A Question Regarding Some Practices Related to Obligatory Prayers What is the authenticity of " Du`a " [1] after the " Fardh " prayer. Is it a part of " Fardh " prayer. How would it matter If I join or don't join this " Du`a ". After saying the " Salaam " at the end of the " Fardh " Prayer, People in Arab usually shake hand with the persons sitting on their right and left. What is the explanation of this act? Offering prayer with " Jamaa`ah " is must. Please tell me about its importance and necessity. And these days do you think the actual motive of " Ba-Jamaa`ah " prayer is being obtained or achieved. Shaukat, Pakistan Reply The Prophet (pbuh) and his companions, generally, did not offer a congregational du`a after the obligatory prayers. In view of the lack of substantiation of a regular practice of congregational du`a in the Prophet's (pbuh) actions or that of the companions of the Prophet (pbuh), I avoid taking part in the congregational du`a , that has become a regularly adhered practice among Muslims. Moreover, considering such a du`a to be necessary or a part of the obligatory prayers shall be a ' Bid`ah ' (an invention or an addition to the established body of Deen ). I am not aware of the practice, or even the source of the practice, of shaking hands with the person sitting on your left and right at the completion of obligatory prayers. I would, therefore, suggest that you address this question to someone who follows this practice and ask him for its source. I can only comment on the authenticity or otherwise of this practice after considering its source. Obviously, if such a practice is being adhered to without any basis in the Qur'an and the Sunnah , then it would be better to avoid taking part in it. According to the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh), the obligatory prayers, under normal circumstances, should be offered in Jamaa`ah (congregation), provided there is a mosque, in which the five daily prayers are offered in congregation, in the locality of residence of the individual concerned. As far as the basic purpose of offering the five obligatory prayers in congregation is concerned, it, primarily, is to facilitate and participate in collective worship of the Lord. It is only a corollary of this collective worship that a sound Muslim community develops, as a result, as well. If the basic purpose of offering congregational prayers is accepted to be what I have stipulated above, then it, obviously, follows that whatever the social or other environmental conditions, the basic purpose of collective worship is achieved under all circumstances. I hope this helps. May the Almighty guide us to the path of eternal success. Regards, The Learner [1] Supplication.