WHERE SHOULD WE OFFER NAMAZ?

People of different religions have places of worship like the churches/ temples etc. Where should we Muslims worship Allah (SWT), that is, offer Namaz?

The Quran states :

And establish worship (Salaat) and give charity (Zakat) and bow down with those who bow down. (Ch:2 Vs:43)

Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) is reported to have said:

'Offering Namaz in congregation (jamat) is 27 times better than offering it alone". (Narrated by Hazarath Ibni Omer (RA) and reported by Bukhari and Muslim);

The importance of offering Namaz in jamat can be realized from the fact that once Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) said that he felt like setting on fire the houses of people who did not come (to the Mosque) for Namaz. (Narrated by Hazarath Abu Hurrairah (RA) and reported by Bukhari and Muslim.).

During the life - time of Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) even sick persons used to come to the mosque for offering Namaz. Even Prophet Muhammed (SAWS), during serious illness/ came to the mosque with the help of two persons.    

From the Holy Quran and Hadis it is clear that Namaz, as a rule, should be offered in jamat. It is said that three persons offering Namaz in jamat is better than all offering it separately.  The places where Namaz is regularly offered in jamat are Mosques.

Namaz can be offered at home under abnormal and unavoidable circumstances like severe cold, heavy rains, serious illness etc. It is better to offer Namaz in the mosque, but if due to some reason it is not possible, then it should be offered at home but in no case should it be missed.

For girls and women it is better to offer Namaz at home.

Mosque : Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) is reported to have said; 'For Allah, the best places are mosques and the worst places markets (Bazars)' Narrated by Hazarath Abu Hurrairah (RA) and reported by Muslim.)

'Every step towards the mosque carries reward.’ (Narrated by Hazarath Jabir (RA) dnd reported by Muslim.)

In view of the teachings of the Holy Quran and Hadis, we should make it a habit to visit the mosque regularly for Namaz. We should keep the mosques clean and try our level best to provide as much comfort as is possible for the persons who visit the mosque, behaving as hosts, welcoming others.

Mosques should be maintained as sacred and peaceful places where we should not use indecent language or talk aloud disturbing others who are busy in prayers. When we enter the mosque, we should first place the right leg inside and then the left and recite the following prayer:  

 

ALLAH-HUMMA-FATHA-LI ABWABA REHMATIK

O ! Allah open the door of Mercy for me.

When we leave the mosque, we should first place the left leg out and then the right and recite the following prayer:  

                       

ALLAH-HUMA INNI ASALUKA MIN FAZLIKA WA REHMATIKA

O ! Allah I ask for your Grace and Mercy.

IV. WHEN SHOULD WE OFFER NAMAZ?

The Holy Quran, about the timings of Namaz, states:

Then when you have finished the worship (Salaat) remember Allah standing and sitting and (lying down) on your sides. Then when you are in safety, establish (regular) worship. Worship (Salaat) is certainly prescribed for the believers at fixed timings. (Ch:4 Vs:103)

Establish worship (Salaat) from the decline of the sun till the darkness of the night, and (recite) the Quran at dawn, (recitation of) the Quran at dawn is certainly witnessed. And forsake sleep for (worshipping during part) of the night. (This is) an additional (duty) for you. May be that your Fosterer will raise you to a praised position. Ch:17ys:78 & 79)

"So Glory be to Allah when you enter the evening and when you enter the morning. And praise is due only for Him (both) in. the skies and the earth, and (in) the evening and when you are at midday. (Ch:30 Vs:17 & 18)

Be guardians of your worship (Salaat) and the middle or the normal worship (Salaat) and stand up for Allah in full obedience. (Ch:2 Vs:238)

And establish worship at the two ends of the day and in the early parts of the night. Good deeds certainly remove evil deeds. That is a reminder for those who are mindful. (Ch:ll Vs:114)

Above verses of the Holy Quran just hint at the periods when Namaz is to be offered, based on the instructions and practice of Prophet Muhammed (SAWS), following periods have been fixed for offering Namaz.

1. FAJAR :          From dawn to just before sunrise.

2. ZUHAR:          After noon. From the time the sun starts declining till the time the shadow of everything is twice its own size.

3. ASAR :           After Zuhar till just before sun set.

4. MAGHRIB :     After sun set till the light in the sky disappears.         

5. ISHA :            After Maghrib till just before dawn. It should preferably be offered before mid-night.

6. TAHAJUD :      After the Isha Namaz till just before dawn. It should preferably be offered after mid­night, getting up from sleep. Normally one should offer Namaz-i-Isha and sleep without offering Namaz—i-wajibul vittar which should be offered after Tahajud after getting up from sleep late at night.   

                      

7. Friday Congregational Namaz : SAME AS ZUHAR.. (Jamat)    

8. IDD Congregational Namaz : From sunrise till Zuhar. It is better to offer it earlier.          

Normally all mosques, display the exact time at which each Namaz would be offered. Calenders showing the duration of each Namaz throughout the year are also available. It is better to offer Namaz as soon as the time for that particular Namaz starts.

If due to unavoidable circumstances one is unable to offer a particular Namaz during the prescribed time, he or she should offer it later (Khaza Namaz), If one is regular at offering Namaz five times a day and unfortunately if the Asar Namaz could not be offered in time/ then Asar Namaz should be offered before offering the Maghrib Namaz and so on for all other prayers.

Namaz is forbidden during the following periods :

1. Immediately before sun rise for about 5 to 7 minutes.

2. Just at noon for about 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Immediately after sun set about 5 to 7 minutes.