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Fiqh of Prayer: Concentrating in the Prayer and Blocking Other Thoughts

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Salaah - Prayer, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: “How can we obtain concentration, reverence and humility in the prayer, and when reading the Qur’an in the prayer and outside of it?”

A: “Concentration, reverence and humility is the core of the prayer, and the meaning of it [i.e. khushoo’] is to have a heart that is present and concentrating, and that the heart of the one praying does not wander left and right, here and there. If the person feels something is distracting him away from that khushoo’, then let him seek refuge in Allah from the Shaytaan as the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم ordered.

No doubt the Shaytaan is keen on corrupting all worship and especially the prayer which is the best of worship after the two testimonies of tawheed and faith. So the Shaytaan will come to the one praying and say, “remember such and such, think about such and such”, and so he makes the person digress into such thoughts which there is no benefit to, and in reality they actually disappear from thought as soon as the person finishes the prayer!

So upon the individual is to strive the utmost in submitting to Allah, and if he perceives something overcoming him from these thoughts and whispers then he should seek refuge in Allah whether he is bowing in rukoo’, or sitting in the tashahhud, or otherwise in his prayer.

And from the best of methods that aid a person in khushoo’ in his prayer is that he remembers he is standing in front of his Lord and that he is calling and supplicating to Him the Mighty the Majestic”

[Based on Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen’s response from Fatawa Arkaan ul-Islam p322/323]

Traveller prayed with residents – Shaykh Saalih Al-Luhaydaan

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Fatawa-Rulings, Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Salaah - Prayer, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaykh Saalih Al-Luhaydaan حفظه الله was asked:

A traveller came upon a people, whilst he was a traveller and found them praying Asr, they had prayed two units of prayer, he joined with them the (remaining) two units of prayer; does he give the salaams (finish the prayer) or does he complete (4 units)?

Shaykh Saalih Al-Luhaydaan answers:

Rather he completes, the traveller if he joins with the residents his prayer is a residents prayer, that which he reaches of the prayer he prays, and that which he missed of it, he completes.

http://lohaidan.af.org.sa/node/222

[1]Advice Number 22: Prohibition against 8 Sicknesses in Societies–Sh Ali Bin Sh Zaid

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Family & Women, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Qur'aan, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

The First Sickness: Mockery

It is to belittle the people, making fun of them and encroaching upon their rights. Indeed Allaah has warned (us) against committing this crime that occurs from those who are conceited with themselves and look down on others.  Allaah (The Most High) said:

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا يَسْخَرْ قَوْمٌ مِّن قَوْمٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُونُوا خَيْرًا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا نِسَاءٌ مِّن نِّسَاءٍ عَسَىٰ أَن يَكُنَّ خَيْرًا مِّنْهُنَّ

”O you who believe! Let not a group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former.” [Al-Hujuraat: Ayah: 11]

[This ayah] is imposed as prohibition against men and then to women; because this vile action occurs from all (i.e. men and women).  The mocker does not stop at belittling the creation; rather he goes further in rejecting the truth, as it has been established in the authentic hadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) that he said:

‘’Pride is to reject the truth and looking down on the people.’’ [Reported by Muslim: Kitaab Al-Eemaan; Chapter: Prohibition against pride and its clarification: 1/91, page: 93]

[Source: Qabasun Min Rawaa-I Al-Afnaan An-Nadiyyah: page: 126]

Simple Words For The Sensible One To Reflect Upon Concerning Our Circumstances Today!!!

Written by Abdullah Jallow on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Brotherhood, Da'wah - Calling To Islam, Deviated Callers & Individuals, Deviated Groups, Sects and Parties, Methodology - 'Manhaj', Monotheism - Tawheed, Morals and Manners - 'Akhlaaq', Qur'aan, Scholars of Islam, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

Shaikh Raslaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:

The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was sent within circumstances concerning which a Muslim cannot say: ”Indeed, the circumstances in which we live in more evil and more deprave in its depravity than (the circumstances in which the Prophet was sent).”   (That is) because the Prophet (salal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) was sent to a disbelieving people and he guided them through one way and one path-to worship one Lord, one God, The Perfect Lord and Master upon Whom all the creation depends and He is self-sufficient, The Unique One in His Names, Attributes and Actions. There is neither another true God (worthy of worship) besides Him nor another true Lord (i.e. the creator, provider and controller of the affairs of the creation) besides Him.

Therefore, the path [of Prophet-salal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam in calling to Allaah in those circumstances] was one, and it path the (way) that the Messengers brought.  The Prophet (salal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) called the Ummatud Dawah (i.e. the nation that had not yet accepted the message of Islaam) to that which is obligatory for today’s Ummatul Ijaabah (i.e. the nation that has already accepted the call of Islaam) to call to.

[For further details see: Mataa Ta-oodu Ilaynaa Falasteen: page: 12-13]

I missed Saalutul Fajr because I was awake all night – Shaykh Al Fawzaan

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Aqeedah (Creed & Belief), Articles, Fatawa-Rulings, Salaah - Prayer, Seeking Knowledge, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

A questioner asks:

What is the ruling on the one who sleeps through Salatul Fajr due to staying up late into the night for the purpose of studying?

Shaykh Saalih Al Fawzaan answers:

Mashaa Allah! Mashaa Allah! This is a successful one(!) he neglects the obligation (of Fajr Prayer), and he stays awake through the night.

What is the meaning of seeking of knowledge here?! Whilst he is losing and neglecting the obligatory acts, there is no benefit in this seeking of knowledge.

Salaatul Fajr is a must to be prayed in its correct time with the congregation and there is nothing that takes precedence over it.

