According to the Qur'an, How Many Times is Prayer? Yasar Nuri Ozturk

Summary

The transcript delves into the historical context and practices of Islamic prayer (salat), focusing on the number of rak'ahs and variations in prayer rituals over time. It discusses the Quranic references to prayers, the Prophet’s practices, and how certain traditions have evolved, emphasizing that innovations (bid'ah) in prayer are not part of the original teachings. The speaker critiques common misconceptions and highlights the importance of adhering to authentic practices, pointing out that modern-day practices should not be imposed as obligatory when they lack a clear basis in the Prophet’s life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Quran does not prescribe a fixed number of rak'ahs for each prayer; it only mentions three specific prayers.
• 😀 The Prophet Muhammad performed 2 rak'ahs for certain prayers during the Meccan period, and this practice evolved over time.
• 😀 The distinction between fard (obligatory) and sunnah (voluntary) rak'ahs is crucial, with sunnah rak'ahs being an important part of the tradition.
• 😀 Innovations (Bid'ah) in religious practices, such as adding extra rak'ahs or modifying the prescribed number, are seen as distortions of the original teachings.
• 😀 Combining prayers (Jama') was practiced by the Prophet Muhammad, but it should not be misinterpreted as an innovation or a new religious requirement.
• 😀 Extra rak'ahs or modifications beyond the prescribed practices should not be viewed as mandatory acts of worship, but as permissible, voluntary actions.
• 😀 Certain prayers can be combined (Jama') depending on the circumstances, and this is a practice endorsed by the Prophet Muhammad.
• 😀 The speaker criticizes the introduction of extra rak'ahs or modifications like the 12 rak'ah Isha or 16 rak'ah Jummah prayers, which are not found in the original practices of the Prophet.
• 😀 Innovations in worship, such as imposing extra rak'ahs on others, are seen as harmful to the authenticity of Islamic practice and could lead to misguidance.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the importance of adhering strictly to the original practices found in the Quran and Hadith, warning against misrepresenting these teachings.
• 😀 The message stresses that religious practices should remain faithful to the Prophet Muhammad's example, and adding new practices outside the established framework leads to error.

Q & A

How many rak'ahs are mentioned in the Quran for prayer?

The Quran does not explicitly mention a fixed number of rak'ahs for prayer. However, it references three specific prayers, such as the morning prayer, the midday prayer, and the middle prayer.

What is the significance of the two rak'ahs before the noon prayer?

The two rak'ahs before the noon prayer are considered sunnah al-muakkadah, which are highly recommended practices following the example of the Prophet Muhammad.

What does the term 'sunnah al-muakkadah' mean?

'Sunnah al-muakkadah' refers to the actions or prayers that the Prophet Muhammad performed regularly and emphasized, making them highly recommended but not obligatory.

What is the 'middle prayer' referred to in the script?

The 'middle prayer' refers to the prayer performed in the middle of the day, which some interpretations link to the Asr (afternoon) prayer.

Why did the Prophet sometimes divide the middle prayer into two parts?

The Prophet sometimes divided the middle prayer into two parts due to flexibility in the timing and context, though it could also be prayed in one sitting.

What is meant by 'cem' in the context of the prayer?

'Cem' refers to the practice of combining multiple prayers (e.g., Maghrib and Isha) into one session under certain conditions, a practice followed by the Prophet Muhammad.

What is the general guideline regarding additional rak'ahs that were not practiced by the Prophet?

The transcript emphasizes that additional rak'ahs, such as 12 rak'ahs for Isha or 8 rak'ahs for Asr, are not part of the Prophet's practice and should not be imposed as part of the religious duties.

What is the position on altering the number of rak'ahs in daily prayers?

The transcript suggests that altering the number of rak'ahs in prayers beyond what is prescribed by the Prophet, such as performing 8 rak'ahs in the afternoon, is considered a distortion of the practice of Islam.

Why is there a distinction between obligatory and non-obligatory rak'ahs?

Obligatory rak'ahs are the ones prescribed in the Quran and the Sunnah, such as those for Fajr, Zuhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. Non-obligatory rak'ahs are voluntary prayers that the Prophet performed, like the sunnah prayers, but they are not mandated.

What does the speaker mean by 'this would be a bid' in the context of prayer?

'Bid' refers to an innovation or something that is newly introduced into the religion that was not practiced by the Prophet. The speaker warns against making innovations like extra rak'ahs, which could lead to a distortion of Islamic practices.