Fard (Obligatory)
The obligatory acts in Islam, including the five daily prayers.
Fard (Arabic: فرض) means "obligatory" or "commanded" and refers to actions in Islam that are strictly required of every adult Muslim. The five daily prayers are fard — neglecting them is a sin, and performing them brings great reward.
In the context of prayer, a distinction is made between two types of fard: fard 'ayn (individual obligation) and fard kifayah (collective obligation). The five daily prayers are fard 'ayn — each individual Muslim is personally obligated to pray them. The Jumu'ah prayer (Friday prayer) is fard 'ayn for men who are able to attend.
Within the prayer itself, certain actions are fard (obligatory for the prayer's validity): standing upright, reciting Surah Al-Fatiha, performing ruku and sujud, and sitting for the final tashahhud. If one omits a fard action, the prayer is invalid.
Related terms
Du'a Tawassul (Supplication of Intercession)
A supplication where one asks Allah through the intercession of the Prophet and Ahl al-Bayt.
Niyyah (Intention)
The conscious intention in the heart to perform a specific prayer.
Asr (Afternoon Prayer)
The third daily prayer, performed in the afternoon.
Taharah (Ritual Purity)
The state of ritual purity, which is a prerequisite for prayer.
Zakat (Alms)
The obligatory alms that the Quran mentions alongside prayer.
Adab al-Salah (Prayer Etiquette)
The recommended norms and inner attitudes that enrich the prayer.