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Breaking The Fast (Iftaar)

1. When does the Fasting person Break his Fast?
Allah, the Most High, says: “…then complete your Sawm (fast) till the nightfall…”[2]

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) explained this to mean the approach of the night, the passing away of the daylight, and the disappearance of the sun below the horizon.[3]

Narrated Umar bin Al-Khattab (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “When night falls from this side and the day vanishes from this side and the sun sets, then the fasting person should break his fast.”[4]

Narrated Amr ibn Maimoon al – Awdee (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Companions of Muhammad (peace be upon him) were the earliest of people in beginning the Iftaar and the lastest in taking Suhoor.[5]

2. Hastening to Break the Fast
A Muslim should break the fast as soon as the sun sets and do not be bothered by the bright redness remaining upon the horizon. In this, he would be following the Sunnah of your Messenger (peace be upon him) and differing from the Jews and Christians since they delay breaking the fast until the stars start to appear.[6]

2.1 Hastening to Break the Fast brings about good.
Narrated Sahl bin Sad (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allah’s Apostle said, “The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast.”[7]

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The Deen will not cease to be uppermost as long as the people hasten to break the fast since the Jews and Christians delay it.”[8]

2.2 Breaking the Fast before praying the Maghrib prayer
Narrated Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before Salaat al-Maghrib. If fresh dates were not available, he would eat dried dates and if dried dates were not available, he would break his fast by drinking a little water.”[9]

2.3 A Warning to Those who Break the Fast Before the Time of Iftaar
Although we should hasten to break the fast, breaking the fasting before the correct time is sinful. Even though only a part of the following hadith is relevant here, I thought I would add the full hadeeth so that we can reflect on some of the horrors of some of our actions.

Narrated Aboo Umaamah al – Baahilee (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “While I was sleeping, two men (angels) came to me, held my upper arms and took me to a rough mountain. They said,” Climb.” I said,” I cannot climb it.” They said, ” We will make it easy for you.”

He (peace be upon him) continued: “We moved on until I saw some people who were suspended by their Achilles’ tendons, their cheeks cut and gushing blood. I asked, “Who are those?” The replied, “Those are the ones who break their fast when it is not permissible.” 10]

3. With what should one break his fast?
Narrated Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to break his fast with fresh dates before Salaat al-Maghrib. If fresh dates were not available, he would eat dried dates and if dried dates were not available, he would break his fast by drinking a little water.”[11]

Giving something sweet to an empty stomach leads to its acceptance and that the body takes benefit from it, especially a healthy body which will be strengthened by it. As for water, then the body becomes somewhat dehydrated through fasting and so if it is moistened with water then it can take completed benefit from the food. And know that the dates and water contain various blessings and specially qualities which have an effect upon the hearts and in purifying them, which will be known only to those who follow (the Sunnah).[12]

Consider how far our practice is from that of our Prophet (peace be upon him)! In our fast-breaking menu, there are all kinds of fruits and additional items. These items are fried or cooked with a lot of herbs and spices. This may result in causing an upset stomach, which may eventually result in ill health. Instead, we have to adopt a more moderate and comfortable way of breaking our fast by which a rich reward in the Hereafter and a physical advantage in this world will also be achieved.[13]

4. Times of Responding to the Supplication
Those believers who strive and control themselves, abstaining from those things restricted, such as food, drink, and sexual desire, all day long, to obtain the pleasure of Allah, will definitely have a special status with Allah. This responding to his invocation when breaking his fast is more likely to occur.[14] So seize this opportunity and call upon Allah being sure that it will be answered, and know that Allah does not respond to a heedless and inattentive heart. Call upon Him with supplications for anything good, and hopefully, you will attain the good of this like and the Hereafter.[15]

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al – Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him): Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Indeed there is for the fasting person when he breaks his fast, a supplication which is not rejected.”[16]

5. What should a person say when breaking the fast?
There is a well-known invocation related in the hadith in this respect:

“Allaahumma laka sumtu wa – ala Rizqika Aftartu”

(O Allaah! For You I have observed fasting and with Your provisions do I break my fasting)

However, this hadeeth is NOT AUTHENTIC.[17] This shows you that you should not trust everything you find on things like Islamic calendars. As much as we hope that the people printing these would do some research on what they put, it seems like they are more concerned with advertising products than anything else! And to make things worse, some people turn a blind eye to the truth and ignorantly follow the unauthentic hadith over the authentic!

