In our religion, it is essential to offer abundant thanks to our Lord. At this point, there are many ways to express our gratitude to our Lord. One of these ways is to perform the prayer of gratitude (Shukr prayer). This prayer can be performed to thank our Lord for receiving good news, fulfilling a wish, or simply without any particular reason. The Shukr prayer is very significant in terms of its virtue. Our Lord expects us Muslims to abundantly thank Him and express our gratitude for the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

In this regard, the acts of worship that we perform to express our gratitude are of great importance. Although we will discuss the Shukr prayer in this article, it is also necessary to mention other ways of thanking our Lord for the blessings He has given us.

The most well-known of these ways is to make charitable donations. Giving alms, offering a thanksgiving sacrifice, or distributing charity meals are just a few ways to thank our Lord and draw closer to Him.

Since our foundation, as the European Aid Foundation, we have been standing by our needy brothers and sisters, supporting them. Through the aid projects we have implemented, we strive to improve the lives of the oppressed and the needy.

If you also want to make charitable donations to thank our Lord and draw closer to Him, the European Aid Foundation is here for you.

What is the Shukr Prayer? How is it Performed?

We perform certain acts to praise our Lord and express our gratitude to Him. Performing the Shukr prayer is one of these acts. So, what is the Shukr prayer and how is it performed?

The Shukr prayer is a voluntary prayer performed in our religion to thank our Lord. At this point, Muslims perform this prayer to express their gratitude to our Lord for the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

There are no specific times for performing the Shukr prayer. A person can perform this prayer at any time they wish. Additionally, there is no set number of rakats (units of prayer) for the Shukr prayer.

A person can perform as many rakats of the Shukr prayer as they wish, as long as their health and time allow.

At this point, there are some questions about how to perform the Shukr prayer. The Shukr prayer is performed as follows:

- Intention: In our religion, the intention is the beginning of every act. Therefore, when performing the Shukr prayer, we should first make the intention. Before performing the Shukr prayer, one should intend, "I intend to perform the Shukr prayer for the sake of Allah."

- Performing the Prayer: The Shukr prayer is performed in the same way as normal voluntary prayers. First, the intention is made, and then the prayer is initiated by saying the opening takbir (Allahu Akbar). In the first rakat, after reciting the Subhaneke prayer, the Fatiha and another surah (chapter of the Quran) are recited. After the second rakat, the prayer continues in the same way as other voluntary prayers.

One of the frequently asked questions is which surahs are recited in the Shukr prayer. Since the Shukr prayer is a voluntary act of worship, there are no specific surahs that must be recited during the Shukr prayer. After reciting Surah Al-Fatiha in each rakat, the person can recite any surah they wish, according to their time and desire.

The Virtue of the Shukr Prayer

In our religion, every act we perform has a reward from our Lord. At this point, performing the Shukr prayer has many benefits for both our worldly life and the hereafter. Here are some of the virtues of the Shukr prayer:

- Gaining the Pleasure of Allah: By performing the Shukr prayer, we engage in a voluntary act of worship. Voluntary acts of worship are not obligatory like the obligatory prayers, which makes them very significant for us. Since there is no obligation, a person performs these acts according to their own desire. By performing the Shukr prayer, we attain the pleasure of our Lord through voluntary worship.

- Increase of Blessings: We must always be grateful for the blessings our Lord has given us. If we fail to express our gratitude for the blessings we do not appreciate, our Lord may take them back to test us. However, our Lord may increase the blessings for which we have properly expressed gratitude.

- Forgiveness of Sins: Through the Shukr sacrifice, we can seek forgiveness from our Lord.

- Bringing Peace: The Shukr prayer can also be described as a prayer that brings peace. The joy of the blessings our Lord has given us increases our peace when we perform the Shukr prayer.

How Many Rakats is the Shukr Prayer?

The question of how many rakats is the Shukr prayer is one of the most frequently asked questions.

First of all, it should be reiterated that the Shukr prayer is a voluntary prayer. Therefore, there is no set time or number of rakats for performing the Shukr prayer. A person can perform as many rakats as they wish.

Whether in the morning or evening, it is possible to perform the Shukr prayer at any time of the day. The main goal to keep in mind is to have a sincere intention and to properly express gratitude.

What Prayers are Recited in the Shukr Prayer?

So, what prayers are recited in the Shukr prayer? The main purpose of performing the Shukr prayer is to express our gratitude to our Lord for the blessings He has given us. Therefore, by performing the Shukr prayer, we show our gratitude to our Lord.

During the Shukr prayer, the Subhaneke prayer is recited after the opening takbir. Then the prayer is completed in the same way as regular voluntary prayers.

Which Surahs are Recited in the Shukr Prayer?

The answer to the question of which surahs are recited in the Shukr prayer varies. The Shukr prayer is performed in the same way as regular prayers, with no difference. First, the opening takbir is said, and the prayer begins.

After that, the Subhaneke prayer and Surah Al-Fatiha are recited. After Surah Al-Fatiha, any desired surah is recited, followed by bowing and prostration. The same procedure is followed in the second and subsequent rakats if the prayer is extended, and the prayer is completed.

How Many Rakats is the Shukr Prayer?

The Shukr prayer can be performed at any time, in any place, and for any number of rakats. At this point, the following question arises: Can the Shukr prayer be performed for 4 rakats?

One of the most common misconceptions about the Shukr prayer is that the number of rakats is 2. However, the Shukr prayer can be performed for 4 rakats if the person wishes.

Is the Shukr Prayer Obligatory?

The answer to the question of whether the Shukr prayer is obligatory is no. The Shukr prayer is a voluntary act of worship and is performed to express gratitude to our Lord. At this point, performing the Shukr prayer is not the only way to express gratitude to our Lord. You can also thank our Lord by reciting dhikr, raising your hands in prayer, or offering a thanksgiving sacrifice.

If you want to thank our Lord and at the same time help those in need, we welcome your donations.