the mosque before the Iqamah
announcement of the Fard prayer are recommended to offer a two units Sunnah
(supereragatory) prayer called “ Tahiyatu al Masjid” which means “ Moosque
greetings”
The Congregational (Jama’ah) Prayers
1. The congregation is led by an Imam from among the present worshippers. He must
be chosen on his merits of religious knowledge and piety
2. After the announcement of the Iqamah, the Imam of the congregation stands in the
front by himself while the followers stand behind him in straight lines, all facing the
Qiblah. A congregation can be made up even with two persons: the Imam and one
follower
3. After declaring the intention of prayer and after beginning the prayer (i.e., saying
takberatul-Ihram and du’a Thana) the Imam recites the Fatihah and the
complementary passage of the Qur’ an in an audible voice in the Early Morning Prayer
and in the first two units of the Sunset and Evening Prayers. When the Imam is
reciting the Qur’ an aloud, the followers listen to him in meditation and humility. They
do not recite the Fatihah nor the other passage after the Imam
4. When the Imam concludes the Fatihah the followers say ‘Ameen’ . (this means: "O
God accept our invocation") After the Imam stands from bowing posture he says:
“ Sami’ a-l-lahu liman Hamidah” (this means: "God accepts any who are thankful to
Him"), and the followers respond in these words: “ Rabbana laka-l-Hamd” (this
means: "our Lord praise be to You")
5. The followers should follow the Imam is his movements without anticipating him
in any act. Should any follower supercede the Imam in any movement, this person’ s
prayer will become void
6. The congregational prayer is not valid unless the Imam declares his intention that
he is acting in the service in the capacity of Imam. The followers also must declare
their intention that they are following that particular Imam in the same particular
prayer he is offering. All intentions, be it by the Imam or by the followers must be
done by heart
7. When a person comes after the start of prayer, he should pronounce the
Takbeeratul-Ihram (standing) and then, join the congregation. He should follow the
Imam / congregation whatever be the stage of their prayer. However, after the Imam
has completed the service by uttering the final peace greetings, if this late comer has
missed one unit or more, he must take standing position to make up the earlier unit /
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