The authentic hadith is as follows:

“Dhahaba adh – dhamau wab – tallatil – urooqa wa thabatal – ajru in shaa Allaah”

(The thirst has gone, the arteries are moist, and the reward is set, Allaah willing)[18]

6. Providing food for the fasting person to break his fast.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person.”[19]

The rich reward of helping others break their fast can be achieved to one’s best ability and is not required for people to overburden themselves in this regard.[20]

And It is Only Allah Who grants success. May Allah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him), and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.

Compiled by Imran Ayub[1]

References:

× Fasting In Ramadaan by Sheikh Saleem al – Hilaalee and ‘Alee ‘Abdul Hameed, al – Hidaayah Publishers, 1999

× Islamic Studies Book 3, by Dr. Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips, IIPH publishers, 2005

× Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues, by Hafiz Salah – ud – Din Yusuf, Darussalam publishers, 199

× The Fragile Vessels – Rights and Obligations between the Spouses in Islam, by Muhammad Mustafaa al – Jibaaly, al – Kitaab and as-Sunnah Publishing, 2005

[1] From, ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 56 – 67 and ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 12 – 15

[2] The Noble Qur’an, Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:187

[3] ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 56

[4] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 175; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2421

[5] ‘Abdur – Razzaq, al – Musannaf, Number 7591; Declared Saheehvby Hafidh Ibn Hajaar in al – Fath, 4/199; and al – Haithumee in Majma’ uz – Zawaaid, 3/154; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 56

[6] ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 57

[7] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 178; Saheeh Muslim, Book 006, Number 2417; Sunan Aboo Daawood, Vol. 2, Number 2346

[8] Sunan Aboo Daawood, 2/305; Ibn Hibaan; Its Isnaad is Hasan; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadan’, p. 58

[9] Sunan at – Tirmithee, 3/70; Sunan Aboo Daawood, 2/306; Ahmad, 3/163; Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 3/277, 278; through two chains from Anas, and its isnaad is Saheeh; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 61; Classed Saheeh by Sheikh al – Albaanee in al-Irwa’, Number 922; as quoted in ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 13

[10] Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, Number 1986; Ibn Hibbaan and others. Verified to be Saheeh by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh ut – Targheeb, Number 991; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 91 – 92

[11] Sunan at – Tirmithee, 3/70; Sunan Aboo Daawood, 2/306; Ahmad, 3/163; Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 3/277, 278; through two chains from Anas, and its isnaad is Saheeh; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 61; Classed Saheeh by Sheikh al – Albaanee in al-Irwa’, Number 922; as quoted in ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 13

[12] ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 61

[13] ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 13

[14] ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 13 – 14

[15] ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 61

[16] Sunan Ibn Maajah, 1/557; al – Haakim, 1/422; Ibn as – Sunnee, Number 128; at – Tayaalisee, Number 299; through two chains of narration from him and al – Boosairee said: 2/81: This isnaad is Saheeh, its narrators are reliable; as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 61. Classed Saheeh by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan ibn Maajah, Number 1432; as quoted in ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 14

[17] It is rated as Da’eef by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Irwaa al – Ghaleel, Vol. 4, Number 919; as quoted in ‘Islamic Studies Book 3’, p. 198

[18] Sunan Aboo Daawood, Vol. 2, Number 2350; al – Baihaqee, 4/239; al – Hakakim, 1/422; Ibn Sunnee, an – Nasaa’ee in Amalul – Yawm, 269; Daraqutnee, who declared its isnaad to be Hasan, and it is as he said (as quoted in ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 62); Graded Hasan by Sheikh al – Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan Aboo Daawood, Vol. 2, Number 2066 (as quoted in ‘Islamic Studies Book 3’, p. 198) and in Irwaa al – Ghaleel, Number 920 (as quoted in ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 15).

[19] Sunan at – Tirmithee, Number 804; Ahmad, 5/192; Sunan Ibn Maajah, Number 1746; ibn Hibbaan, Number 895; Imam Tirmithee declared it Saheeh and it is as he said; as quoted ‘Fasting in Ramadaan’, p. 62.

[20] ‘Ramadaan: Rules and Related Issues’, p. 15

Medical Advantages Of Sajda (Prostration)

Sajda(Prostration) is a unique position or stance in the regular prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five times a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers is not to provide an exercise for people yet it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical advantages for the human body.

Here it is worth mentioning that Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) has mentioned in a hadith in Ibn Maja:’That prayer is a cure for many diseases’. The position of Sajda in which the forehead touches the ground is exclusively associated with the Muslim form of prayer. It is the climax of a Muslim’s prayer and as mentioned in a Hadith a Muslim is nearest to Allah in this position.

The messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication’ (in this state)” In a Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (R.A.) Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) advised Muslims to perform Rukuu (bowing) and Sajda(prostration) properly.

In another Hadith he (peace be upon him) advised to perform Sajda(Prostration) and Bowing calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease. Hence the first positive effect upon a person who prostrates or does Sajda(Prostration) is that he comes nearest to Allah and hence in that condition he can supplicate.

Psychological advantage:
This is a great psychological advantage and it gives relief to the person concerned as life is full of worries and in this position he gets at least a transient refuge from the agonizing problems.

When a person goes to the position of Sajda(Prostration), his whole body is in active motion. This position can be considered as a mini dive as the musalli (one who offers prayer) goes to rest his forehead on the ground while his hands are placed at the sides. This brings most of the body muscles if not all in active motion and serves to give them some exercise. The hands are then specifically stretched out and thence the forearm as well as arm muscles are supposed to bear the weight in the Sajda(Prostration) position. It gives good exercise to the muscles of the upper limb. The Prophet (peace be upon him) in a hadith advised not to put the forearms flatly on the ground but to keep them elevated above the ground and this is better for the forearm and arm muscles.

Sajda(Prostration) is a unique position as this is the only position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and hence for the first time, the blood gushes towards the brain with full force whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain is above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood to the brain. In the position of Sajda(Prostration) due to the increased blood supply, the brain receives more nourishment and it has a good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration, psyche and all other cognitive abilities.

People who offer their prayers regularly have more will power and can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner.

They have less incidence of headaches, psychological problems and other defects of cognitive function. In the unique position of Sajda(Prostration) the neck muscles get the best exercise. They have to bear the load when the forehead lies at the ground hence the neck muscles become stronger. One can note the tense pressure at the neck muscles in the position of Sajda(Prostration) especially the active motion of the neck and the facial muscles when the head is being lifted. (e.g. one inch above the ground) and it will be noticed that they are in a very active motion.

More strong cervical muscles mean the cervical vertebra will be better protected. The strength of cervical muscles is important as the headrests upon cervical vertebra supported by cervical musculature. In fact, head performs rotator movements over the cervical vertebra. In any accident cervical neck examination is especially important to the physicians because of its extraordinary importance. It is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers regularly will get the usual neck myalgias or cervical spondylosis as the neck muscles particularly become very strong due to the 34 sajdas(Prostrations) offered daily in five prayers.

The unique position of Sajda(Prostration) also has positive effects upon the back muscles as while going into Sajda and getting up from it the back muscle contract actively and they become stronger. Probably it is because of this reason that a person who is regular in prayers will (rarely) get backache.

Finally, it must be reminded that (even though) prayer is not meant to be an exercise, there are a lot of medical advantages associated with it. Still, the best blessing is the peace of mind, which a person derives by the accomplishment of his duty to Allah by fulfilling an obligation.

Dr. Muhammad Karim Beebani, Saudi Gazette

Cultivating The Love Of Allah

A heart filled with the love of Allah is a heart that finds peace and tranquility. Allah says: “Indeed, by the remembrance of Allah do the hearts find contentment.” [Surah al-Ra`d: 28]

Allah promises those who believe and work righteousness that he will give them a life of goodness. He says: “Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him we will give him a life that is good and pure.” [Surah al-Nahl: 97]

This life which is good and pure is by way of the radiance of one’s spirit, the coolness of one’s eyes, and the happiness of one’s heart towards Allah. Religion faith provides solace to the soul’s pain. It is the physician that cures our tears and our emotional wounds.

