Advice of Scholars - FARDS OF NAMÂZ

Namâz has twelve fards, seven of which are preconditions, that is, before beginning namâz, these conditions must exist in order for the namâz to be valid. They are called conditions of namâz. They are: Tahârat (purification) from hadas (state of being without abdast), tahârat from najâsat (substances which Islam prescribes as dirty), satr-i awrat (covering private parts), istiqbâl-i qibla (facing the qibla), waqt (prescribed time), niyyat (intention), takbîr of tahrîma (beginning).

The existence of everything is dependent upon doing some action. This dependence can be of five sorts: If the action is within the essence of the thing and is one of its particles, the action is called Rukn. If it affects the thing externally, it is called ’illat. Nikâh (marriage contract prescribed by Islam) is an ’illat of marriage. If it does not affect a particular action, but if doing a particular action requires its existence, it is called Sabab the cause (reason). Waqt (appointed time for namâz) is the sabab the cause (reason) of namâz. If it does not require the existence of a thing, but if the thing ceases to exist by the action not being done, it is called Shart (condition). However, if it does not cease to exist in this case, it is called Alâmat (sign, property). Adhân (calling to prayer) is the alâmat of namâz. Five of the fards of the namâz are inside the namâz. Each of these five fards is also called Rukn. Some Islamic scholars have said that takbîr of tahrîma is inside the namâz. According to them both the conditions of namâz and its rukns are six in number.