- Striving to gain that which gives and strengthens Khushoo.
- Preparing oneself properly for Prayer.
- Moving at a measured pace during Salah
- Remembering death while praying
- Thinking about the Aayath and Adhkaar being recited during Salah and interacting with them.
- Pausing at the end of each Aayah.
- Reciting in a slow, rhythmic tone (Tarteel) and making one’s voice beautiful while reciting.
- Knowing that Allah responds to Salah
- Praying with a barrier (sutrah) in front of one and praying close to it.
- Looking at the place of prostration.
- Varying the Surahs, Ayahs, Adhkaars, and Duas recited in Salah.
- Performing Sujood al Tilawah when reciting an ayah where this is required.
- Seeking refuge with Allah from the Shaytaan.
- Thinking of how the Salaf were when they performed Salah.
- Striving to offer duas at the appropriate times during Salah, especially in Sujood.
- Adhkaar is to be recited after prayer.
- Removing anything that may distract the worshipper.
- Not praying in a garment that has decorations, writings, or pictures that will distract the worshipper.
- Not praying when food is prepared when one wants to eat.
- Not praying when one needs to answer the call of nature.
- Not praying when one feels sleepy.
- Not praying behind someone who is talking or sleeping.
- Not occupying oneself with smoothing the ground in front of one.
- The Prophet (SAW) said: Do not wipe the (ground) when you are praying, but if you have to do then do it only once. (Abu Dawud:946)
- Not disturbing others with one’s recitation.
- Not turning around during prayer.
- Not raising one’s gaze to the heavens.
- Not spitting in front of one when in Salah.
- Trying not to yawn when in Salah.
- Not putting one’s hands on one’s hips when in Salah.
- Not letting one’s clothes hang down (Sadl) during Salah.
- Not rembling like animals in Salah.
TAG: Prayer
Allah’s Response To The Believer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. [Quran 1:1]
When Allah’s sincere servant says: All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the universe! [Quran 1:2]
Allah the Highest says: My servant has Praised Me.
When Allah’s sincere servant says: The most Merciful, the Most Beneficent! [Quran 1:3]
He (Allah the Most High) says: My servant has lauded Me.
When Allah’s sincere servant says: Master of the Day of Judgment! [Quran 1:4]
He (Allah the highest) says: My servant has glorified Me. [My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me.]
When Allah’s sincere servant says:
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help! [Quran 1:5]
He (Allah the highest) says: This is Between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.
When Allah’s sincere servant says:
Guide us to the Straight Path! The path of those upon whom You have bestowed Your blessings! Not the path of those who earned Your wrath, or erred and went astray. [Quran 1:6-7]
He (Allah the highest) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said:
[Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #0775] “Abu Huraira reported: The Apostle of Allah (may peace Be upon him) said: If anyone observes prayer in which he does not recite Umm al-Qur’an, It is deficient [he said this three times] and not complete. It was said to Abu Huraira: At times we are behind the Imam. He said: Recite it inwardly, for he had heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace Be upon him) declare that Allah the Exalted had said: I have divided the prayer into two halves Between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks. When the servant says: Praise Be to Allah, the Lord of the universe, Allah the Highest says: My servant has Praised Me. And when he (the servant) says: The Most Compassionate, the Merciful, Allah the Highest says: My servant has lauded Me. And when he (the servant) says: Master of the Day of judgment, He remarks: My servant has glorified Me. and sometimes He would say: My servant entrusted (his affairs) to Me. And when he (the worshiper) says: Thee do we worship and of Thee do we ask help, He (Allah) says: This is Between Me and My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Then, when he (the worshiper) says: Guide us to the straight path, the path of those to whom Thou hast Been Gracious not of those who have incurred Thy displeasure, nor of those who have gone astray, He (Allah) says: This is for My servant, and My servant will receive what he asks for. Sufyan said: ‘Ala b. ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Ya’qub narrated it to me when I went to him and he was confined to his home on account of illness, and I asked him about it.”