From our love for Allah stems our love for His Messengers, His Prophets, and His angels, Our love for Allah makes us love His righteous servants among our fellows. We want to be with those who love Him, associate with them, and adopt their good ways and manners.

From our love for Allah stems a desire to exhibit goodness to all of Creation. This desire manifests itself in our good words, our good deeds, our supplications, and our help. This in itself is a reason for happiness and contentment. Those who go forth to help others and fulfill their needs are the people with the most happiness and fulfillment in their lives.

The love for Allah comes by way of keeping His Book as a dear companion by reading it, contemplating its meanings, and acting upon its teachings. Such companionship of the Qur’an means that the reader is always with it. Whenever he completes one chapter, he moves on to another. He never finishes reading the Qur’an except with the intention of starting again.

A person’s love for Allah is expressed through his love for prayer since this is the way the soul can travel to its Lord. It brings rest to the spirit. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Bilal: “Call the prayer, so that we may find rest in it.” [Sunan Abi Dawud (4985)]

Prayer safeguards us from sin and wrongdoing. Allah says: “Establish prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and false deeds.” [Surah al-`Ankabut: 45]

We show our love to Allah by constantly seeking His forgiveness and by constantly striving to draw nearer to Him. A Muslim never despairs of Allah’s mercy and he never sees his sins to be greater than Allah’s forgiveness. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.

Allah says: “No one despairs of Allah’s mercy except those who have no faith.” [Surah Yusuf: 87]

Allah says: “And who despairs of the mercy of Allah except those who are astray?” [Surah al-Hijr: 56]

Our penitence includes our repeatedly seeking Allah’s forgiveness with the prescribed wording for doing so while keeping the meaning of what we are saying clear in our minds. We must recognize and acknowledge our shortcomings before Allah. We should feel acutely how much we need Him and how much we must rely on Him at every moment of our lives.

We show our love for Allah by being aware of the numerous blessings He has bestowed upon us, despite all our sins and shortcomings.

A worshipper of Allah should never forget supplication. It is a door that is always open and never closed. Allah says: “Call upon Me. I will answer you.” [Surah Ghafir: 60]

Allah says: “If My servants asks you about Me, for indeed I am near. I answer the supplication of the supplicant when he calls upon Me.” [Surah al-Baqarah: 186]

We must beseech our Lord in humility at every possible occasion and express our need of Him. Our hearts should be tied to Allah. We should wake up and pray to Him during the last third of the night, which is a special and most precious time for our worship. We should beseech Allah during the last hour of the afternoon on Friday and between the two calls of every prayer.

We should be careful that all of our sustenance is lawful and good. We should uphold our ties of kinship and honor our parents. We should respect the honor and wealth of our fellow human beings and never transgress against them.

We should receive in our hearts the glad assurance of the good that is bestowed by the One who when He wills something, just says “Be!” and it is.

Three Kinds Of Dua

Prayer or supplication (Dua) is the essence of worship or servanthood to God. What rises to God from the whole creations is prayer. It has kinds and degrees:

1. The first kind is the prayer of all organisms, plant, animal and human, through the natural disposition of their bodies and their functioning in line with their duties in creation. This kind of prayer is always accepted.

2. The second kind is that which is uttered by all organisms, plant, animal, and human, in the tongue of vital needs. God meets these needs just on time, with the exception that plants, and the animals relatively weaker and less intelligent (as compared to others, such as wolves and foxes), are nourished more easily than the others. The more powerful and intelligent and more self-subsisting a creature is, the greater hardship it suffers to get nourishment.

3. The third kind of prayer is that which is done by human beings. This falls into two categories:
i. The first category is the active prayer. It means complying with the laws that God has set for life. For example, a farmer’s ploughing the soil is knocking on the door of Divine providence. A patient’s going to the doctor is appealing to God for cure. This kind of prayer is usually accepted.

ii. The second category is the verbal prayer that we do. This kind of prayer is also answered. But answering is different from accepting. God answers all the prayers done sincerely. However, He answers sometimes by giving whatever is asked for, sometimes by giving what is better, sometimes by postponing giving to the afterlife, and sometimes by not giving at all, since it will not turn out in favor of the one who prays. The way that God answers prayer depends on His wisdom.

