Prayer during a frightening event or calamity
The two units (rak'ahs) recommended for a storm, earthquake, epidemic or similar calamity, prayed alone at home, and the supplication in hardship (Qunoot-e-Nazilah) recited in Fajr while it lasts.
The Prophet ﷺ used to turn to prayer whenever something difficult or frightening happened. Muslims follow his example whenever something scary or dangerous happens, like a bad storm, an earthquake, lightning, a lot of rain or hail, the sky turning red, a scary darkness in the daytime, a serious sickness spreading, or fear of an enemy.
When something like this happens, it is a good thing to do (mustahabb) to pray two rak'ahs.
It is narrated that whenever the Prophet ﷺ faced any difficulty or hardship, he would turn to prayer. Following that example, whenever a frightening event or calamity strikes (a severe storm, an earthquake, a lightning strike, stars falling frequently, continuous heavy rain, excessive hail, the sky turning red, terrifying lights at night, extreme darkness during the day, a widespread disease such as cholera or plague, or fear of an enemy) it is recommended to pray.
Two rak'ahs are recommended in these circumstances.
It is narrated that the Prophet ﷺ turned to prayer whenever difficulty or hardship befell him. On this basis, a two-rak'ah prayer is recommended whenever a frightening event or calamity occurs: a severe storm, an earthquake, a lightning strike, the frequent falling of stars, continuous heavy rain, excessive hail, the sky turning red, terrifying lights appearing at night, extreme darkness during the day, the spread of a widespread disease such as cholera or plague, or fear of an enemy.
Praying two rak'ahs on such an occasion is mustahabb.
This is the English translation of Nisab Ahle Khidmaat Sharia, exactly as the book has it, for the passages this page was written from. About 151 words. Switch back to Guide for the rewritten version.
Rulings of Eid Prayers 8. Rules Regarding Eid Prayers
4. Prayer During Calamities:
(1) Whenever a frightening event occurs or a calamity strikes[It is narrated that when the Prophet (ﷺ) faced any difficulty or hardship, he would engage in prayer.]—such as a severe storm, earthquake, lightning strike, frequent falling of stars, continuous heavy rain, excessive hail, the sky turning red, terrifying lights appearing at night, extreme darkness during the day, or the spread of a widespread disease like cholera or plague, or fear of an enemy—it is recommended to perform two rak’ahs of prayer.
(2) This prayer should also be performed individually at home, without congregation.
(3) Qunoot-e-Nazilah: Similarly, during a major calamity, the Qunoot (special supplication) should be recited in the Fajr prayer [Some scholars have stated that Qunut (supplication) should be read in all loud prayers.]. This is called Qunoot-e-Nazilah. However, it should only be recited during significant calamities and should be stopped once the calamity is over.
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- The night prayer of Ramadan (Tarawih) The confirmed sunnah of Ramadan night prayer: its twenty units (rak'ahs), its timing, completing the Qur'an, and the rules of praying it in congregation.
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- The obligatory acts of prayer (wajibat) The twelve necessary (wajib) acts of prayer: the Fatiha, the surah, order, stillness (tumaninah), the sittings, the testimony (tashahhud), recitation volume, the closing greeting (salam), the supplication (qunoot) and the Eid takbirs.