What is the difference between fardh, sunnat & nafil prayer?

Difference between fardh, sunnat & nafil prayer?

By: Khurshid Imam

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It is important to note that there are only two categories of Salah or any act / duty in islam:
1. Fardh - means obligatory. If one fails to offer fardh,it will be regarded as sin.

2. Nafil - means it is optional. If done, one will be rewarded for it. However, if one fails to do it, then there is no harm. It will not be regarded as sin unlike for fardh Salah.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) did not define Salah or any duty into wajib, Sunnat e muakkeda, Sunnat e ghair muakkeda, mandoob, mustahab etc. In fact these terminologies were not used at the time of Prophet. These terminologies were developed by jurists of later era to make an act easily understood for common mass.

Quran and guidance from life of Prophet present an act only into two categories: Obligatory [fardh] or Optional [nafil].

Jurists later divided nafil into sub categories:
1. Wajib: If it was done by Prophet most of times.
2. Sunnat-e-muakkeda : If an act was done by Prophet frequently.
3. Sunnat-e-ghair muakkeda / mustahab / mandoob: If an act was done by prophet occassionally.

These terminologies were not brought into place by Prophet - hence we see difference of opinion and disagreement among scholars. For example:

1. Each of 4 school of thought differ:

• In number of optional Salah [nafil] in 5 times prayer.
• Exact timing of a Salah.
• Some other aspects of Salah. For example: Imam Malik was of the opinion to leave the hands to dangle at one's sides during fardh prayer. Other 3 school of thoughts differed from this opinion.

2. Imam Abu Hanifah held that witr prayer is wajib. Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali scholars ruled that Salat al-Witr is sunnat.

There were different parameters based on which jurists divided nafil act into different categories.

Conclusion:
1. Five time Salah [Fajir: 2 rakah,   Zuhar: 4 rakah,   Asar : 4 rakah,   Maghrib : 3 rakah,   Isha : 4 rakah] are mandatory / fardh and you will be questioned if you don't offer them.

2. Rest all prayers are optional. Make sure to not miss fardh prayer in any case.