What is the difference between a pillar (rukn) and a condition (shart) in prayer?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
The conditions (Shurut) of prayer are matters external to its essence, such as purity (), covering the 'awrah (modesty), and facing the Qiblah. The prayer is not valid unless these are fulfilled. As for the pillars (Arkan), they are the essential elements within the essence of the prayer itself, such as bowing (Ruku'), prostration (), and standing (). If either the conditions or the pillars are absent, the essence of the prayer becomes void.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 35903
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- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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