How Many Rakat in Friday Prayer?
The Friday prayer, also known as Jumu’ah, holds great significance in the Islamic faith. It is a communal prayer performed by Muslims every Friday after the midday sun has set. One of the most common questions asked by Muslims is: how many rakat are there in the Friday prayer? Understanding the structure of this prayer is essential for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligations correctly.
The Friday prayer consists of four rakat, which is a unit of prayer in Islam. Each rakat consists of a series of bowing, prostrations, and recitations from the Quran. The first three rakat are similar in structure, while the fourth rakat is distinct in its recitation and additional bowing.
In the first three rakat, the follower begins with a short recitation from the Quran, followed by bowing down in ruku’, which is a bowing of the torso and head. After rising from ruku’, the follower performs sujud, which is a prostration on the nose, forehead, and elbows. This process is repeated twice more in each of the first three rakat.
The fourth rakat of the Friday prayer is unique in that it includes a longer recitation from the Quran. After the first two sujud in the fourth rakat, the follower recites a special prayer known as the Khutbah, which is delivered by the Imam. The Khutbah serves as a sermon and is an essential part of the Friday prayer. After the Khutbah, the follower completes the remaining sujud and rises for the final tashahud, which is a short recitation from the Quran.
In conclusion, the Friday prayer consists of four rakat, with the first three following a similar structure and the fourth being distinct due to the Khutbah. Understanding the structure of the Friday prayer is crucial for Muslims to perform this important religious obligation correctly and with the required humility and reverence.
