Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Brother Burhan, AssalamoAlaikum

Thank you for clarifying numerous misconceptions that I had. I have a question. What is the right way to perform Namaaz? When I go to a Bohri Mosque, I pray like them...When I go to a Sunni Mosque, I pray like them. Please clarify.

Wassalaam

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Answer:

Right way to perform the prayers

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

The truth is brother, there is not much difference between the Bohra prayers and the regular prayers, and the fundamental ‘arqaans’ are all completed in either of the prayers.

There are small ‘differences like holding hands or keeping them straight, or saying ‘ameen’ aloud after the Surah Fateha or keeping silent, etc. The important thing to understand here is that if these things are done or not done, and the only intention is to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws), then, Insha Allah, Allah will accept your prayers and reward you accordingly.

The one major difference is that the Bohra pray three times a day, whereas the mainstream muslims pray at the five appointed times, as was the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws). And we must strive to follow the example of the Messenger of Allah (saws) in every aspect of our lives.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan