Q. Is there any proof from authentic ahadith of Qada Umari?

A."Hazrat Anas ibn Maalik (R.A.) narrates in a hadith of Sahih Bukhari that Rasulullah mentioned:

من  نسي صلاة فليصل اذا ذكرها لا كفارة لها الا ذلك
" Whoever forgets to pray a Salah, it is obligatory upon him that he pray that Salah when he remembers. There is no other way that this can be made up." ( Sahih Bukhari , Kitaabul Mawaaqeet – Hadith 597)

The words of Rasulullah in a hadith of Muslim are as follows:

اذا رقد احدكم عن الصلاة او غفل عنها فليصل اذا ذكرها فان الله عز و جل يقول اقم الصلاة لذكري
" Whenever one of you misses a Salah due to sleeping or due to negligence, it is obligatory upon him that he pray the Salah when he remembers it because Allah (SWT) has metioned, "Perform Salah when you remember me" (Hadith 1569)

In a Hadith of Sunan Nas’ai it is mentioned:

سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم عن الرجل يرقد عن الصلاة او يغفل عنها قال كفارتها ان يصلها اذا ذكرها
" Rasulullah was asked regarding a person who misses a Salah due to sleep or negligence. Rasulullah mentioned that its compensation is that he should perform the Salah when he remembers. "(Nasaai p 171)

These Ahadith as well as many others are clear that any Salah that has been missed must be performed when one remembers. In fact the ayah of the Qur’an recited by Rasulullah in the hadith of Muslim above, also indicates that this ayah of the Holy Quran refers to qada Salah as well, as it was recited in the context of qada.

There is a consensus among the jurists that qada must be made for missed Salahs.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

source:http://albalagh.net/qa/0135.shtml
By Mufti Shafiq Jakhura
Posted: 6 Jumad al-Thani 1431, 20 May 2010

WHEN BISMILLAH WAS REVEALED …

Sayyidina Jaabir (RA) is reported to have said that when Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem revealed, the clouds gave way by moving to the East, the winds ceased blowing, the oceans became calm, the creatures prepared themselves to listen, the shaytaan got pelted with fire from the heavens and Allah Ta’ala, swearing an oath by His honour, declared: Anyone who says this name of mine (ie. Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem) upon anything, I will surely impart barakah in that thing, (Durre Manthoor and Ibne Katheer)

BISMILLAH BEFORE WAHEE

In Durre Manthoor Sayyidina Ibne Umar (RA) is reported as saying that surely, whenever Jibreel (AS) used to bring wahee to Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam), he used to first recite Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem .
The reason for the above is as follows: in Bismillah there are three names of Allah:
(1) Allah which is His personal name indicating that all projects can only be initiated by the will and wish of Allah.
(2) Rahmaan (Kind) which is His attributive name indicating that only Allah can keep that project intact and existent (guarding it against destruction).
(3) Raheem(Most Merciful) which is also His attributive name indicating that only Allah can,through His mercy and grace, enable any person to derive benefit from that project.

This clearly proves that any project begun with Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem will be granted barakah and blessings from the beginning till the end.

BISMILLAH BEFORE DOING ANYTHING

It is for this reason that Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi- wasallam) used to recite Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem before doing any work. And he (sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) also advised the Ummah to do the same. For example, reading it before shutting the door for the night, before putting out the light, before taking meals, before drinking water, before boarding a conveyance, and when alighting any conveyance.

REMEMBERING ALLAH THROUGH HIS THREE THOUSAND NAMES

It is mentioned in Tafseer Roohul Bayaan that Allaamah Sayyid Haqqi (RA) said that Allah Ta’ala has three thousand names. He revealed one thousand to the angels, one thousand to the ambiya(AS), three hundred are mentioned in the Toraah, three hundred in the Zaboor, three hundred in the Injeel, and ninety-nine in the Holy Qur’aan. One Name He has kept to Himself; He revealed it to no one. Also, He has condensed all His names into the three names contained in Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem. They are Allah, Rahmaan and Raheem. Any person saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem; it is as though he has remembered Allah by all His names.

BISMILLAH – A MEANS OF HIGH STATUS IN THE HEREAFTER

Rasoolullah (Sallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) is reported as saying that any du’a which is begun with Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem is not rejected. Because of saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem the scales of my Ummah will become heavy on the Day of Qiyaamah. The other people will enquire: “Why is the virtues of the Ummate Muhammadiyyah so heavy?” Their prophets will say: “In the utterances of the Ummate Muhammadiyyah there is such an honourable name of Allah that if it is placed on the one side of the scale, and the sins of the entire creation is put onto the other side then the side with the virtue will be heavier.

SAYING BISMILLAH BEFORE WUDHU
Rasoolullah (Sallailaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: “One who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, his wudhu is incomplete.” (Tirmizi). It is reported from Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) that anyone who does not say Bismillah before wudhu, only the sins committed by the limbs which are washed in wudhu will be washed away; and one who says Bismillah before wudhu, the sins of the entire body will be washed away. (Mishkaat)

SAYING BISMILLAH BEFORE MEALS
Sayyidina Umar Ibne Abee Salmah (RA) reports that Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to me: “Say Bismillah and eat with your right hand the food that is in front of you.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)

Whoever used to eat without saying Bismillah, Rasoolullah(Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) used to hold his hand and urge him to say Bismillah. (Zaadul Ma’aad,Uswah-e-Rasoole Akram).

OTHER WONDERS OF BISMILLAH
Rasoolullah (Sallallaahu-alayhi-wasallam) is reported as saying that as long as people keep on saying Bismillaahir rahmaanir raheem it will be a means of safeguarding them against sicknesses; a means of granting riches to the destitute; a means of freedom against the Fire; a means of safeguard against being swallowed by the earth; a means of safety against faces becoming distorted; and a means of safety from stones raining down from the heavens. (Ghunyatut Taalibeen Page 157)

source:
www.rihla.co.za

Prophetic tradition, with regards to wudu, is also ecologically friendly, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) repeatedly encouraged water conservation, even if abluting from a running river.

Ibn Majah related that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "There is a shaytan (devil) for ablution called `walhan’, meaning greedy, avoid the waste of water."
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also encouraged doing ablution before going to bed. This same ritual is also encouraged by Yoga experts who say that washing important motor and sensory organs such as the hands, arms, eyes, legs, mouth and genitals before sleep using cool water relaxes the body preparing it for a deep sleep.

Research finds Ablution Stimulates the Biological Rhythms of Your Body
In an article titled "Muslims Rituals and their Effect on the Person’s Health", Dr. Magomed Magomedov, assistant to the department of the Man’s General Hygiene and Ecology in the Daghestan State Medical Academy, speaks about how ablution stimulates the biological rhythms of the body and specifically Biological Active Spots (BASes), very much like the idea behind Chinese reflexotherapy. Man’s internal organs, in their turn, present a no less sophisticated bio-energetical whole; they all have indissoluble multi-channel bilateral connections with the skin, which hosts special spots, whose functions resemble those of buttons on "control" and " recharge boards" responsible for particular organs. These spots are called biologically active spots (BASes).

While pointing out to the similarities between ablution and the science of Chinese reflexology in his fascinating article, Dr. Magomedov also states the main different points. To become a doctor in reflexology, he says, one has to take a 15 to 20 year course of study, incomparable with the simple learning techniques of ablution.
In another comparison, reflexotherapy was primarily used to cure diseases and very rarely for prevention, while, as we shall see, ablution has many preventive benefits. There was also a negative side to reflexotherapy, he says, one that is not found in ablution; a patient was exposed to traumas since doctors used cauterisation. (Cauterization is a medical term describing the burning of the body to remove or close a part of it.)

"The majority of the most powerful BASes are being washed during the Muslim ritual. It is not the doctor, who had studied for many years, who does it, but every Muslim by himself. Besides, praying five times a day obliges a Muslim to take the preventive measures against diseases beforehand."

According to Dr. Magomedov, Chinese medicine says that there are more than 700 BASes, and sixty-six of them have quick reflex therapy effects and are named the drastic (or aggression or antique or prime-elements) spots.

Out of these sixty-six spots, sixty-one of them are located in zones required for Wudu while the other five are located between the ankle and knee.

THE FACE: When the face is washed during Wudu, it "recharges" such organs as the intestines, stomach and bladder, in addition to having a positive effect on the nervous and reproductive systems, says Dr. Magomedov in his findings, adding that the BAS responsible for the osseous system, intestine, nervous system, lumbar area, stomach, pancreas, gall-bladder, thyroid gland, solar plexus and others are situated on the right leg, another area reached during Wudu.

THE LEGS: When a Muslim washes his left leg, the BAS responsible for the work of the pituitary gland is stimulated.This gland is located in the brain and regulates the functioning of the endocrine glands and controls growing.

THE EARS: In the ear’s cochlea are hundreds of BASes that "harmonize the work of almost all organs, decrease high blood pressure and relieve tooth and throat pain."Ear ablution is considered Sunna (Prophetic tradition). Washing the ear helps rid them from wax accumulation, which may cause ear infections as well as affecting the inner ear, which eventually causes body imbalances.

Another aspect that Dr. Magomedov stresses on is that Prophetic tradition emphasized the importance of massaging and applying pressure during ablution, which is something that has a scientifically-grounded explanation.
Dr. Magomedov said that his studies were triggered by his solemn belief that the five-time-a-day Muslim prayers were bound to have not only an "indisputable spiritual effect" but were also bound to "have a purely physical healing effect as well."

Preventive Cleansing explained in Mukhtar Salem’s Book
From a non-alternative medicine perspective, author Mukhtar Salem’s book, titled ‘Prayers: a Sport for the Body and Soul’, speaks about the health benefits of every aspect of ablution. He does not speak about the BASes in one’s body, but nevertheless, he describes the preventive benefits of ablution.

THE SKIN: Ablution, he says, helps prevent skin cancer. This is his explanation: the areas that are washed during ablution are the parts of the body that are most prone to be exposed to pollution, whether it is pollution from the internal secretions of the body on to the skin surface, such as sweat, or whether it is external. Ablution, removes this ‘pollution’ five times a day, and hence maintains a clean outside layer of skin, which in turn helps the cells underneath to function properly.
Also, washing with water helps invigorate the ends of the blood vessels, as well as the nerves and glands that are near the skin surface, and hence helps them perform their functions efficiently.

Salem adds that research has proven that one of the main reasons behind skin cancer is that the skin is exposed to chemicals, especially petro-chemicals, and that the best way to prevent skin cancer is by constantly removing these chemicals.

THE MOUTH: The obvious reason behind washing the mouth during ablution, Salem says, is to remove the food particles, which could cause teeth and gum problems. That is also one of the reasons why siwak (brushing one’s teeth) is also encouraged before ablution.

THE NOSTRILS: When washing one’s nostrils, one is also performing a preventive health measure as the germs trapped in the nostrils are removed and do not pass on to the respiratory system.

According to a study conducted by a team of doctors in Alexandria University, the Prophetic tradition, which urges the exaggeration of washing the nostrils by introducing the water in the nostril then blowing it out, positively affects the inner coating of the nostrils. Those who carried out the washing in the correct form had clean, shiny nostrils with no dust clinging to the small hair inside. However, those who did not perform ablution had light coloured, greasy nostrils and their nostril hairs fell off easily.

THE FACE: Repeated washing of the face invigorates the facial skin cells and helps prevent early wrinkles as well as having a cleansing effect on the inside of the eyes, which prevents eye infections, says Salem.

THE FEET: The Prophetic tradition of encouraging one to wash between the toes while washing the feet, is also extremely important, says Salem, as it prevents the foot, which in our modern times is trapped most of the day inside shoes, from acquiring athlete’s foot.

Over all, he adds, ablution also has an exercising effect on all the muscles involved in its movement, which are thus being stimulated five times a day or even more according to repetition.

Performing Wudu extinguishes the Fire of Anger
We are also encouraged to make ablution while being in a state of anger for the cooling and refreshing effect of the water, as we are told that anger is from the devil who is made out of fire and can therefore be put off by water.

See what you can earn in one thoughtful minute.

A Great opportunity while we are still alive is to plan and act for tomorrow; invest one minute of your daily supply of 1440 minutes and reap benefit which no business can offer. Invest 15 minutes and multiply the rewards. We all know that Allah’s promise is absolute truth and we should seek it and act according to His guidance. I am sharing this to promote Allah’s consciousness and Love to serve Islam in the best way possible and benefit Insha-Allah in both Worlds.

In one minute you can say Surat Al Fatiha 7 times. The reward for each reading of the Surah: 1420 good deeds! This is on the basis that there are 142 letters in the Surah, with each letter getting you 10 good deeds. So after doing a simple calculation, 7 readings will get you 9940 deeds.

In one minute you can say: “Laa Ilaaha Illa Allah, wahdahuLaa Shareeka Lah, Lahul Mulk Walahul Hamd, Wa Huwa ‘Ala Kulli Shay’in Qadeer” 20 times. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, alone, without any partners. For Him is all Dominion and Praise, and He has control over everything. Each saying is equal to the deed of freeing 8 slaves.

In one minute you can say “Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi” 100 times. (All praise and glory is due to Allah) Whoever says this everyday will have his/her sins forgiven.

But we should also remember that the best of deeds are those that are maintained on a regular basis.

In one minute you can say “Subhaanallahu wa bi Hamdihi, Subhaanallahu Al ‘Azeem” 50 times. (All Praise and Glory is due to Allah, All Praise is due to Allah the Almighty).

These are “a couple of phrases, light on the tongue, heavy on the scales (on the Day of Judgement), beloved to the All Merciful (Allah)”. (Agreed upon)

In one minute you can say “Subhaanallah, wa Al Hamdu Lil’lah, wa Laa Ilaaha Illallah, wa Allahu Akbar” 18 times (All Praise is due to Allah, and All Glory is due to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and Allah is the Greatest). These are the most beloved words to Allah and his Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam that the sun has ever risen upon.

In one minute you can say “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” approximately 50 times There is no true god worthy of worship, except Allah). Remember that these are the words of true Islamic Monotheism — and act accordingly.

In one minute you can say “Laa Hawla wa Laa Kuwata Illa bi’llah” over 40 times. (There is no Power and Might except by Allah) This sentence is one of the treasures of Paradise.

In one minute you can say “Salla-Allahu alayhi wa sallam” Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam 50 times. (Sending peace and blessings upon the Prophet) In return you get 500 blessings from Allah, as each darood you make to His Prophet Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam 10 blessings are returned to you!

In one minute you can contact your family and friends, and increase the bond between you and them.

In one minute you can raise your hands to Allah and supplicate with any good words you wish.

In one minute you can advise or compliment your brother/sister in Islam.

In one minute you can greet any brothers in Islam, smile, shake hands and have a few good words with them.

In one minute you can remove anything harmful that may be laying on the street.

In one minute you can give a few words of comfort to a brother/sister who is concerned and sad for any reason

In one minute you can read two pages of a useful book.

An important note in conclusion: In order to take advantage of the phenomenal rewards outlined above we must maintain within our heart sincerity to Allah. We must understand and genuinely wish for what we are saying and doing. We also know that the best of deeds are those that are maintained on a regular basis. Also we need to remember that best deeds are those deeds that Allah made mandatory for us.

So do you have a minute or more for the smart investment?

By Kalim Farooqi via www.rihla.co.za

The key to spiritual and material success for Muslims

"Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" – a famous maxim coined by the American scientist, writer and inventor, Benjamin Franklin.  And he was not alone in these beliefs.  The writer Samuel Johnson also warned that "nobody who does not rise early will ever do any good".

This is not just opinion but proven scientific fact.  A study by researchers at Brigham Young University in Provo in the American state of Utah found that:

"students who habitually go to bed late and sleep late the next day have lower grade point averages (GPAs) than students with early-to-bed and early-to-rise sleeping habits.  The later students slept in the morning, the lower their grades tended to be.  Out of all the factors studied, weekday and weekend wakeup times had the strongest association with students’ GPAs. Each hour over the average that students slept in on weekdays was associated with a 0.13-point drop on the GPA (0.0-4.0 scale)."
Source: Journal of American College Health 2000; 49: 125-130

Of course, we Muslims are well used to getting up not just at the crack of dawn but actually half an hour before it to begin the day with the ritual worship of fajr salat (and even earlier in Ramadan before starting the day’s fast).

Spiritual Success

What are the spiritual blessings of fajr salat?

According to a hadith recorded in Sahih Muslim, prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) stated that the action which is dearest to God is salat at its proper times.  On another occasion prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) also said to his companions:

"The five set prayers may be compared to a stream of fresh water, flowing in front of your house, into which you plunge five times each day. Do you think that would leave any dirt on your body?’ When they replied: ‘None at all!’ Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said: ‘Indeed the five prayers remove sins, just as water removes dirt."  (Bukhari, Muslim)

And once while standing beside a tree in autumn, he stated:

"When a Muslim observes his salat with due attention and devotion, he sheds his sins just like this tree is shedding its leaves." (Ahmad)

Moreover, in the Quran we are told that prostrating (in salat) brings us closer to God (96:1).

Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) also tells us that fajr salat along with isha is particularly rich in blessings:

"If people only knew what blessings are in the fajr and isha prayers, they would come to them, even if they had to crawl." (Bukhari and Muslim)

And according to Utham, (RA), prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said:

"To perform the dawn prayer, [fajr], in congregation is like keeping vigil throughout the night." (Muslim).

Material Success

In Surah 23, ayats 1-2 of the Quran we learn that:

"Certainly the believers have succeeded, those who offer salat with devotion."

Spiritual success certainly.  But as Muslims we are also called upon not just to earn spiritual blessings for the next world but also to be materially successful in this one.  Despite the obvious call to work hard and make the most of our abilities demonstrated in the parable of the talents, the Christian West has often had an ambiguous attitude towards wealth, sometimes glorifying poverty and misinterpreting Jesus’s gospel statement that "love of money is the root of all evil" to mean that money itself is the root of all evil.  As a Muslim, I am more inclined to agree with the playwright George Bernard Shaw who is reported to have said that "lack of money is the root of all evil".

[Shaw was an admirer of prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and in the 1936 book The Genuine Islam referred to him as "the wonderful man" and "the saviour of humanity".]

Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) himself stated:

"There will dawn a time over people when the destruction of a man will be at the hands of his wife, parents, and children. They will humiliate him because of his poverty and will make such demands which will induce him to engage in such activities (to gain more money) which will finally destroy his religion." – Baihaqi. Narrated by Ibn Mas’ood (RA) and Abu Hurairah (RA)

The other side of the coin, so to speak, is:

"How excellent is the wealth of the Muslim". – Sahih Bukhari hadith 4.95 Narrated by Abu Said Al Khudri (RA)

It is wealth which enables us to take care of our families, keep on the straight path and avoid doing wrong in order to make ends meet.  It is wealth which enables us to meet our obligation to pay Zakat.  It is wealth which enables us to help others and contribute to Dawah through additional charity.  It is wealth which enables us to meet our obligation to go on Hajj.

It was wealthy Muslim traders who peacefully spread Islam throughout West Africa and the areas we now know as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.  And if we look at the first generation of Muslims, we find the shining example of Abdur-Rahman Ibn Awl.  The eighth person to embrace Islam, he migrated twice to Abyssinia.  Abdur-Rahman distinguished himself in both the battles of Badr and Uhud, suffering more than twenty wounds at the latter.  Then starting with nothing, he went on to achieve tremendous success as a merchant, becoming the richest of the companions.  From his great wealth, Abdur-Rahman financed the Muslim armies, contributed to the upkeep of the family of Mohammed (Peace be upon him) after the prophet’s death and was universally renowned for his fabulous generosity.

So how can we turn getting up for Fajr to our material advantage?  Certainly not by slinking back into bed again and snuggling up for another few hours.  As prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) said:

"The most excellent jihad is that for the conquest of self." (Bukhari)

In the context of fajr, what this means is, once up, stay up!  Stay up and do something useful.  Work on your goals.  If you don’t have any, set some.  Decide what you want to achieve in life.  Devise a plan to make those goals a reality then take action.  You will be amazed at what you can get done in those few quiet hours when most of the rest of the world is still asleep.  You can organise your day, learn a language, work on your degree course or get fit by going jogging in the coolness of the morning.

You can also turn staying up after fajr to your career advantage by driving into work earlier, beating the traffic then packing so much productive work into the next hour without interruption because no one is there to pop into your office and the phone hasn’t started ringing yet.

A further fajr advantage is that along the way you can listen on cassette to the wisdom and inspiration of motivational and business speakers.  We spend hundreds of ours commuting in our cars every year, by some estimates the equivalent to two full terms of university tuition.  Put this time to good use, especially first thing in the morning when you are relaxed and driving on a virtually empty road, when you are bright and fresh and can best take it all in.  Turn your car into a university on wheels.

Each of our lives is different, but you know how to apply these ideas to your own situation.

Take action now!

"Ah, that’s too hard", I hear you say.  Well God assures us in the Quran that:

"We do not lay a burden on anyone beyond his capacity." (Quran: 23:62)

It is possible to turn these early hours to great advantage.  It’s desirable and it’s beneficial.  We are obliged to get up for fajr anyway.  From this we derive a spiritual advantage.  Let’s stay up and get to work.  Why have just one type of advantage when we can have two – spiritual and material.  As Muslims we are uniquely placed.  The next fajr is less than 24 hours from now.  First thing tomorrow morning make sure that you take advantage of your fajr double advantage.

Source: By Michael Young, Islam For Today
via http://www.productivemuslim.com

This was a recent Q&A that I received via email. Details below:

If anyone forget to swithoff / Silent mode to the mobile before proceeding the Salaah then, anyone called us during we are in the state of Salaah. 

1. Can we press any one key in the state of Salaah to stop the ring tone?  Whether our Salaah will be valid if we will press anyone of key in the state of Salaah? 

2. Or else can we break the Salaah and switched off mobile and then again repeat our Salaah.

NOTE:

THIS WILL BE ONLY IF ANYONE FORGET / UNKNOWINGLY TO SWITHCOFF THE MOBILE PHONE.

Answer:

Making sure that ones mobile phone/cell phone is switched off before commencing salaat cannot be emphasised enough. There should be signs on the entrance of the masjid as well as inside the masjid to remind the musallis to turn off their phones. However, since, by nature, humans tend to forget, it is probable that one may forget to switch off ones phone every now and then. Therefore, one should take extra steps in order to safeguard oneself from spoiling his own salaat as well as that of the others in the masjid if the phone does unexpectedly start ringing while he is engaged in salaat.

Hereunder are some suggestions:

- Keep your phone on silent mode all the time. (If not sure how, ask someone)

- If feature available, set your phone to automatically turn to silent mode during the salaat times.

- Use least intrusive ring tone such as a small beep every few seconds, or sound of flowing water, or sound of chirping bird etc.

- Turn ring tone volume to minimum

- Never use music as ring tone. Music is forbidden even outside masjid. Music in the house of Allah is utter and utmost disrespect and a great sin.

- Make a habit of placing the phone in your pocket in such a way that you can easily and swiftly press the cancel button if it does ring during salaat.

- Make a habit of leaving your phone at home or in your car before going to the masjid. Remember that mobile phones did not exist two decades ago. If people since time immemorial survived without mobile phones, so can we!

Now, let’s come to your queries:

1. If one is engaged in salaat and his mobile phone starts ringing in his pocket, his salaat will still be valid if he presses a button on his phone to cancel the ringing or to switch off the phone. However, he should ensure that when he does this, he does not do amal katheer (much movement), otherwise his salaat will become invalid. Amal katheer is that an onlooker who sees him in the act from a distance becomes certain that he is not in salaat. Using both hands to cancel the ringing is amal katheer. Similarly, moving ones hand from its normal place in salaat to his phone three times successively is also amal katheer. If there is a gap between two movements in which subhaana rabbiyal a’laa (سبحان ربي الأعلى) can be recited three times, then the movements will not be counted as successive and, hence, the salaat will be valid. Similarly, if one moves his hand from its normal place in salaat to his phone once and then presses a few buttons successively (in order to cancel the ringing or to switch the phone off), it will be counted as one movement, and hence, his salaat will be valid.

In short, if ones phone starts to ring in salaat and it causes distraction, he must switch off the phone or cancel the ringing with one hand and in a swift and appropriate manner as described above so that it does not appear to the onlooker that he is not in salaat.

However, if the phone is on silent mode, for example, or if the volume of the phone is really low, and the ringing does not distract him at all in his salaat, then he should not attempt to press the button in salaat, otherwise it will be tantamount to making unnecessary movements in salaat. Unnecessary movement in salaat, even if it is only one movement, is makrooh tahreemi. Doing a makrooh tahreemi act in salaat necessitates (makes wajib) repetition of the salaat.

2. If his phone starts ringing in salaat and the ringing is distractive in such a way that he is unable to concentrate and also he is unable to cancel the ringing in the manner described above, then it is compulsory (wajib) for him to break his salaat, turn his phone off, and offer his salaat again.

Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) has said that “It is not permissible for one who believes in Allah and the Last Day to offer salaat while he is holding back urine until he relieves himself.” (Abu Dawood). Based on this, the jurists say that it is makrooh tahreemi to offer ones salaat while one has the urge to relieve himself when it distracts him from salaat. This is even if the urge did not exist before and, rather, comes after commencing the salaat. In such a case it is wajib (compulsory) to break his salaat, relieve himself and offer the salaat again (provided that there is enough time for him to repeat his salaat after having relieved himself). If he does not break his salaat and instead completes it, he will be committing a sin and it will be necessary for him to repeat his salaat.

This ruling is applicable even in a Fardh (compulsory) salaat. And since a person who is distracted by the ringing of his phone is similar to the one who is distracted by holding back urine, the same ruling will apply in both cases. In other words, if ones phone starts ringing in salaat in such a way that it distracts him and prevents him from concentrating in salaat and he is unable to cancel the ringing as mentioned previously, it is wajib (compulsory) on him to break his salaat, switch off the phone, and offer the salaat again.

In short, if ones phone starts ringing in salaat and the ringing distracts him from concentrating in salaat, then he should try to cancel the ringing in the manner described in the answer to question one. If he cannot do so, then he should break his salaat, switch off his phone, and offer his salaat again.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Wassalaamu `alaykum

Ml. Faizal Riza

Correspondence Iftaa Student, Australia

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

http://www.askimam.org

This short video shows the importance of salaah and how we would implement it in our daily lives.

Growing up in a fairly conservative suburb we get told all sorts of things about Sufis and how deviated they are, bidah, etc. I was pleased to read this piece from Darul Ifta as one of their Q&A’s

Question

My question is regarding sufism, i have all the love and respect for the science of tassawuf, but ive been a bit confused, i just want to know why do they whirl and dance and do other unusual things?? is this allowed? and what is a tariqa?? and why do they have them? and what is a hadra? and are there any deviencies in some sufi tariqa’s? what about the naqshbandi?? and if one were to study tassawuf how would i know if what there doing devient? my biggest fear is doing something that puts me out of the fold of islam.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to receive your question regarding Tasawwuf and delighted to learn of your enthusiasm to learn about this blessed discipline. The word Tariqah linguistically means “manner” or “method” and in reference to the field of Tasawwuf, it refers to a school or order, e.g. the Chishti Tariqah, Naqshbandi Tariqah, Shadhili Tariqah etc. Tariqah in relation to Tasawwuf is analogous to the word “madhhab” in relation to the schools of Fiqh.

The science of Fiqh concerns itself with the external injunctions and regulations pertaining to things such as salah, fasting, stealing, interest etc., and the science of Tasawwuf concerns itself with the internal injunctions and regulations pertaining to things such as praiseworthy qualities, e.g. gratefulness, patience, sincerity etc. and reprehensible qualities, e.g. pride, ostentation and greed etc.

In essence, the goal of all the Tariqahs is one and the same, namely to cure spiritual maladies of the heart, elevate the spiritual status and ultimately gain closeness to Allah; the dissimilarities of the various Tariqahs mainly revolve around the difference of approach towards achieving this objective. Some Tariqahs implement one set of spiritual exercises whilst other Tariqahs implement a different set of exercises. Some differences in spiritual exercises stem from the differences of the Madhahib of the Shuyukh of each Tariqah. Considering the fact that the Shuyukh of Tasawwuf adhere strictly to the letter of the law, each Tariqah will differ in exercises of dhikr as well. This will be discussed later. At present, it should suffice to understand that this science pertains to the abstract metaphysical internal element of the soul, thus there exists many seemingly unusual practices and exercises prescribed by the Shuyukh to address such matters.

These exercises were implemented to kindle the burning love of Allah in the heart cleansing it from the rust caused by the passions of the ephemeral Dunya and all that towards which the lower self calls. Dhikr is the nourishment and sustenance of the soul. Just as there are various types of food with varying nutritional benefits, similarly, the various types of dhikr prescribed by the Shuyukh affect the spirit of a person in diverse ways. The field of Tasawwuf is usually likened to the field of medicine. Throughout history, man has discovered cures to various physical maladies, so to have the Shuyukh, the spiritual doctors, discovered cures for spiritual maladies. Some of the practices and cures are mentioned in the Qur’an, some in the Ahadith, and others have been discovered through the institution of tajrubah (personal experience). Generation after generation, the Shuyukh of Tasawwuf have dedicated their lives to this field, therefore, they know the effects of various adhkar upon the heart and soul. To those unfamiliar with Tasawwuf, such exercises may seem extremely peculiar and unusual.