Supplication And Its Manners, Times, Conditions and Mistakes

Proofs Of Supplication From Qur’an
All mighty Allah (SWT) said :
“And when My slaves ask you (O Mohammed) concerning Me then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by my knowledge) I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on me (without any mediator or intercessor) So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led to the right path.” (Qur’an 2:186)

The Prophet (SAW) was asked by some of his companions: “Is Allah near so we invoke him or is he far so we call him? so Allah revealed this verse, – Allah (SWT) is near He can hear the supplicant anytime anywhere and respond to him if the supplicant invokes Allah (SWT) with a sincere heart and avoid interdictions of supplication.

Allah (SWT) also said:
“Invoke your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) with humility and in secret, He likes not the aggressors.” (Qur’an 7:55)

Supplication is of two kinds. One is worship and the other is a request. So He commands to be invoked with humility which is insisting in request and continuously in worship and “secretly” not loud to avoid “Ryea” (showing off)

Allah (SWT) also said:
“And your Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) said: “Invoke Me (i.e. believe in My Oneness) (and ask Me for anything) I will respond to your (invocation) Verily! Those who scorn My worship ( i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness ) they will surely enter hell in humiliation!” (Qur’an 40:60)

Allah (SWT) said:
“Invoke Me, I will respond to you” , so from His mercy for His slaves He has promised to respond to their invocations but for those who do not invoke Him, He has promised punishment because invocation of Allah (SWT) is an act of worship and refusing to invoke Him ( disbelieving in Him or having doubt in His ability to answer the invocation) is refusal to worship Him.

Proofs Of Supplication From Sunnah
Narrated An-Numan bin Bashir (Ra) (Radhiallahu anhu, meaning: may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (SAW) said: “Verily, Supplication is worship.” (AI-Arbaa (The four) and AI-Tirmdhi, graded it Sahih (sound))

Narrated Anas (Ra): The Prophet (SAW) said: “Supplication is the Pith (essence) of worship.” (At-Tirmidhi with a full chain of narrators)

Some Hadith On Supplication

1496. Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who is favored by another and says to his benefactor: `Jazak-Allah khairan (may Allah reward you well)’ indeed praised (the benefactor) satisfactorily.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: If one is unable to return someone’s kindness with kindness, he should say, “Jazak-Allahu khairan (may Allah reward you well).” This means: “I am unable to reciprocate your kindness. May Allah grant you the best reward for it.” Obviously there is no match for the reward that one gets from Allah. For this reason the Prophet (PBUH) said that it was the best of the praise for a benefactor.

1497. Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Do not invoke curses on yourself or on your children or on your possessions lest you should happen to do it at a moment when the supplications are accepted, and your prayer might be granted.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: Almighty Allah always listens to everyone’s prayer but He has fixed certain times when He grants more prayers addressed to Him. Therefore, one should never curse oneself or one’s own children or one’s own business, etc., lest this is done at the time when prayers are accepted by Allah and then one has to regret it all his life.

1498. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “A slave becomes nearest to his Rubb when he is in prostration. So increase supplications in prostrations.”
[Muslim].
Commentary: This Hadith points out the excellence of supplicating while prostrating in Salat, as one gets closer to Allah in this position.

1499. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH), “The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say (for example): `I supplicated my Rubb but my prayer has not been granted’.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
The narration of Muslim is: “The supplication of a slave continues to be granted as long as he does not supplicate for a sinful thing or for something that would cut off the ties of kinship and he does not grow impatient.” It was said: “O Messenger of Allah! What does growing impatient mean?” He (PBUH) said, “It is one’s saying: `I supplicated again and again but I do not think that my prayer will be answered.’ Then he becomes frustrated (in such circumstances) and gives up supplication altogether.”
Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that one should continue beseeching Allah without ever thinking that in spite of praying for a long time, his prayer has not been granted. One should never allow frustration to overcome in his mind. If a person’s supplication is not granted for a long time, there would be certainly some good for him in that delay the reason of which is known to Allah Alone. It is, therefore, essential that he should never cease to pray whether his prayer is granted or not. Persistence in prayer is certainly beneficial to him.