[Malik’s Muwatta, Book #3, Hadith #3.10.41] “Yahya related to me from Malik from al-Ala ibn Abd ar-Rahman ibn Ya’qub that he heard Abu’s-Sa’ib, the mawla of Hisham ibn Zuhra, says he had heard Abu Hurayra say, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘Whoever prays a prayer without reciting the umm al-Qur’an in it, his prayer is aborted, it is aborted, it is aborted, incomplete.’ So I said, ‘Abu Hurayra, sometimes I am behind the imam. ‘He pulled my forearm and said, ‘Recite it to yourself, O Persian, for I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say that Allah the Blessed, the Exalted, said, “I have divided the prayer into two halves Between me and my slave. One half of it is for Me and one half of it is for My slave, and My slave has what he asks.” ‘The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, “Recite.” The slave says, ‘Praise Be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.’ Allah the Blessed, the Exalted, says, ‘My slave has Praised Me.’ The slave says, ‘The Merciful, the Compassionate.’ Allah says, ‘My slave has spoken well of Me.’ The slave says, ‘Master of the Day of the Deen.’ Allah says, ‘My slave has glorified Me.’ The slave says, ‘You alone we worship and You alone we ask for help. ‘Allah says, ‘This ayat is Between Me and My slave, and for My slave is what he asks. ‘The slave says, ‘Guide us in the straight Path, the Path of those whom You have blessed, not of those with whom You are angry, nor those who are in error. ‘ Allah says, ‘These are for My slaves, and for my slave is what he asks .’ ”
Surah Fatihah – Theme (Maududi)
This Sura is in fact a prayer that Allah has taught to all those who want to make study his book. It has been placed at the very beginning of the book to teach this lesson to the reader: if you sincerely want to benefit from the Quran you should offer this prayer to the Lord of the Universe. This preface is meant to create a strong desire in the heart of the reader to seek guidance from the Lord of the Universe who alone can grant it. Thus Al- Fatihah indirectly teaches that the best thing for a man is to pray for guidance to the straight path to study the Quran with the mental attitude of a seeker- after-truth and to recognize the fact that the Lord of the Universe is the source of all knowledge. He should therefore begin the study of the Quran with a prayer to him for guidance. From this theme, it becomes clear that the real relation between Al-Fatihah and the Quran is not that of an introduction to a book but that of a prayer and its answer. Al-Fatihah is the prayer from the servant and the Quran is the answer from the Master to his prayer. The servant prays to Allah to show him guidance and the Master places the whole of the Quran before him in answer to his prayer as if to say This is the Guidance you begged from Me.
And Celebrate The Praises Of Your Lord
And from among you there should be a party who invite to good and enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong, and these it is that shall be successful.
[Sahih Al-Bukhari: Volume 1, Book 10, Number 547] Narrated Jarir bin ‘Abdullah: We were with the Prophet on a full moon night. He looked at the moon and said, “You will certainly see your Lord as you see this moon, and there will be no trouble in seeing Him. So if you can avoid missing (through sleep, business, etc.) a prayer before the rising of the sun (Fajr) and before its setting (‘Asr) you must do so. He (the Prophet ) then recited the following verse: “And celebrate the praises Of Your Lord before The rising of the sun And before (its) setting.” (50.39)
[20. Surah Tauha: Ayah 130]” And glorify your Lord by the praising of Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting, and during hours of the night do also glorify (Him) and during parts of the day, that you may be well pleased.”
[20. Surah Tauha: Ayah 131] Do not let your eyes crave what We have allowed some of the disbelievers to enjoy; the ˹fleeting˺ splendor of this worldly life, which We test them with. But your Lord’s provision ˹in the Hereafter˺ is far better and more lasting.
[20. Surah Tauha: Ayah 132] Bid your people to pray, and be diligent in ˹observing˺ it. We do not ask you to provide. It is We Who provide for you. And the ultimate outcome is ˹only˺ for ˹the people of˺ righteousness.
My Lord! grant me that I should be grateful for Thy favor which Thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents and that I should do good such as Thou art pleased with, and make me enter, by Thy mercy, into Thy servants, the good ones.
Quran, The Glorious Book Of Guidance
“(This is) the Glorious Book in which there is no chance of doubt. (It is) a guide for those who guard against evil and fear Allah: who believe in the unseen, and are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided them with; Who believe in what has been revealed to you and what was revealed to those before you, and are certain of the Hereafter. It is they who follow the guidance from their LORD and it is they who shall prosper.”
[2:2]; [2:3]; [2:4]; [2:5]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) has said :
[Muslim, Book #004, Hadith #1694] “’Abd al-Rahman b. ‘Auf reported: I asked ‘A’isha, the mother of the believers, (to tell me) the words with which the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) commenced the prayer when he got up at night. She said: When he got up at night he would commence his prayer with these words: O Allah, Lord of Gabriel, and Michael, and Israfil, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who knowest the unseen and the seen; Thou decidest amongst Thy servants concerning their differences. Guide me with Thy permission in the divergent views (which the people) hold about Truth, for it is Thou Who guidest whom Thou wilt to the Straight Path”
Praying Duha
Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 2.31a
The time for ‘duha’ begins when the sun is about a spear’s length above the horizon and it continues until the sun reaches its meridian. It is preferred to delay it until the sun has risen high and the day has become hot.
Zaid ibn Arqam (r.a.)relates: “The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s) went to the people of Quba’, and they were performing the ‘Duha’ prayer, and he (s.a.w.s) said: ‘The prayer of ‘Duha’ should be observed when the young weaned camels feel the heat of the sun.'”
Related by Ahmad, Muslim, and at-Tirmidhi .
Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 2.31b
The minimum number of rak’ah to be prayed in the supererogatory ‘Duha’ (forenoon) prayer is two. The most the Prophet (s.a.w.s) performed was eight rak’at, whereas, the most he (s.a.w.s) mentioned was twelve rak’at. Some eminent scholars, such as Abu Ja’far At-Tabari, Al-Mulaimi, and Ar-Ruwyani, who subscribes to the Shafi’ school of thought, say there is no maximum limit to the number of rak’at that one may perform for the voluntary ‘Duha’ prayers.
Al-‘lraqi says, in the commentary on Sunan At-Tirmidhi: “None of the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.s) or followers are known to have restricted it to twelve rak’at.” As-Syuti agrees with it.
Sa’id ibn Mansur (r.a.) records that al-Hassan (r.a.) was asked: “Did the companions of the Prophet (s.a.w.s) perform the ‘Duha’ prayer?” He answered: “Yes . . . some of them would pray two rak’at, and some of them would pray four rak’at, and some of them would continue until half the [early] day [had passed].”
Umm Hani (r.a.) narrates that the Prophet sallallahu ‘alehi wa sallam prayed eight rak’at of ‘Duha’ and made the taslim after every two rak’at.
Related by Abu Dawud.
Aishah (r.a.) reports: “The Prophet (s.a.w.s) would pray four rak’at for ‘Duha’ and would add to it whatever Allah willed.”
Related by Ahmad, Muslim, and ibn Majah.
Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.274 Narrated by Abu Huraira (r.a.)
My friend [the Prophet (s.a.w.s)] advised me to do three things and I shall not leave them till I die, these are: To fast three days every month, to offer the voluntary Duha prayer, and to offer Witr before sleeping.
In light of the above guidance of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.s), it would be considered a Sunnah to offer the voluntary ‘Duha’ (forenoon) prayers between the time the sun has completely risen until it reaches its zenith or meridian at mid-day. One may offer a minimum of two rakahs, and a maximum of as much as one wishes.
How To Pray Salatul Tasbih
Many of us know that it is a prayer that we should pray at least once in our lifetimes, although we should make a regular habit of praying it as it is a prayer full of many virtues and benefits. May Allah ta’ala reward every person that benefits from reading and learning from this article….Ameen.