It is understandable for people to feel uncomfortable and queasy during their first experience with such exercises. However, to repel this discomfort, one should bear in mind that the Shuyukh don’t claim that these adhkar and spiritual exercises are new forms of worship where it would be classified as an innovation (bid‘ah) in Din. Only those bereft of the understanding of Fiqh and the subtleties of Din make such professions. These spiritual prescriptions should be seen and regarded as a form of treatment (tadawi) for the sicknesses of the heart. Just as the physical body must be put through certain therapeutic exercises for the benefit and rejuvenation of the body, so to do the Shuyukh put the spiritual patient under various exercises to strengthen and treat the soul.

To give you some examples of such exercises, the famous Hadith of Rasulullah (pbuh) describes the various stages of a believer, from Islam, to Iman to Ihsan.

Jibril (AS) asked Rasulullah (pbuh) regarding Ihsan to which Rasulullah (pbuh) replied,
“It is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing Him and if you are unable to see Him, then (know well) that He is seeing you.”

From this Hadith we come to know that there is an extremely high spiritual position known as Ihsan. The question that arises is that how does a person reach such a status. The next question that arises is to whom should one go in order to learn how to attain it. If a person goes to a Muhaddith, his field and preoccupation is to merely to tell the questioner whether the Hadith is Sahih, Hasan, Dha‘if, how many chains of narration exist for the Hadith, and which narrators transmitted the Hadith etc. In regards to the meaning of the Hadith, at best, they could offer only a literal translation. If a person goes to a Faqih, he would only explain the various rulings that could be extracted from the Hadith as it pertains to the external injunctions of the Shari‘ah.

The Faqih too could not advise the questioner how to attain such a status nor the reality of such a position because such a question does not pertain to his field of expertise. If a person wants to learn the reality of this spiritual position and experience it, he will have to go to a person who has himself reached it. He will have to go to such a person who has dedicated his life in perfecting his internal attributes and character. Only that person who has already reached the destination can direct the lost seeker to it. To acquire this state, some of the Shuyukh advise the Murid to sit in solitude and absolute silence with full concentration and in a state of wudhu, whilst closing his eyes, constantly repeating and deeply pondering over the verse,

“Does he not know that Allah is watching”

After continual practice, the Murid will ultimately establish the understanding and perception that Allah is watching him at all times, whether he is walking, talking, eating, praying etc. Only after exercising great patience and perseverance in acting upon the prescription of his Shaykh and continuously informing the Shaykh of his conditions and states will he understand and experience the quality of Ihsan.

Other peculiar forms of spiritual exercises include making loud dhikr with bodily motion whether standing, as in the case of hadrah as performed by the Shadhilis, or sitting, as performed by the Chishtis. Other exercises include certain breathing exercises like pas anfas as performed by the Chishtis and various forms of muraqabah (meditation) as done by the Naqshbandis etc.

The inherent permissibility or impermissibility of some of these exercises will rest upon the differences of the various Madhahib since some of these practices cross the boundary of a mere internal metaphysical sphere to the externally physical; thus, falling under the jurisdiction of the Fuqaha’. To present a brief example, the practice of hadrah, a type of spiritual bodily movement similar to swaying that some refer to dancing coupled with loud dhikr, is permissible for the followers of the Shafi‘i Madhhab since according to their ‘Ulama and Madhhab dancing is permissible with certain conditions.

Consequently, it will be permissible for the Shuyukh and Murids who follow the Shafi‘i Madhhab to participate in the hadrah. On the contrary, it will not be permissible for the Shuyukh and Murids of the Hanafi Madhhab to participate in the dancing or swaying of the hadrah since no form of dancing is permitted in the Madhhab unless one is overtaken by an uncontrollable state of ecstasy. It is for this reason that the majority of Shuyukh of the Ahnaf prescribe a different form of dhikr that produces the same result and effect as produced by the hadra. In the Chishti Tariqah, the Shuyukh prescribe loud dhikr of the Kalimah, La Ilaha illa Allah where the Murid sits and focuses his concentration on his heart with his head turned towards the direction of his heart. Then, with full devotion, absorption and zeal he recites La ilaaha (there is no deity) while moving his head towards the back and left intending thereby the negation and purging of everything other than Allah from the heart. Thereafter, with full vigor and force, he recites illa Allah (except Allah) while meditating that the love of Allah is flooding his heart. The similar effect of the hadra, namely, that of purification of the heart and spiritual vigor is thus produced which are some of the main ingredients for reviving the diseased heart.

