The Distinguished Jurists Primer by Ibn Rushd

This part covers the words and acts that constitute prayer, and these are the arkdn (the elements). The obligatory prayers differ on the basis of an increase or decrease in these two elements, with respect to:

individual and congregational performance; 2. time, like the difference between the zuhr prayer on a Friday and the zuhr prayer for other days; 3. residence or travel; 4. security and fear; and 5. health and illness.

If it is desired that the discussion follow this classification and structure, it is necessary first to discuss what is common between these categories and then take what is specific to each. On the other hand, the discussion of each individual category may be taken up, which is easier, though this method of instruction leads to some repetition, but it was a method adopted by the fuqaha*, and we will follow them in this.

We shall, therefore, divide this part into six chapters. The first chapter will cover the prayer of the individual who is resident, secure (from fear), and in good health. The second chapter will cover prayer in a congregation, that is, the ahkam concerning the imam and the follower in prayer. The third chapter will deal with the jumu'a prayer. Chapter 4 will deal with prayer during travel. Chapter 5 will discuss prayer in (a state of) fear. The sixth chapter will deal with the prayer of the sick.