Pray Salatul Tasbih as follows:
This salaat (namaz) is offered by reading four rakaats. At a time and can be read in any part of the day and night beside the three makrooh times, keeping in mind the forbidden times for performing Salat. The Tasbih to be read in Salaat-Ul-Tasbeeh is the third kahalimah:
” Subhaan Allahi Wal Hamdulillahi Wa Laa ilaha illal Laahu Wallahu Akbar ”
Method: The above Tasbih is to be read 300 times in the four Rakaats. In the first rakaat, after reading Sana “Subhaana Kallahumma…”, read the above tasbih 15 times. Now recite Aaoz and “Bismillah…”, Then read sura Fatiha and a Surah then read the tasbih again 10 times. (this will total 25 times) Go into ruku saying Takbeer (Allah Hoo Akbar), after reciting “Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem” a minimum of three times read the tasbih 10 times in Ruku. (Total 35) Saying “Samee Allahu Liman Hamidah Rabbana Lakal Hamdh” get up from ruku. Now read the tasbih 10 times again. (Total 45) Go into Sajdah saying Takbeer (Allah Hoo Akbar) and after reciting “Subhaana Rabbiyal A’la” minimum of three times read the tasbih 10 times in the first Sajdah. (Total 55) Now sit up from the first Sajdah and sit in the “At-tahiyah” position (sitting position) saying Takbeer (Allah Hoo Akbar). Sitting in this position read tasbih 10 times (total 65) Go into the second sajdah and again read Takbeer (Allah Hoo Akbar) and after reciting “Subhaana Rabbiyal A’la” a minimum of three times read the tasbih 10 times in the second Sajdah again. (total 75)
Get up to begin 2nd Rakat saying Takbeer (Allah Hoo Akbar). Do rakah #2 in the same fashion, but before reading Bismillah “Bismillah…”, and Surah Fatiha, read the tasbih 15 times. Follow the rest as you did in the first Rakat. After the second Sajdah of the Second Rakat sit in Qaidah Oola (first sitting) read Attahiyat, Durood, and Dua then get up for 3rd rakaat without saying, Salam. Begin the third Rakat, just like the first Rakat, with Sana “Subhaana Kallahumma…”, and read the above tasbih 15 times.
Follow the rest as you did in the first Rakat until you sit for Qaidah Akihra (last sitting) after the second sajdah of the fourth Rakah. In Qaidah Akihra Attahiyat (the last sitting position of namaz), Durood, Dua finish Salah with Salam.
Special notes for Salat-Ul-Tasbih:
1) Do not count loudly. It will break your namaz
2) Do not count on fingers or by holding a Bead Tasbih in hand.
3) You may count by pressing the fingers as a reminder. For example, if you are in Ruku. You press the pinky of your right hand first for the first count, then the finger next to it for the second count, then the middle finger for the third count, following this method until you reach the pinky of your left hand will give you an exact count of ten. Use the same method in Qayam, Sajdah, and Jalsa.
4) If missed a count then make it up in the next posture. For example, if forgot to recite Tasbih after Surah in Qayam. Then you may recite Tasbish 20 times instead of 10 in Rukuh after “Subhaana Rabbiyal Azeem”. Missed Tasbih cannot be recited in Qayam after ruku and Jalsa between Sajdah. If you missed the Tasbih in Ruku then recite 20 in the first Sajdah instead of the Qayam after rukuh. Similarly if missed the Tasbih in the first Sajdah then do not make it up in Jalsa. Instead, recite missed tasbih in the second Sajdah. If Tasbih has been missed in the last sajdah of the second or fourth Rakah then you can recite the missed ones before Attahiyat in Qaidah.
5) If you miss a wajib in Salah and have to do Sajdah Sahaw. You don’t have to recite Tasbih in Sajdah sahoo, since the 300 count has been established. But if you missed Tasbih in any of the postures and remember it later, then you may recite the missed Tasbih in Sajdah Sahaw now.
6) It is preferable to recite after Surah Fatiha Sura Takathuur in the first raka’, Surah Wal A’sr in the second raka’, Surah Kaferoon (qul ya aiyuhal Kafiroon) in the third and Surah Akhlas (Qul hu Allah-hu ahd) in the fourth raka’. If one does not remember these surahs they can recite the ones they prefer.
Amazing Tips To Love Your Prayer Like Never Before!
Why Can’t We Always Be Close to Allah?
It just doesn’t feel the same . . . I lost it . . . How can I get it back?
Get ready for the ultimate Salah booster; a set of amazing productivity tips to enhance your prayer, give you a fresh perspective on the world of Salah, and make you love your prayer like never before, Insha’Allah!
