As for the nighttime, through putting in mind both the winter, and the grave, and the Intermediate Realm, it reminds man how needy is the human spirit for the Most Merciful One’s mercy. And the tahajjud prayer informs him what a necessary light it is for the night of the grave and darkness of the Intermediate Realm; it warns him of this, and through recalling the infinite bounties of the True Bestower, proclaims how deserving He is of praise and thanks.

And the second morning calls to mind the Morning of the Resurrection. For sure, however reasonable and necessary and certain the morning of this night is, the Morning of the Resurrection and the spring following the Intermediate Realm are certain to the same degree.

That is, just as each of these five times marks the start of an important revolution and recalls other great revolutions, so through the awesome daily disposals of the Eternally Besought One’s power, each calls to mind the miracles of Divine power and gifts of Divine mercy of both every year, and every age, and every epoch. That is to say, the prescribed prayers, which are an innate duty and the basis of worship and an incontestable debt, are most appropriate and fitting for these times.

(The Ninth Word - Risale-i Nur Collection)

The Congregational (Jama’ah) Prayers

1. The congregation is led by an Imam from among the present worshippers. He must be chosen on his merits of religious knowledge and piety.

2. After the announcement of the Iqamah, the Imam of the congregation stands in the front by himself while the followers stand behind him in straight lines, all facing the Qiblah. A congregation can be made up even with two persons: the Imam and one follower.

3. After declaring the intention of prayer and after beginning the prayer (i.e., saying takberatul-Ihram and du’a Thana) the Imam recites the Fatihah and the complementary passage of the Qur’an in an audible voice in the Early Morning Prayer and in the first two units of the Sunset and Evening Prayers. When the Imam is reciting the Qur’an aloud, the followers listen to him in meditation and humility. They do not recite the Fatihah nor the other passage after the Imam.

4. When the Imam concludes the Fatihah the followers say ‘Ameen’ . (this means: "O God accept our invocation") After the Imam stands from bowing posture he says:

“Sami’ a-l-lahu liman Hamidah” (this means: "God accepts any who are thankful to Him"), and the followers respond in these words: “Rabbana laka-l-Hamd” (this means: "our Lord praise be to You").