1500. Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked: “At what time does the supplication find the greatest response?” He (PBUH) replied, “A supplication made during the middle of the last part of the night and after the conclusion of the obligatory prayers.”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: “Al-‘Akhir” is the characteristic of “Jauf” and in the present context it means the late hours of night. “Jauf” can also mean here “middle”, that is in the later-half of the night.

In other words, if the night is divided between two equal parts then it (Jauf) would be the middle of the second part. In either case it is the time of the night which in other Ahadith has been termed as the third part of the night. It is the time when Almighty Allah comes to descend on the sky of this world.
Prayers are also granted by Allah after the obligatory Salat.

1501. `Ubadah bin As-Samit (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Whenever a Muslim supplicates Allah, He accepts his supplication or averts any similar kind of trouble from him until he prays for something sinful or something that may break the ties of kinship.” Upon this someone of the Companions said: “Then we shall supplicate plenty.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Allah is more plentiful (in responding).”
[At-Tirmidhi].
Commentary: We learn from this Hadith that prayer (supplication) is beneficial to us in any case, because Almighty Allah either grants the prayer we make, or if the supplication is not being accepted, He removes some future trouble that was destined for us, or He grants us in full in the Hereafter.
A Muslim should never feel shy of praying to Allah. In fact, he should persistently pray because there is no end to His Treasures.

1502. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to say when he was in distress: “La ilaha illallahul-Azimul-Halim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbul-`Arshil-`Azim. La ilaha illallahu Rabbus-samawati, wa Rabbul-ardi, wa Rabbul-`Arshil-Karim. (None has the right to be worshiped but Allah the Incomparably Great, the Compassionate. None has the right to be worshiped but Allah the Rubb of the Mighty Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Rubb of the heavens, the Rubb of the earth, and the Rubb of the Honourable Throne).”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Commentary: The only medicine in a time of distress is the remembrance of Allah Whose Help alone should be sought. This Du`a contains words which glorify Allah and exalt Him far above all else. It is desirable to recite these words when one is in distress as this is exactly what the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite in such situations.

Prophet Muhammad – Marriage: The Right Course For Humanity

Islam encourages marriage making it the way to build a solid and well-knit society. It is the only legitimate way to satisfy the sexual desire which Islam accepts as natural and healthy. It does not approve of relations outside marriage. Marriage is the proper way to build a family, which is the basic unit of society. It urges people to choose good marriage partners, seeking God’s help in doing so. When the choice is made and the official steps have been taken, marital life should start with the remembrance of God.

It is recommended that when the bridegroom meets his bride for the first time after the wedding ceremony, he should place his hand on her forehead and say: “In the name of God. May God bless each of us for his and her partner.” The bridegroom should then say: “My Lord, grant me the best in her and the best that you placed in her nature. I appeal to You to protect me against her worst and the worst that you placed in her nature.” She should say the same prayer. No one should wonder at such a prayer at such a time. Every one of us has weaknesses that are better kept unexposed. Anyone who claims to be perfect suffers from great delusion. Even when the married couple are very close, the continuity of their love and happiness requires them to focus on their partners and to pray God to help them maintain their piety.

A unique feature of Islam is that it surrounds man’s natural needs and his satisfaction with remembering and glorifying God. When we eat or drink, we begin by mentioning God’s name. Likewise, when a married couple have sex, they should mention God’s name. The Prophet says: “When any of you is about to have sex with his wife, he should say: ‘Our Lord, protect us from Satan and protect what you grant us from him. Should a child be the result on this occasion, that child will not be harmed by Satan.”

While sex is a pleasurable pursuit, it is right that it must be kept within marriage so as to bring about a family, which requires steady striving. Such are the pleasures of this life: They are always attended by hard struggle. In this case it starts with the woman as she struggles through her pregnancy. She then endures the pains of childbirth and the burden of breast-feeding. The father has then to strive hard in order to provide for his family and bring up his children. Hence, it is important to always seek God’s help to relieve our pain and to facilitate our purpose. The Prophet taught us numerous prayers and supplications to ensure that. Let us quote a few: “My Lord, I seek Your grace. Do not leave me to my own devices for even a twinkle of an eye; and set all my affairs on the right course. There is no deity other than You.”