Allah advises and seeks help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive (to Allah). (Quran 2:45)
Below are productivity tips based on a summary of the beautiful :
How to taste the true beauty of the Salah series by Mishari AlKharraz:
1. Say Allahu Akbar and throw the world behind you
Did you ever think: why do we start our prayer with Allahu Akbar, not with Subhan Allah? Realize that when you say Allahu Akbar you affirm that the one before whom you are about to stand is greater than anything occupying you at that moment—greater than your sleep, your families, your bills, and your worries. Just imagine that when you say Allahu Akbar while raising your hands you are throwing all of that behind you!
2. Visualize the veil
When you stand to pray, Allah commands: Raise the veils from between Me and my servant! As soon as you say Allahu Akbar and start your prayer, Allah sets His beautiful face to yours and doesn’t turn away from you, unless you do.
When your thoughts your sight drifts off, He orders the veils to be drawn back down.
Visualize these veils being lifted to keep concentrated with your heart and body. Are you still drifting? This is why you repeat the great words, Allahu Akbar, as you move into each position; it’s a reminder and a new chance again and again to focus!
3. Salute the King
Imagine walking into a palace, how would you recognize the servants of the king?
Probably by their humble position: looking down. As you lower your gaze to the place of your prostration and place your hands right over left and close to your chest it is time to salute the King.
Imagine standing in front of Allah as you utter this beautiful salutation and feel each word: SubhanakaAllahumma wa bihamdika, wa tabaaraka ismuka wa ta’alaa jadduka (How perfect You are O Allah, and I praise You. Blessed be Your name) and lofty is your position and none has the right to be worshiped.
Realize that only the parts of Salah you are mindful of are being accepted and that Satan does his very best to steal every sweet moment you have with Allah!
4.Feel Each Ayah of Surah Al-Fatihah is Answered
You are now ready to enter the essence of it all: SurahAl-Fatihah, the greatest chapter of the Quran. Know that Allah Himself answers back when you recite surah Al-Fatihah, so add a short pause after each ayah, feeling this amazing dialogue. How can you ever drift off in this part of the prayer?
5. Utter His Name with Pure Love
What has brought us to stand here right now? It is your love and longing to be with Allah. And when you meet up with your beloved, what do you first say? The sweet sound of the beloved’s name, the name that blesses everything it falls upon! Feel the bismillaahir-rahmaanir-raheem soothing your heart as it gently rolls off your lips…
6. Stand Still at: “the Lord of the Worlds.”
The Prophet told us, “Alhamdulillahfills the scale!” (Muslim)
Really feel grateful when you say Alhamdulillah. Did you see those documentaries where they zoom out from the cells of a plant’s leaf all the way to the planets and galaxies?
Now instead of that leaf, start the zoom-out process with the image of yourself standing before Allah. Then zoom back down, through the universe, to the place you are standing in prayer. The next time you pray view yourself from above and faraway and truly taste the meaning of Rabbil al-alameen(Lord of the worlds)!
7. Reflect on Ar-Rahmaanir Raheem before MaalikiYawm-Deen
Have you ever wondered why Allah’s names Ar-Rahman and Ar-Raheem come before Maalikiyawmid-Deen (Master of the Day of Judgment)? Be reminded that it is the Most Gracious and Merciful who will judge us on the Day of Judgment! So feel empowered and comforted when you say Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem and then pause a moment at Maaliki yawm-Deen, realizing the horrors of that Day.
8.Know what “Iyyaaka Na’budu wa Iyyaaka Nasta’een” ReallyMeans
You alone we worship, and unto You alone, we turn for help.
Let this remind you to make Allah alone your focus, not the people. So when you are asked, why did you do this or that (deed), you can firmly answer: for Allah!
Feel this ayah by knowing that the companions used to weep for hours reciting it. One of them was once praying in Mecca. His friend went ahead and did the tawaf and when he returned him, he was still at this verse, repeating it and crying, until the sun came up.
9. Say Ameen As if Your Life Depended on it
The most comprehensive supplication you can make is: ihdinas-sirat-al-mustaqeem(Guide us to the straight path). See how you followed the proper etiquette of how to ask Allah.
