Guide to Performing and Rakats for Evening Prayer: Religious Affairs Information
The Evening Prayer: How to Perform and the Number of Rakats
Praying is an essential part of the Islamic religion and is declared obligatory. It represents asking God for forgiveness, pleading, and bowing down. The evening prayer, also known as Maghrib prayer, is performed differently from other prayers in Islam. It holds significant importance in the Muslim world and is a crucial aspect of worship.
So how does one perform the evening prayer? It begins with an intention made during the Kamet followed by the recitation of the takbir “Allahu Akbar”. For men, both hands are to be held with their palms open, thumbs touching the earlobe, while women hold their hands in the same way but place them on the chest. The prayer then continues with the recitation of Subhanake and Euzu Bismillah, followed by the reading of Surah Fatiha and other known surahs. This is then succeeded by Ruku, prostration, and recitation of specific prayers, ending with the sitting upright and giving greetings to the angels on the right and left.
The evening prayer consists of five rakats in total – 3 fard and 2 sunnah. The fard prayer is performed first, followed by the sunnah prayer to complete the worship.
According to religious beliefs, the evening prayer starts after the evening adhan and concludes when the last light remaining on the horizon disappears. This concept is supported by a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad, who states, “The beginning of the evening prayer time is the sunset, and the end is the disappearance of the horizon.”
It is important for Muslims to understand and perform the evening prayer diligently, as it is an integral part of their religious duties. Both men and women are required to perform this prayer, and the specifics of how it is carried out should be followed with care.
