It is offered for the following four things:
1.Solar Eclipse and Lunar Eclipse (both complete and partial)
2.Earthquake, as an obligatory precaution, even if no one is frightened.
3.Thunder and lightning, red and black cyclone and other similar celestial phenomena, which frightens most of the people.
4.Terrestrial events like receding sea water, or falling mountains which engender fear.
Namaz-e-Ayaat becomes obligatory when some natural phenomenon become visible such as lunar & solar eclipses (partial or total), cyclones, hurricanes, earthquakes etc. In case of lunar and solar eclipses, this namaz should be performed with the niyat (intention) of Ada (within time) while the eclipse is in process and if not performed during that time then its Qaza (after time) should be performed afterwards. In case of earthquates, hurricanes, cyclones etc., this namaz stays wajib until performed anytime during the entire lifetime of the person (according to some ulemas this type of namaz should be performed with the niyat of QURBATAN IL-Allah without referring to Ada or Qaza)
Its applicability
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This namaz is wajib on the persons living in the geographical areas where the natural phenomena occurs. If two or more events occur at the same time then as a precaution, separate namaz should be performed for each event e.g. earthquake and lunar eclipse occurring at same time would require two namaz-e-Ayaat. This namaz can be prayed individually or in Jamaat (group). If prayed in group, instead of saying the Aqamat, saying three times as-Salat is sufficient to start it.
Method of offering this prayer
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All the rules of mustahabat (recommended) and wajibat (obligatory) in daily namaz are valid in namaz-e-ayaat. This namaz is performed in two Rakaat (sets) and each Rakat has 5 Rukoos (bowing), and 2 Sajdas (prostrations).
This namaz can be prayed with two different methods as follows:
Method 1
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1. Make niyat (intention) saying “I perform 2 Rakaat of Namz-e-Ayaat wajib (ada or qaza) QURBATAN IL-Allah”
2. Say Takbeeratul Ahraam (ALLAHO AKBAR)
3. Recite Sura-e-Fatiha one time.
4. Recite any other sura e.g. Sura-e-Ikhlas
5. Say “ALLAHO AKBAR” and perform Rukoo and recite what normally is recited in Rukoo
6. Say “ALLAHO AKBAR” and stand up.
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 – 4 more times to complete 5 Rukoos and then stand up saying “SAMI Allah HOLEMAN HAMEDA”
8. Perform 2 Sajdas and stand up again.
9. Repeat the second Rakat in exactly the same manner as in steps 3 to 8.
10. After the 2 Sajdas of the 2nd Rakat, perform tashhud and salam to complete the prayer.
Method 2
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1. Make niyat (intention) saying “I perform 2 Rakaat of Namz-e-Ayaat wajib (ada or qaza) QURBATAN IL-Allah”
2. Say Takbeeratul Ahraam (ALLAHO AKBAR)
3. Recite Sura-e-Fatiha one time.
4. Recite any other sura e.g. Sura-e-Ikhlas breaking it into 5 parts as follows:
5. Say “BISMILLAH HIR-RAHMAN IR-RAHEEM” and perform the 1st Rukoo.
6. Stand up and say “QUL HU ALLAHU AHAD” and perform the 2nd Rukoo.
7. Stand up and say “Allah HUS SAMAD” and perform the 3rd Rukoo.
8. Stand up and say “LAM YALID WA LAM YULAD” and perform the 4th Rukoo.
9. Stand up and say “WA LAM YA QUL LAHO KUFOWAN AHAD” and perform the 5th Rukoo.
10. Perform 2 Sajdas and stand up again.
11. Repeat the second Rakat in exactly the same manner as in steps 3 through 10.
12. After the 2 Sajdas of the 2nd Rakat, perform tashhud and salam to complete the prayer.
It is recommended to recite Dua-e-Qunoot after the 2nd and 4th Rukoo in the 1st Rakat and after the 1st, 3rd and 5th Rukoo in the 2nd Rakat in both methods.
May Allah(swt) grant us all the courage and fortitude to perform these wajib prayers for the rest of our lives.
AZAAKHAANA 