You started glorifying and praising Him and then you make your request: Guide us. Now realize that your entire existence depends on this supplication. The Ameen you’ll pronounce now will have to come from the bottom of your heart. Ameen means my lord, grant or answer (my prayers). Say Ameen as if you have been sentenced to death and are pleading for pardon, begging with passion.
10. Feel the Bond with Your Lord
When you say subhanaRabbiyya- al-‘adheem (How perfect My Lord is, The Supreme)in ruku’, focus on the pronoun that means my (in Rabbi). It adds that element of bonding: He is My Lord, who raised me in His care and who is nurturing me. Know the Prophet and the companions used to be in the bowing position as long as he would be in the standing segment of Salah.
One companion said that he recited Al Fatihah, then Al Baqarah, Ali Imran, An-Nisaa’, and AlMa’idah, and the companion Abdullah Ibn Al Zubair was beside him, still in his ruku’!
11. Win the Grand Finale: Your Sujood
Your Sujood is the ultimate symbol of complete submission to your Creator. The Prophet said: The closest that a servant is to his Lord is when he is in prostration. (Muslim)
And: Prostratemuch because there is no Muslim that prostrates to Allah except that Allah raises him one degree in Paradise by it and forgives for him a sin. (Ahmad)
Imagine you are being raised one degree in Paradise with each sujood and a sin falls off you with each prostration. Prostrate with body, heart, and soul and taste the sweetest feeling in the world!
12. Supplicate Before the Tasleem
After the words of the tashahhud (sitting position at the end of prayer) and before the tasleem (saying salaam to indicate the end of prayer), there is a precious moment many wastes! When the Prophet taught Abdullah ibn Mas’ood the tashahhud he said: … Then let him choose whatever supplications he wishes. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Remember this: the sweetness of this life lies in remembering Him, and the sweetness of the next life lies in seeing Him! The next time you proceed for prayer, go because you love Him, go because you miss Him and long to be with Him… Feel your heart flutter. Only then, will you be on your way to attaining that inner peace and comfort Salah was prescribed for?[Mishari Al-Kharraz]
Republished from Understand Quran.
Courtesy: Khawlah Bint Yahya
Compiled, edited, and adapted by Khalid Latif
Acts Which Entitle Paradise And Remove Us From Hellfire
Narrated Mu’adh ibn Jabal: (Allah be pleased with him) I said to Allah’s Messenger [Peace be upon him] ‘Inform me about an act which would entitle me to get into Paradise, and remove me away from Hell-Fire’. The Prophet [peace be upon him] said…
You have asked me about a matter which ostensibly appears to be difficult but it is easy to those for whom ALLAH [the Exalted] has made it easy.
#1/- Worship Allah and do not associate anything with him
#2/- Establish Prayer
#3/- Pay the Zakat
#4/ Observe the fast of Ramadan and
#5/ Perform ‘Hajj’ to the sacred House… [ Ka`bah]
The Prophet [Peace be upon him] then said… Should I not direct you to the gateways of good? Listen to me… Fasting is a shield against evil. Charity extinguishes the fire of sin… just as water extinguishes fire. The Prayer of a person during the middle of the night. he then recited … ‘Who Forsake their Beds’… then he continued… Should I not direct you to the highest level of this matter to the Pillar on which it rests and it’s top?
I said…’Yes, do tell me…Prophet [Peace be upon him answered…The uppermost level of the matter is Islam, its Pillar is the Prayer,
and its Top is ‘Jihad’. Should I not inform you of the sheet anchor of all this…?
I said… ‘Yes, Allah’s Apostle of course do it. he took hold of his Tongue and said…Exercise restraint on it.
I said: ‘Apostle of Allah, would we be held responsible for what we say with it?
Thereupon Prophet [Peace be upon him] said… ‘ Mu`adh, may your mother be bereaved. will anything else besides irresponsible talk cause the people to be thrown into the Hell-Fire upon their faces or on their nostrils?
Azan And Iqaamah (Call To Prayer)
To give the Azaan for Salah is proven from the Holy Quran-e-Majeed. Almighty Allah says in the Glorious Quran: “And when you call the Azan for Salah”.
