What is the difference in performance between a sunnah prayer and an obligatory prayer?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Oct 24, 2026
The obligatory prayer (fard) and the supererogatory prayer (nafilah) are generally equal in the conditions of prayer, except in specific matters: Standing () is a pillar in the obligatory prayer and not obligatory in the supererogatory prayer; facing the Qiblah is a condition in the obligatory prayer, while a traveler is permitted to pray the supererogatory prayer on his mount; and prostration of forgetfulness ( al-sahw), where the Malikis differentiate between it in the obligatory and supererogatory prayers.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/75077
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 75077
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Read the full answer on Ftawy