“My Lord, You are the Ever-Living, the Eternal Master of all. I urgently appeal to You to bestow Your mercy on me”.

“My Lord, there is no deity other than You. All glory be to You. I have been a wrongdoer.”

By making marriage the rule of life and the legitimate way to satisfy the sexual desire, Islam steers a middle way between religions that shun the sexual desire and urge their followers to suppress it, and permissiveness that makes everything acceptable. To suggest that suppression of the sexual desire is a mark of true piety is wrong and has no foundation. Likewise, permissiveness ushers numerous problems. It is only through a mutually caring relationship of marriage that man finds a happy middle way. Hence, this is the way approved by Islam.

-By SHEIKH MUHAMMAD AL-GHAZALI

Medical Advantages Of Sajdah!

Sajda(Prostration) is a unique position or stance in the regular prayers, which a Muslim is supposed to offer at least five times a day. Although the basic purpose of obligatory prayers is not to provide an exercise for people yet it is being increasingly recognized that it has plenty of medical advantages for the human body.

Here it is worth mentioning that Holy Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) has mentioned in a hadith in Ibn Maja: ‘That prayer is a cure for many diseases’. The position of Sajda in which the forehead touches the ground is exclusively associated with the Muslim form of prayer. It is the climax of a Muslim’s prayer and as mentioned in a Hadith a Muslim is nearest to Allah in this position.

The messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “The nearest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating himself, so make supplication’ (in this state)” In a Hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik (R.A.) Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) advised Muslims to perform Rukuu (bowing) and Sajda (prostration) properly.

In another Hadith he (peace be upon him) advised to perform Sajda(Prostration) and Bowing calmly and to get up only when the body has come to ease. Hence the first positive effect upon a person who prostrates or does Sajda(Prostration) is that he comes nearest to Allah and hence in that condition he can supplicate.
Psychological advantage:

This is a great psychological advantage and it gives relief to the person concerned as life is full of worries and in this position he gets at least a transient refuge from the agonizing problems.

When a person goes to the position of Sajda (Prostration), his whole body is in active motion. This position can be considered as a mini dive as the musalli (one who offers prayer) goes to rest his forehead on the ground while his hands are placed at the sides. This brings most of the body muscles if not all in active motion and serves to give them some exercise. The hands are then specifically stretched out and thence the forearm as well as arm muscles are supposed to bear the weight in the Sajda (Prostration) position. It gives good exercise to the muscles of the upper limb. The Prophet (peace be upon him) in a hadith advised not to put the forearms flatly on the ground but to keep them elevated above ground and this is better for the forearm and arm muscles.

Sajda (Prostration) is a unique position as this is the only position in which brain (or head) becomes lower than the heart and hence for the first time the blood gushes towards the brain with full force whereas in all other positions (even when lying) brain is above the heart when it has to work against gravity to send blood to the brain. In the position of Sajda (Prostration) due to the increased blood supply the brain receive more nourishment and it has good effect upon memory, vision, hearing, concentration, psyche and all other cognitive abilities.

People who offer their prayers regularly have more will power and can cope with the difficulties of life in a much better manner.

They have less incidence of headaches, psychological problems and other defects of cognitive function. In the unique position of Sajda (Prostration) the neck muscles get best exercise. They have to bear the load when the forehead lies at the ground hence the neck muscles become stronger. One can note the tense pressure at the neck muscles in the position of Sajda (Prostration) specially the active motion of the neck and the facial muscles when the head is being lifted. (e.g. one inch above the ground) and it will be noticed that they are in a very active motion.

More strong cervical muscles mean the cervical vertebra will be better protected. Strength of cervical muscles is important as the head rests upon cervical vertebra supported by cervical musculature. In fact head performs rotator movements over the cervical vertebra. In any accident cervical neck examination is especially important to the physicians because of its extraordinary importance. It is uncommon that a person who offers his prayers regularly will get the usual neck myalgias or cervical spondylosis as the neck muscles particularly become very strong due to the 34 sajdas (Prostrations) offered daily in five prayers.