The Ulema have stated that to give Azaan for the five daily Salaah including Jummah Salah, is Sunnat-e-Mu’akadah and if the Azaan is not given by anyone, then the people of the entire area are sinners individually. With the exception of the Fardh Namaaz, there is no Azaan for the two Eids, Witr, Janazah Salaah, or any Nafil Salaah. The time for Azaan is the same time as that of Namaz. It is not permissible to give any Azan before the time of that particular Salah.
One who gives the Azan must be a Sunni Sahihul Aqeedah person who is in his proper sense of mind. If Azan is given without Wudhu, it will be complete, but it is not correct to do so. It is not permissible for a person who is in an impure state, an insane person, an intoxicated person, or a Faasiq (open sinner) to call out the Azan. It is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi for women to give the Azaan or Iqaamah. Azan must be given standing facing the direction of the Qibla, with the index fingers in the ears. The Azan must be called out with a loud voice, pausing after each Takbeer. The Azan must be given outside the actual Musjid and not inside as this is Khilaaf-e-Sunnah (against the Sunnah) and Makrooh. This law even applies to the Azaan of the Jummah Khutba. Azan should not be given in front of the Mimbar, but outside the main Musjid, but standing in line with the Khateeb.
To reply to the words of Azan is Mustahab. When the Mu’azzin says, “Hayya Alas Salaah” and “Hayya Alal Falah”, then you should say, “Laa Howla Wa laa Quw’wata illa Billahil Aliyul Azeem”. In the Azaan of Fajr, when the Mu’azzin says, “As Salaatu Khairum minan Naum”, then you should say, “Sadaqtu Wa Barartu”.
It is not allowed to give an answer to the Azan during the Khutba of Jummah. It is important to remain silent and listen to the Khutba. When Azan is read, all talking should stop. Even if a person is reciting the Quran, he should stop and answer the Azan. Even when walking on the street, one should stop and give answer to the Azan when it is heard. If in your area, you are able to hear the Azan of various Masaajid, then you should answer the first Azaan that you hear. In one Hadith, The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stated: “Freedom from the fire of Hell is written for that Muslim who calls out the Azaan for seven years.”
Benefit In The Answer To Azan:
Once while speaking to a group of women Huzoor-e-Anwar (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “When Hazrat Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) calls out the Azan and Takbeer, then say as he says, since for every Kalma (word) Almighty Allah will bless you with one hundred thousand good deeds, He will exalt your status by one thousand folds and He will forgive your one thousand sins”. The women then asked, “And what is (the reward) for the menfolk ?” The Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied, “Double that amount.”
Let us take some time to ponder on this fact, in the Azan of one day, there are seventy-seven words, and in the Iqaamah of one day, there are 85 words. If the Sawaab for the women was so great then imagine it being doubled for the men. Then think that this is for one day, what is the Sawaab of that person whose daily practice this is. Subhan-Allah!
Dua After The Azan:
“O Lord of this beautiful Azan and the Salah which will follow, give our Master Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam’s) Wasila and greatness and a very high station. And let him reach the Plain of Mahmood of which You have promised him and let us receive his Intercession on the Day of Qiyamah. Without doubt, You never go against Your Promise.”
Other Instances Where Azan Can Be Given:
With the exception of Namaaz, it is also Mustahab (desirable) to give Azan in the following instances:-
- To give Azan at times of fear brings tranquillity.
- During an uncontrollable fire. Insha-Allah, the fire will be quickly extinguished.
- Azan can be given in the ears of a person to remove fear and sadness.
- At the birth of a child, Azan should be given in the right ear and Iqaamah in the left ear.
- Azan can be given at the grave-side to give Sukoon (tranquillity) to the deceased.
- Say Azan to cure somebody who is affected by Jinnaat or Shaitaan.
- During the time of the storm.
- To ask for rain during drought, or to stop a heavy storm.
- When lost in a forest, by saying Azan, someone will show you your way.
- Saying Azaan in your business or residence will increase Barakah (blessings).
Iqamah(Takbeer)
The Takbeer or Iqaamah that is called out after the Azaan and before the Jamaah is also like Azan except for a few differences in Azaan and Iqaamah:-
- Iqaamah is given inside the Musjid and Azaan is given outside the Musjid.
