At the close of the whole set of prayers, that is of Farẓ, Sunnah, Nafl, or Witr, the worshipper raises his hands and offers up a Munājāt, or “supplication.” This usually consists of prayers selected from the Qurʾān or Ḥadīs̤. They ought to be said in Arabic, although they are frequently offered up in the vernacular.
THE MUNAJAT.
Such supplications were highly commended by Muḥammad, who is related to have said:—
“Supplication is the marrow of worship.”
“There is nothing better before God than supplication.”
“Supplicate God when ye are certain of its approval, and know that God accepts not the supplication of a negligent heart.”
“Verily your Lord is ashamed of his servants when they raise up their hands to Him in supplication to return them empty.”
These daily prayers are either Farẓ, Sunnah, Nafl, or Witr. Farẓ, are those rakʿahs (or forms of prayer), said to be enjoined by God. Sunnah, those founded on the practice of Muḥammad. Nafl, the voluntary performance of two rakʿahs, or more, which may be omitted without sin. Witr, an odd number of rakʿahs, either one, three, five, or seven, said after the night prayer. These divisions of prayer are entirely distinct from each other. They each begin afresh with the Nīyah, and worshippers may rest for a while between them, but not converse on worldly subjects. The Wahhābīs think it correct to say the Sunnah prayers in their houses and only the Farẓ prayers in the mosque.