Washing the dead – Shaykh bin Baz

Written by Amjad Khan on . Posted in Articles, Fatawa-Rulings, Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Question:

What is the authenticity of the Hadith:

“whoever washes a dead person then upon him is to make ghusl and whoever carries the dead then he has to perform wudoo”?

And is this the command of obligation or recommendation? And why?

Answer:

The aforementioned Hadith is weak; and verily it has been affirmed from the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in other narrations, that which indicates the recommendation of performing ghusl after washing a dead person.

As for carrying (the dead person) then it is not correct to make wudoo and neither is it recommended, owing to the lack of evidence in this regard.

Majmoo’ Fataawa Shaykh bin Baz

A lady missed the fasting of Ashooraa due to her menses–Shaikh Uthaymeen

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Family & Women, Fasting, Fatawa-Rulings, Muharram and Ashoorah.

Question:
A lady fasted the 9th of Muharram and began her menses the day of Ashooraa, is it obligatory upon her to make up (the fast of Ashooraa) or is an expiation binding upon her?

Answer:
From that which is well know is that fasting is not obligatory upon the Muslim except the fasting of Ramadhaan, and the fasting of Ramadhaan is one of the five pillars of Islaam, because of the statement of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم):

Islaam is built upon five: The testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the establishment of the prayer, the giving of the Zakaat, the fasting of Ramadhaan and Al Hajj to the House of Allah. (Bukhaari)

As for fast of Ashooraa it was obligatory in the first affair (i.e. beginning of Islam), then it was abrogated by the (obligatory) fasting of Ramadhaan and fasting it became voluntary—meaning: fasting Muharram whilst fasting the 10th (Ashooraa) is more emphasized than fasting the remaining days of Muharram.

And based on this we say in answer to the question of this lady:

Indeed she fasted the 9th and her intention was to fast the 10th day, however it became impossible for her because of menses, then indeed it is hoped that the reward for fasting the day of Ashoora will be written for her because she made the intention of fasting it, even if it was prevented.

And when a person intends a righteous action and hastens towards the means of obtaining it, however it became impossible for him, then his reward is written for him due to the statement of [Allaah- The Blessed the Most High]:

{ومن يخرج من بيته مهاجراً إلى الله ورسوله

ثم يدركه الموت فقد وقع أجره على الله}

And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allah and His Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allah. Surah An-Nisaa Verse 100

And this lady upon whom came about that which prevented her from fasting the day of Ashooraa and it was (her) menses, then it is not legislated for her to make up the day of Ashooraa because the fasting of Ashooraa is a Sunnah and restricted to its day.

Therefore, if a preventative legislated (Islamic ruling) occurred, there is no making up for it because it is a Sunnah and it’s time has elapsed.

Source: http://www.ibnothaimeen.com/all/noor/article_2180.shtml)

Translated by: Abu-Abdir-Razzaaq (Amjad Khan)

Fiqh of Prayer: Closing the Eyes During the Prayer?

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Fatawa-Rulings, Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Salaah - Prayer, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Q: What is the ruling on closing the eyes during the prayer?

A: Closing the eyes during the prayer is disliked, that is due to it being in opposition to what the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم would do. An exception may be made in the presence of a legitimate reason, e.g. if there was excessive decoration and embellishment in front of the one praying on the wall or floor [perhaps creating difficulty in concentration], or there was a very bright light directly in front of him harming his eyes. The point therefore is, that if there is a legitimate reason to close the eyes then there is no harm, however without any such reason it is disliked, and further details on the topic can be sought from the great work of ibn ul-Qayyim “Zaad al-Ma’ad” [Provisions of the Hereafter]”

[Based on Shaikh ibn ul-Uthaymeen’s response to the issue, Fatawa Arkaan ul-Islam p341]

Fiqh of Prayer: Using a Table or Chair as a Sutra Despite the Empty Gap under them?

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Fatawa-Rulings, Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Salaah - Prayer, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Shaikh al-Albany رحمه الله was asked regarding using an item that is not completely touching the ground as a sutra in the prayer, i.e. a table, chair or perhaps bed whereby the legs of that item are touching the ground however there is a gap of emptiness in between under it with nothing making contact to the ground, the Shaikh responded [paraphrased]:

“Do not pray toward the gap, pray toward the leg of the item”

The questioner then states that there is a hadith where the prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم prayed towards a bed as a sutra, so the Shaikh states:

“Ok, but we do not have an illustration or explanation as to what this bed looked like, whether it was covered or empty [i.e. was there a gap under it or not], why therefore do we need to go into such depth? We already know the sutra is any item that goes in front of the one praying, therefore we have to assume the person prays towards a solid object and not a gap, i.e. one of the legs of the bed. Similarly, if a bed has a gap under it however there is a sheet on the bed that falls over the sides and covers the gap then that is fine, since the person is praying towards the sheet that is covering the gap in front of him, and not the gap anymore.

Therefore we understand the hadith in line with the other ahaadith, and do not give it an understanding whereby there becomes conflict”.

The questioner then says, “Ok but Shaikh, the prophet صلى الله عليم و سلم prayed towards a riding animal and that clearly has a gap under its body between its legs?”

Shaikh, “…and was the riding animal floating in the air?! [i.e. it similarly has 4 legs, so we assume the prayer was towards one of the legs touching the ground and not the empty gap under its body], the affair is finished, your speech here is the same as the issue of a table, it has legs and a gap”[therefore pray to the legs, not the gap].

[Cassette 812 silsilatul huda; via Sahab]

Fiqh of Prayer: 1 Takbeer or 2 when joining Late and Imaam is already in Rukoo’?

Written by Salafi Dawah Manchester on . Posted in Fatawa-Rulings, Islamic Jurisprudence - 'Fiqh', Salaah - Prayer, Worship - 'Ibaadah'.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

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]