Islam_in_Focus_text

6. When the time for Prayer comes, the Adhan is said.
Then, four units of Prayer are offered as Sunna, individually
in a low voice as in the Noon Prayer. When this part is com-
pleted, the Imam stands up facing the audience, greeting,
them saying "Peace and Mercy of Allah be upon yoiT. Then
Adhan is pronounced again. After that the Imam delivers his
sermon (khutbah) which is an essential part of the Prayer.
While the Imam is talking, nobody should talk or pray; eve-
ryone present should take a sitting position and listen to the
sermon quietly to the end.
7. The sermon {khutbah) consists of two parts each be-
ginning with words of Praise of God and prayers of blessing
for Prophet Muhammad. In the first part some Qur'anic pas-
sages must be recited and explained for the purpose of ex-
hortation and admonition. At the end of the first part the
Imam takes a short rest in the sitting posture, then stands up
to deliver the second part of his sermon. General affairs of
Muslims may be discussed in either or both parts of the ser-
mon. In the second part, especially, the Imam supplicates for
the general welfare of all Muslims,
8. After that the Iqamah is made and the two obligatory
units are offered under the leadership of the Imam who re-
cites the Fatihah and the other Qur'anic passage in an audi-
ble voice. When this is done, the Prayer Is completed. After
that two other Sunna units are offered individually in a low
voice.