Literal meanings of the word Imam is Leader. This term is generally used for the person who leads Muslims in the Jama’ah (Group) Salah (Prayers).

Muhammad S used to be the Imam of most Salah (Prayers) offered in Masjid Nabi (Mosque of the Messenger S) during his life.

Being an Imam (Leader) has many responsibilities. An Imam should have thorough knowledge and understanding of Islam. He must possess a deep understanding of the spirit of Islam. He must have an exemplary character and should be a role model for the community.

Imam (Leader) should also have leadership qualities. He should be qualified to address and resolve the religious and other community issues. Besides being a religious scholar, Imam (Leader) must have an impeccable character. He should be a practicing Muslim in the true sense. He should not only faithfully practice the rituals of Islam but must understand the true spirit of Islam. Anyone who fulfills these basic requirements can be an Imam (Leader).

For leading prayers, the Imam stands alone in front of the rows of Muslims who line up for offering group prayers.

A woman can only lead a Jama’ah (Group) Salah (Prayers)of women and cannot be Imam of a Jama’ah (Group) Salah (Prayers) of men.

Shahadah literally means declaration. In Islamic context Sahadah means declaring and firmly believing in the fundamentals of Islam.

Muslims (Followers of Islam) must believe in certain things and fulfill a few basic duties. There are six components of Shahadah (Iman-Faith), a Muslim must believe in:

1. Believing in the Oneness of Allah (God) and all the attributes of
2. Believing in all Rusul (Messengers) of Allah (God) and Believing that Muhammad S was the last Rasul (Messenger) of Allah (God)
3. Believing in all the Books sent by Allah (God) and in the Qur-an as His last Message to mankind
4. Believing in Akhirah (Life after Death) and the Day of Judgment
5. Believing in Mala"ikah (Angels)
6. Believing in al-Qadr (Destiny).

A Muslim has to believe in all of the above. There are no options here; it comes as a package deal.

Surah (Chapter) Al ‘Imran (Family of ‘Imran) is the third chapter of the Holy Qur-an. It contains 200 Ayah (Verses).

Surah means Chapter. Al ‘Imran means Family of ‘Imran. This chapter of the Holy Qur-an is named after ‘Imran from whose family ‘Isa A (Jesus) came. Names of the chapters of the Qur-an do not mean that the entire chapter would be dedicated to the title alone. Usually, other subjects may also be discussed in a chapter.

Surah (Chapter) Al ‘Imran (Family of ‘Imran) is a Madani Surah. It means that this Surah was revealed after Muhammad S had migrated to Madinah. It must have been revealed after the month of Shawwal of the year 3H (Hijrah) (624 AD), because it contains reference to the battle of Uhud that was fought in the month of Shawwal of year 3H (Hijrah) (624 AD).

This Surah begins by descriptions of other divine Allah (God) had sent to this world, which Muslims have to believe in. It also mentions that the people who were given the Books have only a small original portions of those Books with them. Rest was destroyed, altered and corrupted by them for their selfish interests.

Story of ‘Isa A (Jesus) from the family of ‘Imran is also mentioned.

Allah (God) invites mankind to Islam, once again in this Surah (Chapter).

There are references to the battles of Badr that was fought in the month of Ramadan of 2Hijrah (623 AD) and battle of Uhud that was fought in the month of Shawwal of year 3H (Hijrah) (624 AD). Qur-an 3:3

Insha Allah means Allah (God) willing. Muslims do not talk about future in definite terms. They are always aware of the fact that anything small or big, they want to achieve, is only possible if Allah (God) wills for it. Muslims always use the phrase Insha Allah whenever they talk of performing any task in future, i.e. I will see you tomorrow Insha Allah.

Iqamah (Second call for Prayers) is the second call for prayers. Iqamah (Second call for Prayers) is called just before the Salah (Prayers). Anyone in the Jama’ah (Group) offering Salah (Prayers) can call Iqamah (Second call for Prayers).

Iqamah (Second call for Prayers) is called when Imam (Leader for Prayers) comes out to lead the Jama’ah Salah (Group Prayers) and people offering Salah (Prayers) standup in Saf (Row/s) for it.

Iqamah (Second call for Prayers) is not called as loudly as the Adhan (Call for Prayers).

There are two ways for calling Iqamah (Second call for Prayers). According to some ‘Ulema" (Religious Scholars), the following words should be called for Iqamah (Second call for Prayers):

Allah O Akbar, Allah O Akbar
God is Great God is Great
Ashshado an la ilaha illallah

I bear witness there is no deity but Allah
Ashshado anna Muhammadun rasul Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad S is the Messenger of Allah
Haiyyah ‘alas Salah

Hurry to the prayer
Haiyyah ‘alal Falah

Hurry to the success
Qad Qamatis Salah

The Salah is (soon going to be) in progress

Qad Qamatis Salah

The Salah is (soon going to be) in progress

Allah O Akbar, Allah O Akbar
God is Great God is Great
La ilaha illallah

There is no deity but Allah

Other ‘Ulema" (Religious Scholars) advocate a longer version of Iqamah (Second call for Prayers):

Allah O Akbar, Allah O Akbar
God is Great God is Great
Allah O Akbar, Allah O Akbar
God is Great God is Great
Ashshado an la ilaha illallah

I bear witness there is no deity but Allah
Ashshado an la ilaha illallah

I bear witness there is no deity but Allah

Ashshado anna Muhammadun rasul Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad S is the Messenger of Allah
Ashshado anna Muhammadun rasul Allah

I bear witness that Muhammad S is the Messenger of Allah
Haiyyah ‘alas Salah

Hurry to the prayer
Haiyyah ‘alas Salah

Hurry to the prayer
Haiyyah ‘alal Falah

Hurry to the success
Haiyyah ‘alal Falah

Hurry to the success
Qad Qamatis Salah

The Salah is (soon going to be) in progress

Qad Qamatis Salah

The Salah is (soon going to be) in progress

Allah O Akbar, Allah O Akbar
God is Great, God is Great
La ilaha illallah

There is no deity but Allah