The unique position of Sajda (Prostration) also has positive effects upon the back muscles as while going into Sajda and getting up from it the back muscle contract actively and they become stronger. Probably it is because of this reason that a person who is regular in prayers will (rarely) get backache.

Finally it must be reminded that (even though) prayer is not meant to be an exercise, there are a lot of medical advantages associated with it. Still the best blessing is the peace of mind, which a person derives by the accomplishment of his duty to Allah by fulfilling an obligation.

Prophet Muhammad : The Voluntary Way To Draw Close To God

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was always full of gratitude to God, expressing it right from the moment he woke up before dawn, using fine, clear and most expressive words: “My Lord! Whatever blessing I or anyone of Your creatures is enjoying this morning comes from You alone, as You have no partners. All praise and all thanks are due to You. My Lord! I have started this day enjoying Your blessings, sound health and protection. Perfect the blessings, health and protection You bestow on me in this life and in the life to come.”

Prophet Muhammad recommends us to glorify God and praise Him as we wake up: “Whoever says as he wakes up, ‘Praise be to God who has created sleep and alertness; praise be to God who has returned me safe and sound; I bear witness that God brings the dead back to life and that He is able to do everything,’ will be answered by God who says, ‘My servant tells the truth.’” It is great indeed that a human being should praise the Creator of the universe and God listens to the praise, accepting it and admitting that person to His service.

The Prophet says: “When any of you wakes up in the morning he should say: ‘We have come into this morning when all dominion belongs to God, the Lord of all worlds. My Lord! I appeal to You to grant me the goodness of this day: its gifts, help, light, blessing and guidance; and I seek Your shelter from any evil in it or in the days to come’. When the evening approaches he should say the same.”

People live in a dark cave whose walls are made of their own real or imaginary problems. It is sad to find intelligent minds unable to see further than the walls of such a cave and beating hearts feeling nothing other than the darkness of such a narrow cave. Muhammad, God’s messenger who knows his Lord well denounces such humiliating isolation. He says: “Every morning a caller addresses mankind, saying: “O You creatures! Glorify the Holy Sovereign”.

What I would like to say here is that it appears that only Muhammad’s heart has listened to this caller who urges mankind to tear away the curtains that keep them in ignorance and turn back toward God, the Holy Sovereign of the universe. His creative reminders are the result of his absorbing glorification of God and keen awareness of His greatness.

The great majority of scholars do not consider it a duty of a Muslim to repeat the glorifications and supplications we have quoted or will be quoting. They are only recommended. This is certainly true. However, I feel that it is necessary to reflect at length on such glorifications and passionate supplications when one’s heart is slackening and the relation with God weakens. They are highly effective in giving us the right concept of God and making us aware of the significance of His great attributes.

When faith is not based on enlightened vision it is ineffective. When conviction is only marginal, it cannot control behavior or keep wanton desire in check. Indeed, the Prophet’s companions were able to attain the summit of faith and change the course of history, replacing constitutions and morality with what were infinitely better ones, only because they were close to the Prophet, watching his life and guided by his light. They thus allowed his exemplary sincerity and love of God to fill their hearts as they filled his. Such is human nature. To my mind, listening to the Prophet as he addressed his supplication, and feeling his emotion as he appealed to God are bound to enlighten hearts and minds, motivating them to draw closer to God.

This type of glorification and supplication is only recommended, not a duty. But there is a measure of close contact with God that is a binding duty. This is related to the mosque and obligatory prayers. It is a duty incumbent on every Muslim to stand before God five times in every 24 hours to perform our obligatory prayers. Offering them in congregation in the mosque may be either a duty or an urged recommendation. The place of the mosque in Muslim society is high indeed. People who are careless about their prayers may find talking about it strange, because they prefer to pursue their desires.

With the first light of dawn Muslims aim toward the mosque. To strengthen their resolve the Prophet says: “Give those who walk to the mosque in the darkness of the night the happy news that they will have perfect light on the Day of Judgment.” And we read in the Qur’an: “On the day when you see all believers, men and women, with their light spreading rapidly before them and to their right.” (57: 12) “They will say: Our Lord! Perfect our light for us and forgive us. You certainly have power over all things.” (66: 8)

– By SHEIKH MUHAMMAD AL-GHAZALI