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
Najasah (Ritual Impurity)
Impure substances that must be removed before prayer according to Islamic law.
Sunnah (Voluntary Prayer)
Voluntary prayers based on the Prophet's practice.
Ruku (Bowing)
Bowing from the waist during prayer as a sign of humility.
Ramadan (The Month of Fasting)
The holy month of fasting, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
Mihrab (Prayer Niche)
The semicircular niche in the mosque wall that indicates the qibla direction.
Turbah (Prayer Stone)
A small clay tablet upon which Shia Muslims place their forehead during sujud.