There are five prayers performed during the day. These prayers are obligatory in Islam, and it's considered a sin to neglect the offering of the prayers during the time frame specified. Obligatory prayers take precedence over non-obligatory events in life. The prayers should be offered during specific day-parts, which allows a measure of flexibility for exact start times. The obligatory prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and nightfall.
The obligatory prayers may be offered in a congregational setting. When offered in a congregation, the prayer is said to be 27 times greater than that of one offered alone. Congregational prayers may be offered in mosques, but it is not required. Congregational prayers are the same obligatory prayers offered during the five daily events, with the exception that the prayer is led by one man, an imam, with one or more individuals, or ma'mum, following him.
The Friday prayer, or Jumu'ah, is considered obligatory for males. Though women may attend the Friday prayer, it is not obligatory for them to do so. Friday prayers are typically performed at a mosque at the noon prayer time. Prior to the prayer being performed, the congregation listens to two speeches or sermons given by the imam. As with all obligatory prayers, the Friday prayer must be performed during the time frame provided, but there is no specific start time required.
The funeral prayer is offered on behalf of a deceased Muslim. The prayer is considered obligatory and is offered in front of the body by the imam, with those in attendance standing behind the imam.
Non-obligatory prayers are considered optional. Optional prayers are offered in case of difficulty or with the intent of improving desired traits, such as an increase in feelings of charity. Optional prayers are most commonly offered either before or after the daily obligatory prayers, when rain is needed or during the night. Optional prayers may also be offered at a solar or lunar eclipse as a way of celebrating the sovereignty of the Almighty.