- Takbeer is given softly and Azan is given loudly.
- During Takbeer, the fingers are not placed in the ears.
- Takbeer is read rapidly.
- Takbeer for Fajr does not have the words “As Salaatu Khairum minan Naum”.
- In Takbeer, “Hayya alal falaah” is followed by “Qad Qaamatis Salaah”.
- In answer to “Qad Qaamatis Salaah” at least say: “Aqaamuhallahu Wa Adamahaa”
- Takbeer must be said by the Mu’azzin and through his permission, someone else will be allowed.
- To stand during Takbeer is Khilaaf-e-Sunnah. The Imam and Muqtadi should sit during Iqaamah and only stand when the Mu’azzin says “Hayya Alas Salaah” – “Haya Alal Falaah”.
Rules About ‘Invalidators’ Of Ablution
Q. What quantity of an unclean discharge from the body invalidates the ablution?
A. If any small quantity of an unclean fluid, (blood/pus) discharges from the body and flows towards that part of the body whose washing is essential in bath or ablution, will breach the ablution.
Q. Does any blood which remains within the eye, invalidate the ablution?
A. No. It is because washing the inner portion of the eye is not commanded in ablution, or in the bath.
Q. If blood trickles out of a wound, time and again, and is wiped off each time with a finger or a piece of cloth, would that invalidate the ablution?
A. It must be judged whether the blood would have flowed, had it not been wiped. If it would have flowed, then the ablution breaks; otherwise, it remains intact
Q. What things, when vomited, nullify the ablution?
A. If a mouthful of bile; blood; food, or water is thrown out, the ablution is breached. If only phlegm is thrown out, the ablution is not invalidated.
Q. What, if one vomits again and again but in little quantity each time?
A. The ablution is breached if one nausea causes several vomits whose total discharge equals a mouthful. However, suppose nausea results in vomiting a small quantity which brings relief, and thereafter one nauseates a second time to vomit a small quantity again. In that case, the discharge of these two separate episodes will not be added (to see they equal a mouthful), and the ablution will remain intact.
Q. If blood or pus, oozing out of a boil on any part of the body, stains the clothing, will that dress be considered clean, or unclean?
A. If the blood or pus is so little that it cannot flow from the wound, the clothing will be considered as clean. However, it is better to wash it.
Q. Is the vomit, which is less than a mouthful, unclean (Napak)?
A. No. It is not.
Q. Will ablution be invalidated if a leech clings to one’s body, and sucks blood to its fill; or, a bug or a mosquito bites a person?
A. The sucking of blood by a leech will breach the ablution even if no blood flows from the wound after freeing the body from it. The blood would have certainly oozed down the body had it not been sucked by the leech. Ablution, however, will be valid in the case of a mosquito, or a bug bite, because blood sucked by these insects is quite small, and cannot flow.
Q. What type of sleep does not invalidate the ablution?
A. Sleeping in a standing position, or while sitting without any support, or in any posture adopted in the prayer, such as Sijdah, or a Qa’dah, does not break the ablution.
Q. Is such a person whose ablution does not break even by falling asleep?
A. Yes, ablution of the prophets of Allah does not break even if they fall asleep. This was their special privilege and superiority.
Q. Does bursting into laughter during prayers, break the ablution of all? If so what is meant by ‘bursting into laughter?
A. Bursting into laughter means: Laughing in such a loud way that it is heard by the others who are nearby.
The following are the conditions that invalidate ablution during the prayer:
- The person laughing aloud is an adult man or a woman. (Minor’s laughter does not break the ablution).
- The person who laughs must be awake. If a person falls asleep during prayer and then bursts into laughter, his ablution will remain intact.
- If one laughs in prayer requires bowing (Ruku), or prostration (Sujud). Thus, if one laughs in a funeral prayer, the ablution would not break.
Q. Is ablution nullified if one sees the private part/s of any other person’s body, that must remain hidden (Satr)?
A. No. The ablution remains valid, if one looks at the private part/s of one’s oven, or another person’s body, intentionally or unintentionally.