Namaz e Aayaat

Text and Translation

Namaz-e-Ayaat becomes obligatory due to any of the following: (1) a solar eclipse; (2) a lunar eclipse — the prayer is obligatory even if the sun or moon is only partially eclipsed and engenders no fear; (3) an earthquake, as an obligatory precaution, even if no one is frightened by it; and (4) other celestial or terrestrial phenomena that frighten most people — thunder and lightning, a red or black cyclone, receding sea water, or falling mountains — for which it is recommended, as a precaution, to offer Namaz-e-Ayaat.

Method: Namaz-e-Ayaat consists of two rak'ats, with five ruku' in each. After making the niyyat, say the takbir and recite [Surah al-Hamd](A5) and another surah, then perform the ruku'. Stand again and recite Surah al-Hamd and a surah, then perform another ruku'. Repeat this five times in all; after the fifth ruku', perform two sajdahs, then rise for the second rak'at and repeat the same pattern. Conclude with the tashahhud and salam.

Namaz-e-Ayaat may also be offered this way: after the niyyat and takbir, recite Surah al-Hamd, then divide the verses of another surah into five parts, reciting one part before each ruku' (without repeating Surah al-Hamd between them), finishing the surah before the fifth ruku'. For example, one may say "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" with the niyyat of reciting [Surah al-Ikhlas](A116) and perform the ruku', then stand and say "Qul huwallahu Ahad" and perform another ruku', then "Allahus Samad" for the third ruku', then "Lam yalid wa lam yulad" for the fourth ruku', and finally "Wa lam yakul lahu kufuwan ahad" before the two sajdahs, then rise for the second rak'at in the same way, concluding with tashahhud and salam. A surah may also be divided into fewer than five parts, in which case Surah al-Hamd must be recited again before the next ruku' once that surah is finished.