Question:”Who is the successful one in the sight of Allah?”
Answer:”The successful one is he who adheres to the religion of Islam—holding onto it in creed, statement and action, being enlightened by the Noble Qur’aan and Sunnah of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and by that which the pious predecessors were upon—the companions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and those who followed them in righteousness.”
Source: Permanent committee of Scholars. Question 3 from Fatwa 4889. Chaired by Shaykh bin Baz rahimahullah.
Translated by: Abu-Abdir-Razzaaq Amjad
Q: If a person enters late into the Masjid and finds the Imaam has already began the rukoo’, does the person say the takbeer [Allahu Akbar] and go straight into rukoo’ or does he say the takbeer to start the prayer and then say another takbeer for going into rukoo’?
A: What is better and more encompassing is that he makes 2 takbeers [says “Allahu Akbar” twice]. The first is the takbeeratul Ihraam [i.e. the “Allahu Akbar” to enter into the prayer] and that is a pillar and he must do that whilst he stands at the beginning. The second is the takbeer for going into rukoo’ and he says that as he descends down into rukoo’.
If, however, he fears he may miss the raka’at by saying both takbeers [since the Imaam may be on the verge of rising from the rukoo’], then the first one [takbeeratul Ihraam for actually entering into the prayer and starting it] is sufficient in accordance to the correct opinion of the scholars on that issue. That is due to the fact that they are two worships that have come together in one time [i.e. the two takbeers one after the other, the first to start the prayer an the second to go into rukoo’] in that instance the greater worship suffices for the smaller one, hence the takbeer for entering into the prayer suffices for the takbeer of going into rukoo’ if missing the raka’at is feared.
[Based on Shaikh bin Baz’s رحمه الله response on the issue, Official Website]
Q: Some people if they enter the masjid close to the time of the congregation prayer [i.e. the iqaama is close and prayer will begin soon] they stay standing waiting for the Imaam to arrive and abandon the 2 units of prayer for the greeting of the masjid [tahiyyatul Masjid], so what is the ruling upon that?
A: If the time period is short from the point of his arrival to the congregational prayer starting and would not suffice for the 2 raka’at of tahiyyatul masjid then there is no harm standing and waiting momentarily for the Imam to arrive since it is imminent. However, if they do not know when the Imaam will arrive then it is superior to pray the 2 units of tahiyyatul masjid, and even if the Imaam arrives and the Iqaama is done for the prayer to start and you are still in your first raka’at of the tahiyyatul masjid then you may cut the prayer off to join the congregation, however if you are in your second raka’at then complete it lightly [i.e. do not elongate it, rather pray it short] and join them.
[Based on Fataawa Arkaan ul-Islam Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen p309]
This short series of articles will research some of the issues relating to the prayer. It will be organised in a question and answer style with all information referenced to the fatawaa of the scholars.
Q: A person enters the masjid for ‘Isha prayer, then he remembers he has not yet prayed Maghrib so what does he do?
A: If you enter the masjid and the ‘Isha prayer is about to be established [i.e. iqaama has been called and it is beginning] but then you remembered you have not prayed Maghrib, in that case you enter with the ‘Isha congregation with the intention of Maghrib. The first three raka’aat are prayed as normal, but when the Imaam stands up after the third rak’at to start the fourth rak’at, you stay sitting and wait for the Imaam and rest of congregation to complete their fourth and then give the salam [tasleem] with the Imaam together at the end.
Similarly though, you can stay sitting after the third and finish the prayer and give the salam by yourself, then rise up and join the Imaam and congregation in what is left of the ‘Isha prayer [i.e. join them in their final rak’at of ‘Isha and then continue after they finish].
It is of no harm that the intentions are different between yourself and the Imaam in accordance to the correct opinion of the scholars on that.
[Based on Fatawa Arkaan ul-Islaam of Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen, p290]
The following is regarding a sister who began practising by the virtue and blessing of Allah as a consequence of a lecture she listened to by one of the scholars. We highlight, just as Shaikh al-Fawzan حفظه الله himself has stated, that the purpose of becoming aware of such stories is in order to take benefit from them, in order that a person takes admonishment regarding his or her own affairs.
[Paraphrased from Sahab]
The questioner states to the Shaikh, “This is an emotional letter from sister who requests some guidance and advice, she says that Allah the Mighty and Majestic guided me after I listened to a lecture of one of the scholars may Allah reward him, and that she felt the sweetness of eemaan since that day and she lives a different life now, a life full of happiness and comfort with her children who she teaches the Book of Allah and Islam, and she says she remembers and supplicates to Allah in all her affairs. She also says she began wearing the appropriate Islamic clothing suitable to the muslim woman, however upon this new change of lifestyle she says her family and relatives considered her ill [!] and that the rest of her family always conflict with her and consider her to be influenced by whispers [!] so she has sent this letter requesting you direct her and advise her on the affair in terms of staying firm and upright”.