It is important to bear in mind that unfortunately, there has always existed groups of self-centered, worldly motivated pseudo-Sufis who misrepresented Tasawwuf and used some of the practices of the Sufis, not to mention concocted some of their own, to suit their nafsani (selfish) desires. Some of them feign being Sufis in order to gain fame and popularity, others to engage in singing and dancing and others to earn money etc. It is from such people that deviances began to crop up in this pristine and praiseworthy science. Examples of their innovations include the Qawali where singing and music are rampant under the guise of Dhikr, grave-worship where people commit shirk by prostrating to the inmates of the grave, Salami where people stand up to offer salutations upon Rasulullah (pbuh) with the belief that Rasulullah (pbuh) visits the gathering and other similar practices that have no real connection with Tasawwuf. Because of the existence of such perfidious people and their impermissible practices, it has become a daunting task for sincere people such as you to find a true Shaykh and Tariqah. Every Tariqah has these imposters in their midst preying upon the ignorant masses; therefore, one must be cautious as to who one takes as a Murshid (guide). You should ensure that before taking formal bay‘ah to any Shaykh or entering into any Tariqah, that the Shaykh is a complete adherent of the Shari‘ah and upholds its dictates. Anyone who intentionally and openly breaks a single commandment of the Shari‘ah is not worthy to be a Shaykh. A qualified Shaykh is he whose outward and inward appearance and actions conform to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (pbuh) A pious and righteous Shaykh is he in whose company a person feels the urge to act upon the dictates of the Shari‘ah not disregard them. We advise you to continuously make du‘a to Allah Ta‘ala to guide you to a pious and upright Shaykh who will guide you in the field of Tasawwuf. You should make Mashwarah with pious local ‘Ulama if any for their views on finding a genuine Shaykh. It is also important to understand that aside from the Shaykh being firm upon the Shari‘ah, it is imperative that one have some congeniality with the Shaykh so that one can gain spiritual benefit from him. Without the existence of this congeniality and amiability, it will be difficult to consult with one’s Shaykh and follow his advices. Once you have found such a Shaykh who is strict in adherence to the Shari‘ah and the Sunnah and you have an amicable relationship with him, you should place all your trust in him and follow all of his instructions without any doubt. Inshallah, in this manner you will ascend the stages of Tasawwuf with relative ease and obtain your objective.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam u Alaikum

Ml. Yusuf bin Yaqub,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah

from MuslimWritings

Why are you angry?

Are you angry at someone?

Has someone harmed you, betrayed you, used you for his/her own ends? Has someone cheated you, stolen from you, caused you to lose your job or property? Has someone you love been killed? Go make salat.

Are you angry at yourself?

Are you angry at yourself because of something you did or didn’t do, said or shouldn’t have said? Have you harmed yourself or someone else because of foolishness, laziness, negligence, incompetence or apathy? Go make salat.

Are you angry at Allah?

Because someone has died or is suffering? Because of a divorce, a loss of property, friends or family? Because when you try to do the right thing something bad happens? Because you followed all the rules, but ended up with nothing? Because there’s just too much pain? Go make salat.

Go pray two rakats. Go pray two more rakats. Now go pray two more rakats. Tell everything to Allah inside of the salat. All the way from beginnning through rukuh and sajdah. Keep making salat until the emotion starts to move inside of you. Then pray again, and continue talking to Allah. Maybe other emotions will come–grief or shame or despair. Maybe even more anger. Keep praying. Pray again until all the emotions start to overwhelm you.

Pray until you cry. Pray while you cry. Pray while you cry and are helpless before Allah. Pray not for what you want, but for what you need–forgiveness, relief, mercy, understanding, justice, strength, physical or spirtual healing for yourself or for others–pray for any kind of help, anything at all. Now is the time to ask.

When you’re angry, make salat.

And put your trust on the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,
Who sees you standing forth in prayer,
And your movements among those who prostrate themselves,
For it is He Who hears and knows all things. (Quran 26:217-220)

Ponder over this: FAJR

A man woke up early in order to pray the Fajr prayer in the masjid. He got dressed, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid. On his way to the masjid, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, he changed his clothes, made his ablution, and was, again, on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he fell again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home. At home he, once again, changed his clothes, made his ablution and was on his way to the masjid.

On his way to the masjid, he met a man holding a lamp. He asked the man of his identity and the man replied ‘I saw you fall twice on your way to the masjid, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way.’

The first man thanked him profusively and the two where on their way to the masjid. Once at the masjid, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray Fajr with him. The second man refused. The first man asked him a couple more times and, again, the answer was the same. The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray.The man replied ‘I am Satan.

‘The man was shocked at this reply. Satan went on to explain, ‘I saw you on your way to the masjid and it was I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the masjid, Allah forgave all of your sins. I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to the masjid. Because of that, Allah forgave all the sins of the people of your household. I was afraid if i made you fall one more time, then Allah will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so i made sure that you reached the masjid safely.’

So do not let Satan benefit from his actions. Do not put off a good that you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might recieve from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.