Shaikh al-Fawzaan: “Yes, this is good news, glad tidings from this woman who was influenced by a good lecture and may Allah reward the one who delivered it with goodness. This is what is befitting of lectures, that they are done in clarification of this religion and explanation of the virtues of it and encouragement upon that. Lectures should not be in other affairs, entering into politics and what resembles those affairs that wastes peoples time and incites them and in fact harms them! So this is how lectures should be [about the religion and virtues and encouragement] especially in mosques and sermons and admonitions upon this style, as reminders upon Allah and teaching the people that which they are ignorant of from the affairs of their religion.
And when you mentioned [addressing the sister] that you repented to Allah and began practicing and covered with the correct hijab then this is goodness for you, and this is a new life for you different to your previous life, a life of guidance and eemaan, so it is upon you to remain firm upon this and continue, increase in eemaan, increase in listening to beneficial lectures and remembrance, and do not be intimidated by the ones attempting to frighten you and those opposing you to make you regress or leave that which Allah bestowed upon you, these are the shayaateen of humans who desire to misguide the people and do not care for goodness.
So upon you is firmness and clinging to that which you are upon and patience, and upon you is to learn beneficial knowledge so that your worship is upon insight and beneficial knowledge”.
Al-Allaama Rabee Bin Haadee Al-Madhalee (may Allaah preserve him) said:
I remember we were on a journey to one of the Arab countries-unfortunately-and arrived at one of the hotels; then we said, ”direct us to a restaurant”, and they directed us to what they claim was the best restaurant. We sat down and got the menu list and in it was alcohol and swine meat. So we said to the one who gave us the menu list: ”Are you a Muslim?” He said: ”Yes, I am a Muslim.” We said: ”How can you serve alcohol and swine meat to diners?” He said: ”This is my sustenance and from where would I eat then?” We said to him: ”your sustenance is with Allaah (Glorified and Exalted Be He). Indeed Allaah has guaranteed your sustenance and the doors of sustenance are open, so fear Allaah.” And we advised him in every way.
The testimony (in this incident) is that some of the Muslims work in some of the hotels in which there is alcohol and they serve swine meat. This is in an Islamic land (in which) alcohol and swine meat are served, so how about those who travel to Europe? I believe that many of them may work in these hotels, serving swine meat to those who eat it amongst the sinful Muslims, the Muslim evil doers and the disbelievers. This is from the greatest affairs of wrongdoing and from the greatest of the major sins, and it may be a means to an evil end (in this life). And Allaah’s protection is sought.
The following article is regarding an event that occurred relating to an individual upon Sufism who was charitable to the people, Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen رحمه الله was asked:
Questioner: “There is a man upon one of the paths of Sufism and he carries out some innovations, [the issue however is] that this man aids in the establishment of charitable work, so if someone like him is refuted for his innovation and it [the refutation of him] becomes widespread between the people, he will cease to aid the people of righteousness and goodness [in charity], so what is your opinion oh Shaikh?”
Shaikh: “Is this man influential in his da’wa?”
Questioner: “Yes Shaikh, he calls to his innovation.”
Shaikh: “In that case, which is more severe; poverty or misguidance?”
Questioner: “Misguidance.”
Shaikh: “Misguidance is more severe, so it is obligatory if this man is a caller and influential [in his innovation] that he is warned against, even if he stops his charitable work – for indeed that is depriving himself of reward if he does – as for leaving him to misguide the servants of Allah in order to obtain via that [i.e. silence upon him] a dirham or two…this is not possible.”
Yahyah Ibn Awn (rahimahullaah) said: I entered upon Ibnul Qisaar [i.e. visited Ibnul Qisaar (rahimahullaah)] along with Sahnoon (rahimahullaah) whilst he (Ibnul Qisaar) was ill. So he (Sahnoon) said (to Ibnul Qisaar): ”what is this restlessness?” He (Ibnul Qisaar) said: ”Death and the meeting with Allaah.” Sahnoon said to him: Do you truthfully testify to (belief) in the Messengers, the resurrection, the reckoning, the Paradise and the hell fire, and that the best of this Ummah is Abu-Bakr and then Umar, and that the Qur’aan is the speech of Allaah and it is not created, and that Allaah will be seen on the day of judgement and that He ascended over the Throne, and that you do not rebel against the Muslim Rulers with the sword even if they are oppressive? He (Ibnul Qisaar) said: ”By Allaah, certainly.” So He (Sahnoon) said to him: ”Die if you wish.” [Siyar A’laam Nubulaa: 12/68]
